Making your own DP ~ Ahead of Time

[Phantom]

Long story short: Trying to find a paper appropriate for the usual inks to stamp up my own stock of patterned paper.

I'll let you in on a little conversation I have with myself, over and over again:

"Wow, that's great DP... I'd love to have that... it's ME!"

"You know, that's why you have all these stamps ~ you don't have to BUY designed paper."

"But look at that! I never remember to do that. When I want to make a card, I just want to grab some DP."

"It's why you have stamps, and ink..."

"But it's so Pretty!!"

etc. etc. etc.

SO.... I'm thinking about making DP ahead of time... not on an as-needed basis. I know what I like, I see it for sale all the time LOL!!

BUT . . . is there any paper out there that is plain that is the same weight as DP?? I don't want to use cardstock - too heavy for multiple layers. Well, maybe I can do some with cardstock. But I'd love to find just the right thing to take the usual inks and use for my own designer paper.

Any suggestions?? TIA!

[cat_woman]

I often design my own patterned paper (use to design scrapbook paper) and then print it on lightweight photo paper (matte or glossy - depends what mood I'm in). Its usually about 48 - 50lb. I also use 28lb laser printer paper. It has a nice smooth finish and you can use it in an inkjet printer - at least I use it in my Canon inkjet.

[Phantom]

You see? All you have to do is ask!! Why didn't I think of that?! I can use anything to make the original, and then just print out however much I need!!

So simple, I feel silly for asking. In my own defense, our printer/copier/scanner is hooked up to the desktop downstairs and I usually use the laptop upstairs ~ so I rarely think of computer-based or printer-based solutions. Thanks so much

[cardmaker2]

Nancy, my good friend Isaiah40:31 makes her own all the time, she is a seasoned veteran on the computer and would share information on what she uses, I'm sure, if you were to PM her. Tell her I sent ya'!

[Angelnorth]

You can use those same papers if you want to stamp your own so each sheet is unique, too - they're not restricted to use in a printer. I sometimes use a "premium" copy paper for stamping stuff, particularly if I want to shape it later (like this flower) - it comes from my local supermarket so no point me recommending to you as I'm in the UK but if you look out for a premium copy paper, it will most likely be heavier weight than the regular stuff with a smoother surface and maybe a brighter white colour, too.

Have fun!

[Phantom]

Hey, Joanne!! Thanks so much for the tip! I had just assumed that printer paper would cause ink to bleed. And since I need to buy it for the printer anyway, it's not really even an added expenditure .

And look at that FLOWER!! Holy cow. Gorgeous!

I'm feelin' pretty resistent to all those purdy papers now

[MSBetsyZ]

LOL, Nancy...I have a customer who's been stamping even longer than I have, and as much as she likes the pre-printed papers, she feels guilty if she doesn't make her own. I have to say I am somewhat the same, since making your own used to be the norm. I, however, have zero self-control. They don't call me a "paper slut" for no reason, after all...

As Joanne said, premium copy paper is great...you can get it in many different colors. You can even get a lightweight glossy paper that goes through the printer but also works for techniques.

[charms1976]

I use that white CS that comes in the scrapbooks that you take out to put your own pages in. It is lighter than my usual cardstock but firm enough..KWIM??

[Cinnistew]

I use presentation paper from Office Depot. It is just about the same weight.

[Phantom]

Wow - sounds like a lot of people make their own stockpile of patterned paper! Where have I been lol?! It really sounds like fun to me.

Does anyone use old wallpaper samplers? I got a bunch from our local paint store when they were going out of business. Since I didn't have time to go through them, I finally decided to hang onto just a few. They have some amazing images and patterns. If you have the patience to glean what you need from them, you'd never have to buy DP again. I think most smaller paint/wallpaper shops have discontinued books that they are willing to give away. Just a thought.

But, Betsy, I know what it's like with the 'real' thing. I just have to force myself not to look ~ it's a slippery slope paved with gorgeous patterns LOL!!

[MSBetsyZ]

Yeah, Nancy...I do try to exercise restraint here and there, but seldom with paper, lol. I do better than I used to, but I'm still a sucker from the word go.

I used to have several wallpaper books in many different styles. God, they were so awesome! Unfortunately, one year my asthma got really bad and I decided that the books were holding so much dust that I had to get rid of them. Oy! I was heartbroken, because they were SO beautiful. I had a fantastic Asian-themed one, another one that had fabulous masculine papers...<sigh>. Back in those days, there wasn't the paper that's out now...and what there was was used primarily by scrappers, not so much stampers.

Another thing to do was not so much deliberately set out to make patterned paper but rather just play with various techniques. Lose your stamping mojo? Just play with lots of different techniques. Make whole sheets of paper just playing with direct to paper, or, in what was the pre-curser to One Sheet Wonders, stamping all-over designs on sheets of paper. Playing with reinkers and clear report covers (precursor to "Smackin' Acetate") was messy but fun. Either way, by the time you got the whole desktop trashed with experimenting, lol, your mojo was back in a big way, just wanting to get using the papers!

It's kind of sad to think how much of that stuff is just sitting in boxes that I haven't touched in years...these days my stamping tends to be so much simpler, and I am much more lazy, I fear, lol. It's so easy to just open a pack of paper and play, knowing that somebody has taken the work out of matching colors and such...

[Cook22]

You can make great paper with punched shapes stuck down on paper, scanned and printed .
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga...&ppuser=133118

[TeeGeeDee]

I scan and color print the paper towel I use to wipe my waterbrush when I am using Twinking H20s. I usually print onto Georgia Pacific 110# cardstock or SU's Whisper White or Very Vanilla but it could easily be printed on copy paper (I usually have 22lb but it's hard to find so sometimes I have 20lb or 24lb).

It is unique each time because I never lay it on the scanner bed the exact same way or the brightness is adjusted, etc. etc. so if you copy one you like make another one before any of the settings are changed. I actually make at least 3 copies at a time and keep one "untouched" and use it for additional copies (the paper towel tends to get wrinkled - which adds texture - or tossed out by DH).

Sometimes I take a large scrap of watercolor paper and use it to clean my waterbrushes. That can then be scanned/copied but the original can also be used (and it would have the sparkle from the H20s).

It's very relaxing to just stamp full sheets of cardstock too.

[kimb0]

I just made my own DP for one of the first times and used on this card. It's a lot of fun to make exactly what you want, but am finding it a bit of a challenge when I want bigger pieces than some of my background stamps will cover!

[MSBetsyZ]

Long time ago (pre-demoing days) I used a pad of newsprint paper as my work surface. The paper would get thoroughly inked up with images that would be stamped off the edge of a card, or sponging around an edge, whatever. Eventually the paper was completely covered, lol... The paper could then be cut up and used for several cards.

These days I use the grid paper pad that SU has. As much as I loved the old paper pad, the grid helps me so much when I'm lining up layers or ribbon pieces that I stick with it.

[michellemadethis]

I scan and print my favourite fabrics onto paper and scraps of leftover wrapping paper too )

I've even scanned in old jumpers when I'm doing something knitting related.

[Phantom]

Originally Posted by MSBetsyZ

Long time ago (pre-demoing days) I used a pad of newsprint paper as my work surface. The paper would get thoroughly inked up with images that would be stamped off the edge of a card, or sponging around an edge, whatever. Eventually the paper was completely covered, lol... The paper could then be cut up and used for several cards.

These days I use the grid paper pad that SU has. As much as I loved the old paper pad, the grid helps me so much when I'm lining up layers or ribbon pieces that I stick with it.

Oh Betsy don't you just love that?! I hate to toss it sometimes as I use the grid paper too... but sometimes I end up folding the used grid paper in half and still keeping it handy for stamping off or over. It never even occurred to me to use it on a card though!! I'm definitely going to be paying more attention to this. Thanks so much for mentioning it - are there cards in your gallery that you've used it with?

I did sponge the edges of some scalloped Nesties ovals once and realized that the paper underneath looked like clouds, so then did it on purpose! Here are one and two examples in my gallery. That was fun ~ I love serendipity!

[Phantom]

Originally Posted by michellemadethis

I scan and print my favourite fabrics onto paper and scraps of leftover wrapping paper too )

I've even scanned in old jumpers when I'm doing something knitting related.

WOW! I love fabric patterns!! I'm not a seamstress by any means so I just never know what I will do with them - but I do now!! What a Fabulous Idea . THANKS SO MUCH!

[ctychick]

About four years ago I went 100% digital for my scrapbooking, so I probably have over 1,000 pieces of pattern paper, each of which can be altered in color scheme and printed over and over again for use for paper projects. I never have a problem finding a SU color to match. The beauty is that regardless of what project/theme/color scheme I have in mind for a project, I ALWAYS have the PERFECT pp on hand. If for some reason I can't find what I like on my hard drive, I just hit one of the many digi scrapping stores and I have the paper in hand within minutes. Aaaaaahhhhh.... don't you love technology?

[Phantom]

Sounds wonderful! If I ever pursue scrapbooking, I'm sure it will be in digital form so I really like hearing positive comments about it

[eyestitch]

I have a bunch of 28 lb. color copier paper. I have been thinking for quite a while that that might really work well for making my own DP. It has a very finsihed surface, but not glossy. I need to try it. You inspire me.

[Dauberdoo]

It seems like it might be cheaper to buy the paper than the ink cartridges?
Just curious.

[Phantom]

Originally Posted by Dauberdoo

It seems like it might be cheaper to buy the paper than the ink cartridges?
Just curious.

. I wasn't really thinking about that. I guess since I really haven't tried it already, I don't have an idea of how fast it would go.

But - I will still take the ideas of using printer paper to make my own with stamps and ink!! And I'll probably try out copying fabric which is just very cool. Maybe I should try using fabric on cards too? I've seen it done and along with sewing cardstock it's just something I want to try.

Another pro would be if you don't have the space to store the extra DP. But it certainly is a very valid point about the ink ~ it sure is expensive!

As far as digital scrapbooks, I think, for me anyway, the benefits will far outweigh the cost of ink and since it's the only way I could see myself approaching scrapbooks it will just have to be considered a necessary expense.

Thanks for adding this caveat to the mix though ~ I really hadn't considered it

[ranalouwho]

I have done it three ways. Some all digital, some I have stamped the background with a stamp set or two, and then I have scanned and printed also. Or downloaded I like all of the ideas but yet, ink cartridges can be expensive. I guess that is why mostly, I will stamp my background.

[dogzruleca]

I have to agree that the high cost of ink when computer printing is a big factor; not that I've actually done it mind you, just considered it. I guess it depends on the price of the patterned paper as to which is cheaper. The predone stuff that matches your cardstock and ink pads is my favourite, but I have made my own for cards. I figure if I already have the ink pads, coordinating stamp sets, etc then the cost is pretty minimal compared to computer ink. It's like custom made, but better in that you get it exactly the way you want it. So far I have just used cardstock, but printer paper is cheap so i probably would use it if I needed to. I have decorated my envelopes with coordinating stamps in the corner or stamped just like background paper (leaving room for a name, of course) and they've turned out great. Attached samples of a card (sorry it's sideways!) and it's matching envelope. They're pretty basic, but I hadn't made very many cards at that point.

[tchk]

I was watching some videos at StampTV.com this morning, with GinaK showing various techniques like shaving cream and baby wipes. I was thinking then that I could make a bunch of background papers using these ideas- using full sheets of paper rather than little pieces. It would be a fun thing to do on a day when I didn't actually feel like making whole cards.

[shellpole]

Here , here!!! It used to the norm for sure!

and because I come from the dark ages when we did make our own, I DO feel mighty guilty not making it now. To this day, I have trouble using bought DP

Has the OP tried the Masterboard Technique? Think this would suit quite nicely.

Love your description of yourself! (I am wondering how that got through the censor thingie {after the kafuffle the other week}!)

Michelle

Originally Posted by MSBetsyZ

LOL, Nancy...I have a customer who's been stamping even longer than I have, and as much as she likes the pre-printed papers, she feels guilty if she doesn't make her own. I have to say I am somewhat the same, since making your own used to be the norm. I, however, have zero self-control. They don't call me a "paper slut" for no reason, after all...
As Joanne said, premium copy paper is great...you can get it in many different colors. You can even get a lightweight glossy paper that goes through the printer but also works for techniques.

[shellpole]

There is an absolute minefield of diffferent techniques out there to premake your background papers. The ladies who come from the "make your own era" would have all that knowledge at hand. There are many websites out there if you want to get into it further. (Cloud 9 & NutnHoney have been around for squillions and have a plethora of knowledge). It is nice places like Stamp TV are revisiting the old techniques.

I do sessions like late last week (which was Marvy Metallic backgrounds). Check my blog to see some of them...and if you scroll down you can see one a card with the same background done up.

I have a drawer dedicated to backgrounds which I have at the ready.I find I am more likely to use them if I don't have to dirty everything up each and every time. Sessions means I can be messy for a few hours and come up trumps with the output.

Michelle

Originally Posted by tchk

I was watching some videos at StampTV.com this morning, with GinaK showing various techniques like shaving cream and baby wipes. I was thinking then that I could make a bunch of background papers using these ideas- using full sheets of paper rather than little pieces. It would be a fun thing to do on a day when I didn't actually feel like making whole cards.