Can I watercolor on laser prints outs?

[xocandiox]

I've been thinking of picking up some watercolor pens/markers and/or pencils but then it occurred to me that 90% of my "stamping" was actual digital stamps printed out. I use an inkjet Canon Pixma now and prismacolor pencils w/oms and the ink doesn't run/smear at all, but I tested with a water brush and it smears like crazy.

If I picked up an affordable laser printer would I be able to use watercolor pens and pencils w/o smearing?

Thanks so much!

[birdieluver]

I have an ages old HP LaserJet 6P and it doesn't smear. I also have the inkjet Canon Pixma and yup, it shmears!

Terry

[Catrick]

I have a laser printer and I have no issue printing on copic paper and coloring with my copic markers. I do however, run into issues printing on watercolor paper. For some reason the toner will not adhere to the paper and flakes off. I haven't tried with my ink jet printer to see if that works or not.

Cathy

[xocandiox]

I ended up ordering an inexpensive (only $50) laser printer on Amazon, I'll report back with how it does! I figured if nothing else I can use it to print coloring pages for my daughters and my oldest can use it for printing things for her lessons.

[cbet]

A laser printer uses dry toner that is "set" to the paper with heat - so it won't run when it gets wet.

It probably didn't work well with watercolor paper because that paper is thick enough that the fuser didn't get hot enough to set the toner. I used to have one at work that printed fine on 80 lb cardstock, but if I tried anything heavier the toner brushed right off.

If you want to use watercolors with an inkjet image, you just need to print it out and then lightly spray it with Krylon Workable Fixatif. It will set the black outlines but not resist the watercolor.

[Angelnorth]

I've printed successfully on watercolour paper with my laser printer and it's then fine for wet colouring. It may depend on the paper, I guess - I tend to use hot press so maybe the smoother surface is better for the toner to fuse on to. Hope you have success with yours!

[indyscrapmom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xocandiox

I ended up ordering an inexpensive (only $50) laser printer on Amazon, I'll report back with how it does! I figured if nothing else I can use it to print coloring pages for my daughters and my oldest can use it for printing things for her lessons.

How did it work?