How do you print your pages? [Archive] - Digital Scrapbook Place

thekytikat

10-11-2005, 08:11 AM

I have the Canoni9900... it does wide formats.. so I can print my 12x12 at home on a 13x19 paper... I haven't tried it with the epson scrapbook paper... though if I can find any I will... the ink usage is great, it's got separate ink tanks and I've only had to replace the photo magenta, photo cyan, the cyan and the yellow... I've had it since June 04... and I still haven't had to replace the red, green, magenta, or black... I find it's cheaper to buy my ink and paper online at amazon.com then it is to buy from the local office supply store... So I stock up when I make a purchase, and take advantage of the free shipping at amazon...

I don't print as often as I'd like right now, mostly because the house I'm currently living in is small, and the only place for my printer was way up on top of my curio cabinet, makeing it hard to get to... Eventually, when we buy a house (we're military, so we have at least one more move before retirement), I plan on having my printer down where it will be easily accessible...

hth someone out there!

crazycowgirl

10-21-2005, 09:14 AM

I have been printing all of my own pictures and pages since I got my Epson Stylus Photo 870 about 4 years ago. It seems to me that it uses less ink when I print on photo paper than it does on plain paper. I get my ink from Costco, 2 color and 1 black for about $50.
Thanks for the heads up on amazon, Kytikat. I'll be checking their prices now too.

sandra

12-17-2005, 09:26 AM

I could have used an "other" or something. I print 8x8 at home, but I have also had larger projects (either in size or number of pages) printed professionally. I voted HP printer today.

julieann

12-20-2005, 11:13 PM

Can I ask about the HP printer?
I also use HP and print 6x6 8x8 and 8 1/2 x 11 at home. I run out of ink very fast. about 20-25 8 1/2 x 11 sheets per cart. Is this normal?

Julie

sandra

12-26-2005, 11:59 AM

I haven't run out of photo ink yet, but i Have had to replace my tri-color cartidge once. The photo will run out soon. I guess Ihave printed about 20 layouts at 8x8 or smaller.

obsessedfae

01-20-2006, 08:31 AM

I get them printed at scrapbookpictures.com and I highly recommend them! :)

Geekmom

01-26-2006, 01:57 AM

I make my pages 12x12. Before I create a jpg, I change the canvas size to 12x18. On the extra at the bottom, I create 2 copies of my page. I export a jpg and upload it to Costco. Costco prints 12x18 pages for $2.99. I cut the page so that I have a 12x12 for my scrapbook and two 6x6 copies for each of the Grandmas. Costco really does a great job.

lvich

03-14-2006, 09:16 AM

That's a super idea!

sandygb

03-28-2006, 03:43 AM

I digi-scrap using Photoshop Elements 2.0 and use 2 size formats. Each is printed as follows on my Dell 924 photo printer, which handles regular letter sized paper. I prefer to print my layouts on matte photo paper. My favorite papers for my digital layouts are Epson Heavyweight Matte Paper or Canon Matte Photo Paper. They run between $10 to $14 per pack of 50 sheets and they are frequently on BOGO at Office Depot. I print my layouts differently, depending on which of the 2 formats I use:

1) For 8.5 x 11 layouts, I print borderless 8.5 x 11 pages since my printer is capable of printing borderless. The layouts fit perfectly into an 8.5 x 11 album.
2) For 12 x 12 layouts, I do a "Print Preview" in PSE and choose "fit to page" which scales my 12 x 12 layout to an 8 x 8 which I then print onto the same letter size photo paper I mentioned above and trim the layout with a paper cutter and slip into an 8 x 8 album.

I rarely buy 12 x 12 albums anymore, and probably have about 10 of them which I haven't used yet! I do my square layouts in 12 x 12 size rather than 8 x 8 just in case I ever get a wide format printer and decide to reprint the pages.....or in case I ever decide to have my layouts bound in a hardcover book. It seems like the best of both worlds and works well for me.

Sandy

BonnyJean

03-29-2006, 02:08 PM

I also could check several answers here! lol I have printed a couple on my HP at home, but most of my layouts I have never printed. I do intend to, however. But now that I'm not going to be paper scrapping anymore, I think I'm going to send my layouts to Costco and use all the 12x12 albums I've been collecting! lol

ronca

05-21-2006, 10:15 PM

http://shinynickels.com/printyour.htm - It says on their site they can do a 12X12 layout for 2 dollars. I'm new at digital scrapbooking, and I've never printed anything yet.

Lorne

08-09-2006, 02:29 PM

I voted HP, since I use my home printer most of the time (usually when my dw is making a birthday card :)), but for really high quality stuff (like for a wedding) I'd order prints from the online print service that Scrapbook MAX uses. It isn't the cheapest option, but the quality is just phenominal...much better than any other printing service I've seen.

The print service actually hand-optimizes everything to get the colors to print just right.

roachelley

09-29-2006, 07:07 PM

debbers

10-09-2006, 06:54 PM

I print using the color laser at work, well, because I can. :)

It looks GREAT, and is far cheaper than going to Kinkos. I'm actually pretty sure that it's cheaper to do that than to print on the 'photo' printers that are being made now for home.

The only thing it doesn't do is give you photo finish looking printouts. However, I wouldn't WANT my scrapbook page to look all like a photo! I want it to look like *paper* :)

deb

ErinBoBerin

10-09-2006, 07:22 PM

LOL Debbers, laser printing is the cheapest route. I print 5 8x8 copies of my album for family members at xmas at a printing company. They don't look as good as an inkjet, but you can't beat the price! I haven't printed mine yet because I still can't decide if I want to do 8x8 or 12x12. I do want to do hardback books though, but there are so many different companies to go through.

If anyone has personal experience with printing one I'd love to know. I know DSP does them too, so I guess you'd have to PM me your recommendations or places to stay away from, unless of course it's DSP.

Stephmpow

10-13-2006, 08:41 AM

I just tried printing my pages through http://sbtoshare.com/. They sent me a sample of their different pages and what my page would look like on it. I think it is great quality and a lot cheaper than printing at home. They have the best prices I have seen on the web. You can upload your pages directly to them or send them on a CD.

I have recieved 2 orders from them and they are great. I like the glossy cs teh best. I thought it would be too shiney, but it was perfect and made my images much more smooth than with the regular cs

debbers

10-13-2006, 11:22 AM

LOL Debbers, laser printing is the cheapest route...They don't look as good as an inkjet, but you can't beat the price!

And you'll NEVER have to worry about them running if they get wet!

Inkjets ... just say no!

:)

deb

P.S. The bottom line is that at _work_ we have a pretty expensive color laser that prints things that look every bit as good as a 4-color offset press job. But we do *all* our own printing in the office. That's really a WEE bit over my budget for a home printer, tho. Heh.

Koby

10-16-2006, 10:37 PM

I'm from Manitoba Canadaand am wondering if anyone knows where to have them printed other than home?

ArcaneFaery

11-25-2006, 05:17 PM

Last night was the first time I'd really done any hardcore printing...I have a low-end HP because the kiddos, you know, won't let Mom have many nice things........anyway, on photo paper, I was pleased enough, but I have been looking around for a place to send the pages to to get printed. Home cartridges can get expensive when you are doing four or five albums!

PacificTonz

12-20-2006, 06:26 PM

I print on an Epson Photo R210 - certainly not a top of the line printer but with a good weight photo paper I have been thrilled with the results.

ChiCheryl

01-02-2007, 11:44 PM

Geekmom, how do you get the resolution up for the 12x18 at Costco? I get the "triangle" that tells me that my picture can't be printed larger than 11x14. I'm using PSE 5.0.
Thanks!
Cheryl

sharonh28

02-10-2007, 02:11 PM

I have recently bought a new printer the cannon that will do wide pages. I would like to do my own 12 X 12 pages but don't know where to get the blank 12 X 12 paper to print on. Any suggestions. thanks s

debbers

02-10-2007, 02:58 PM

Sharonh28: You may need to buy 12 x 18 paper and then cut it down.

I don't know about photo glossy stock in larger sizes, but there are oodles of very nice papers available in 12 x 18 at commercial paper sources. Here we have a Kelly Paper - no clue how many warehouse stores they have.

deb

kydeb

02-10-2007, 03:33 PM

I print using a Kodak 1400 printer. I print my pages 8x8 but I'm starting an album for my son that is 6x6. The cost is consistent - I buy packages of 50 sheets of paper and the film (ink) prints that numbe of pages. This printer uses the same technology as the little series printer for cameras and prints on professional paper. You cannot tell the difference in what you print on it and what you print at a professional photography shop. So far, I've been able to buy 2 packs of paper and get 1 by rebate -- that 150 pages for about $165 including shipping. I don't think a little over $1 page is bad and I like having that instant gratification! If I buy the 8.5x14 paper, I can get 1 8x8 plus something small of 2 6x6s per page.

mom2triplets04

04-06-2007, 02:13 PM

I use my HP printer to print my 8 x 8 pages when I do print which is only occassionally. I'd love to print them more often but the toner is expensive. Haven't found a place that prints them at a reasonable rate to have them done professionally.

maeffron

06-04-2007, 12:36 PM

Shutterfly.com makes the most amazing 12x12 and 8x8 books! You can make other sizes too but these work best for scrapbooking. I have recently started making Yearbooks for my family. It was about $150 for the year -- hardbound, looks like a real book and you can even have the cover printed. It's amazing. Even the $150 is cheaper than scrapbooking by hand and buying all the stuff. I totally recommend it.

Tip: Make your books and save them to the website. Then check for sales weekly. You'll get 20-40% off your scrapbook if you do it that way.:tup:

YiaYia

06-21-2007, 03:49 PM

cafe scrap

06-27-2007, 08:19 AM

You guys have given me so many great ideas!

I haven't printed any yet - and its driving me nutty . . .

I live in Australia & I know I have been quoted around $3.50 for a 12x18 at Office works. I need to do more research.

Blesha

08-01-2007, 02:33 PM

I haven't printed any of my layouts yet. Hoping to get good enough at the scrapping to be able to make LO's that are worth paying some money to get printed at the photo shop.

HeatherH

08-21-2007, 04:36 PM

I just bought an HP Photosmart Pro B8350 that prints wide format. I was a paper scrapper and just started exploring the digital realm 2 weeks ago when I got this printer. HP sells 13"x19" photo paper in glossy and matte finish. They sent me a sample package of the paper and the few pages I have printed have been gorgeous. I think I like the matte finish better though. You can register at their website and receive discounts on paper and print cartridges. They also offer free 2nd day air shipping. I don't know of anyone that sells 12x12 photo paper. I have checked Office Depot and Staples. I am definitely interested to know if anyone makes 12x12 photo paper since trimming the pages is a pain.

caraffle

10-13-2007, 01:14 PM

I have an Epson 1800 and it prints beautifully. It does up to 13 X 19 and the color is very good. The only drawback is the ink, it costs a fortune. There are 8 color cartridges and each cost between $12-14 US. I recycle through Office Depot and get #3 for every one I return but is still alot of $$$$. When I have more than 5 pages to print, I send them to a place in Floriday called Scrapbooks to share SBTOSHARE.Com They charge $1.50 for a 12X12 and ship within a couple of days. The quality is good and I get copies for all of my girls economically.

jenny McDonald

10-13-2007, 01:45 PM

YiaYia

10-22-2007, 10:32 AM

Thanks! I live in Florida so will checkout the SBTOSHARE.Com, they might even be close enough to save the shipping. And....a CostCo just down the road. Will check them out too. What would I do without this site and you guys. Just muddle around I'm sure.

lbjiowa

12-20-2007, 10:16 PM

Just heads up! If you print at Costco, SOME locations are now doing a 12x36. So you can print 3 12x12's for $5! All you have to do is cut them when you get home! Check with your Costco before going in. They are still working out kinks so please be patient! I think the only way you can do this is going in to the actual store. I don't think you can upload them on their website, not sure though.

It gets EVEN BETTER at Costco...if you ask them in your nicest, sweetest, most irrestible manner, they will let you use THEIR professional photo cutter to cut your three pages apart before you leave the store! (I love that THEY pay to keep the blade sharp and that they paid for the cutter...one less bit of clutter in my office and more money for more 'essential' items...you know...like great kits from DSP etc!)

lbjiowa

12-20-2007, 10:27 PM

I sent several pages to SAMs wholesale and was very dissappointed. They came back very dark. I think it is because of an auto-photofixer feature of SAMs machines that concentrates on one area of the photo instead of printing exactly what you send. Anyone else have this problem. How about with Costco? I don't have a Costco card, but would get one just for the photo printing if they do a better job.

You are 100% correct on the auto-phot-fix feature causing trouble when it comes to printing at a photo lab. It doesn't matter if it's sam's club, walmart, walgreen's, etc... etc... etc... I do quite a alot of printing at photo labs and have learned over the past couple years that it is ALWAYS best to bring your file in and use the 1-hour service BECAUSE you can talk directly to the lab tech doing the printing and tell them to turn that lovely feature OFF. This will also minimize the occurance of photo-upsizing that often happens when they let your order go through automatically (one of the reasons most digi-scrappers avoid having anything of importance within 1/2" of any edge ... labs often blow-up your image about 3-5% in the auto-processing routine ... VERY annoying when your design 'needs' that extra room).

After working closely with a couple of the labs (esp WalMart and Costco) we've been very successful in avoiding the problems by discussing our project EVERY time we bring them in for printing...specifically telling them NO AUTO-FIX, NO AUTO-FIT ... just run it manually "as is" and things will come out MUCH better.

ONE side note - I did have a layout once that was pretty high saturation fuchia and one that was a high saturation burgandy...both had trouble coming out nicely. Once I backed the dpi down to 180 it came out much better (I generally use 300dpi otherwise).

For the money...Costco is DEFINITELY the better bargain in the long run. Until you start investigating the cost of a hardbound, full-color book ... you CAN NOT compete with the great price per page when you make your books at viovio.com and the quality is truly fantastic!

lbjiowa

12-20-2007, 10:32 PM

Geekmom, how do you get the resolution up for the 12x18 at Costco? I get the "triangle" that tells me that my picture can't be printed larger than 11x14. I'm using PSE 5.0.
Thanks!
Cheryl

Cheryl, I didn't see where you got an answer to this question so thought I'd just jump in. The problem is that the combination between your image size and your dpi is inappropriate for upsizing to something larger than 11x14.

Try setting your image size to 12x12" (assuming you have a square layout and want to print a 12x12)
Then change your canvas size to 12x18 (I recommend adding the extra 6" to the right side of your current image ... then you can use that to print 2 6x6" versions of your layout! great freebies to give to family/friends)
Now...make sure your dpi was set to at least 200dpi ... 300dpi is the setting I generally use, but either will suffice.

Fujimom

04-04-2008, 01:29 PM

I have two HP printers, the 8450 and the wide format 8750. I had been using coated cardstock from Michaels, and it looks pretty good. But I feel that it may suck up too much ink. I also print on Ilford Classic Pearl 13x19 for truely awesome photos. But I hate to waste that expensive paper. I also have some glossy that looks great and love my 13x19 canvas for wall prints. My ink seems to last a very long time. But I have to admit that I do look at what I am printing color-wise and if I think I will be using a lot of one color I will go to Sam's Club and print on poster paper.

Last week someone posted on a gallery somewhere, that she is using the Hawk Mountain true 12x12 scrapbook paper. She raved about it. It can be printed on both sides, but I probably will not do that. So I ordered immediately and should get it today. It is available in 50 sheet packs for about $23 plus s&h. I decided to see what a second pack would cost on S&H and it only upped it a tiny bit. So 100 sheets are being UPS'd So the paper will be about 50 - 60 cents a sheet! I can't wait to try it! I will let you know how I like it.

Fujimom

04-04-2008, 01:38 PM

Hi Heather, I just posted about the paper I ordered, but have not received yet.
Hawk Mountain paper company has true 12x12 scrapbook paper at a very economical price.

papagodesign

04-11-2008, 02:34 AM

Why is everyone scrapping/printing 12 x12?
I work in A4 and 360dpi, allowing me to print to A3+ on my Epson printer.
Are you printing to album or stock frame size?
I'm aware that the paper sheets are usually square, but with digital work that's no longer an issue.
My concern is more the archival quality of ink and paper, so artworks last some years on the wall.

Fujimom

04-14-2008, 11:28 AM

Hi All,
I finally am getting back on the Hawk Mountain Paper. It did not arrive the day I expected and the follow up with the company was very prompt. It arrived on a pouring rainy day and UPS left it on the porch. The HMP people had done a great job of wrapping. Lots of plastic protection inside the box.

The 12 x 12 scrapbook paper prints beautifully. I have printed several pages and the colors are great. I am very happy with it. However I need to experiment a little more. I have a default setting of 50 DPI and the photos looked a little soft. Then I tried a second default which has a 300 DPI and that made everything very crisp and clear, but also darkend my papers and elements and I am sure used too much ink! I would not hesitate to recommend it to all you wide format printer users.

poohbear77

10-26-2008, 05:16 AM

Hi all,

Okay, I found the thread I was looking for again. I am inches away from my DH getting me a wide-format printer. Hopefully Santa brings me one for Christmas! I'm wanting one mainly because I am thinking of starting my own scrapboooker for hire business and thought that might be a good way to get started for some of the projects I am thinking of doing. The smaller projects at least. Which one would people recommend?

I've also done a couple of hardcover books and so far Shutterfly is my favorite. I just did a 90 page book for my grandmother's 90th birthday and ordered it through Shutterfly and now my whole family is wanting me to do books for them! It turned out beautifully! If I am able to go into business like I hope to, then I am thinking until I find another solution, I'll probably use them or another company to do complete albums that people want in a hardcover book.

I'm a big fan of 12x12 albums mainly because I am used to that size from doing traditional scrapping I guess. Where do you buy paper that size though to print on? Do you just use regular 12x12 scrapbook paper?

I've printed a few single pages through Costco and while the prices are good and for me they are pretty convenient( (right up the street), I'm not sure about the quality? The pages have looked really good and crisp, but it's almost like they are too glossy still and I've been choosing matte finish? Any suggestions there?

lmilgram

10-26-2008, 12:12 PM

I just ordered my first Winkflash 12 x 12 photobook and was satisfied with the quality. There is a little cropping on the top and bottom of each page, but nothing that made me want to cry.

I saw no difference in my 200 ppi and 300 ppi pages. The only thing that takes getting used to for me was having my pages on a paper that is like an expensive magazine rather than the cardstock that I've been used to.

There is a coupon available through 10/31/2008 for a flat rate book. Mine cost less than $42 including shipping for 51 pages.

caraffle

10-26-2008, 02:22 PM

Printed my first book but decided to do 8x8. It is great and I really love the custom cover that is the chirstmas card I sent last year. I printed mine a Viovio and it was 50 pages and I paid 40.01 which included FedEx delivery. I think it was well worth it. At some point, I want to print all of my Heritage pages in a book but I need to get more of the stories written down to include them. Next year is DD#1's HS graduation and I think I am going to print her a book so maybe the thing to do is start to download them as I find them.

caraffle

10-26-2008, 02:25 PM

Poobear, I have an Epson 1800 and although I love it I rarely use it because the ink costs a fortune!!!!!!! $13-$14 for each of the 8 cartridges. I blow through the ink so fast when I am printing LO's so I find it easier to use the mail away place in Florida called scrapbookstoshare.com , it only costs 1.50 and the pages are great. Between the cost of ink and the Epson paper which come 10 to a pack and can be $9.99 and up, I make out better that way.

LadyCarolyn

10-26-2008, 04:50 PM

Costco quality here is fantastic . . . and considerably cheaper than anywhere else.

sabina_canada

11-05-2008, 11:19 PM

could someone perhaps please tell me why my printouts came out so dark today? I took some 40 of my layouts to Staples for printing, but was soooo disappointed. When I picked them up, they look much darker than what they look like on my computer.....am i doing something wrong in the color setting before taking it to the printer? or should I change printer company and try Costco instead?
I want to send some also to Shutterfly but not before I know that my settings are ok. Why did they turn out darker?
ughhhhhhh.

wndyeliza

11-05-2008, 11:38 PM

I haven't started to print out yet. But I am considering using Costco or some other professional printing service due to ink and paper considerations.

Muma

11-06-2008, 12:51 AM

I have a HP Photosmart c5180 that I print my 8x8s and 8.5x11s on. One set of inks lasted about 100 4x6 photos and about 30-35 8x8 scrapbook pages. The good think was only one ink colour had run out so I just loaded a single ink cartridge [instead of throwing away a tri colour cartridge that still had the other colours half full].

wndyeliza

12-10-2008, 08:41 PM

I had my first LO's printed out at Costco. I am floored! I love the LO's that I did and the quality was wonderful. And it was $2.99 for a 12x12. (Yes they printed out 12x12, No cropping from a larger size)
It was easy and wonderful. And no spending lots of money on paper and ink!

caraffle

12-10-2008, 08:52 PM

Oh just printed a book at Viovio.com and it came out beautifully. BUT.......did you know that they print loose pages and if they do it as well as the boooks, it looks like a great deal. go there and look at 12 x 12 square books and go under loose pages. I thnki I am going to print a bunch there and see how they are. I will let you know.

anntocco

12-10-2008, 09:57 PM

I have all my pages printed @ scrapbook flair "scrapbookplease" web site.
They have a value print for 1.00 I order most of the time , and they have sales on the better paper ....I just ordered 33 pages ... their turn around time is about a week, and the shipping comes to .50 each page ----HIGHLY RECOMMEND ----
and I also have some printing done at Cosco or SAMS Stores they are great also,
and so is are the price. I rarely print any thing at home..
ann

Deb7456

01-01-2009, 09:55 PM

Just got a wide-format Canon Pixma Pro 9000 for Christmas! I'll let you know how it works. Canon doesn't appear to sell a 12x12 page size, so I plan to try 13x19. I guess I can fill the rest of the page with 4x6 prints. Any tips from anyone who has this printer would be welcome!

anntocco

01-01-2009, 11:01 PM

I have heard to use a good quality of white12x12 scrapbooking sheets they sell at local craft stores......a friend printed several lay outs that i needed fast on a large format printer and i went to a holly lobby craft store for the paper----they were a great matt finish--- not glossy....
Yet priced reasonably
ann

poohbear77

01-02-2009, 02:50 AM

My DH got me a wide-format printer for Christmas! It was really the only thing I wanted this year other than a new cell phone (which he generously got me as well!). He went with the HP B8550. It's a brand I don't think has been mentioned on here so I am anxious to hear if anyone has any experience with this printer. We haven't set it up yet but I'm hoping tomorrow is the big day. I'll let you know how it does. Does HP sell the 12x12 paper?

RV'n Frannie

03-17-2009, 05:34 PM

What res do you guys use when having something printed, like at Costco? Do you just save it as is from your program where it's created, or some other way? Appreciate any help I can get! :)

anntocco

03-17-2009, 09:53 PM

What res do you guys use when having something printed, like at Costco? Do you just save it as is from your program where it's created, or some other way? Appreciate any help I can get! :)

I have all my pages printed @ scrapbook flair "scrapbookplease" web site.
They have a value print for 1.00 I order most of the time , and they have sales on the better paper ....I just ordered 33 pages ... their turn around time is about a week, and the shipping comes to .50 each page ----HIGHLY RECOMMEND ----
and I also have some printing done at Cosco or SAMS Stores they are great also,
and so is are the price. I rarely print any thing at home.. I CREATE MY PAGE @300 DPI AND THE SIZE IS ALWAYS 12X12....
ann

anntocco

03-17-2009, 09:55 PM

have all my pages printed @ scrapbook flair "scrapbookplease" web site.
They have a value print for 1.00 I order most of the time , and they have sales on the better paper ....I just ordered 33 pages ... their turn around time is about a week, and the shipping comes to .50 each page ----HIGHLY RECOMMEND ----
and I also have some printing done at Cosco or SAMS Stores they are great also,
and so is are the price. I rarely print any thing at home..
ann

lbjiowa

03-17-2009, 10:03 PM

What res do you guys use when having something printed, like at Costco? Do you just save it as is from your program where it's created, or some other way? Appreciate any help I can get! :)

I've only used Costco, so will share my process. NOTE: I always print mine on their 12x18 because it's the same price as their 12x12 ($2.99) AND I am able to get 1-12x12 and 2-6x6s ... perfect for gifting and in some cases they go in a book for the little ones to 'read'! All that said, this is 'my' process:

Save your 12x12, 300ppi layered file as a 12x12, 300ppi JPG file @ highest resolution (12).
Close the layered file.
Create a new file: 12x18, 300ppi, transparent background
Save this file - I'll say you've called it 12x18Print_01.psd
Open the JPG you created in Step 1
Drag your JPG image into the 12x18Print_01.psd file.
Position it on one end of the 12x18Print_01.psd file.
Now, duplicate this layer twice (press CTRL+J twice).
In the layers palette, highlight the two layers you just added.
Free Transform (CTRL+T) and reduce their size by 50% (H and W).
Now, position these two layers on the opposite end of the 12x12.
FileSaveAs 12x18Print_01.JPG!!! (Costco ... and all photo labs MUST be given a JPG file). Be sure to save at full resolution, highest quality.

TIP: Never have important elements (faces, text, etc) within 1/4" of the edge on a layout. There can (and often is!) a bit of 'cut-off' on the images when they go through the photo printer ... there's a whole, huge, and rather boring explanation for this ... so ... just remember to beware of the edge when you are designing! I have horror stories from the days when I just couldn't GET it in my head ... goodness!

When it comes to naming my print file, I generally include MY last name and the size ... just in case something goes haywire at the photo lab...it's my theory that this kind of a name will help them ... it's probably mute and a waste of my time, but ... I have that habit so continue with it.

Hopes that helps!

Kathleen

03-17-2009, 10:15 PM

I've only used Costco, so will share my process. NOTE: I always print mine on their 12x18 because it's the same price as their 12x12 ($2.99) AND I am able to get 1-12x12 and 2-6x6s ... perfect for gifting and in some cases they go in a book for the little ones to 'read'! All that said, this is 'my' process:

Save your 12x12, 300ppi layered file as a 12x12, 300ppi JPG file @ highest resolution (12).
Close the layered file.
Create a new file: 12x18, 300ppi, transparent background
Save this file - I'll say you've called it 12x18Print_01.psd
Open the JPG you created in Step 1
Drag your JPG image into the 12x18Print_01.psd file.
Position it on one end of the 12x18Print_01.psd file.
Now, duplicate this layer twice (press CTRL+J twice).
In the layers palette, highlight the two layers you just added.
Free Transform (CTRL+T) and reduce their size by 50% (H and W).
Now, position these two layers on the opposite end of the 12x12.
FileSaveAs 12x18Print_01.JPG!!! (Costco ... and all photo labs MUST be given a JPG file). Be sure to save at full resolution, highest quality.

TIP: Never have important elements (faces, text, etc) within 1/4" of the edge on a layout. There can (and often is!) a bit of 'cut-off' on the images when they go through the photo printer ... there's a whole, huge, and rather boring explanation for this ... so ... just remember to beware of the edge when you are designing! I have horror stories from the days when I just couldn't GET it in my head ... goodness!

When it comes to naming my print file, I generally include MY last name and the size ... just in case something goes haywire at the photo lab...it's my theory that this kind of a name will help them ... it's probably mute and a waste of my time, but ... I have that habit so continue with it.

Hopes that helps!

I have a very similar work flow and also print exclusively at Costco.

Here are the points where I differ ... I create all my documents at 200ppi, and have done actual print comparisons and can not tell the difference between 200ppi and 300ppi. I'll take the savings of disk size and upload/download any day!

I also use the extra space on the 12x18 page (even if you order a 12x12, they print it on 12x18 and trim it). I do my full size 12x12 print, and then two smaller sizes (usually a 6x6 and a 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 which fits perfectly in a little brag book). Once I have the whole page set, I select the layers and reduce them to 98% which then gives about 1/8" border around the whole page to make sure nothing gets cut off. Here is what my JPG looks like that I upload to Costco:

http://cdn-1-service.phanfare.com/images/external/1466784_1419796_35458288_Web_3/0_0_31757f18bd97026aead3569433903c5f_1

RV'n Frannie

03-18-2009, 12:51 AM

Kathleen

03-18-2009, 02:24 PM

Wow! Thanks, you three, for the great information. Now I remember someone telling me that I should allow a little around the edge "just in case". I've saved mine at 200 ppi in 8x8, because that's the size of my scrapbooks. I do like the idea of having a couple of smaller ones, though, so I'll think about that for the future.

Keep fingers crossed for me tomorrow, please. :) I'm going to see how one prints out, and then do the others, as my DGD will be here to see me in a week or so and I promised my DD that I would have the first year's book done (she's 2 and a half now). :D I'll let you know how they come out.

:wave: Frannie

Have you never printed any of your pages???? If this is your first to print, you will be so thrilled with the actual pages in your hand! At least I know I am.

My mom started scrapping her visits with my daughter (we live in Iowa, she lives in Georgia). We all see each other about 4 - 5 times a year - sometimes at their house, sometimes at our house, and sometimes Mark and I take a little vacation, so it is just Delaney, Grams & Papa. The visits are always fun for everyone! Anyway, whenever we go to Grams' house, Delaney always wants to look at her book, and she is now old enough that she likes to talk about some of the silly things they do together!

Good luck with printing!

RV'n Frannie

03-19-2009, 11:44 AM

I'm back, and I have GORGEOUS prints to finish this scrapbook! I saved them at 200 ppi, and the resolution is perfect.

No, Kathleen, I've always printed on my Dell 3-in-1 printer, and not been very happy with the outcome, but didn't know how to go about doing it at a commercial printer. :) It will just be Costco from now on--they are quick, helpful, and do great work.

Thanks again for all your help, and happy scrapping! :wave:

Kathleen

03-19-2009, 11:59 AM

How very exciting! I am so glad you love your prints!!!

cass_design

05-17-2009, 02:02 AM

You guys! I ditto Deb here. Why spend all of this time creating pages when you are printing with inkjet printers?
I just finished an SLR photography college course that went into detail about printing. Inkjet puts ink ontop of a paper.
True photo paper uses chemicals that are put INTO the paper. It is scratch proof, water proof, archival & won't fade!!! Full bleed & no white edges too!
It's a no brainer! Girls, We want our memories to last!
I have only printed my pages at Costco (http://www.costco.com) ($2.49 a 12x12) and at scrappingsimply.com (http://www.scrappingsimply.com) ($1.99 a 12x12)
They both use Fuji Crystal Archival paper, the big difference is that at Scrappingsimply, there are real people running the machines that look at the pages and balance & optimize them if needed.
Plus, how much are you guys spending on all of that ink???:confused:

And you'll NEVER have to worry about them running if they get wet!

Inkjets ... just say no!

:)

deb

P.S. The bottom line is that at _work_ we have a pretty expensive color laser that prints things that look every bit as good as a 4-color offset press job. But we do *all* our own printing in the office. That's really a WEE bit over my budget for a home printer, tho. Heh.

WhiteAngel

07-31-2009, 04:55 AM

hi, HP seams to be the printer of choice so far...I was just wondering if laser is better than ink jet...???

diturpin

09-09-2009, 01:56 PM

I think it depends on the type of paper you prefer to use. I haven't checked the archival quality of the color lasers but that might be a factor for you to consider. Also, size would be the other consideration. If you print 8x8 it would be ok, but if you want edge to edge 8.5x11 or 12x12 you'd need to go with an inkjet photo quality printer...I think. I haven't seen color laser that goes 12x12 or edge to edge. It may be out there, I just haven't looked.

I have an Epson R220 which I have had for years and really like. It lets me do edge to edge 8.5x11 if I want but I usually print 8x8. If it wears out or they quit making ink cartridges, I'll probably go with a larger format just for the flexibility.

Kathleen

09-09-2009, 02:01 PM

Generally speaking, I don't think color laser printers come anywhere near photo quality printing. If you are wanting to do your printing at home, I think the best option is an ink jet (I'm still very partial to professional printing). You might be able to take a LO and save it to a flash or USB card and take it to a local electronics store and do some test prints on different types of printers - a lot of printers these days, you can stick the memory card right in and print directly without a computer. That would give you a comparison for your actual images. Remember to save them as JPG images so they can be read like a photo.