How to Download and Open Printables

Not sure how to open or use your printables? You’re in the right place. This guide will walk you through downloading, unzipping, and using Crafter Journal printable files — no tech wizardry required. 💛

Let’s be real for a second: trying to download and open digital files can feel weirdly stressful — especially when all you want to do is craft, not troubleshoot. If you’ve ever thought, “I bought the printable, now what?” or “Where did my file even go?” — this post is for you.

I created this guide with beginners in mind. Maybe you’ve never opened a ZIP file before, or you’re not sure what a PDF is. Maybe you’re using your phone and wondering if that’s going to work (spoiler: it can!). Or maybe you’re just feeling that dreaded moment of “I clicked something, but nothing happened.”

Whatever brought you here, I promise you’re not alone — and you’re not doing anything wrong. Let’s walk through it together, step by step. I’ll make sure you feel confident and supported from the moment you download your printable to the minute it’s printed, cut, and in your journal.

Grab your favorite drink (tea? coffee? craft desk cocktail?), and let’s make this easy. 🧡

💾 What Are Printables

… and What Do I Do With Them?

Let’s start at the very beginning. A printable (sometimes called a digital) is just a fancy name for a file you download and print at home — like a sheet of tags, pages, labels, or ephemera. In junk journaling, printables make it easy to craft without needing to hunt down vintage books, scan old papers, or hoard scraps (though I fully support hoarding scraps 😄).

When you buy one of my junk journal kits — or sign up to grab some freebies — you’ll receive your goodies as printable files that you can save to your computer, open, and then print as many times as you like for your personal use.

These are digital files made with love and paper in mind — and even if this is your first time using a printable, I promise I’ll walk you through it step by step. 💌

📄 PDF or JPEG?

PDF and JPEG – What These File Types Mean

When you download one of my printable kits, you’ll notice two different file types: PDF and JPEG.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what they are and when to use them:

• PDF files are best for beginners.
  They’re super easy to open and print — just double-click, and your computer will usually open them in a program like Adobe Reader (on Windows) or Preview (on a Mac). They’re laid out exactly how they’re supposed to look, and everything stays the right size.
• JPEG files are image files — like photos.
  These give you more flexibility if you want to resize individual pages, print using a photo printing app, or drop them into Canva for a custom layout. But if you’re just getting started, you don’t need to worry about any of that.

🧳 What’s a ZIP File

… and Why Do I Need to Open It?

Sometimes, especially with larger kits, you’ll receive your files inside something called a ZIP file. This is basically a folder that’s been “zipped up” to make it easier to send and download.

Think of it like a suitcase filled with your printable pages — you’ll just need to “unzip” it before you can take the goodies out and use them.

🧵 Why I use ZIP files:

• It helps keep everything tidy in one place
• It makes downloads faster and more reliable (especially when you’re downloading full kits)

💡 Don’t worry — unzipping is easy and I’ll show you exactly how to do it in the next section, whether you’re on a computer or mobile device.

⬇️ Downloading Files

Downloading Files: What to Expect (and What to Do First)

Once you’ve purchased a printable or grabbed a freebie from me, you’ll be given a download link. When you click it, the file will automatically start downloading — no extra steps or browser windows. Just click, and the download begins.

🎯 Here’s what I recommend:

• Download to a computer or laptop if you can. It’s easier, faster, and more compatible with ZIP files and print settings.
• If you’re using a phone or tablet, don’t worry — I’ll share tips for those too, just a little further down. 💛

🧩 Not sure where the file went?

Your device usually saves downloads to a folder called Downloads — but it might depend on your settings. Try checking:

• Your browser’s download bar
• Your Downloads folder (Mac or Windows)
• Or your phone’s Files app (iPhone/iPad) or My Files (Android)

📂 And just a quick reminder:

If your kit came in both PDF and JPEG format, you only need to download one version. PDFs are easiest to start with if you’re not sure.

🚫 Downloading Issues

Common Downloading Issues (and How to Fix Them)

If something goes sideways — no worries. You’re not doing anything wrong. Here are the most common things that might cause hiccups when downloading your printable files (and how to fix them). Click the “+” icon to reveal the answer.

🗂️ Opening Zip Files

How to Open ZIP Files (on Any Device)

If you’ve downloaded your printable kit and noticed that it came in a ZIP file, don’t worry — this just means your files are “zipped up” together in a neat package to make downloading easier and faster. Now, we just need to unzip them so you can use your goodies.

Here’s how to do that depending on your device 👇

💻 On a Windows PC

1. Find the ZIP file in your Downloads folder.
2. Right-click the file and choose Extract All…
3. Follow the prompts to select where you want to save the unzipped files.
4. Once it’s done, you’ll have a new folder with all your printable pages ready to go!

🧡 Tip: Save your printables in a dedicated “Crafter Journal” folder so you can easily find them again later.

🍏 On a Mac

1. Locate the ZIP file in your Downloads folder.
2. Double-click it — that’s it!
3. Your Mac will automatically unzip the folder and place the files in the same location.

If nothing happens, you may need to open the file using the built-in Archive Utility (this should launch automatically, but if not, you can open it manually).

📱 On an iPhone or iPad

1. Make sure your iOS is up to date — older versions may not support ZIPs without extra apps.
2. Open the Files app.
3. Navigate to Downloads (or wherever your ZIP file saved).
4. Tap the ZIP file. It should unzip automatically and create a new folder you can open.

If your phone doesn’t unzip automatically, try using a free app like iZip or Documents by Readdle — both are beginner-friendly and work well with printables.

🤖 On an Android Device

1. Open the Files or My Files app.
2. Find your ZIP file (usually in Downloads).
3. Tap on the file. If your phone supports it, it should unzip automatically.

If it doesn’t work, download a free app like WinZip or ZArchiver from the Play Store.

🖨️ How to Print

How to Print Your Printables (Quick Version)

Once your files are unzipped and opened, you’re ready to print! Here’s a quick-start version to get you going:

1. Open the file (I recommend the PDF if you’re just starting out).
2. Click Print (Ctrl+P on Windows or Command+P on Mac).
3. In your printer settings:
   • Choose “Fit to Page” or “Actual Size” (whichever you prefer)
   • Select the paper type that matches what you’re using (cardstock, sticker paper, etc.)
   • Print on high quality for best results
4. Load your favorite paper — and hit Print!

✨ For step-by-step tips (including double-sided printing, resizing, and borderless layouts), head over to my Full Printing Tips Guide.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Printable Files

If you’re new to using digital files or printables, you’re not alone — and I’ve got answers to the most common questions I hear from crafters. Click the question to reveal the answer.

Troubleshooting

When Something Doesn’t Work (And What to Do About It)

If something’s not working the way you expected — take a deep breath. You’re not the only one, and it’s almost always something quick and fixable. Here’s a handy list of common issues and how to solve them so you can get back to the fun part: crafting! ✂️Click the “+” icon to reveal the answer.

Next Steps

Whew — you did it! Whether this was your first time using a digital printable or just the first time you felt like you actually understood it, I hope this guide helped you feel more confident and in control.

Junk journaling is supposed to feel joyful — not frustrating. And now that your files are open and ready, the fun part can begin. ✂️✨

If you still have questions, feel free to leave a comment below — I’m happy to help. You’re never bothering me, and there are no “silly” questions here.

🧵 More Helpful Resources:

• 📄 Read the full Printing Tips Guide
• ✂️ Check out the Junk Journal Supplies Post
• 📚 Learn What a Junk Journal Is
• 🎁 Get Free Printables – Sign Up for the Resource Library

Your creativity deserves this moment — and if you’ve made it this far, you’re already doing great.

Happy crafting,
Cyna xx