Printing for a class is not the time to experiment. You want one download, one test page, and a clean stack on your desk.
This checklist is a repeatable workflow for printing Maze Forge maze packs (plus answer keys) with minimal surprises. If you want a ready set, start with the Easy Starters Pack.
quick links
- Packs: Easy Starters Pack, Medium Mix Pack, Mixed Bag Pack
- Printing help: print mazes without cropping
- File format guide: PDF vs SVG
- Classroom routine: maze warm-ups for class
before you print: pick the right pack
Packs save time because they are already grouped and include answer keys.
Start with:
- Easy Starters Pack for younger students and warm-ups
- Medium Mix Pack for older students and steadier challenge
- Mixed Bag Pack if you want variety in one download
If you are not sure, pick easy. It is easier to move up than to recover a room of frustrated students.
the 5-minute workflow
minute 1: download the correct paper size
On the pack page, download the PDF that matches your paper:
- Pack PDF (Letter) for US Letter
- Pack PDF (A4) for A4
Then download the matching Answer Key PDF once. Keep it for yourself.
minute 2: print one test page
Print the first page before you print the full stack.
Check:
- no clipped borders
- clean line weight
- corridors that are easy to trace
If anything looks off, stop and fix the settings before you burn paper.
minute 3: set the two print settings that matter
In the print dialog, set:
- Scale: 100%
- Margins: None or Minimum (wording varies)
Then disable headers and footers if your browser adds them.
If you see clipping after this, use the troubleshooting list: print mazes without cropping.
minute 4: print the class stack
Print:
- one page per student
- five extra copies
If you run multiple periods, print one stack per period or print once and split it into labeled piles.
minute 5: stage the materials
- Put the student stack in a tray or folder.
- Clip the answer key to a clipboard.
- Put the "challenge" stack (medium or hard) on a side table for early finishers.
If you use a warm-up routine, this post shows a low-effort flow: maze warm-ups for class.
common problems and fast fixes
the maze is cropped on the edges
- Increase margins from None to Minimum.
- Keep scale at 100%.
- If your printer has a large non-printable border, scale down slightly (98%).
lines look fuzzy
Make sure you printed the pack PDF, not a screenshot. If you are building your own worksheet layout, keep the maze vector:
- PDF for printing
- SVG for embedding and resizing
Use this decision guide: PDF vs SVG.
students erase through the page
Use slightly thicker paper for high-pressure writers, or ask students to trace with a finger first and commit with pencil after.
after printing: keep it reusable
If you plan to reuse a pack across multiple periods or weeks, a small amount of organization saves time later:
- Write the pack name and paper size on the folder (Letter or A4).
- Keep the answer key clipped inside the folder so it travels with the student pages.
- Save one clean student copy as a "reference print" to compare if your printer settings drift.
If you want a routine that makes reuse easy, this warm-up flow is built for it: maze warm-ups for class.
FAQ
can I print two mazes per sheet?
Yes. Use "pages per sheet" in your print dialog (2-up). It saves paper and works well for warm-ups, but keep it for smaller mazes so corridors stay readable.
do I need an account to download packs?
No. Packs download directly.
do packs include answer keys?
Yes. Pack pages include separate Answer Key PDFs in both Letter and A4.
what if my class is mixed ability?
Print one default stack (easy) and keep one smaller challenge stack (medium). Students who finish early move up without waiting.
next step
- Print your first stack with the Easy Starters Pack.
- Keep the answer key for yourself and use it for quick checks and targeted hints.
- If printing gives you trouble, use print mazes without cropping.