Frequently Asked Questions about Using Mom's Break PDF Free Printables

(that open in Adobe Reader)

By Jan K., The Proofer

© Copyright 2008

 

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Mom's Break now offers free printables in PDF format that can be personalized (starting April 2008). To be able to personalize these new PDF free printables, you will need Adobe Reader version 8 (recommended). This is free software that is available by downloading it from the Adobe website. Go to Adobe Reader 8 to download this version, if you don't already have Adobe Reader 8.

List of Frequently Asked Questions

(Click on the question to go to the answer)

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Q: I don't know what a "PDF" file is.

A "PDF" file is just a different type of computer file, such as Word documents (which end in ".doc") and pictures or photos (that end in ".jpg"). PDF files can only be opened using Abode Reader, which is a free software that usually is already on your computer. For more information about PDF files, go to:

What is PDF and why do I need Adobe Reader?
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Q: When I try to open the PDF free printable on the Mom's Break web page, it seems like it takes a long time to open, or it doesn't seem to want to open at all. What do I do?

The PDF free printable files are fairly large (in terms of computer space) and depending on your computer and your Internet service, opening the file may take a long time. It is best to download the PDF free printable directly to your computer. There are two types of downloads, single files and collections. Here's help for either kind:
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Q: I can't personalize the PDF free printable I downloaded.

Only PDF free printables that are offered April 2008 or later are likely to be formatted so that you can personalize them. Be sure that the Mom's Break web page where you found the PDF free printable indicates that you can personalize it. PDF free printables that were offered prior to April 2008 cannot be personalized.
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Q: All of the text that I added to my PDF free printable did not print. Why?

The PDF free printable has a "defined" area in which you can type your letter, greeting, party invitation details, or whatever else you are typing in. If you exceed the space allowed, you may be able to see the text on your computer screen, but all of it may not print. If you are typing a nice long letter, then end the text at a nice place, then Save As and rename the PDF file (such as "Letter_to_Mike_1"). Then open the blank PDF free printable again, and start the next page (which you can Save As "Letter_to_Mike_2" if the letter is really a good long one!).
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Q: I want to change the font and/or the font size, but I can't figure out how to do that.

Personalizing PDF free printables using Adobe Reader does have some limitations. The font and font size cannot be changed while personalizing the free printable in Adobe Reader. However, if you are familiar with Microsoft Word (or the word-processing software you are currently using), then you can print out the free printable without personalizing it, and then use it as "stationery" paper.
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Q: I don't see a highlighted area to type in when I open the PDF free printable on my computer.

It is very possible that the highlighted area that can be typed in will only show up on the Mom's Break web page. When you download and open the PDF free printable in Adobe Reader on your computer, the highlighted area may seemed to have disappeared. Don't worry! You can still personalize the free printable by typing in text. Just click the mouse in the general area of where the highlighted area appears on the web page, and start to type.
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Q: I've downloaded a PDF Free Printable and opened it in Adobe Reader. However, I can't personalize it. What is wrong?

It is likely that you are not using Adobe Reader version 7 or later. Earlier versions of Adobe Reader do not have all the features that versions 7 and 8 have (by the time you are reading this, there may be newer versions). You will need the latest version of Adobe Reader in order to personalize the PDF Free Printable. Go to Adobe Reader to download the newest version. After you have downloaded the new version, reopen your PDF Free Printable.
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Q: I'm not sure if the PDF Free Printable is finished downloading. How will I know for sure?

If you've saved the PDF Free Printable to your computer, the easiest way to know that it has finished downloading is to try to open it. If it opens, then it has completely downloaded. Another way is to wait until the little hourglass icon to change back to the standard cursor icon. Depending on what you have downloaded, and how you downloaded it, your computer may "ding" (make a sound) or you might get a pop-up window that indicates "Finished" or "Done." In any case, the best way to be sure that the file is completely downloaded is to try to open it. If it opens, then it is fully downloaded.
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Q: What is "rich text format" and how do I use it? Some of Mom's Break PDF Free Printables are now available with the rich text format (RTF) feature enabled. This feature allows you to add some limited styling to your personalized text. To use the RTF styles, you will need to first type your personalized text, and then go back and add the styles to the text (one word or more) that you'd like to change. For an illustrated tutorial for using the RTF feature, go to:

How to Use "Rich Text Format" Features in Mom's Break PDF Free Printables
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Q: Can I use PDF Free Printables as Stationery Paper in my printer? Many of Mom's Break PDF Free Printables can easily be adapted for use as stationery paper that you can use in your printer! By using Microsoft Word (or any other word-processing software), you can create document templates that will print properly in the text area of the PDF Free Printable page. Get step-by-step instructions for how to create Word document templates for Mom's Break PDF Free Printables at:

How to Use PDF Free Printables as Computer Printer Stationery

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If you don't see your question listed, and none of the available FAQs answers your question,
then Contact Jan to request a tutorial. New tutorials will be created as time allows, so check back often!

Search Jan's FAQs for Mom's Break for general questions and help with Mom's Break Free Printables

FAQs for Mom's Break: General Questions and Answers 
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