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Calibration. That is a scary word for many who are just joining the sewing with projectors world. It shouldn’t be! I will walk you through step-by-step how to calibrate a mini projector for sewing. You will get calibrated and back to sewing in no time!
I often hear people say, “I’m too nervous to get started!”. Just jump in and give it a try. If you follow the steps, you will get calibrated in no time.
For most people you will only need to calibrate your projector one time and that is it! Once you know how to calibrate a mini projector for sewing, it will be easier! Soon, you will be giving advice to others calibrating for the first time. If at any time you need help or advice, check out the active Projectors for Sewing Facebook group. I do not run the Facebook group, but it is an active community and members of the group are very helpful!
What is Calibration?
Calibration simply means that the image projected onto your cutting mat is “actual size”. In other words, the 1-inch (or 4cm) square on your pattern is actually that size in your projected image.
Calibration does not “change” your projector in anyway. It ensures that the image is level to the lens and cutting surface. When you are finished calibrating you will have a zoom percentage that you will use every time you open Adobe Reader DC. (If you are using different programs each time, you will need a zoom percentage for each program.) How you calibrate a sewing projector is done the same if you are using Xodo, Inkscape, or Affinity Designer.
Calibration is an essential step and your patterns will not cut out correctly without it. Don’t skip any steps! Skipping steps will add to your frustration.
The “Old” Versus the “New” Way
When sewing with a projector first started in 2019, you had to physically adjust the projector for calibration. The development of calibration “tools” or PDFs helped know when the image was squared to the table. From now on, this will be referred to as “manual” calibration.
However, in 2024 members of the projector sewing community came up with much simpler ways to calibrate a projector for sewing. Independently, two programs for calibrating and projecting patterns were created: Project & Cut and Pattern Projector.
Now, you can calibrate your projector by dragging and dropping corners of the image to create a “squared” image on your cutting table. These are now the preferred methods for calibrating a projector for sewing.
Prepare for to Calibrate a Mini Projector for Sewing
Essential Programs
You will need a program that can read PDF files and access layers for pattern projection. No, you cannot use a USB drive and plug it into your projector expecting it to display your patterns. That’d be great if someone invented a sewing projector that did this!
Whether you use a computer, tablet, or phone, you can use the free web application Pattern Projector to calibrate and project patterns. As an alternative, if you have a computer, you can download the program Project & Cut to your computer.
You can install Pattern Projector as a web app directly to your home screen by clicking the “install app” on the homepage.
Connect Your Device to Your Mini Projector
There are many ways to connect to a mini projector for calibrating and sewing. Most mini projectors have Wi-Fi and screen casting capabilities. Others do not and will need a wired connection. Here are a few of the main ways you can connect a computer, phone, or tablet to a mini projector for sewing.
HDMI
Connecting your computer, phone, or tablet via cable really is the best way to go. You will avoid many troubles that arise from wireless connections. However, there are many wireless connections listed below that work for pattern projecting when you are learning how to calibrate a projector for sewing.
HDMI is the preferred way to connect a computer to a mini projector for sewing.
Most of the mini projectors will have an HDMI port. You may need to buy an extra-long HDMI cord if your projector is mounted on the ceiling. Measure the distance from the ceiling to where your computer is. That is how long your cable will need to be. For most people, the 15ft cord works well.
Troubleshooting Tip: Apemans may need the aspect ratio changed. Push the down arrow to access the aspect ratio. The Apeman LC350 needs to be set to “Panoramic” and the LC550 needs to be set to “Point-to-Point”.
*I do not recommend using VGA connections as this can cause distortion issues in your image and make calibrating your projector for sewing very difficult.
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Last update on 2024-11-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Screen Mirror
Screen mirror is an option available on iOS devices including: iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers. Screen mirror is a great option that is supported by many projectors, including the Vivimage Explore 2, Acrojoy C202, and many more.
Turn on the projector and look for a “screen mirror” option for sources. Select the “screen mirror” option, then return to your device.
On an iMac or MacBook look for “Air Play”. If your projector is on and screen mirror is selected, it should be discoverable by “air play”. Select the projector from the Air Play list and it should connect.
Troubleshooting Tip: If your Mac doesn’t connect, you may need to check your Security and Privacy options. Go to your System Settings menu and scroll down to Screen Recording. Click ON for your projector. You may need to do this for Chromecast as well.
Screen mirror can be found on the iPhone by swiping down from the top right corner to reveal the control panel screen. Select the button with the two rectangles on top of each other. This will open the available screens to mirror to.
The projector may be named something odd. If nothing else is available, that is probably it. Click it and it should connect. When it is connected, a check mark should appear. You can now navigate on your phone and it will show on the screen.
Troubleshooting Tip: Bomaker projectors create their own Wii signal. In order to connect to the Bomaker signal, you cannot be connected to your home Wi-Fi. You often need to change the computer display resolution for the Bomaker to 1280 x 720.
Miracast
Miracast is aimed to be cross-platform and work like a wireless HDMI cable. Miracast works on devices running Windows 8.1 or later. Most Android phones and tablets are Miracast capable. Miracast can also work on computers. Miracast does not work with Chromebooks or Google Pixel devices.
Miracast can be used to project phone, tablet, or computer screens to a projector. It is in fact screen mirroring for Android devices.
Miracast can often have connection issues. So, if you are using Miracast and getting issues with your connection, it’s probably not the internet. It is most likely just that Miracast can be unstable. Try connecting a different way to see if the issue is solved.
To use Miracast on an enabled device, select “wireless display” in the settings menu. Select the Miracast screen you want to project to and follow the on-screen directions.
Under the “Display resolution” on your computer in Settings, choose a display resolution that matches your projector. Display resolution of your projector can be found in the Menu under System Information.
Sometimes Miracast connections will create a smaller image on the projector. This is true with the Vivimage Explore 2 projector.
Chromecast
Chromecast can turn any device into a wireless display. This means that you can connect your computer or laptop to a Chromecast device and wirelessly project to your projector.
This is a great option for projectors that are not Wi-Fi enabled. This will turn any HDMI (other adapters can be purchased) into a wireless display receiver. To see how to set up a Chromecast, watch the video below.
<iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/sBXOkZmZ6O4″ title=”YouTube video player” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture” allowfullscreen></iframe>
Flat Surface
Having a flat surface will make your calibration process so much smoother! Whether you are cutting on a table or floor, you need it to be even all the way across your cutting mat. I do not recommend cutting on a folding table with a seam down the middle. Uneven surfaces, such as tile, can create complications. Add a piece of drywall, wood, sheet metal, or MDF under your cutting mat to make it even if necessary. Uneven surfaces will create image distortion and throw your cutting lines off.
Troubleshooting Tip: Add a piece of drywall, wood, sheet metal, or MDF under your cutting mat to make the surface even! Remember to always use the same setup when you are projecting patterns.
Mount
Mini projectors are mounted from the ceiling directly above and centered over the cutting mat. Some people do mount from the wall, but you will need an extender arm connected to make the projector directly over your cutting surface. In order to calibrate your projector, you should have your mount installed. Read about mounting a mini projector for sewing here. Ensure that the projector screen is oriented correctly for your mat. You can’t change the width and height of the projected image rectangle. You can rotate the screen so it reads right-side up. This is done in the menu settings.
Go to the setup menu on your projector, and rotate the screen so you can view the image right-side up. The choices are typically under Projection>Projection Mode. The choices are usually: rear ceiling, front ceiling, front desktop, and rear desktop. As you click and cycle through, it will change the image. Stop when you can read the screen.
Tape Measure
Grab a tape measure to have on hand! A tape measure will make it easy to check the measurements of lines and boxes as you calibrate. Measuring the diagonal lines gives you a quick measurement to check!
Calibration Grid Mat
It’s a great idea to have a cutting mat with a grid on it. This will help you to line up and check the grid in the calibration programs. Most of us already have a cutting mat with a grid on it. You need a large grid to calibrate against for best results.
I recommend a cutting mat at least A1 size or 36 inches x 24 inches. Large mats that are A0 sized are great for ultra short throw and short throw projectors that will create larger image sizes. This is the one I have and it works great! If you don’t have one yet, I highly recommend getting one before continuing on.
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Last update on 2024-11-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Step-by-Step How to Calibrate a Mini Sewing Projector
Step 1: Mount/Setup Your Mini Projector
In order to calibrate your projector, you will want it to be setup where it will be when you are sewing. It is best if this can be a permanent place, but you can also use a portable setup if needed to.
There are many ways that you can mount a mini projector. A mini projector must be above your cutting surface. Always check your projector image for offset before permanently mounting. Do this by turning on your projector and holding it where you plan to mount. Note that the image is generally where you like it and the size is suitable for you. We cannot change the size or location of the image during calibration.
If the image is not large enough for you, then you need to raise the mini projector up. No room to go up? Consider using a mirror setup to increase the throw distance of your projector, or purchase a short-throw projector instead.
Step 2: Squared Image
Setup your projector where you want it. Adjust the focus and keystone dials so the projected image is square to the eye. (If your image is not square, this is no longer an issue with the new calibration methods.)
Mini Projector Check
Locate the focus and keystone dials on your projector. Most of the time these are manual adjustments with levers around the lens. Sometimes these are adjusted using the projector settings and/or remote. Identify how to make keystone and focus adjustments on your projector before proceeding. Make sure manual keystones are in a neutral position. Are you using a secondhand projector? Reset the projector to factory settings! The reset can be found in the main menu.
If you notice a section on the menu that says “auto calibration” or “manual calibration”, these are not to “calibrate” the zoom for sewing! That is calibration of the screen for viewing (color, contrast, etc.). I recommend choosing manual calibration for the screen.
Adjust Keystone and Focus
Adjustments to keystone and focus should be minor adjustments. If you need to do big adjustments, return to your projector setup and level and tilt the projector until you have square corners.
Even projectors that have “auto” focus and “auto” keystone may need to be manually adjusted. Manual adjustments are usually made using rings around the lens. Other times you can make these adjustments directly from your remote. Sometimes, you may need to go into your menu settings to make adjustments.
Keystone will adjust the image at an angle making it more rectangle or more trapezoid. If keystone adjustments and not making a square image, you may need to do more physical tilts and adjustments.
Now use the focus lever or dial on your projector to bring the calibration grid into clear focus. The lines and numbers should be clear enough to read. Make sure to open the document into Full Screen mode in Adobe.
Return to keystone and focus adjustments as needed throughout the calibration process.
Step 3: Calibrate in Pattern Projector
Physically tilting and manually calibrating your projector is a thing of the past! Two programs have been developed to “calibrate” your projector: Project & Cut and Pattern Projector.
Pattern Projector is a web-based application that can be accessed from any device (computer, tablet, phone) with access to the internet. You can also download the web app directly to your home screen.
Go to PatternProjector.com and click “calibrate” to get started. Drag and drop the four corners on your cutting mat to form a rectangle. Measure the width (long edge) and height (short side). Enter these measurements on the H and W in the top menu.
Click on “Project” to open a pattern on your device and project it! Now you can start cutting your first pattern out!
You are now ready to cut your first pattern on your projector! I suggest starting with a pattern that has a dedicated projector file. Here are 17 free sewing patterns with projector files to get you started!
Now you are on your way to opening up a whole new world of sewing! Congratulations!
Now you can help a friend learn how to calibrate a sewing projector!
Happy paper-free sewing!
Sheredith, thank you so much for this information on calibrating ceiling mounted projectors. I followed the instructions tonight after putting it off for a bit, thinking it would be difficult and that I’d get frustrated. Everything went very smoothly as I followed your tips. I just finished projecting and cutting out a pattern that I plan to start sewing tomorrow. Btw, before this I was downloading patterns to a pdf printing company, but when I saw the cost, it gave me the courage to get my system setup. I bought one of the mini projectors and ceiling mounts from Amazon all for about the cost of having 3 or 4 patterns printed. Thanks again!
Yay! I am so glad you had the courage to start and work through setup and calibration! I’m so excited to what the future holds in sewing for you! Thanks for the comment!