Help! Printing on vellum

[Snellybelle]

I need your help...

I have been asked to make my god daughter's wedding invitations, etc.. and I am so happy to make them...... but...

The last time I made wedding invitations and printed on vellum, I had a dickens of a time. The ink smeared.. even after I let them sit overnight and then a few days. I ended up printing more, sprinkling embossing powder on and embossing them.
I don't want to do that again.
So now, here I am again and I want to get this resolved before we even begin to design the invites. I want to use vellum... it's so pretty but why doesn't the ink dry? I tried both my home printer and the big printer at work that uses toner.
Is it the printer(s)? Is it my vellum? Do I need to let it dry for a week? Am I doomed to emboss?

All suggestions are appreciated! Thanks..
Sue

[Linda Seaman]

I have in the past bought some "printable" velum at Staples. I think it was about $10 for 50 sheets. Very nice, thin enough to see thru. No smearing, and my printer is a very old one, and not expensive. Look for the pkg that says "printable". Linda

[Ladybugb919]

I have been told that there is a right and wrong side of vellum to print on. How you tell which is the right side, I have no clue. But I have noticed that sometimes when I print on vellum, it starts to bleed so I am assuming that is the wrong side.

After you changed your printer settings so that it puts down less ink when it prints? I have an HP. To change the amount of ink, I click on properties, advanced then I change the ink volume and the dry time to less. Also on the setup tab, change your paper type to transparency.

HTH

[Thorvall]

I use this little pouch called "Perfect Printing Pouch". When I print on vellum I tap the pouch over the paper then send it though the printer. It helps alot. The ink dries with in a short amount of time. I've never seen it at any stores, I got mine on line at www.scraperfect.com Mine has lasted years. Hope that helps.

[blank canvas]

Need to choose 'Transparencies' on your printer in 'Properties'. Also try and get the best quality ink you can afford as cheaper inks smear more evmn on normal paper and card I've found on occassion.

Still ensure the paper gets a clear flow through your printer as it could still smear if caught on something. I've heard that about vellum too-good/bad side but no idea what and I print on nicest side with 'transparency' setting, allow to dry and I've been fine. You can gently and quickly heat set with your heat gun-no need for powder if you want but I've always found an hour-overnight would be best and all's well. Good luck.

[Snellybelle]

Thanks, I knew I could count on you guys to help me!

I will try each of your suggestions and report back what works.
Sue

[sillyfilly]

You can also use your heat gun to dry the ink. Just don't burn your vellum. I used SU vellum for my Christmas cards and it took about an hour to dry. I had no problems.

[pwincess]

I use good quality tracing paper rather than vellum - it seems to have less coatings and therefore ink dries faster (I use transparency setting too).
I get mine from Staples in the UK