Printing pattern paper for hybrid projects - can we discuss?

[bttrflygrl]

I'm a committed digital scrapper and always will be. As far as page design goes, I'm much more creative in Photoshop than I could ever be with paper. But.... I just started really playing with hybrid for cards and 3-d projects. I really want to utilize the thousands (at least!) of digital pattern paper I have in my stash for hybrid projects so I've started to print out paper and then punch, cut, fold, etc.

My concern is ink usage. I use an Epson R1800 and the ink isn't cheap. I'd love some feedback on the following...

1. When printing pp, do you print best possible photo quality or do you go for just regular photo quality? I feel like this paper gets cut up, inked and even partially covered up with embellishments, so is it really necessary to print at a high quality setting or even a photo quality setting?


2. Do any of you have a dedicated printer for hybrid that is less expensive and uses cheaper ink? I wonder if I'm crazy to use my fabulous high-end photo printer and ink for this purpose.

3. Do you have any hints for conserving ink? After having completed a couple of projects, I realize now that I can do a better job of planning out my print jobs (ie, printing smaller areas pattern paper that more closely match what I need). Any other tips/tricks?

4. Do some of you just go out and buy "real" pattern paper for your projects? Although I do have a few packages of beautiful pattern paper that I know will be put to good use, it seems like such a waste of money when I've already invested in such beautiful digital paper. Honestly - for every "must-have" line of real paper out there I have at least 3 or 4 digital kits that are similar or even nicer.

Any input here would be appreciated!! Thanks!

[ColleenSwerb]

I try and plan out my hybrid projects as much as possible to conserve ink and paper waste. I measure everything I need to cover first, and then make photoshop files that are about 0.1" bigger than the size I need. So if I need a rectangle that's 5" x 6.25" my canvas is 5.1x6.35 (sometimes 6.3). That way I'm not print out a huge block of paper if I only need a small bit. I flatten all the canvases and drag them onto a white 8.5x11 canvas and arrange them to get the most pieces on. I have an Epson R340 (older model, about 3 years old) and I print on photo, not best photo. The printer automatically optimizes things for that when I select matte heavy weight paper (which is all I print on for hybrid stuff).

Someone recently posted that for card making, they make canvases in 4x6 size and have them printed at walgreens/walmart/costco/etc for super cheap. I'm really thinking of going this route too. Saves a lot of wasted paper and ink on your home printer, and turns out just as nice.

I still paper scrap, so I have OODLES of paper stuff around, so I'm useless there, lol.

[Amber1279]

I have an HP printer that is not top of the line but still gives me great color. A color cartridge for mine is like $18 at Staples and I have a rewards card so I recycle ink there as well which gives me $3 back on each empty ink. I get a lot out of a cartridge, page wise. Although if I am doing a lot of darker colors it goes faster. I just select the 600x600 dpi for most of my prints.

For most projects I do the same as Col, but I have been known to print full pages as well if it is for a large project. I do keep my bigger scraps and try to reuse them if possible.

I print mostly on "presentation" paper. It is not as heavy as the matte photo paper and gives me better color than white cardstock.

[Andrea Gourley]

Well I print masses of stuff every week :)

Printer - I have an Epson SX400 (or something with those letters and numbers :rolleyes: ) It cost me £65

Inks - I use compatible inks as there is no way on earth I could afford to use Epson inks with the amount I go through.

Papers - Most of the time I use bright white inkjet presentation paper that I buy from our local Staples here in the UK. It can be inked, distressed, folded, stitched, glued and generally mistreated and still looks great and it takes the ink really well. Occasionally I use matte photo paper - especially if what I am printing has dark or really intense colours.

Because I can always find a use for scraps I don't mind just printing a whle page off but most of the time I resize all my bits and pieces in photoshop then print them all out and reassemble in real life.

[krystalhartley]

Long before I new anything about Photoshop and 300 dpi graphic files, I was printing off clipart for my scrapbooks and projects using standard 72 dpi Microsoft Office apps. Even after ten years, I'm not disappointed in the way these projects look, so I find that with my current projects, I will almost always reduce the resolution from 150-200 dpi. I also usually print regular photo quality on matte cardstock. If the project actually includes a photo and not just patterned paper or clipart types of things, then I use the higher resolution and photo paper.

[wildblueeyez]

Long before I new anything about Photoshop and 300 dpi graphic files, I was printing off clipart for my scrapbooks and projects using standard 72 dpi Microsoft Office apps. Even after ten years, I'm not disappointed in the way these projects look, so I find that with my current projects, I will almost always reduce the resolution from 150-200 dpi. I also usually print regular photo quality on matte cardstock. If the project actually includes a photo and not just patterned paper or clipart types of things, then I use the higher resolution and photo paper.

interesting info Krystal - I may have to try a lower resolution with my epson printer. the colors are always a bit muddy. maybe this will make a difference :)

[junebug]

i have an HP c5blah blah all in one something or other lol. Luckily, my ink for this is only around $17. but i don't do hybrid all that often. i try to print on matte photo paper. i haven't tried this presentation paper you all have mentioned. i'll have to head to Staples and see what i can find there.

when i do print, i try to fit as much as i can onto one sheet. i hate to waste ink or paper.

[bttrflygrl]

Sooo interesting!! I also never thought to reduce the resolution. I'll definitely be trying that.

As for my printer, I like the way Geordie Girl works. My dad is a total pro at finding dirt cheap printers at Staples, Office Depot, etc. I'm thinking I might go this route if I can convince my husband that I still love my Epson for gorgeous photos (it's my third child!!!) but that a new, cheapo printer will actually save us money in the end. Wish me luck on THAT!! :unsure::unsure::unsure:

More ideas welcome!! :)

[tlcaudle]

If I decided to print out just the paper for a project, I will print it on matte photo paper, or sometimes even cardstock. If I use cardstock, I will use the setting for plain paper as this helps conserve the ink a bit. I have a Canon Pixma Mx850 and I am just now replacing my color ink cartridges after having printed numerous layouts and pages for mini albums. I don't think it's too bad if you are only planning on printing one or two sheets of digital paper, :)