Which paper and to seal or not to seal...

[schock77]

those are my questions. I have white cardstock, white matte "presentation paper" and can pick up soft gloss (I've only got high gloss photo paper right now)-

Which would you use for chipboard? For albums made with CDs?

And when I'm done, do you seal these? And if so, what do you use? (I'm scared of mod podge I have it and when I first started scrapping tried making a tin album- ended up with just a big yucky mess)!

Thanks SO much- hope to have pics of some finished projects by the end of the weekend!

[Megan Turnidge]

I never print albums at home. I always go to Costco for that. So, my stuff gets printed on Matte photo paper... for CD albums and for chipboard. I'd generally stay away from any glossy paper because you'll get fingerprints all over it while you're putting it together. Be careful when printeing at home that you let your prints dry overnight because the ink might run if you use Mod Podge or any sealant.

I decided Mod Podge is a horrible sealant. I don't like the brush strokes it leaves on my projects (although you can sand them out but I haven't tried it yet). Some people like the texture, but I don't. I prefer a spray sealant, which I can't use at the moment because the dang can has a warning for nursing moms. So, when my baby turns one all my projects will get sealed! For now, they're not sealed. :p

[wvasweetness]

I prefer soft gloss/satin paper for almost all of my projects - both chipboard and cd.

I hated Modge Podge, and cursed it, when I first started using it... but then I found out that it was my fault - not the Modge Podge's. LOL. If you're up for trying the Modge Podge again, try this...

The trick to Modge Podge is to wait until your ink is dry (and your adhesive underneath is dry), and then apply it in VERY THIN coats. Sometimes my first coat doesn't even get every spot, which is ok - b/c the second coat will. The good thing about thin coats is that it dries super fast (good for me b/c I'm so impatient!)

Which brings me to the second thing... make sure you let the Modge Podge get BONE DRY before you mess with it. Absolutely BONE DRY.

Some girls on here sand it, but I haven't tried that yet.

Good luck! Can't wait to see your projects!

[schock77]

Thanks gals!

I'm printing at home out of sheer laziness- the kids are with my MIL for 4 hours and DH is golfing after work so I can get stuff done! I'll grab that matte photo paper and look into spray sealants.

LOL about the Mod Podge- I'm sure it's totally my fault, but that is why I never was a paper scrapper either- I'm a total mess! hee hee!