Printable chord sheets that read well on a music stand

A real A4 page, not an approximation

The editor works on an actual A4 page measured in points, so the preview is the document that gets exported. Zoom in and out to inspect details, or fit the width on a phone while you check the layout.

Each song keeps its own page format. A ballad with large type and a single column can live next to a dense song in two columns without reconfiguring the editor every time.

Settings that change how the sheet reads

Font size, margins and column count have the biggest effect on legibility. Start with the defaults, print one test page and adjust from there; a slightly larger font or a smaller margin usually solves a tight song.

• Size: 7 to 20 pt to fit the lyrics on paper.
• Margins: 5 to 35 mm when a song needs more room.
• Columns: one reads well standing up; two make better use of the page for long songs.

Placing chord diagrams on the page

Diagram blocks are page objects rather than loose images. Drag a block with its handle, change its width, height and column count, and the lyrics flow around it instead of disappearing underneath.

Before exporting, the editor checks that no block covers the header or runs past the footer and warns you when one needs to move. Fixing it on screen beats discovering it on paper.

From the preview to paper

The Export menu produces an A4 PDF you can save or send to a printer. Print opens the browser dialog with the same layout, a white background and no toolbars.

The PDF and Word files carry the title and artist in the header, plus the optional chordleaf.com footer that you can switch off under More options. Check the first page before printing the rest.

• Does the song fit on the pages you expected?
• Are the chords sitting over the right syllables?
• Can you read the lyrics from where you stand?
• Are all diagrams present and clear of the text?

Notes for real music stands

Most rehearsal sheets end up printed in black and white, and that is fine: contrast comes from the type and the chord placement, not from colour.

For a long song, two columns at a moderate size often fit on one side. When you share the sheet with a band or a class, the PDF is the faithful version. Keep the .chordleaf.json project if you may want to adjust the layout later.