Revit Print Setup Dialog Explained for Beginners
Revit Print Setup controls the settings that determine how views and sheets are placed on paper or PDF, including paper size, orientation, zoom, placement, color and raster/vector processing.
Beginner takeaway: Use Print Setup to define the output standard; do not compensate for wrong paper or placement by editing the model.
What you need to understand first
The dialog contains many options, but beginners only need to understand them in a logical order: paper, orientation, placement, zoom, appearance, processing and visibility options.
- Paper options come from the selected printer driver.
- Zoom can be 100% or Fit to page.
- Revit can use vector or raster processing depending on the view/content and chosen settings.
Related guides: Saved Print Settings in Revit: Create, Reuse and Transfer Standards, Revit Print at 100%: Keep Sheet and View Scales Correct, and Revit Vector vs Raster Printing: Which Processing Mode to Use.
Step-by-step workflow
Step 1 — Choose the printer first
Where: File > Print > Printer Name
Do this: Select the target printer or PDF driver.
Check: Available paper sizes now belong to the intended device.
Step 2 — Open Setup
Where: Print dialog > Setup
Do this: Open the Print Setup settings.
Check: You are editing output behavior, not the sheet geometry.
Step 3 — Set paper/orientation
Where: Paper and Orientation
Do this: Match the title block and intended sheet orientation.
Check: No forced scaling is needed.
Step 4 — Set placement and zoom
Where: Paper Placement / Zoom
Do this: Use 100% and suitable centering/offset for issue sheets.
Check: The title block sits correctly on the page.
Step 5 — Set appearance/processing
Where: Appearance and Options
Do this: Choose Black Lines/Grayscale/Color and vector/raster behavior as required.
Check: Preview reflects the intended deliverable.
What usually goes wrong
| What you see | Likely layer | First check |
|---|---|---|
| Paper not listed | Printer driver | Select/install correct printer first. |
| Sheet off center | Placement offsets | Reset or use center. |
| Output blurry | Raster processing/quality | Use vector where possible or adjust raster quality. |
| Color wrong | Appearance or driver override | Compare Revit and driver settings. |
Practical example
A sheet is correct in Revit but shifted on paper. Before moving the title block, open Print Setup and check placement/offset. If the selected printer driver uses a different printable area, the paper placement setting is the correct layer to inspect.
What not to do
- Do not move title blocks to compensate for one printer’s offset.
- Do not select maximum raster quality for every sheet by default.
- Do not assume the same paper list appears for every printer driver.
Good office standard
Save named Print Settings for the office’s normal outputs so users rarely need to edit the full dialog.
Quick verification before you move on
- Use one representative drawing or sheet, not a production batch.
- Verify page size, orientation and a known dimension.
- Compare Preview/PDF with the physical output when a printer is involved.
- Save the setting or set only after the result is repeatable.
Official references
Frequently asked questions
Why does changing printer change paper choices?
The printer driver determines the device properties Revit can use.
What is the safest zoom for issued sheets?
100% when scale is critical.
When is Fit useful?
For reference output where exact scale is not required.
Explore more in Revit Printing & PDF Guide.