How to Print in QGIS

Quick summary

QGIS's Print Layout feature lets you compose, annotate, and export or print a professional map by adding elements like a legend, scale bar, and north arrow to a dedicated layout canvas. This step-by-step process takes you from opening a new print layout to sending the final output to a printer or saving it as a PDF.

Steps

1. Click 'Project' on the top menu, then select 'New Print Layout' to open the layout manager.
2. Enter a layout title in the dialog box, then click 'OK' to create the layout.
3. On the left panel, click the 'Add Map' icon to activate the map placement tool.
4. Drag a box on the blank page to place your map; your current map view will appear inside the drawn area.
5. Add map details by clicking 'Add Label', 'Add Scale Bar', 'Add North Arrow', and 'Add Legend' from the left panel.
6. On the top menu, click the 'Print Layout' icon to open the print options.
7. If connected to a printer, click 'Print'; otherwise, save as PDF and print from there.