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Post by schlpic on Oct 4, 2015 3:21:33 GMT
Hi!
I wasn't sure where to post this.
I'm designing baby book pages for an 8.5 x 11 scrapbook in page protectors (easy removal/insertion) for parents-to-be (Due mid-October).
The style is similar to what you would purchase in a store with just a bit of customization, that they will add photos and handwritten journal entries to each page. There are color graphics and some black text and lines for recording their memories.
I'm wondering where I should print this? I have a hp home printer. Is there "archival" ink available I could purchase? Maybe the ink I have is archival?
Would I be better off to print through some copy center like office max, kinkos or staples-for better printing and archival quality?
Do you request card stock? I'm not sure photo matte paper would be easy to write on. I'm including an archival pen--like a zig, but over the course of the year to document "firsts" and details, the pen may be misplaced. I'm also concerned about possible smearing while the ink isn't quite dry. (suggestions for a good pen?)
I want the sheets be easy to write on and was thinking card stock would be the type paper to use. Worse cas-- if they use ballpoint ink, it will write/flow well on the page.
If you can offer any suggestions, I'd appreciate it!
Thanks so much!
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Post by Sepiana on Oct 4, 2015 3:52:22 GMT
Hi schlpic, welcome to PSE&M!
Which program do you use to create these pages? Elements? Photoshop? You could use their Print module and do a test with a few pages to see if you like the results. If you are not pleased with the results, you could try one of many printing services available. Just make sure they offer archival prints (with the appropriate paper and ink).
As far as which paper and which ink to use -- You said you have an HP printer. I would suggest you check with the HP website. They will be able to recommend the appropriate ink and paper for your printer and for your project.
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Post by schlpic on Oct 4, 2015 4:31:55 GMT
Thanks for the welcome, Sepiana!
I have elements 9 and access to photoshop cc. I'm more familiar with elements!
I'll have to check out the hp site. I understand the paper portion of archiving, but I'm not sure what makes an archival ink, or if all ink is archival?
I didn't know if there's a better suggestion for the paper. Cardstock is pretty smooth, no "tooth" to it.
But, I'm not sure if that even matters!
Thanks!
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Post by Sepiana on Oct 4, 2015 4:54:40 GMT
I don't have too much experience in the area of archival print. So, I may be wrong but here is how I understand it. One should use pigment-based ink for archival prints instead of dye-based ink. This document discusses the appropriate ink and paper for creating archival prints.
How to Make and Store Archival Prints of Your Photographs |
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Post by schlpic on Oct 4, 2015 5:05:54 GMT
I checked out the hp site and they list their ink as archival.
The folks at staples really didn't know if their ink was "archival", office max stated their ink was archival--but it's probably on par with the hp ink? Also archival for "decades".
Maybe there is a better paper than card stock? Matte photo paper seems like it might be difficult to write on, ink may smear if the user isn't careful.
Thanks!
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Post by Sepiana on Oct 4, 2015 5:26:24 GMT
I don't really have the expertise to help you with this issue. I don't do too much printing and/or scrapbooking. I will bring this thread to the attention of our members who are experts at this kind of project. Hang in there!
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Post by schlpic on Oct 4, 2015 5:56:58 GMT
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Post by Sepiana on Oct 4, 2015 6:04:42 GMT
The thread was moved while you were offline and a PM was sent to you about it. When a thread is moved, all the posts go with it. Everything is fine.
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Post by cats4jan on Oct 6, 2015 12:57:42 GMT
I like matte paper better than gloss or semi-gloss but I'm in the minority here. Matte may look better in the plastic sleeves - but it's personal preference. No matter which paper you use, it will appear different when slipped into those plastic sleeves, so print and make some trial pages and put them in your scrapbook and see what you like. It's printing trial time. Make a couple of templates and print them at various sources - including home. Make multiple copies using the papers they or you have available. Only trial and error will show you what works best. You may not be able to get your templates printed at an outside source on matte. I've always found matte to be an elusive component in the creation process. It's just not readily available. Actually, rethinking this - matte may be too much of a contrast with the photos they will glue on the pages - that's what your trial and error will determine.Realize printing at home - although the best way for quality control and tweaking mid-process - is going to be the least economical. You cannot use generic ink and get archival quality, so buying ink is going to be a big factor. Scrapbook pages take a ton of ink to print. Also - match your paper with your printer. I use Epson paper with my Epson printer and get fantastic prints. There are generic brands out there, that with the correct printer profiles provided by the paper company, will get you good results, but I prefer matching paper and printer. It's not just writing on your paper that you have to worry about, it's whether the glue will work between your printed template and the slick back of photos.
I just tried a plain old Sharpee on the semi-gloss paper - both on the photo part and on the plain paper without print - and after rubbing the text really hard, it didn't smudge, so I doubt smearing will be a problem. However, I doubt a Sharpee is archival. LOL I tried permanent double sided adhesive - made especially for scrapbooking so it's archival - on the semi gloss paper and it stuck really well. I suggest providing a couple of rolls of adhesive for your parents-to-be. This tape comes in a special case and you drag it on the thing you want to glue - it applies a layer of double sided stick that looks like really thin tape. One brand I have here is Scotch and one brand looks like it's made by the same company that makes Duct tape because there is a duck on the case but I can't find a name on it.
Do not buy double sided scotch-type tape - it's thicker than the stuff I'm recommending. I forgot there is a Tombow brand - it's similar to the others - I've used it and it's probably just as good as any other brand, but the only one I tried today was made by Scotch. Adhesive applicators like this are readily available in any scrapbooking store or hobby store and the "marts" like KMart, Target, WalMart in their scrapbooking department. Make sure you get "permanent" - there is also "repositionable" which sounds like a good idea until you realize it doesn't stick very well. You can also get your archival pens in the same department. You know - I'm pretty sure anything you get in the scrapbooking departments of stores will work for any kind of printer paper and will be archival since that's what scrapbooking is all about. The only thing you will need to decide is where you want to print your pages. If you are doing around 25 pages or less, printing cost will not be a huge factor and you will probably prefer the quality control of printing at home. Any other questions - I will be glad to try and help. I've experimented with just about every phase of scrapbook printing. However, I don't have experience with archival quality pens because I don't write on my pages. Just realize, you will want to provide everything for your parents-to-be or they will never finish the project. They will not want to go shopping for tape and pens and a scrapbook - especially if they've never done anything like this. It's confusing for newbies to find what they need to complete a project like this.  |
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Post by srmoment on Oct 7, 2015 6:43:28 GMT
I am just finishing up a scrapbooking project which is now at 63 pages. I got a smaller album and refills (8X8 inch) from Michaels using their 40% off coupons. They also have a wide variety of archival glue and pens.
I started out with matte paper, but found that the paper absorbed a lot of ink and I did not like the quality (...I have a Canon). I switched to glossy paper and am really happy with the way the pages have turned out. The colors I see on my monitor are the same colors that print out, but this is not always the case. You may find that your prints are darker than what you see on your monitor, so that is something to watch for.
p.s. cats4jan....what a great reply - you provided so much really good information!
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Post by cats4jan on Oct 7, 2015 10:31:04 GMT
Thanks, SrmomentI - I just love talking scrapbooking.
I'm a fan of 8x8 also. Although I create in 12x12 because that's the size scrapbook supplies come in and although I have a large format printer and can print 12x12, I love 8x8. 11x8.5 paper is readily available in all finishes for the 8x8's so getting paper is easy, and I just find that size scrapbook easy to handle. The side benefit is you use less ink printing in the smaller size.
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Post by Sepiana on Oct 7, 2015 17:27:52 GMT
I just love talking scrapbooking. Janice, you don't just love talking; you know what you are talking about. Thanks for coming to the rescue! You are a master at scrapbooking! |
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Post by cats4jan on Oct 7, 2015 23:39:45 GMT
Been Digital Scrapbooking for ten years!! Yikes, ten years.
I probably have over 600 layouts by now. Yikes, again. (Not all are keepers, though. LOL)
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Post by cats4jan on Oct 7, 2015 23:47:17 GMT
Additional comments to tag onto Srmoment's post -
I was at Hobby Lobby today and they have many of those adhesive applicator type things like I mentioned before, plus they have pens that are acid free and safe for writing on photos. I didn't see the word "archival" on the pen packages, but I'm guessing "acid free" is as close to "archival" as you are going to get.
good luck with your project, Schlpic. I hope you will post some of your pages. I'd be interested in seeing them.
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