Printing 4 slides per page in Google Slides is a useful way to save paper and ink when you need to print out presentations for studying, note-taking, or handouts. To do this, you first need to download your slides as a PDF, then use the print settings to adjust the layout to print 4 slides on each page. Sounds pretty straightforward, right? Let’s dive in!
After you’ve completed the action, you’ll have a PDF file with 4 slides neatly arranged on each page, ready to print. This format is ideal for creating compact and easy-to-read handouts for your audience or personal use.
Introduction
Printing presentations can be a bit of a puzzle, can’t it? You want the slides to be clear enough to read but also don’t want to waste paper. That’s where printing 4 slides per page in Google Slides comes in handy. It’s a great way to condense your information and is quite the eco-friendly choice to boot!
Why is this topic important? Well, if you’ve ever tried to study from a stack of full-page slides, you know it can be cumbersome. Printing 4 slides per page makes your slides more portable and manageable. Plus, it’s perfect for handouts during a presentation, where your audience can take notes right beside each slide. This printing method is relevant to students, teachers, business professionals, or anyone who uses Google Slides to create and share presentations. It’s all about making your information accessible and practical, while also being kind to our planet. Ready to learn how? Let’s get started!
Step by Step Tutorial: Print 4 Slides Per Page in Google Slides
The following steps will guide you through the process of printing your Google Slides presentation with 4 slides on each page.
Step 1: Open your Google Slides presentation
Access your presentation in Google Slides that you wish to print.
Opening your presentation is the first step in this process. It’s just like starting your car before hitting the road. Make sure you’re logged in to your Google account and navigate to Google Slides to find the presentation you want to print.
Step 2: Click on ‘File’
Look for the ‘File’ option in the top menu and click on it.
Once you’ve got your presentation open, the ‘File’ menu is where all the magic begins. It’s like the control center of Google Slides, where you can access various options for your presentation, including the print settings.
Step 3: Select ‘Download’
In the drop-down menu that appears, hover over ‘Download’.
This step is about downloading your presentation into a format that you can print. Think of it as converting your digital masterpiece into something a bit more tangible.
Step 4: Click on ‘PDF Document (.pdf)’
Choose ‘PDF Document (.pdf)’ from the options to download your slides as a PDF.
By selecting ‘PDF Document’, you’re ensuring that the formatting of your slides remains intact when you print them. It’s like taking a snapshot of your digital slides that you can now hold in your hands.
Step 5: Open the downloaded PDF
Locate the downloaded file on your computer and open it.
Once your file is downloaded, you need to open it up to check that everything looks good before you print. Just like a chef tasting their dish before serving it!
Step 6: Print the PDF
Use your PDF viewer’s print option to bring up the print settings.
When you go to print the PDF, you’ll be able to choose how many slides you want per page. It’s here that you’ll make the magic happen and select the 4-slides-per-page option.
Step 7: Choose ‘Multiple’ under Page Sizing & Handling
Select the ‘Multiple’ option which will allow you to print more than one slide per page.
This option is like telling your printer, “Hey, let’s be efficient and put more than one slide on each page, shall we?”
Step 8: Set the pages per sheet to ‘4’
Adjust the settings to print 4 slides on each page.
This is where you specify that you want exactly 4 slides per page, no more, no less. It’s like fitting puzzle pieces together so they’re just right.
Step 9: Click ‘Print’
After reviewing your settings, click ‘Print’ to start printing your slides.
And with that final click, your printer comes to life, and your slides start transforming into a handout-friendly format. It’s like the grand finale of a show!
Pros
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Saves Paper | Printing 4 slides per page significantly reduces paper usage, which is not only cost-effective but also environmentally friendly. It’s a small step towards a greener planet! |
| Enhances Readability | This layout makes it easier for your audience to follow along during a presentation or for you when reviewing material. It’s like having a compact guidebook instead of a bulky novel. |
| Convenient Note-taking | With 4 slides per page, there’s usually extra space for notes, which is great for annotating during lectures or meetings. It’s like having a built-in notebook beside your slides. |
Cons
| Drawback | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Smaller Slides | The slides will be smaller, which may make detailed images or text harder to see. It’s a bit like watching a movie on your phone instead of a theater screen. |
| Printer Settings | Not all printers make it easy to adjust settings for multiple slides per page, which can be a bit of a hassle. It’s like having a stubborn car that doesn’t want to start. |
| PDF Conversion | You need to convert your slides to a PDF first, which adds an extra step to the process. It’s an additional hoop to jump through before you get to the end result. |
Additional Information
When printing 4 slides per page in Google Slides, it’s important to keep a few things in mind. First, the quality of your images and text matters. Since you’ll be reducing the size of each slide, make sure that everything is still legible. It’s a bit like making sure the font on a billboard is big enough for drivers to read as they zoom by.
Another tip is to use the ‘Blank’ layout for your slides if you plan to have your audience take notes. This provides a clean and uncluttered space beside each slide for writing. Think of it as providing a clean canvas for the Picasso’s in your audience.
Lastly, remember that you can also choose to print 1, 2, or 6 slides per page, depending on your needs. It’s like having different size containers for your leftovers – you choose what fits best!
Summary
- Open your Google Slides presentation.
- Click on ‘File’.
- Select ‘Download’.
- Click on ‘PDF Document (.pdf)’.
- Open the downloaded PDF.
- Print the PDF.
- Choose ‘Multiple’ under Page Sizing & Handling.
- Set the pages per sheet to ‘4’.
- Click ‘Print’.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will printing 4 slides per page affect the quality of images?
The images will be smaller, so ensure they are high resolution to maintain quality.
Can I print notes along with the slides?
Yes, if you have speaker notes, you can choose the option to print them when setting up your print preferences.
What if my printer doesn’t have the ‘Multiple’ option?
You may need to use a different PDF viewer that allows for more printing customization, like Adobe Reader.
Can I print double-sided with 4 slides per page?
Absolutely, just make sure to select the double-sided option in your printer settings.
What should I do if the text is too small to read after printing?
Consider removing non-essential content from your slides or printing fewer slides per page to increase readability.
Conclusion
Printing 4 slides per page in Google Slides is a nifty trick that can make your life a lot easier. It’s perfect for creating compact, easy-to-carry study materials, and handouts that won’t weigh down you or your audience. Like a Swiss Army knife, it’s a versatile tool in your presentation arsenal.
Remember, the key is to ensure your slides are designed with readability in mind, given their reduced size. So, go ahead and give it a try next time you’re looking to print out a presentation. And if you’ve found this guide helpful, why not share it with a friend or colleague? You never know who else might benefit from printing smarter, not harder!
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.