Scrapbook Print Tips from ScrapbookScrapbook.com

This web site is loaded with free scrapbooking graphics you can print yourself-instantly by downloading from the web. Take a minute to read some tips about saving a great deal of money on ink and about some good acid free papers. This page is about paper and ink, if you are having printing problems, go to the FAQ's. How to Preserve Newspaper Clippings Laser Printers How I save on Computers & Cameras Photo Printing Info

GOOD NEWS ! Save on ink ! Use generic ink jet cartridges to save big money :

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I used to refill my cartridges, but with the new even lower prices on generic cartridges, it is hardly worth the time and mess involved. If you think you 'should' not use generic cartridges in your printer for fear of voiding your warranty, fear not & -Read This

I used to re-fill my own cartridges, but now the generic ink cartridges are so cheap that I don't fool with that messy task any more. But you can do it. Many people are afraid that refilling their own cartridges will void the printer warranty. Read the fine print in your manual, most likely it will say they 'recommend you use the printer's own brand'. Of course !, they make the big money on the ink. For more info on this see the links at the bottom of this page. Here is an article I found in a Scrapbooking Newsgroup which is very interesting I admit that it can be a messy job, I put a section of old newspaper down first since I always have a ink-y spot or two, but they give you rubber gloves in the kit & I get sooooo many prints for so cheap, I can deal with a bit of messy to do it.

Scrapbookers Tip: Printing brightly colored graphics in Economy or Draft Mode will result in lovely prints in pastel versions of the same colors shown on the screen. Additionally, many people don't know that they can set the printer on 'draft' or 'economy' to really save ink when printing out things to read later or sheets of directions to follow. Look under 'settings' or 'options'-->'advanced'-->a new box will open offering this ink saving mode. Laser Printers: As far as all information I have run across, all laser printing is fine for scrapbooking. Many of the scrapbook shops have color laser printers to make copies for you. Often they will take more time to make corrections to get accurate colors than a busy place like Kinkos. I find also that the big office supply stores like Office Depot do a fine job. If the clerk seems uninterested in accuracy,, try a different store. I have an Office Depot near me with a wonderful employee who will go to great lengths to get the best possible copies.

Wide Format Printers for 12" x 12" paper
Epson and HP make reasonably priced models. Watch Epson's site for factory reconditioned models at a big discount. Sometimes Office Depot has oversized HP printers on big sale or rebate. They start at about $300 bucks, but you might do better from Amazon, see search box below,
I know Amazon had the best price on my last Canon inkjet..plus free shipping at that time. Worth checking out.

I have had the best luck with Canon printers, and always ck w/ my generic ink suppliers , above, to be sure you will be able to buy inexpensive cartridges before you order or buy the printer. Some models do and some don't have cheap generic cartridges. Most HP's do NOT.

The manufacturers of inkjet inks tell us that the inks are acid-free ! If you use acid-free papers in your printer, you will be able to print out your own acid-free background papers, lettering, 'die cuts', frames, and accessories . Office supply stores sell acid free inkjet paper now. If you don't live near an office supply store, check the links shown below and order online. They are all very reputable companies and we have had great customer service from them.

Most dye based inkjet inks are not waterproof, so be sure to use protective covers for your finished pages & keep the 'in progress' projects away from soft drinks & wet hands. You can spray a protective coating on your inkjet print-outs if you wish, but under normal conditions that should not be necessary. I sometimes spray things like return address labels (I live in a very rainy climate) with quick-drying, Krylon Satin or Matte finish clear. It is non-yellowing (at least in my experience) and smells terrible till dry, works great. But, better is Preserve Your Memories aerosol spray. Their website has a little demo video www.precision-blue.com

There is quite a bit of discussion on message boards about whether or not inkjet ink is 'permanent'. Most of the testing done & reported on websites is concerned with inkjet printed photos hanging on a wall in daylight all day, every day. This is not the same situation as pages in scrapbooks. Some manufacturers ink tests out to be more light fast than others, just like some manufacturers give you twice the number of copies per cartridge than others. Epson and HP now have 'archival inks'. Check the Epson website for info because they are introducing new 'permanent' inks currently for certain printers, like the C82 and others.

I have read many emotional posts about the pros and cons of printing your own scrapbook graphics-but like a scrapbooker recently posted on one list--"Get a grip Girls, Nothing made of PAPER lasts FOREVER". I believe this to be a true statement, and helps me put things in perspective a bit. You will have to decide for yourself. Specialty Inks:

Here is a link to Digital Arts Supply who sells true archival inkjet inks. If expense is not a concern, check the archival pigmented inks at www.inkjetmall.com. For day-glow inks, see www.DayGlo.com . For Epson printers, Lumijet offers it's Preservation Series Inks & media.

	Georgia-Pacific Card Stock Just found this paper at Sam's Club and it is acid-free nice and crisp (110 weight) and makes great prints-plus it is cheap.
	This Wausau Bright White Premium Card Stock is Acid Free/Lignin Free and has a whiteness factor of "96". They recommend it for scrapbooking on the package.

We recommend that you use a card/cover stock paper when printing out ScrapbookScrapbook graphics to be cut out, like page titles, etc. Ink jet paper is rated for brightness/whiteness with numbers like 82,87,92... The higher the number, the brighter your colors will look. The heavier weight paper will not buckle from the moisture in the ink and is much easier to cut with sharp, clean edges, etc.

Great White Matte Finish Photo Paper. You can buy it other places too. It is made by International Paper. Sam's Club and Costco usually have the Kodak Photo Paper or other national brands at much reduced prices in large packs. Please note: The Royal-Brite brand that Sam's carries on occasion is getting poor reviews.

Or for photos, use Shutterfly---read about it here. Real handy--good prices, and they start you off with good free offers.

Avery Office Products makes a new product that you can use in your ink jet printer to make your own stickers. It is a whole sheet of white sticker paper. You just print and cut out your stickers in any shape you want. It is 10 sheets to the pack.

REALLY GOOD--older article but good In Depth Discussion of how printers work and what means what
when it comes to comparing models

The program , Capture Express, will let you open one of our sets and crop out shapes, sections, or any page etc...to use in digital scrapbooking programs. www.captureexpress.com

"Mix club soda with milk of magnesia. (One recipe recommends 2 tablespoons of milk of magnesia to 1 quart of club soda. Another recipe recommends 1 tablet of milk of magnesia to 1/4 cup of club soda.)

Allow the solution to sit in the refrigerator overnight or at least for eight hours before using.

"Pour the solution into a shallow pan that is large enough for the clipping to lay flat and be immersed in the solution. Soak only one clipping at a time. "Soak the clipping in the solution for 1 hour.

Carefully remove the clipping from the solution and place between layers of plain white paper towels. Pat gently to help remove moisture. Remove the clipping from the paper towels and leave it to dry on a clean, flat surface. Allow the clipping to dry completely before moving it again."

Many scrapbookers prefer to have a color copy made of newspaper clippings. The color laser copier preserves the look of newspaper (unlike a black & white copier) and will not deteriorate like newsprint will.

Have a look at Preserve Your Memories aerosol spray. The website has a little demo video of a newspaper article that you can watch. www.precision-blue.com

I buy all my computer equipment and digital cameras, etc. factory reconditioned.
Here's Why:

I have bought 3 laptops and 10 desktops, (all Sony Vaio's cause I love 'em & they are well suited to artwork) and all 'Factory Reconditioned'. Additionally, I have bought two of the excellent Fujifilm Fine Pix Digital Cameras & one Kodak 35 MM camera. All arrived almost instantly, looking totally brand new, with full manufacturer's warranty. Computer magazines taught me that a computer called 'factory reconditioned' would have a better track record for a lower incidence of problems than a 'new' computer, never tested and right off the assembly line. I believe them. I have never had any problems what-so-ever with my many Ubid purchases and I have saved a fortune. Plus in most states you won't be paying any sales tax. Tip: It is businesses who use UBid, not individuals like on EBay, so the prices tend to be lower on weekends and especially over holidays, as businesses are not open then. I have seen where you would save about $100 to $200 on a weekend/holiday over a work-day on a nice Sony Vaio desktop.

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I have had great experiences with factory refurbished cameras I have bought on UBid. You'll find that refurbished items have a better track record than items straight off an assembly line. They have been hand tested and so the risk of getting a 'lemon' is way less.(I learned this in computer magazines)