Printing digital papers
 

People seem to have so many different opinions on which paper to use when printing out those wonderful patterned papers from the digital scrapbook kits.


What paper do you prefer for printing out digital patterned paper? Card stock, regular printer paper and why?:confused:

I prefer to use cardstock, GP from Walmart. I find it is easier to use, for me. You don't get any adhesive showing through and you can manipulate it easier if you don't get it positioned right the first time.

I have an HP printer so I really like their everyday photo paper in matte. It's thicker than regular paper, but not as thick--or glossy--as regular photo paper. I've not had a lot of luck using regular cardstock. It doesn't seem to print up as nicely and it tends to jam more often.

I use resume paper. Its thicker than regular paper, and not as thick as cardstock. I like to use it a lot on templates and it isn't quite as bulky.

bump

digi papers
 

I've never tried it, but it doesn't sound like a very cost effective way of getting paper. Doesn't it use a lot of ink? Those cartridges are so dear!

Jutta

I only print out what I am going to use, not the entire file. Doing it that way, not only saves on ink, it also saves on storage space.

I use several types of papers. I use hp everyday photo paper semi-gloss (45lb). I also use matte everyday photo. I also have some high quality super smooth 32lb bond that prints nicely as well. I will use Office Depot or Staples 110# cardstock to print plain colours. I find that the designs don't come out nicely on white cardstock. Double sided brochure paper is also nice to use (I use to be able to get matte, but haven't been able to find it for a while so now I'm using semi-gloss).

Lots of good suggestions! How about some more?????

I have used a lot of different papers, it depends on the look I want. For clear crisp bright papers I use Epson Presentation Matte paper, for a more muted look - white cardstock. Bristol paper is kind of in-between the two. Any paper with a coating of some sort will print brighter and crisper because the ink will be sitting on top of the paper instead of soaking into the paper like regular cardstock will. I don't worry about the cost of ink, I just experiment till I'm happy!

eta - If using card stock, I move the saturation levels up, that helps with the colors

I use Epson Premium Presentation Paper Matte Double-Sided for all of my hybrid projects. I recently ran out and bought the Ilford Matte Photo Paper, and I like that, too! They are both great, heavier weight paper (like cardstock), yet they don't suck up your ink the way cardstock does. Sure, it's cheaper to print on cardstock, but your project doesn't print out nearly as crisp and clean.

Also, depending on your printer (and the ink it requires), it can actually be cheaper to go hybrid.

I actually think it may be a little cheaper in my case to print my papers. If I find a pattern I like but not the colour, I can easily remedy that in my graphics program, plus I only print what I need so I'm not buying a big sheet of paper for a 4" square. Plus I'm not driving all over town looking for that "perfect" piece of patterned paper in the absolutely right shade of whatever colour. I think in the long run it all evens out.