FAQs for TPT Purchases

Thank you so much for purchasing a resource from my TPT store. Here are some troubleshooting tips to help you out. If you got an activity from the Early Learning Ideas website instead of on Teachers Pay Teachers, please check out FAQ’S for website purchases.

are You Having Problems Downloading & Opening Documents Purchased from TPT?

Slow or Incomplete Download

The documents in my store are often large and image-heavy, and sometimes it takes time to download them. Your internet and wifi connections can have an impact on the speed of downloading documents.

For best results, I always recommend downloading the files onto a computer rather than a phone or device.

Interrupted Download

Occasionally, download problems occur due to a temporary interruption in network or browser connectivity, causing a halt in the download process. If you see an error message about your network connection, just hit refresh on your browser and wait a few minutes before trying again. This usually does the trick and sorts out the problem.

Problems Downloading on a School Computer

Oh, and if you’re trying to download something on a school computer, remember that some schools have rules about downloading stuff. So, if you can’t download something on a school computer, save it onto a USB drive or email it to yourself and download it at home instead.

Tips for Different Browsers

And, to make life a bit easier for you, here are some tips from TPT on how to fix download problems for different browsers:

What if I STILL Can’t Download my Resource from TPT?

If you have tried the troubleshooting tips above and still can’t download your purchase, you can reach out to TPT customer support or Early Learning Ideas Support for more help.

Please include the following in your communication so that we can help you more quickly:

  • Order # (you can find this in your confirmation email titled “Thanks! Your Purchase from TPT”)
  • Resource # (you can find this in your confirmation email “Thanks! Your Purchase from TPT”)
  • Date of your purchase

TPT Customer Support: CLICK HERE

Early Learning Ideas Support: [email protected]

Zip File Problems

When a resource contains multiple documents, I have to combine them together into a zip file before adding them to my TPT store. You need to first extract the individual documents/files from the zip file in order to open the individual documents/files.

TPT has a really good explanation of how to extract files from a zip file. I can’t write a better explanation than they did, so I am going to send you to their website for all the zip file troubleshooting tips.

Just click on this link Zip File Troubleshooting Tips

**For best results, please download your documents on a computer or laptop rather than on a phone or device.

It Asks Me For A Password

My documents have some security settings, but you should be able to open them without a password. Here are some of the reasons it might be requesting a password:

  • The document is being opened in a program other than Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  • The document requests a password when someone tries to make an edit or change the document. Note: My editable documents are set up as forms and you should not use an edit function to customize them.
  • The document is being downloaded onto a device.

I always recommend that you download a document onto a laptop/desktop because the Adobe App on a phone or device is not the same as the Adobe Acrobat Reader program on a computer.

Opening a document in Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer generally fixes all document issues. You can get the most recent version of Acrobat Reader from this website for free.

http://get.adobe.com/reader/otherversions/

Are you still having problems after installing the most recent version of Adobe Acrobat Reader? Use these steps to make sure that you are opening the document in Reader:

  1. Open the Adobe Acrobat Reader program.
  2. Click the MENU button in the upper left.
  3. Select Open.
  4. Select the document from the files on your computer.

What if I STILL Can’t Open My Files?

If you have tried the troubleshooting tips above and still can’t open your documents, you can reach out TPT customer support for more help.

Please include the following in your communication:

  • Order # (you can find this in your confirmation email titled “Thanks! Your Purchase from TPT”)
  • Resource # (you can find this in your confirmation email “Thanks! Your Purchase from TPT”)
  • Date of your purchase
  • If it asks you for a password, please include a screenshot showing what you see when you open the file on your computer using Adobe Acrobat Reader

TPT Customer Support: CLICK HERE

Are you Having Problems Customizing Your Editable Documents Purchased From TPT

I’m Using a Laptop or Desktop Computer and am Having Problems

Usually, when people experience crazy problems with my editable documents, it is because a new version of Adobe Acrobat Reader needs to be installed.

You can get the most recent version of Acrobat Reader from this website.

Still having a problem AFTER installing the most recent version of Reader? Try opening the Adobe Acrobat Reader program first, THEN opening the document from the program. When Reader isn’t set as the default program to view PDF’s it sometimes causes some confusion. Opening the document from inside the program fixes that problem.

Here is how to open the document from inside the Reader program:

  1. Download the file that you want to open and save it to the files on your computer. Don’t click on the file to open it.
  2. Open the Adobe Acrobat Reader program.
  3. Click the MENU button in the upper left.
  4. Select Open.
  5. Select the document from the files on your computer.

I’m Using a Phone or Device and am Having Problems

The Adobe Acrobat Reader App on phones and other devices does NOT have the same functionality as Adobe Acrobat Reader on a computer. You need to use a desktop or laptop computer to customize the editable documents that you purchase from Early Learning Ideas.

Opening a document in Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer generally fixes all document issues.

You can get the most recent version of Acrobat Reader for your computer from this website.

I Downloaded The Most Recent Version of Adobe Acrobat Reader, But It Still Doesn’t Work

Are you using A phone or device? If you are….then that is the problem. Make sure that you are using Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer rather than your phone or device. The Adobe Acrobat Reader app for phones and devices does not have the same functionality, and you cannot customize the document on a phone or device.

Are you using a computer? When people tell me, “I installed Adobe Acrobat Reader, but it still doesn’t work!”….. the problem usually is that they THINK they are opening the document in Reader, but they are not. Don’t feel bad; this happens all the time.

Be sure that you have downloaded and saved the document on your computer.  Now, close the document.

The next thing that you need to do is open the Adobe Acrobat Reader program, THEN , once you have Adobe Acrobat Reader open, you need to open the document from the program. When Reader isn’t set as the default program to view PDF’s it sometimes causes some confusion. Opening the document from inside the program fixes that problem.

Here is how to open the document from inside the Reader program:

  1. Download the file and save it to the files on your computer.
  2. Open the Adobe Acrobat Reader program.
  3. Click the MENU button in the upper left.
  4. Select Open.
  5. Select the document from the files on your computer.

What if I STILL Can’t Customize this Blasted Resource That I Purchased from TPT?

If you have tried the troubleshooting tips above, I imagine that you are really frustrated. I’m sorry. Please reach out TPT customer support or Early Learning Ideas Support, and we will do our best to help you out.

Please include the following in your communication so that we can get back to you more quickly:

  • Order # (you can find this in your confirmation email titled “Thanks! Your Purchase from TPT”)
  • Resource # (you can find this in your confirmation email “Thanks! Your Purchase from TPT”)
  • Date of your purchase
  • A screenshot showing what you see when you open the file on your computer using Adobe Acrobat Reader

TPT Customer Support: CLICK HERE

Early Learning Ideas Support: [email protected]

Why Is It Asking For a Password?

There are some security settings on the document, but you should be able to open the document (and customize… if this is a document that can be customized) without a password. There are three reasons that it might be requesting a password.

  1. The document requests a password when opened in a program other than Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  2. The document requests a password when someone tries to edit or change the document.
  3. You are using a phone or device.

How to Resolve This Password Problem

Use a Laptop or Desktop

The Adobe Acrobat Reader App on phones and other devices does NOT have the same functionality as Adobe Acrobat Reader on a computer. You need to use a desktop or laptop computer to customize your editable documents. Opening a document in Adobe Acrobat Reader on a desktop or laptop generally fixes all document issues. You can get the most recent version of Acrobat Reader from this website for free.

You can get the most recent version of Acrobat Reader for your computer from this website.

Don’t Use the “Edit” Feature

Do not use the edit feature on my editable documents. The documents are all set up as forms; you need to add text to the form fields. The form fields often don’t show up when you open the document using an app on a phone or device. Use your laptop or desktop and open the document in Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Check The Security Settings

Occasionally, a recently updated or new resource will have the wrong security settings on it. I’m human. While my goal is to make everything perfect, sometimes I screw things up. Here is how to see if the security settings on the document are correct.

  • Open Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  • Click the MENU button in the upper left.
  • Select Open.
  • Select the document from the files on your computer.
  • Click the MENU button again then hover over Protection (near the bottom of the list).
  • Click on Security Properties from the expanded menu.
  • Under the document restrictions summary, check to see if filling of form field is allowed.

If it says that the document allows the filling of form fields, we set it correctly. If it says that the documents does NOT allow the filling of form fields, I screwed up. Please let me know with the contact info below, and I’ll fix it for you.

What if I STILL Can’t Get It To Stop Asking For A Password?

If you have tried the troubleshooting tips above, I imagine that you are really frustrated. I’m sorry! Please reach out TPT customer support or Early Learning Ideas Support for more help.

Please include the following in your communication so that we can get back to you more quickly:

  • Order # (you can find this in your confirmation email titled “Thanks! Your Purchase from TPT”)
  • Resource # (you can find this in your confirmation email “Thanks! Your Purchase from TPT”)
  • Date of your purchase
  • A screenshot showing what you see when you open the file on your computer using Adobe Acrobat Reader

TPT Customer Support: CLICK HERE

Early Learning Ideas Support: [email protected]

What Should The Text Look Like?

The text on your document should look like the images that I included in the product listing in my TPT store. If you are seeing different fonts when you try to customize your document, check out the troubleshooting tips below.

Please note that I do not use a typewriter-style “a” in my printable resources.  If you don’t see the ball and bat style “a”, then you probably aren’t using Adobe Acrobat Reader. Please follow the tips below.

I’m Using a Phone or Device and am Having Problems With The Text

The Adobe Acrobat Reader App on phones and other devices does NOT have the same functionality as Adobe Acrobat Reader on a computer. You need to use a desktop or laptop computer to customize the editable documents that you purchase from Early Learning Ideas.

Opening a document in Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer generally fixes all document issues.

You can get the most recent version of Acrobat Reader for your computer from this website.

I’m Using a Laptop or Desktop Computer and am Having Problems With The Text

Usually, when people experience crazy problems with my editable documents, it is because they are either NOT using Adobe Acrobat Reader or a new version of Adobe Acrobat Reader needs to be installed.

You can get the most recent version of Acrobat Reader from this website.

Still having a problem AFTER installing the most recent version of Reader? Try opening the Adobe Acrobat Reader program first, THEN opening the document from the program. When Reader isn’t set as the default program to view PDF’s it sometimes causes some confusion. Opening the document from inside the program fixes that problem.

Here is how to open the document from inside the Reader program:

  1. Download the file that you want to open and save it to the files on your computer. Don’t click on the file to open it.
  2. Open the Adobe Acrobat Reader program.
  3. Click the MENU button in the upper left.
  4. Select Open.
  5. Select the document from the files on your computer.

What if I STILL Can’t Get This Text To Look Right On The Editable Resouce I Purchased from TPT?

If you have tried the troubleshooting tips above, I imagine that you are really frustrated. I’m sorry. Please reach out to TPT customer support or Early Learning Ideas Support, and we will try our best to help you out..

Please include the following in your communication so that we can get back to you more quickly:

  • Order # (you can find this in your confirmation email titled “Thanks! Your Purchase from TPT”)
  • Resource # (you can find this in your confirmation email “Thanks! Your Purchase from TPT”)
  • Date of your purchase
  • A screenshot showing what you see when you open the file on your computer using Adobe Acrobat Reader

TPT Customer Support: CLICK HERE

Early Learning Ideas Support: [email protected]

Why Does It Want Me To Pay For a Subscription to Edit The File?

It sounds like you are using the Adobe App on your phone or device. The Adobe Acrobat Reader app for phones and devices does not have the same functionality as Adobe Acrobat Reader on a computer/laptop.

You do not need to purchase a subscription, but you do need to use Adobe Acrobat Reader on your desktop or laptop to open and customize my editable PDF’s.

Also, please note that my editable documents are set up as forms, so you just need to add text to the form fields. You cannot use the edit feature to customize my documents.

Do not purchase the subscription. The security settings on the document will not permit you to edit the document even if you purchase the subscription. To customize the document, you must use the free Adobe Acrobat Reader version on your desktop or laptop.

You can get the most recent version of Acrobat Reader for your laptop/desktop from this website for free.

Why Is The Orientation Incorrect?

My husband and I were able to duplicate the problem on his computer. It seems to have something to do with the orientation of your camera (usually an iPhone). The phone usually automatically rotates the photo to show it correctly, but not all applications do this.   

How to Hold Your Phone While Taking Pictures

To fix this orientation problem, make sure that the volume buttons face down when you take pictures with an iPhone.  

How to Fix Pictures That You Have Already Taken

We were able to fix our images by opening them, rotating them, and then saving them or exporting them as new images. We inserted the new image in the name card, and it worked.

What If I Still Can’t Fix These Silly Pictures?

If you can’t get them to work right, you can attach pictures the old-school way.

Books – If you need to add photos to class books, you can spring a 4×6 or 5×7 print and attach it to the book page with double stick tape or glue stick.

Name Mats or Word Wall Cards – If you need to add photos to my name mats or word wall cards, check the directions for a Google Doc template to help you size the pictures correctly.

If you need a copy of the template to size the pictures correctly, please reach out to Early Learning Ideas Support, and we will be happy to send it to you.

Please include the following in your communication so that we can get back to you more quickly:

  • Order # (you can find this in your confirmation email titled “Thanks! Your Purchase from TPT”)
  • Resource # (you can find this in your confirmation email “Thanks! Your Purchase from TPT”)
  • Date of your purchase

Early Learning Ideas Support: [email protected]

Does the Document Have the Correct Fonts?

The fonts on your document should look like those in the photos from the product listing in my TPT store. If you are seeing different fonts when you try to customize your document, check out the troubleshooting section above called “WHEN I ADD MY CUSTOM TEXT, IT DOESN’T LOOK RIGHT – HELP! !

Please note that I do not use a typewriter-style “a” in my printable resources.  If you don’t see the ball and bat style “a”, then you probably aren’t using Adobe Acrobat Reader. Please check out the troubleshooting section above called “WHEN I ADD MY CUSTOM TEXT, IT DOESN’T LOOK RIGHT – HELP! !

Can I Change The Document To Use The Fonts of My Choice?

You cannot change the fonts in any of my documents.  Making changes to the document is a violation of the terms of use. You will be able to customize some of the text in my editable resources, but you will not be able to change the font. While I appreciate suggestions for changes that will improve my resouces, I cannot accommodate custom requests.

Do You Have Problems Printing Your Documents Purchased From TPT?

Did You Extract the Documents from the Zip Folder?

If you’re having trouble printing a PDF and a password prompt keeps popping up, the first thing to check is whether the PDF is inside a ZIP folder. If it is, you need to extract all the files from the ZIP folder first. Click HERE to learn more.

Are You Using Adobe Acrobat Reader to Open The File?

Sometimes, you may also run into issues when opening PDFs in programs other than Adobe Acrobat Reader. To fix this, you can download the latest Adobe Reader for free from their website at this link.

To open your PDF file with Adobe Reader, just open the program first and then click “File” and “Open” to select the PDF file from your computer. It’s important not to click on the PDF file itself, as this might cause it to open in another program instead.

Check The Print Permissions on The Document

Here is how to see if the security settings on the document are correct.

  • Open Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  • Click the MENU button in the upper left.
  • Select Open.
  • Select the document from the files on your computer.
  • Click the MENU button again then hover over Protection (near the bottom of the list).
  • Click on Security Properties from the expanded menu.
  • Under the document restrictions summary, check to see if printing is allowed.

If it says that the document allows printing, I set it correctly. If it says that the document does NOT allow printing, I screwed up. Please let me know using the contact info below, and I will fix it for you.

What If I Can’t Get It To Stop Asking Me For A Password To Print This Resource?

If you have tried the troubleshooting tips above and the document STILL insists that you need a password to print it, I imagine that you are really frustrated. I’m sorry. Please get in touch with TPT customer support or Early Learning Ideas Support, and we will try our best to help you.

Please include the following in your communication so that we can get back to you more quickly:

  • Order # (you can find this in your confirmation email titled “Thanks! Your Purchase from TPT”)
  • Resource # (you can find this in your confirmation email “Thanks! Your Purchase from TPT”)
  • Date of your purchase
  • A screenshot showing what you see when you open the file on your computer using Adobe Acrobat Reader

TPT Customer Support: CLICK HERE

Early Learning Ideas Support: [email protected]

Printing TIps

When PDF’s with images are not printing correctly, here are some tips that might help.

Please be sure that you’re opening the PDF with the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.  You can get the program for free by clicking HERE

Once Reader is downloaded and installed on your computer, be sure to open the document with the Reader program. **This means opening Reader, going up to the top menu, clicking on file, selecting open, and then selecting the document from the files on your computer.

Now, use these steps to print the document.

  1. Click “Print”
  2. In the “Page Sizing & Handling” section, select “Shrink Oversized Pages” if needed
  3. Click on “Advanced”
  4. Check the “Print as Image” box
  5. Print the document

What If I Still Can’t Get It To Print Correctly?

If you have tried the troubleshooting tips and can’t get rid of the black boxes, please contact TPT customer support; they will try their best to help you.

Please include the following in your communication so that we can get back to you more quickly:

  • Order # (you can find this in your confirmation email titled “Thanks! Your Purchase from TPT”)
  • Resource # (you can find this in your confirmation email “Thanks! Your Purchase from TPT”)
  • Date of your purchase
  • A screenshot showing what you see when you open the file on your computer using Adobe Acrobat Reader

TPT Customer Support: CLICK HERE

Staples or Another Printer Tells Me They Need A Password

Professional printers recognize that the document you purchased is copyrighted material and want to ensure you have permission to make copies of it. Please get in touch with your printer to find out how to proceed. Usually, they just need a print authorization document, and you will find the details for that below.

Please note that my documents are secure to protect the copyright of my work and to secure the licensed clipart on the documents. I cannot remove this security feature.

How To Get A Printing Authorization Document?

You can get a Print Authorization from the My Purchases Page on the TPT website. Click the Printing Authorization link for the product as highlighted below.

how to find a print authorization  for a purchased product on TPT

Do You Have Additional questions About Your TPT Purchase?

Terms of Use

Following is the Terms of Use for all resources created by Early Learning Ideas LLC, Jennifer Hier, and Jennifer Hier at Early Learning Ideas

All rights reserved by author.

The purchase of this resource entitles the purchaser the right to reproduce the pages in limited quantities for single-classroom or single-family use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system or commercial purposes is strictly forbidden without written permission from the publisher.  Additional licenses can be purchased at a discount.

Copying any part of this resource and placing it on the internet is strictly forbidden and is a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). These items can be picked up in a google search and then shared worldwide for free.

Thank you for respecting my work!

TOU Update For COVID-19 Related Classroom Closures.

While distance learning is necessary, you have my permission to email printable resources to the parents of students in your class.  You may also post resources online to a password-protected learning portal (such as Google Classroom) that is only accessible to the parents of your students.

Questions About Terms of Use

Here are answers to the most common questions regarding my terms of use.

Can I Use This on Outschool?

No. This is an example of commercial use, so we do not permit the use of Early Learning Idea Resources on Outschool.

Can I Make Changes To The Document?

No. Changes are not permitted under the terms of use.

Can I Use The Clipart on Your Document in My Own Resource?

No. I have either created or purchased a commercial license for the clipart on my resources. If you pull clipart from my resources, that is stealing. You can, however, purchase your own license for clipart.

What If I Have Additional Questions About The Terms of Use?

I am happy to answer your questions. Please send me an email at [email protected].

No. This is an example of commercial use, and I do not permit the use of Early Learning Idea Resources on Outschool.

Can I Request Changes?

I welcome suggestions for improving my resources, but unfortunately, I cannot accommodate custom requests. When a customer suggests a change, I add it to my list and will take the suggestion into consideration the next time I update that resource.

I Found an Error on a Document

While I try to provide a perfect product…. I am human. Please let me know if you find an error, and I will fix it for you. Please note that a customization request is not fixing an error. I cannot accommodate custom requests.

Please include the following in your communication so that I can get back to you more quickly:

  • Order #
  • Name of Product
  • Date of your purchase
  • Name and email address on the order (if different from the email that you are sending)

Early Learning Ideas Support: [email protected]

I hope you will first reach out with any problems you may have, so that we can help you troubleshoot. All requests for refunds from purchases made from Teachers Pay Teachers must be made to TPT customer support.

Please include the following in your communication so that they can get back to you more quickly:

  • Order # (you can find this in your confirmation email titled “Thanks! Your Purchase from TPT”)
  • Date of your purchase
  • Having a problem with the resource? Include a screenshot showing what you see when you open the file on your computer using Adobe Acrobat Reader.

TPT Customer Support: CLICK HERE