Printing tiles and placing them on the board

Mode rolling out. Depending on your version of BoothX, the tile layout and printing options may differ from this description.

During the event, each photo becomes a printed tile that is stuck in its place on the board. This article explains how to set up printing and organize placement so the mural keeps growing without a line forming.

The printer

The mosaic uses the active printer from the Printers page, just like the photobooth. Before the event:

1. Check that the selected Paper size matches the installed ribbon.
2. Run a Test page and check the margins: a cropped tile no longer lines up with the grid.
3. Turn on Borderless if your printer supports it.

See The Printers page and print settings.

Several tiles per print

Depending on the size of the tiles and the paper, BoothX can place several tiles on a single print (to be cut out). It saves paper, but you need a paper trimmer or careful cutting. Depending on your version, cut marks are printed to guide you.

Sticker paper

If your supplier offers self-adhesive photo paper for your printer, placement becomes child's play: peel and stick. Otherwise, have pre-cut double-sided tape on hand.

What is printed on the tile

• The guest's photo, tinted with the color of the target image.
• The cell's marker, kept discreet (in the margin or a corner), for example C-12.
• Depending on your settings, the guest can also receive their own personal photo print, untinted, in the event template.

Organize placement

With an attendant

The attendant picks up the tile as it comes out of the printer, hands it to the guest and shows them their cell. This is the fastest and neatest option.

Without an attendant

• Show a clear instruction on the end screen: “Your tile goes in cell C-12: stick it on the mural!”.
• Place the board next to the printer.
• Choose in order filling (row by row): cells are easier to find.
• Leave a small explanation sign with an example.

Track progress

On the organizer's screen (or on the second screen), BoothX shows:

• the digital mural in progress, tile by tile;
• the number of filled cells and cells remaining;
• the tiles printed but possibly not placed: compare with the board.

Showing the digital mural on a screen guests can see creates a buzz: everyone wants to see their photo appear. See Use multiple screens.

Reprint a tile

A tile that is stained, badly cut or lost? Find it in the mosaic by its marker and reprint it. It stays attached to the same cell.

Fill in empty cells

At the end of the evening, if cells remain:

1. Start filling the empty cells (if your version offers it).
2. BoothX prints tiles from photos already taken at the event, tinted for the remaining cells.
3. Place them: the mural is complete.

Plan enough paper for this fill: up to the number of remaining cells.

Export the mural

At the end, export the digital mural as a high-resolution image:

• to have it printed in large format by a print shop, as a gift for the client;
• to send it to the client or publish it.

The export happens on the booth and costs nothing. Sharing the image online (gallery, email) falls under pay-as-you-go services. See Free forever or pay-as-you-go.

Supplies: estimate the paper

The paper you need is simple to calculate:

• prints for tiles = cells ÷ tiles per print (rounded up);
• + personal prints if each guest also receives their photo;
• + fill prints for the empty cells;
• + a margin for reprints.

Compare with the capacity of your rolls or ribbons, and keep a spare set of supplies.

Common issues

• Tiles don't line up: the printed size differs from the board's grid. Check the margins and the Borderless option, then measure a tile with a ruler.
• Colors vary from one tile to the next: ribbon changed during the evening, or changing light on the photos. Keep the lighting constant.
• Line at the printer: print several tiles per print, or turn off the personal print during the rush.
• Printer in error: see Printer troubleshooting: advanced cases.

Frequently asked questions

Do tiles count in the print statistics? Yes, each print counts as a print for the event.

Can I print all the tiles after the event? Yes: the digital mural is saved and its tiles can be reprinted. But the whole point of the mosaic is watching it come to life during the evening.