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I recently tried printing some quotes in b & w ink on vellum & the outermost left edge of the text came out smudged. this was done in a local copy center so presumably their machines are good, although they have ms office 2003(!) on their computers so i wont totally vouch for their printers. is there a way to get a clear print on vellum? any tips? thanks!
I print on vellum all the time on my HP printer at home, and it turns out great. I use regular paper settings, although I also used to have good results using the glossy paper setting and the lowest quality print setting (less ink). It does take a little while to completely dry, probably 15-20 minutes or so.
Do you mean the left side of the text right across the page or just at the left hand edge? If it was just at the extreme left of the page, there's a chance the margin was too wide for the printer to handle, making the text "flabby" at that edge.
I'm guessing it was a laser printer rather than an inkjet given that you were at a copy shop. I've used both types of printer on vellum with success and don't remember having to do anything special with the laser printer. Inkjets do vary so you may need to experiment to get the best results (Jeanette's tips are a good starting point).
I've never had anything printed at a shop but when I do a small project at home, I spray it with a spray fixative. Works great but you have to spray it outside because of the smell.
The only other tip that I can think of is to use an anti-static device over the page of vellum where you will be printing. I have the EK Success Powder tool, but I know that there are likely dozens of others (e.g. I think SU has one called the Embossing Buddy).
interesting ideas! i think i'll try to ask someone in the staple's copy center to reprint it for me. if that doesnt work i'll try one of these tricks. thanks!
There's also a tool specifically for printing on vellum. I think it's called the Perfect Printing Pouch, and it works like a embossing anti-static pad. Works great!
__________________ Carol
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I've printed on vellum often, and unless you want to heat emboss it- also possible- you basically need to print it at the fastest print setting your printer has, and as already suggested, using a 'glossy photopaper' setting.
I've printed on vellum often, and unless you want to heat emboss it- also possible- you basically need to print it at the fastest print setting your printer has, and as already suggested, using a 'glossy photopaper' setting.
This, and lots of other suggestions in this thread, applies to inkjet printing. It's extremely unlikely a copy shop is using an inkjet so do check with them when you ask them to do the job for you. If they're using a laser printer (or you're getting a sheet photocopied which is basically the same technology as a laser printer) the issues of inkjet printing will not apply.
Smudge-free printing on vellum
