CottageArts.net

The most frequently asked question we have received is “How do you print your layouts and papers?” It is our hope that this article will help answer most of your questions and help you gain confidence about printing our papers for traditional scrapbooking, as well as gain understanding about how to print your finished digital layouts in an archival manner.

Layout/Paper Size Formats and Print Resolution (dpi)*:

Our CD templates and papers are sized in both 8.5" x 11" and 12" x 12" formats, as these are the two most popular sizes for scrapbookers. Our download papers are sized at 12" x 12". See our other tutorials for resizing them to other custom sizes. The tutorials also give steps on how to convert 8.5" x 11" to 12" x 12" and vice versa. The graphics on our CDs and Page Pak downloads are created at 300 dpi for professional quality. However, tests by printing experts indicate 180-200dpi is satisfactory for printing on home ink jet printers. If you would like to improve the performance working with our layered templates within your image editor of choice, feel confident that you can decrease the dpi to 180-200 dpi and get great results printing. Most image editors have Image > Resize menu options where you simply keep the same layout size and decrease the dpi to your choice. You always have the original 300 dpi image on the CD to go back to, if needed.

When printing the Simply Digital™ layout templates, you can customize them to your liking by adding your own photos and journaling, and print them in their entirety. You can also create smaller journaling mats or photo mats with our papers and embellishments, add custom text, print, and then cut or tear for traditional scrapbooking. And, finally, you can print our paper designs as full-sized sheets for use with traditional scrapbooking. You can treat them just like scrapbook paper, and they’ll have a nice white torn edge when tearing. What is so unique about our background papers is the color possibilities are endless. If you like our French script paper, but would like it in a pale shade of yellow rather than olive green, see our tutorials on Changing Colors (color tutorials available for Adobe Photoshop/Elements and Jasc Paint Shop Pro 8). There’s no need to be stuck on a layout because you don’t have the perfect shade of paper to match your photos! With the shadowing and realistic embellishments included on our templates, the printed layouts appear 3-D, however are suitable for framing as they are flat!. Further, your scrapbook albums created from printing digital layouts will not have the bulk of traditional embellished layouts.

Note: we recommend printing on high grade matte finish photo paper, as it has a wonderful sheen similar to traditional layouts. After printing your layouts or papers, it is recommended to let the ink dry for 24 hours before framing or using to maximize print life. Then, simply add the layouts to your scrapbook album or frame in the format of your choice.

Printer and Paper Choices:

The many options available for photo printers and papers can be overwhelming. The great news is the major printer companies manufacture top quality products and offer great information on their websites. Here are some links to some affordable Epson, Hewlett Packard, and Canon printers/papers on the market. Each person's needs and preferences are different, so doing your own research is the best way to find a suitable printer and paper.

The all-in-one Epson RX585 is available for around $149, and prints borderless pages for standard letter-sized paper, using Claria Hi-Definition ink. The photo quality is superb when using Epson photo papers and inks, is waterproof, smudgeproof, and dries instantly. The Epson Stylus Color 1400, R1800, and R1900 can easily accommodate 12” wide papers.

Hewlett Packard and Canon also offer quality photo printers and more information can be found to the right.

In the summer of 2003, Epson released their new products for scrapbookers: EPSON Matte Scrapbook Photo Paper to be Offered for Standard 12" x 12" and Letter Size Photo Albums; EPSON Semi-gloss Scrapbook Photo Paper to be Offered in Letter Size.

The EPSON Matte Scrapbook Photo Paper is an acid-free, lignin-free, buffered paper for printing layouts, photos and other elements for archival scrapbook pages. The paper is two-sided, made of 100 percent cotton, and will be sold in letter size, as well as a size that fits standard 12" x 12" albums, making it the only scrapbook size archival printable photo paper on the market at this time. It is stated that you can print on both sides of the paper, allowing for two scrapbook pages. This paper is compatible with all dye-based and pigment-based ink jet printers from all manufacturers. See product package for print life test results. Atlex is also a distributor of this paper.

For standard letter-size (8.5" x 11") layout and paper printing, check with your printer manufacturer for more options for archival papers, as well as artistic papers, such as canvas, watercolor, etc to create an artistic, frame-able piece. Home printing is becoming very, very popular and the paper manufacturers are creating many different options to meet their customers' needs and desires.

Click here for Epson printer information

Click here for Epson paper information PremierArt™ Matte Scrapbook Photo Paper for Epson

Click here for HP printer information

Click here for HP paper information

Click here for Canon printer information Image of i860

Click here for Canon paper information

You can crop our layouts to 8" x 10", or enlarge to 11" x 13" or 11" x 14", if you'd like to frame and mat in a standard sized frame. You can then upload a JPEG or PDF to an on-line printing service. Each service offers differing quality and services, so please research for your own requirements. Here are some of the most popular on-line companies:

Another viable option for printing your 12" x 12" layouts, if you aren't able to invest in a wide format printer, is to save the image file as a 300 dpi PDF, JPEG, or TIFF format file to a CD and bring to a professional copy center, such as Kinko's. They will print your 12" layouts as 11" layouts on 11" x 17" archival paper for about $2. Just trim off the white edge, and mount on 12x12 cardstock for a laser quality page. They will print standard 8.5" x 11" layouts for under $1. Ask your copy center about the estimated print life of their inks and other archival questions.

A hot trend for digital photography enthusiasts is having coffee table books printed for themselves and for family and friends' gifts. They offer a hard cover, bound book of memories in different cover options, and you can use the Simply Digital™ product line to create your content! Save the finished layouts in the manufacturer's specifications (usually in PDF format) on a CD and mail to them (or upload to their servers), and they will print your book in the quantity you desire. Here are some sites that offer this service:

Epson's Storyteller Kit: make your own photo books at home (includes everything, including simple-to-use software)

If you have any other questions about printing, resizing, print resolution, etc., please contact us at support@cottagearts.net.

*Note: the layouts and papers pictured in the first photo were printed using an Epson Stylus Photo 1280 printer and EPSON Matte Scrapbook Paper. The 8.5" x 11" layout template is "Give Thanks" from our Simply Elegant CD (retired). The 12" x 12" layout template is a modified version of "Comfortable" from our Simply Sampler CD. The papers are our Groovy line from our Simply Sampler CD.