Print SVG, PNG, or JPG images directly from the iPad to a specific location in the field — logos, wayfinding marks, ad-hoc annotations, or any graphic that needs to land at a precise spot on the layout. PNG and JPG support was added in July 2026; SVG support has been available since April 2026.

This article covers file requirements, print options, and design guidance for the most reliable printed output.

Supported File Formats

• SVG
• PNG
• JPG / JPEG
• BMP
• GIF (only still images)

All three formats can be selected from local iPad storage in Photos or Files using the same print flow.

File Requirements

To be eligible for printing, image files must meet the following requirements, regardless of format.

• SVG, PNG, JPG, BMP, GIF format only. Files must be saved locally on the iPad to Photos or Files (not in a cloud-only folder). Other formats are not supported and will not appear in the file picker.
• Maximum file size: 250 KB. Files larger than 250 KB will be rejected by the iPad. If your file is over the limit, simplify the design (fewer vector paths for SVG; lower resolution or simpler source image for PNG/JPG) or re-export with optimized settings before retrying.
• Single color output. The FieldPrinter prints the image in a single color using dithering to approximate other colors. Images that start close to black and white, with mostly white space, will produce the cleanest and most predictable results — large areas of color or subtle gradients may print with heavier or lighter ink coverage than expected, since fine tonal detail doesn't always survive the conversion.
• No embedded raster images inside an SVG. Do not include PNG or JPEG images inside an SVG file. Only vector paths, shapes, and text are supported there. Embedded raster content will cause the SVG to be rejected or to print incorrectly.

Print Height Options

When you set up a print, the iPad asks you to choose a Height at which the image will be printed. The FieldPrinter scales the image so that its longest dimension matches the selected height. This applies the same way across SVG, PNG, and JPG.

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.

How to Print an Image from the iPad

1. On the layout canvas, long-press at the location where the image should be printed, then choose Print Image from the context menu.
2. Select the SVG, PNG, or JPG file from Photos or Files.
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 image 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 immediately 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.
• Start close to black and white. For PNG and JPG, source images that are already close to monochrome — with mostly white space — convert most predictably. Don't rely on the automatic conversion to rescue a busy, colorful, or low-contrast image.
• Test with small samples. Validate 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.
• Strip embedded raster content from SVGs. 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.

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, .png, .jpg, .jpeg, .bmp, or .gif. Other formats are filtered out.

The file is rejected on selection.
Check the file size (must be 250 KB or smaller). For SVG, also confirm that no PNG or JPEG content is embedded inside the file.

The image prints with missing or broken elements (SVG).
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 image prints with unexpected or uneven ink coverage (PNG/JPG).
This usually means the source image had color, a low-contrast gradient, or fine tonal detail that didn't survive the automatic black-and-white conversion. Re-export a version that's already closer to black and white, with mostly white space, and retry.

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