Dorico Tutorials

Print Mode in Dorico: A Category Overview

Introduction

Print Mode in Dorico provides a streamlined environment for exporting and printing scores, ensuring professional-quality results with minimal effort. Unlike Finale, which requires extensive manual page adjustments before printing, Dorico automates much of the layout process, allowing users to focus on music rather than formatting issues.

Finale users accustomed to exporting PDFs via third-party print drivers or manually adjusting print margins will find Dorico’s integrated Print and Export system to be much more efficient and precise.

1. What Can Be Controlled in Print Mode?

Print Mode allows users to:

• Select and configure layouts – Choose which parts and scores to print/export.
• Print directly or export to PDF – Seamlessly create high-quality files.
• Control page scaling and margins – Ensure optimal spacing and readability.
• Export individual parts in batch mode – Save time when preparing multiple instrumental parts.
• Set print resolution and file format – Customize settings for professional engraving standards.

2. Key Features of Print Mode

Self-Contained Printing Without System Print Dialog

• Dorico’s printing is entirely self-contained, eliminating the need for coordination with the System Print Dialog.
• Page Setup, including paper size and layout, is managed in Layout Options.
• Dorico automatically applies these settings to generate PDFs in Graphic Output mode.

Layout Selection and Batch Printing

• Easily toggle between Full Score and Individual Parts.
• Select multiple layouts to print/export simultaneously.
• Adjust margins and page positioning without modifying the score itself.

Exporting to PDF and Graphics Formats

• PDF Export – The default and most commonly used option for professional printing.
• PNG and SVG Export – Useful for embedding in digital publications or websites.
• TIFF Export – For high-resolution, print-ready output.

Custom Paper Sizes and Scaling

• Set standard sizes like Letter, A4, Tabloid, and Custom Dimensions.
• Fine-tune scaling percentages to fit oversized scores on standard paper.
• Automatic page fitting eliminates the need for manual resizing.

2-Up Printing and Page Size Considerations

• Dorico supports 2-up printing, automatically placing US Letter (or any other size) side-by-side.
• For example, Letter pages print side-by-side on Tabloid (Landscape).
• When using Graphic Mode in Print Mode, specify the page size, not the output size.
• The preview can be deceptive, as it does not always represent the actual output aspect ratio accurately.

Booklet and Spread Printing

• Dorico supports 2-up spreads and booklet-style printing, ensuring optimal readability for performers.
• Choose between single pages, booklets, or custom spreads.

Printer and Margins Customization

• Select printer preferences directly within Dorico.
• Adjust margins, duplex settings, and page alignments for optimal layout.

Exporting to MusicXML and MIDI

• MusicXML Export – Facilitates file sharing with other notation software (Finale, Sibelius, etc.).
• MIDI Export – Provides a way to move playback data into a DAW.

3. Best Practices for Using Print Mode

• Check Layout Options First – Ensure page sizes and part formatting are correct before printing.
• Use Batch Export – Select multiple parts at once to speed up workflow.
• Export PDFs Directly from Dorico – Avoid third-party print drivers for the best results.
• Adjust Margins and Spacing in Engrave Mode – Ensure proper layout before printing.

4. How Print Mode Differs from Finale’s Printing Workflow

5. Conclusion

Dorico’s Print Mode provides a seamless, professional-grade solution for score output. By integrating layout selection, scaling, and high-quality export formats, Dorico eliminates many of the manual adjustments required in Finale. Whether printing directly or exporting PDFs for distribution, Dorico ensures clarity and consistency in every score.

Related Resources

• Dorico Manual: Print Mode
• Dorico YouTube Tutorials
• Dorico Forum Discussions