Inkjet Printing Scrapbooking Paper

Using Your Computer and Printer as Scrapbooking Tools

There’s no doubt that using your computer and printer as scrapbooking tools is a smart move. In fact, scrapbookers often make use of their computer and printer for:

• Printing digital scrapbooking pages
• Home printing digital photos
• Printing journaling blocks
• Printing clip art or graphics to use as page embellishments

Even if you don’t consider yourself to be extremely tech-savvy, using your computer and inkjet printing scrapbooking paper can help you create beautiful layouts quickly and easily.

Buying Inkjet Printing Scrapbooking Paper

Inkjet printing scrapbooking paper is readily available from scrapbook specialty stores as well as general craft stores and large office supply stores. Types of paper commonly used in scrapbooking include:

• Paper with subtle backgrounds or decorative borders
• Textured cardstock
• Glossy photo paper
• Matte photo paper
• Inkjet canvas paper
• Vellum
• Transparencies
• Self-adhesive sticker paper

The price of your paper will vary according to the size, weight, finish, and manufacturer. However, price alone is not a suitable indication of a paper’s quality. If possible, ask to see a sample of the paper before you commit yourself to purchasing an entire package.

Although most scrapbookers consider a computer printer to be useful for printing only on paper, it’s worth pointing out that there are a number of other possibilities to consider as well. For example:

• Printing on Ribbon
• Print to Fabric with Inkjet Printers

Improving Print Quality

When printing photos, text, or other items for your scrapbook, it’s helpful to remember the following tips for ensuring maximum print quality:

• Use acid-free paper for archival safety.
• Use the ink that is recommended for your printer. Choosing generic ink in an attempt to save money will typically result in inferior print quality as well as decreased archival safety.
• Choose the correct printer settings for the type of paper you are using. For example, most printers have special settings that are designed to produce optimal results for transparencies or glossy photo paper.
• To avoid accidental smudges, let the printout dry completely before handling it.
• Perform printer maintenance tasks such as print head alignment, nozzle checks, and deep cleaning on a regular basis.

If you’re considering purchasing a new printer, remember that the two best indicators of a machine’s print quality are resolution as indicated by dots per inch (dpi) and the number of levels or graduations that the machine can print per dot. A printer with a higher resolution and more levels per dot will be slightly more expensive, but it will typically produce higher quality printouts.

For additional information about inkjet printers and improving print quality, check out the following helpful resources:

• How Inkjet Printers Work
• PC Answers: Inkjet Printers
• Inkjet vs. Laser Printers
• ScrapGirls University: Inkjet Printing Tips

Wide Format Printers

Unfortunately, standard inkjet printers are designed to print on 8 ½ x 11 paper. Since most scrapbookers work in the 12x12 size, this means that a certain amount of cutting and pasting is typically necessary to create a layout. However, an increasing number of manufacturers are responding to the needs of scrapbookers by creating affordable wide-format printers.

Epson is an excellent example of a printing company that is tailoring its products to meet the needs of scrapbookers. In addition to devoting a large section of the company website to scrapbooking projects, Epson offers several home printers that are capable of producing 12x12 layouts. For example:

• Epson Stylus Photo 1400
• Epson Stylus Photo R1800
• Epson Stylus Photo R2400