Why?
 

Most times I can figure out a pattern if I stare at it long enough. Other times I need a printed pattern to keep me on track. Looking at pattern sites, many designers have printed patterns that they will mail you, some have PDF patterns ... but not all the mailable ones come in PDF. Why? I'd prefer not to have to pay postage if it's not necessary. I realize that not everyone has a printer at home on which to print out a PDF, but they can save it to memory.
When desireing a certain pattern, I want it NOW so I can pull fabric out of my stash and have it waiting to be next in line. Is this just me....am I too anxious or do others feel this way too?

Just my personal quirk, but I'd rather have a pattern mailed to me than down-load and then print it off. I don't mind waiting for the pattern to get here by mail.

I usually have so many works in progress waiting for the pattern to arrive by mail isn't an issue. I would just as soon pay postage as pay to use my paper and printer inks. Especially since I seldom want just one pattern.

I like the PDF patterns too. When I get a bee in my bonnet, I want the pattern NOW! I have even started ordering some quilt books as Kindle books.

I was told by a designer that she doesn't do PDF's because they were too easy to share widely.

Watson

I'm with you, Linda- I want to be able to download right away. I haven't seen any patterns that don't have a PDF version but it would bug me if I did.
Last year my sewing room was a mess and I was in a sew along. I couldn't find part of the pattern so all I had to do was print it again. Very convenient!

I like the the paperless option. When I buy a PDF pattern, I download it but I don’t print it off. I take my iPad to the sewing room and access the pattern. I can zoom in to make it as large as I need it. I don’t want to have to sift through piles of paper to find what I need. I do the same with free patterns I find on the net.

Last week I was using an old pattern that I resurrected. It came on one huge fold out sheet printed on both sides and was difficult to manoeuvre in my small space , was starting to rip on the folds, so I took pictures of the parts I needed and put the sheet away.

I realize this isn’t an option for those using a PC but it has really simplified dealing with patterns for me.

A pdf pattern is almost all profit. A well known seller of patterns can sell thousands of pdfs in one day like Missouri Star Quilt Company so even a special of $2 a pattern, it makes money. A paper pattern has to be printed, packaged, and shipped. Not as much profit per pattern and usually it's spread out over time as orders come in. I bought a $99 dollar printer that one cartridge will print 2500 pages. I haven't ran out of ink since I bought it about three years ago. It doesn't do color but I can send all pdf files to my Kindle and that is like having a full color pattern in my hands. I keep all pdfs on a memory stick and all are in the cloud storage so I can access them from any device anytime.

If the pattern doesn't come in PDF format you can still save it using CutePDFWriter which is a free program. I use it all the time for my recipes from various sites.

I was thinking that that might be the reason. I can understand that.

Since I buy (when I do) patterns online I prefer the speed of having it NOW! I don't like to wait for it to be mailed. Sure they is the chance it can be copied and given away. However many patterns also are encoded for individual usage to prevent this from happening.

I prefer paper patterns to pdf's. But I can certainly see the benefit of low costs in pdf copies. I usually purchase pdf's when I have to get the quilt done fast.

I prefer a paper pattern, because I don't like having to use so much printer ink, which is expensive, moreso than the small shipping charge for the pattern, and the paper patterns are more compact than when I print them out.

The thing I don't understand is why retailers say the pattern is low in stock. Or something like buy now, only 3 left. How can a pdf file be low in stock?
When I print out a pdf I'll print the cover page with the quilt image in color, then switch to black and white for the rest. Unless I need to see the color arrangement to clarify the piecing instructions. Then those pages get to be in color.

I prefer a PDF because most patterns come from the US and they charge a ridiculous price for shipping, when the thing can just go in an envelope.
Besides, I want it now.
Watson

Not a big deal for me as I make up most of my patterns.

Copy paper is cheap. Ten ream (5000 sheets) package is $38 at Amazon. I waited for a flash sale and got it for $19.99. Keep items you want in the save for later list and when the price changes you'll get a notification.. I pay for wi fi so I make it work for me... I'll never run out printing patterns. LOL The toner cartridge prints 2500 pages and is very inexpensive compared to ink jet ink. The grands want to print or make copies of their hands, faces, drawings, no big deal. Print away.

A large number of patters that I buy are PDF’s. I normally print one in black and white and stick it in a plastic sleeve and store it in a binder of patterns that I keep....my purchased patterns go in there too. I store it on an iPad too including on the cloud.