Printing on Vellum
 

Hello fellow stampers.
I have a coworker who's daughter is getting married in October and she wants to make all her invites. I need some tips and hints for printing on vellum - can someone help me????

Cheers!

Change your printer settings on the print screen from paper to transparency and change the quality setting to high.

let the ink dry for a bit before you put anything on top and you should be set :)
(at least this works for me!)

If what the previous poster said doesn't work, take them to a print shop. Some places will print on your paper for you and they will also cut them. My friend had to do this a couple of months ago when everyone's printer kept smearing the ink! I think they got 250-300 cut & printed for $38.

I print on vellum, one thing I learned from the beginning, quaility, some are thin and will not print out right, if you use a heavier grade of vellum I do not have to change my settings on my printer, it prints beautiful just like paper.

Depends on what she wants printed (like how much) and where it will be put (like over a pic). Honestly, I've never had very good luck printing on it. I have heard that better quality vellum will take ink better, so maybe the best advice is to get several different kinds/weights and try them all to see what works best. There's also the option of reversing the text in your word processing program & printing on the backside....

Go to staples, they have "printable" vellum, have used it multiple times, without changing printer settings, doesn't smear, and is nice weight. It is about $10 for 50 sheets. Linda It is labeled "printable vellum" on the package

Ditto!
 

Ditto! I printed grad. invites on vellum and had no problem at all. I just changed the print setting to the "best quality" and it printed beautifully. (I did not have to change anything else and I used the regular vellum and not the cardstock vellum which is a bit thicker.)
Try it first with one sheet and see how it goes.
Good luck!

The Perfect Printing Pouch is great! (No connection.)

http://www.scraperfect.com/

I made the insert in my wedding invitations from velum and printed on it as well. I found that I had to let them sit over night to make sure the ink was dry. I tested a few with hairspray (cheap aquanet) and this worked also. There is a fixative you can buy also for this, but I can't remember the name of it. You should be able to get the fixative from the art supply store.

After your vellum comes out of the printer - you could always pour on clear embossing powder quickly, and tap off. Makes for nice embossing on vellum.

I use the transparency setting too, and it works fine for me.
Good luck with it.

Devon,
I know in this day and age people want to do it all for themselves at home on their own printer. I work at a small printshop and although it's in an industrial area and we don't get a lot of brides, we get the occasional frantic bride rushing to get her stuff out at the last minute on stocks that aren't necessarily home printer friendly. (or the bride who intrusted it to someone that took on the task with the best of intentions but couldn't get it done) I would honestly suggest going to a local printshop and telling them what they want. (mainly the size you intend it to be and the paper you want) It may not be as expensive as people think... most will even typeset it for you. Plus it will be more permanent and archival in quality! Or if you provide them with the file, they will use it with the best intent of customer supplied art. I've worked in a paper store as well, depending on the kind of vellum you are intending (there are many kinds as thin as tissue and as heavy as cardstock). Also having just gotten married last summer and made all my invitations myself- it's quite an undertaking even with all my knowledge of paper, printing and as a designer.
But then again- depending on the quantity they are doing- and they have plenty of time... she could probaly trial and error it at home.
But in my honest oppinion... take it to a REAL printshop!!! :) Hope that helps- It's free to get a quote and you can come right out and ask them what they need from you to cut down on hidden costs.