Should I spend $200 on a laser printer??

[momof3boys]

I love my digi's and I love to color them with my Copics. My problem is I can't use my inkjet for coloring with my pens because it bleeds therefore I have to go print them somewhere else. Now, I've found a cheap laser printer and a cartridge that will print 2500 sheets and I'm torn as to should I get it or not???? I want more digi's but it's a pain to go print them and I have a ton of them I'm not using because I can't print. What should I do?????

[momof3boys]

Anyone?? Or does anyone know how to stop the ink from smearing with inkjet?

[cat_woman]

I would first try heat setting your print outs. You can use your heat gun or run an iron over the print out. That may solve the smearing issue. If you have 2 black cartridges, try printing your digis with "best" or "photo" quality settings. This forces it to use the black ink from the photo black ink cartridge.

I don't think you would need to go out and buy a laser printer. I have a Canon MP560 and a MP520 before this one, and neither of them smeared. I've also heard/read on here that a lot of people have really good luck with Canon printers. I also like it because its wireless and it has a rear feed tray, so I don't have any issues with heavy card stock (I sometimes use 200# in it). Another thing to remember is if you use pencil crayons with oms, the oms will dissolve the ink from a laser printer.

[Leeann34]

I have a Brother MFC-490 and the newest release (don't remember the model number, sorry) is available at Staples for $99.

I never have a problem with ink bleeding, and what I love most is the 4 $10 cartridges instead of one $35 one so you only replace the colors that run out.

P.S. Check out Staples 110lb cardstock too, great for digis!

[KoffeeKat]

I've purchased a mono laser for under $100 in australia. Recently I saw one under $50! Perhaps keep looking around.

I use the ink jet only for photos, laser is quicker and cheaper for everything else.

Inkjet is supposed to do better quality for photos anyway so I like having both.

[KoffeeKat]

Forgot to add, my laser takes watercolour paper etc no worries.

[scrapperbug2002]

I bought a second hand laser printer for $25 of craigslist.com I woudl try secodn hand first because they can be so expensive!
I LOVE my laser printer...I probably woudl love it just as much if it had cost me $200 instead of $25, though too.

[Minneapple]

Inkjets work just fine for digis, but you do have to heat set the image the minute it comes out of the printer. Also use draft print to use as little ink in the image. Let the image set overnight, or at least an hour. A laser printer is not necessary.

[stampindamour]

I use inkjet for photos or anything with color...

I use my laser printer for everything else! Love it! Prints faster and I'm so glad I have it. The toner cartridges are expensive, but they last much longer in the long run.

[hoptownracer1]

I used the tip they had given me here, and it helped. However, I don't use copics, but sometimes watercolor pencils. They suggested I load the printer with cardstock or paper I'm using and then print it out using "photo" setting instead. I have to click on properties when I get to the printing settings screen to change the setting. That helped mine; hope it works for you!

[MelDeLlanos]

I have found that if I leave it for an hour or so I don't have any smearing with my inkjet. I have also switched to Hammermill CS for my copic printing.

[darlenemcg]

I just bought a Brother laser for under $100 new @ staples. My Epson worked fine for digi stamps and Copics...but now that I have laser I don't have to worry about the ink smearing with Copics.

[thecraftysister]

I use an inkjet for my digi's, and color with them copics... like others have replied, as long as I heat set the ink with a heat gun, or let it sit for a day before coloring, it doesn't smear.

I have also read that you can use a spray fixative on the image before coloring to prevent the smearing... I've never tried it, but I've seen the product at Hobby Lobby for about $10.

Good luck!

[melissa59]

I use an inkjet, too. Mine is an older Canon Pixma MP470. It uses Canon Pixma PG-40 (black) and CL-41 (color) ink. So far, I've not had a problem using it with my Copics. I don't know if it matters, but when I'm printing "black" I use the "grayscale" setting. The reason I do this is so it doesn't use up my color ink on black copy.

Canon Pixma printers are inexpensive. I spent $59 for mine and I recently saw a new one for the same price. I'm not sure if they use the same ink cartridge, but they probably use the same ink formula.

Also, as others have said, you might try heat setting your ink to see if that helps. I've not had to do that with my printer. I just print, let it dry a bit and use it.

[alphastamps]

The HP Laserjet P2035 is a great little (B&W) laser printer (and way cheaper per page than an inkjet)