Lines PDF Generator

The lines PDF generator can generate lined PDFs for calligraphy practice or other writing uses (like stationery on nice paper with faint colored lines). It can also generate patterns and graph paper. It can create lined, patterned, and graph PDFs with multiple colors in multiple ways. I use it for turning the backs of scrap paper into lined paper to practice calligraphy with my fountain pen (and just because having lines makes making lists easier). Enjoy!

This part of this site was mentioned by Matt Armstrong in Currently Inked – an excellent fountain pen YouTube series. His site is penhabit.com for lots of great pen reviews, pictures and information. His reviews and other fountain pen related stuff will be missed (he is still alive – just not adding more video content).

There are three types of PDFs the generator can create:

  • Lined – horizontal lines with multiple colors, widths, and spacings.
  • Pattern – dots, dashes, and more!
  • Graph – graph paper however you like it.

Just select the type of printing you want at the top of the form.

Use the Lined PDF Generator for basic lined PDFs for calligraphy practice or decorative lines. It can handle varying line spacings, multiple line colors, and variable line widths.

Try Pattern PDFs for basic pattern PDFs. It can create dot, dash, plus (cross), dot dash, and plus dash patterns in multiple colors with multiple line widths. Patterns are the easiest PDFs to create. This is where to go if you want dot paper with red dots! (Or even better green dots!)

If you want a graph like PDF use Graph PDFs. You can vary the line spacing of the horizontal and vertical lines independently and the lines widths and colors also.

There are some examples here.

If you have other ideas or problems contact lines at napcatstudio · com.

Measurements

The measurements for line spacings, line and pattern widths, and pattern spacings can be in inches [in], centimeter [cm], millimeters [mm], or points [pt].  If no unit is given the measurement defaults to points. So “1in” is 1 inch and just “1” is 1 point.

Colors

For colors the generator uses either X11 color names or RGB hex colors. The RGB hexadecimal color can be specified as either 000000 or #000000 where the first two hexadecimal digits correspond to the red, next two to green, and the final two to blue.  So 000000 is black and ffffff is white. I find 103010 to be a very nice dark green. See here for examples and ideas.

Printing

Not all printers are created equal. Some printers may decide that a color is too light or a line to narrow to print. Mine doesn’t center quite right (it is close). Also, if you want true measurements on your printed result watch out for printer settings like “scale to fit” or “fit to page” as these may stretch or shrink what is printed on your page. Experiment with your printer to see what it can do.