Beginner’s Guide to Printing a Downloadable Murder Mystery Game at Home

The fastest way to turn “we should do a murder mystery sometime” into an actual event is simple: download the game, print it cleanly and have everything ready before your first guest shows up.

But if you’ve never done it before, printing can feel like the risky part. Wrong paper size. Weird margins. Half the pages coming out sideways. Or the worst one: you realize you printed “evidence” on the back of another clue.

This guide is your no-stress workflow for how to print murder mystery files the right way so your night starts with suspense, not troubleshooting.

And if you already know what you want to play, here are three fan-favorite options that print beautifully:

• Death & Taxes (Digital Download) Broadway Murder Mysteries

• Drama at Drag Brunch (Digital Download) Broadway Murder Mysteries

• Terror in Tinseltown (Digital Download) Broadway Murder Mysteries

How to Print Murder Mystery Files: What to Download First?

Before you hit print, do this quick “download check” so you don’t end up printing the wrong version or missing a file.

Your 3-minute download checklist

1. Download the full file set (not just the first PDF you see).

2. Locate the Host Guide first (even if you won’t print it).

3. Confirm your player count (so you print the correct number of character sheets).

4. Skim for “cut pages” or “props” (some kits include things you might want on thicker paper).

If you’re buying a game specifically because you want it ready fast, digital downloads are built for exactly that—purchase, download, print, play. 

Pro tip: If you’re hosting family night, start with Family Games Collection so the tone, age rating, and materials match your group.

Printer Settings and Paper Choices for Printing at Home

When people search how to print murder mystery, they usually mean: “How do I make this look nice without wasting ink and paper?”

Here’s the simplest setup that works for most home printers.

Paper choices (use this “nice vs. practical” split)

• Cardstock / thicker paper: character sheets, invitations, key clues you want to feel important. 

• Regular paper: host guide, character overview, anything only you reference. 

If you want the “premium kit” feel without printing everything on cardstock, just upgrade the pages guests handle the most, character sheets and anything you want them to pass around.

Settings that prevent 90% of print problems

• Paper size: match what the file expects (commonly US Letter; A4 can still work if needed). 

• Scaling: set to “Actual size” or “Fit to page” consistently—don’t mix and match mid-print.

• Quality: bump to High for sharper text and cleaner “official document” vibes. 

• Color mode: use color if the kit relies on color cues; otherwise grayscale can be fine. 

A quick word on color (so you don’t panic when it looks different)

Colors can look slightly different on paper than on your screen because screens use light and printing uses ink (and printers convert color differently). That’s normal.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Print Murder Mystery Materials Correctly

This is the exact order I’d recommend to a first-time host so you get a clean, organized stack the first time.

Step 1: Do a “2-page test print”

Print 1 character sheet + 1 clue page first. Check:

• text sharpness

• margins not chopped

• page numbers visible

• colors readable (if color matters)

A quick test run saves you from printing the whole kit wrong. 

Step 2: Print your “guest stack” first

Your guest stack is anything guests must hold, read, or reference:

• character sheets / bios

• round cards / prompts

• evidence pages you’ll physically hand out

Shortcut: If you’re printing for a larger group, print one character packet, then copy it packet-by-packet. You’ll catch mistakes early and your stacks stay consistent.

Step 3: Decide smart double-sided vs single-sided

Double-sided printing can save paper, but don’t use it everywhere. Evidence and clue pages are safer single-sided so nothing “shows through” or accidentally prints on the back of something important. 

Step 4: Print the host pages last (or don’t print them at all)

If you prefer hosting from your laptop/tablet, keep host-only pages digital to save paper. 

Step 5: Add one “host helper” page

Make a single sheet that lists:

• each character name

• which packet they receive

• when you’ll hand out evidence

That one page is your calm when the doorbell rings.

Organizing Printed Clues, Character Sheets, and Evidence

A clean print job is only half the win. Organization is what makes the night feel smooth.

The easiest organization system (no fancy supplies)

Create 1 packet per player and clip it:

• Character Sheet (top)

• Round 1 prompts

• Round 2 prompts

• Any private clues

Then create one separate envelope/folder labeled:

• EVIDENCE TO HAND OUT (in order)

Many hosts use folders, binders, or fasteners to keep materials sorted (simple tools to make huge difference)

Want it even easier? Use “detective extras”

If you have more guests than characters, print:

• 1 shared evidence set per 2–3 detectives

• 1 “detective notes” page (blank paper works)

This keeps everyone involved without you scrambling for extra roles.

Common Printing Mistakes Beginners Should Avoid

If you only read one section, read this one.

1. Printing the full kit without a test page
   Two pages first. Always. 

2. Mixing paper sizes
   Decide US Letter or A4 and stick with it—switching mid-way creates inconsistent stacks. 

3. Accidentally printing evidence double-sided
   It’s a spoiler risk and it makes handing things out messy.

4. Overprinting host pages
   If it’s just for you, keep it digital and save ink/paper.

5. Waiting until the last hour
   Printing takes longer than you think once you add “fix the jam,” “replace ink,” and “reprint page 7.”

If you want a game night that feels guided (not chaotic), a well-written kit does the heavy lifting, you’re there to keep things moving, not lecture rules for 20 minutes.

Wrap Up

Once you’ve done it once, how to print murder mystery becomes a repeatable routine: test print, guest packets, evidence stack, host pages last.

And if you want your first run to be painless, choose a theme that matches your group and print style:

• Workplace chaos and easy-to-run materials: Death & Taxes 

• Big personalities and a bold vibe: Drama at Drag Brunch 

• Jazz Age Hollywood mystery energy: Terror in Tinseltown

FAQ’s

Can I print a murder mystery game using a mobile phone or tablet?

Yes, if your setup supports it. The smoothest route is downloading the PDF to a computer and printing from there, but you can print from a phone/tablet if your printer app supports PDF printing and you can control paper size and scaling. Do a 1–2 page test first.

Do I need to print everything in color for a murder mystery game?

Not always. Print in color if the kit uses color-coded evidence or visually themed documents you want to feel immersive. If your priority is cost, print most pages in grayscale and print only key items (like character sheets or “headline” evidence) in color.

How long does it usually take to print a full murder mystery game at home?

For most home printers: plan 30–60 minutes for printing and another 15–30 minutes for sorting into packets, longer if you’re printing for a big group or using cardstock.

Can I reprint individual pages if something goes wrong?

Absolutely. That’s why it helps to keep the file folder organized and label your packets after printing. If page 11 smudges, you can reprint only page 11 and slide it into the right packet.

Is it better to print everything at once or in stages?

If it’s your first time, print in stages:

1) test pages, 2) one full character packet, 3) the rest of guest packets, 4) evidence, 5) host pages.

That staged approach is the easiest way to catch mistakes early and keep your stacks clean, especially when you’re learning how to print murder mystery materials without wasting supplies.