Cardstock for digital stamps

[ConCon]

What is the best cardstock for digital stamps? I've tried two and they both smear. Someone mentioned to set the printer at "glossy/photo" paper but that didn't work for me either. I have a Lexmark printer.

[tryingtofindtime]

I'd like to know the answer to this too. I've just used index cards to print on. not the best quality stock, but the ink absorbs in the paper. I color with Prisma Markers and I have one copic and the printer ink has not smeared.

I did read some where on this site you are suppose to heat set the ink after you print. heat on both side of the paper to prevent curling. I haven't tried that yet, since my index cards work for me.

[MrHambo]

I like the Georgia Pacific 110 lb cardstock. But I really prefer Fabriano Artistico 140lb hot press watercolor paper. I use a cheap Brother laser printer.

[tryingtofindtime]

the GP paper is on my list of things to buy. where do you get "Fabriano Artistico 140lb hot press watercolor paper"? is it copic friendly?

[creatingisfun]

yup I use GP too.

[Ellibelle]

I am sorry it didn't help changing the paper settings on your printer. It worked really well for me.
But before I figured that out the only card stock I had no smearing issues with was Couture detail blending paper.

[cat_woman]

My favourites to use are Domtar Cougar smooth bright white (I have 130# for single layer cards), Wausau Exact Index 110# or 80#, Neenah Avalanche white solar crest 110# or 80#. I use off brand ink in my Canon MP560 and haven't had any issues with smearing. I print all my digi images in greyscale (b&w) on the low quality print setting so that its not spitting out a ton of ink and dries quicker. I didn't have any issues with smearing either when I used Canon inks. My black ink is a dye based ink, but the photo black ink is pigment based, so that's why I print in b&w - so it will use the dye based ink. Do you know if your ink is dye (water based) or pigment? It needs to be a dye ink to work with Copics.

[Ellibelle]

Forgot to add, I had issues with all other papers that I used (GP, gina K, SU, soemthing from my local printing place) Heat setting or leaving it do dry for several days didn't help either. Funny thing is though, when I first started with digis I had no problem with GP paper, it just came over time, I think there was a chance in their paper at some point.

[NancyK.]

Some of the heavier cardstock does not work with my printer - it causes it to jam. Since my digis almost always are colored with copics, I use the Copic X-press it blending cardstock. It works perfectly with my printer and does not smudge.

[MrHambo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tryingtofindtime

the GP paper is on my list of things to buy. where do you get "Fabriano Artistico 140lb hot press watercolor paper"? is it copic friendly?

I get it from my local art store. Copics work great on it. I tried the Arches that Michael's has and I don't like it.

Most printers have a special slot in front where you can insert one sheet at a time AND a slot in the back you have to open!!! That way the paper goes straight through and doesn't have to curl around inside the printer.

[ready2retire]

It seems that both ink-jet and laser printers are being discussed here. Maybe if we state upfront which we're commenting about, it would be easier for folks looking here for help, like me I have both, but am new to digi-stamp printing.

[KatarinaM]

I think the printer INK has a lot to do with it. I had an HP that absolutely did NOT allow me to color digis in any way, shape or form. Did some research and bought an Epson all in one. The Epson ink does not smear for colored pencils/OMS or Copic coloring, BUT I cannot feed any type of cardstock heavier than regular copy paper into it. I can't win!

[michellesscrap]

I have used an Epson printer and a Kodak printer and have not had problems with either of them. I use Georgia Pacific cardstock and Neenah. I color with Copics.

[Crafts]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cat_woman

...
I didn't have any issues with smearing either when I used Canon inks. My black ink is a dye based ink, but the photo black ink is pigment based, so that's why I print in b&w - so it will use the dye based ink.
...

Interesting. My HP printer is just the opposite. The normal black ink smears, but the "Photo" ink cartridge works great for both Copics and blended Prismacolor pencils.

As far as cardstock for Copics goes, the X-Press It Blending Card works very well but is expensive. Also, it has a gray cast and I have not been able to find a good match for card bases. I'm currently doing more printing on 80 lb Hammermill Color Copy Cover, backing it with 100 lb HCCC for the card base. It's a perfect match that way. Xpedx Stores stock three weights of HCCC by the ream.

[seseid]

I use an HP 4400 Series InkJet All-in-one printer with Wausau Exact Index 140# cardstock. if I remember I'll heat set the image but usually just set it aside for a day or two, giving it time to "set". If I intend to color with Copics I usually use Cryogen White cs, as it absorbs the Copic color better. In either case, I have no problem with smearing ink.
Sue S.
Dancing In the Puddles

[peggygriffiths]

I found an HP laser printer at Staples (online) for $200. I print on anything, SU cardstock or picture paper and never had a problem with smearing, unlike my old HP deskjet even with using the photographic paper. Best money I ever spent.....

[nanadonnaC]

I have better results using the Georgia Pacific 110# that you can buy at WalMart. I bought some Gina K pure luxury (love this paper) but I had problems with smearing while using my Promarkers. I think the GinaK is so heavy and smooth it does not absorb the ink. Printed on GP and had no problems. I have an Espon printer.

[hoptownracer1]

I have an HP printer and have had issues with the ink smearing, so I wasn't able to use light colored markers on my digis. I took the advice of one of the posters on this site, and it helped. They advised to load your regular cardstock, but to change the printing option to "photo printing", having it print on cardstock. It really helped a lot! I don't know why it worked, but it helped. I've only tried it once, but am looking foward to trying it again. I let it dry overnight. All the other methods I tried before did not work, but that posters advice seemed to help a lot!!!

[cerridwen3301]

i have a laser printer and print on cryogen or PTI when using copics. never smears. however, i have been going back to colored pencils and it DOES smear with those - very frustrating...

[corrosive69]

...i have a HP printer...i use PTI cardstock, let it dry for a bit and have no problems with using copics with them. I found the Gina K or shiny kind of cardstock did not work so well for me. I love digis use them all the time!

Oh and incase you didn't know...go to google and search colouring pages (i have done this for simpsons, mickey mouse, hello kitty) save the image and you have a digi Free and works great!!!

hugs

[Feline Creative]

I've tried tons of paper and the only combination that works for me is PTI White in my Epson Photo Printer R380. I have a Brother laser printer that works on all paper but it prints in gray scale and wrinkles the paper so I've given up on it.

[3Ksmom]

I have an Epson 880 print on the GP and use prismacolor makers.
I usually wait 24 hrs before coloring,but have colored right
after printing with no problems.

[JoyceL]

I am using an Epson printer and have always printed on watercolour papers. No issue with it.

[bhelenj]

I have an HP that uses the 02 inks. It works well on GP, Neenah, Bazzill Simply Smooth, and Xpress-It paper and I color it with Copics. The ink in my new Canon does not work with my Copics. A lot depends on the ink you use. All laser printers should work as well as standard copy machines (not ink-jet all-in-ones) because they both use a heat setting process when putting ink down on the paper. If you can't get your printer to work with your digital images, print them on plain paper and take your cardstock to a copying service and copy the printed images on your cardstock.