Revit Tip: Revit Print Setup Standards for Consistent PDF Exports

Standardizing PDF output through Print Setup eliminates guesswork, keeps scales accurate, and ensures every submittal looks consistent across the team and over time.

Why it matters

• Consistent line weights and fonts across all sheets.
• Correct sheet sizes and scales for permitting and coordination.
• Repeatable, automated exports that save hours on issue days.

One-time setup (save it in your office template)

• Open File > Print (Ctrl+P) > Print Setup > Settings > Save As. Name it by size and intent, e.g., “PDF_A1_Vector_BlackLines.”
• Paper size: Match your title block exactly (e.g., ISO A1 594x841 mm, ARCH D 24x36 in). Mismatches cause scaling errors.
• Orientation: Align with the title block (usually Landscape for ARCH/ISO).
• Zoom: Use 100% for sheets (preserves scale). Fit to page is acceptable only for non‑sheet views.
• Color: Choose Black Lines for contract sets; Grayscale for backgrounds; Color for phasing/MEP diagrams.
• Processing: Prefer Vector Processing for crisp linework and smaller PDFs. Switch to Raster only if using shadows, images, or transparency; keep Raster Quality to Medium/High only when required.
• Options: Enable Hide reference/work planes, Hide crop boundaries, Hide scope boxes, Hide unreferenced view tags to avoid clutter.

Driver choice and consistency

• Use the same PDF driver across the team (Autodesk PDF, Bluebeam, or Adobe) to ensure identical results.
• If you need reliable PDF tools or add‑ons, explore options at NOVEDGE and the Autodesk Revit collection on NOVEDGE.

Naming and batching

• Print Range: Choose Selected views/sheets, then Save a selection set (e.g., “Issue A – Arch Sheets”).
• Combine multiple selected views/sheets into a single file for unified submittals; for internal reviews, separate files per sheet can speed markups.
• Use sheet number and name in file naming to generate predictable, sortable outputs (e.g., A101-Floor Plan – Level 01.pdf).

Quality and performance tips

• Vector prints faster and yields smaller files unless shaded/transparent elements force Raster.
• Avoid heavy pattern densities and overusing images—both balloon PDF sizes and degrade performance.
• Test one sheet first to confirm line weights, fonts, and hatches before batch printing.

Team deployment and automation

• Store named Print Setups and saved sheet selections in your Revit template so projects start standardized.
• Document your “Print Matrix” (Size, Orientation, Color Mode, Vector/Raster, Driver) in your BIM standards manual.
• For large sets, consider Dynamo-based batch printing or PDF toolchains; explore compatible tools via NOVEDGE.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Paper size mismatch leading to incorrect scales.
• Forgetting Hide unreferenced view tags—resulting in noisy PDFs.
• Unnecessary Raster mode making enormous files.
• Driver inconsistencies between users causing line weight shifts.

Lock these standards in your template, name your setups clearly, and your PDFs will be consistent, scalable, and issue-ready every time.

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