Waxfinch / Guides
Printing coloring pages for a whole class
Short answer: print one clean master of each page, then copy it on the school copier. Plan two pages per child plus a few spares, and offer a choice of three or four pictures instead of the whole set.
How many to print
| Children | Pages each | Spares | Sheets to print |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 2 | 4 | 28 |
| 20 | 2 | 6 | 46 |
| 25 | 2 | 6 | 56 |
| 30 | 2 | 8 | 68 |
Spares matter with small children: a torn page or a picture someone else "already has" is a real problem at four years old.
Master first, then copies
- Print one copy of each picture you want, at "Actual size" or 100%, in black. This is your master.
- Copy the masters on the school copier, one side only. Copier toner costs less per sheet than home inkjet ink, and the lines stay crisp.
- Sort the copies into one pile per picture, so children can choose.
Give a choice, not the whole pack
Three or four different pictures on the table is enough. Children pick faster, you print fewer sheets, and the pages nobody chose can go home in bags or come out again another day.
Is copying for a class allowed?
It depends on the licence of the pages. Many free pages online are for personal use only; read the line on the site before copying 30 of them. Our packs include one classroom: a teacher may print and copy as many pages as that one class, homeschool group or daycare room needs. Sharing the PDF with colleagues is not included; each classroom needs its own copy.
Paper size at school
School copiers in the US and Canada are loaded with Letter paper; most other countries use A4. Print your master from the matching file and nothing gets cut off. More on that in A4 or Letter.
Questions
How many coloring pages does one child need for a class party?
Plan on two per child for a 15 to 20 minute table activity, plus a few spare sheets.
Can I photocopy a coloring page I printed?
If the licence covers your class, yes. A clean black print copies well; copy single-sided.
Pages to try it with
Two free full-size pages, Letter and A4, no sign-up: a pair of Christmas mittens and Ladybug, Ladybug. The full packs are Cute Christmas Coloring Pages and My First Nursery Rhymes Coloring Book (Printable), $7 each.