Plot styles control how objects are printed—managing lineweights, colors, and visual effects. If you need professional-quality output or consistent printing results, understanding how to create and apply plot styles is essential.

Issue:

Need to add a plot style, but unable to find the steps to do so.This often happens when you want to customize printing settings but cannot locate where to create or modify the plot style table. Without a correct plot style, drawings may print with incorrect lineweights or colors, leading to inconsistent output.

Solution:

Step 1 :

Click the File in the ribbon menu→ Plot (Ctrl+P shortcuts).

Step 2 :

In the Plot dialog box, find Plot style table first and then click the New option.

Step 3 :

In the Add Color-Dependent Print Style Table dialog box, select Create from scratch and click Next.

Step 4 :

In the next dialog box, input the Print Style Table Name, then click Next.

Step 5 :

In the next dialog box, click the Print Style Table Editor option, in the pop-up dialog box, select Form View, set the printing requirements as required, then click OK and Finish to complete the new plot style creation.

Step 6 :

At this time, in the Plot dialog box, you can select the new plot style.

Why Adding Plot Styles Matters

Adding your own plot style helps you:

• Maintain consistent print standards across multiple projects.
• Control lineweight hierarchy for clarity in printed drawings.
• Apply grayscale or color mapping for better contrast.
• Streamline teamwork by sharing one unified plot style file.

For instance, architects often use thicker lines for structural walls and thinner ones for furniture outlines. Engineers might use different screening percentages to distinguish layers. Having your own plot style helps standardize these visual differences.

Common Problems and Fixes

● Plot style not showing up:

Ensure the CTB file is located in the default Plot Styles folder. Check the file path via Options → Files → Printer Support File Path → Plot Style Table Search Path.

● CTB vs STB conflict: 

If your drawing type doesn’t match, run the CONVERTPSTYLES command to switch between CTB and STB systems.

● Different outputs on different computers: 

Verify all users are referencing the same shared plot style folder.

Best Practices for Your Plot Style Management 

● Regularly review your plot styles for compliance with company standards.

● Use descriptive names (e.g., “A1_Building.ctb”) for clarity.

● Keep archived copies of older plot styles when updating project templates.

● Consider documenting your company’s standard lineweight system for new team members.

Conclusion

Adding and managing plot styles is a vital skill for producing accurate, professional prints. By following the steps above, you’ll not only know how to add a plot style but also how to manage and optimize it for long-term use in your projects.

Once you understand how to create CTB or STB files and apply them effectively, you can maintain consistent results across all your projects. A well-managed plot style system not only improves visual quality but also saves time and reduces printing errors.