Quick Print vs Scaled Print in TrueGIS: What’s the Difference?

Reading time: ~6 min

TrueGIS provides two export paths—Quick Print and Scaled Print. Both are useful, but they’re optimised for different goals. This guide explains each, shows how to set them up properly, and gives troubleshooting tips for edge cases.

Quick Print: speed first

Quick Print grabs the current map view as you see it. It’s perfect when you need a fast capture:

Share a location sketch with a colleague.
Attach a quick map to an email.
Capture an idea in the field with minimal clicks.

How to use it: frame your view, make sure the features look legible, then click Quick Print. Your browser will generate a file (PDF/PNG depending on your setup) that matches the on-screen composition.

Scaled Print: accuracy first

Scaled Print respects a fixed map scale, such as 1:5,000 or 1:25,000. When scale matters (tenders, drawings, documentation), use this option.

Choose a Scale preset (e.g., 1:10,000).
Select Orientation (Landscape or Portrait).
Toggle Show Print Area to visualise the page coverage.
Pan/zoom the map so the print frame fits your area perfectly.
Click Scaled Print to export.

Which should I choose?

Use Quick Print	You’re sharing a draft, need a fast visual, or scale is not critical.
Use Scaled Print	You need a defined map scale and consistent layout for documentation.

Tips for consistently crisp prints

Use the preview frame: With Show Print Area on, adjust the map until the frame captures exactly what you need.
Style for legibility: Prefer high contrast; keep fill opacity around 0.3–0.5 for polygons.
Pick the right orientation: Wide areas print better in Landscape; long corridors in Portrait.

Troubleshooting

Lines look heavy on paper: reduce stroke width before exporting.
Printed area isn’t what I expected: turn on Show Print Area and re-frame the map—Scaled Print uses that frame.
Scale must be exact: use Scaled Print, not Quick Print, and confirm the preset (e.g., 1:5,000).

For a deeper look at scale and layout, read Printing to Scale in the Browser. For a general tour of the app, see TrueGIS Maps: What It Does, Who It’s For, and How It Works.

← Back to Blog