Beta capability as of May 2026.

Overview

The print image feature allows the FieldPrinter to print monochrome SVG images directly from the iPad. It is useful for printing logos, wayfinding marks, ad-hoc annotations, or any graphic that needs to land at a specific location in the field.

This article covers the file requirements, print options, and design guidance that produce the most reliable printed output. Because Print Images is in beta, capabilities, file limits, and supported options may change between releases.

SVG File Requirements

To be eligible for printing, SVG files must meet the following requirements.

• SVG format only. All images must be saved as .svg files in local iPad storage. Other vector or raster formats (PDF, AI, PNG, JPEG) are not supported and will not appear in the file picker.
• Maximum file size: 256 KB. Files larger than 256 KB will be rejected by the iPad. If your file is over the limit, simplify the design, reduce the number of vector paths, or re-export with optimized settings before retrying.
• Black and white only. Use fill="#000000" for any filled elements. Colors other than true black may not print. Dark navy and similar near-black colors have been confirmed to fail — they must be converted to true black before import.
• Avoid large filled areas. Designs should be mostly white space. Large black blocks may display poorly when printed and consume significantly more ink than line work.
• No embedded raster images. Do not include PNG or JPEG images inside the SVG. Only vector paths, shapes, and text are supported. Embedded raster content will cause the file to be rejected or to print incorrectly.

Print Height Options

When you set up an SVG print, the iPad asks you to choose a Height at which the image will be printed. The FieldPrinter scales the SVG so that its longest dimension matches the selected height.

The following height options are available:

• 2" — small marks, equipment tags, fine wayfinding icons.
• 6" — standard logos, area-identification graphics, or compact instructional marks.
• 1' — larger logos and prominent wayfinding marks.
• 2' — feature graphics such as room or zone identifiers.
• 3' — large feature prints, ideal for showcase work, lobby graphics, or high-visibility signage.

Larger prints take longer and use more ink. For the first print of a new SVG, start with 2" or 6" to validate that the design renders cleanly before scaling up.

How to Print an SVG from the iPad

1. On the layout canvas, long-press at the location where the image should be printed, then choose Print SVG from the context menu.
2. Select the SVG file from your local iPad storage.
3. Rotate the image in 90-degree increments if needed.
4. Choose the Height at which to print the image (2", 6", 1', 2', or 3').
5. Set Relative Location to control how the image aligns to the point you tapped:
   • Center (default): the center of the SVG aligns with the tapped location.
   • Top Right: the top-right corner of the image aligns with the tapped location.
   • Bottom Left: the bottom-left corner of the image aligns with the tapped location.
6. Tap Print. The FieldPrinter will navigate to the location and print the image.

Best Practices

• Design for line work. Use outlines, strokes, and simple shapes instead of filled areas. Line work prints faster, uses less ink, and translates more reliably to a printed layout than large filled regions.
• Keep designs simple. Avoid excessive detail that may not translate well at the chosen print height. Fine elements that look correct on screen can blur or drop out at smaller heights.
• Test with small samples. Validate a small portion or a smaller print height before scaling to the full image. This catches issues with line weight, fill misuse, or unsupported elements before committing to a 2' or 3' print.
• Confirm true black. Open the SVG in a text editor or vector tool and verify that fills and strokes resolve to #000000. Convert any near-black colors before transferring the file to the iPad.
• Strip embedded raster content. If the SVG was exported from a tool that auto-embeds reference images, remove those embeds before transferring the file. A clean SVG contains only vector paths, shapes, and text.
• Stay under the 250 KB ceiling. If you are working from a complex source file, simplify paths or reduce point counts in your vector editor before exporting. Most logos and wayfinding marks fit comfortably under 250 KB with normal optimization.

Troubleshooting

The file does not appear in the picker. Confirm the file is saved locally on the iPad (not in a cloud-only folder) and that the extension is .svg. Other formats are filtered out.

The file is rejected on selection. Check the file size (must be 256 KB or smaller) and confirm that no PNG or JPEG content is embedded inside the SVG.

The image prints with missing or broken elements. Verify that all fills and strokes are true black (#000000) and that the design uses vector paths rather than embedded raster images. Re-export from your design tool with these settings, then retry. Verify that all strokes have a defined width.

The print looks blurry or smudged at a small height. Reprint at a larger height (1' or 2') or simplify the design to reduce fine detail.