Transparencies-How to print properly on them

Does anyone know how to print on transparencies? I bought some and tried to print them on my HP printer (deskjet) and when they are printed they smudge immediately. Any suggestions? I really wanted to start using them on some layouts. Thank you for any suggestions.

you might have a transparency setting on whatever word processing program you were using. check the different settings and options when you select print from the file menu.

also, you could try lowering the print quality to "draft" because that puts less ink down.

overall, most important thing with vellum and transparency paper is to just wait. handle it very carefully by the edges until dry.

Thank you very much. I will do that. I am using Microsoft Word.

I printed on some, and they smeared if touched immediately also, but if you let it sit overnight (I let mine sit for a few days, actually) it is usable. It still smeared if you rubbed your fingers across it hard, but mine has been in a page protector for a a couple of months, and I don't see any smearing inside the page. This is the LO I used my homemeade transparency on:

http://http://www.scrapbook.com/scrapbook_layouts/showphoto.php/photo/91048/cat/4849/page/1

Our names and the "I Love You" are both transparencies. Hope this helps!

oh, and I didn't change the setting on my printer, but I HAVE heard that it helps

My transparencies have a smooth and a grainy side. You print on the grainy side not the smooth. But those were ones I bought by the sheet at the LSS.

thank you so much.

Scrapandy - I loved the lo and I will try that.

2littleones - I am going to check mine to see if I have a grainy side to print on.

You guys are the best.

You have to make sure that you buy the right transparency for your printer. If you have an inkjet printer and use transparencies that were meant to be printed on by laser printers, it will almost never dry. The grainy/smooth side type of transparency is specifically made to be used by ink jet printers. If you have an inkjet, when you print, make sure you are printing on the grainy side. The grainy side will help absorb the ink and set it so that it doens't smear.

hope this helps!

Yah---you know they really shouldn't take long to dry *if* you have the right stuff. Make sure they aren't "writeable," as in you could take a marker to them. For ink jets, they should have a rough side and be made specifically for inkjets. I use the OfficeMax brand myself, although I am at my parents' house at the moment and just finished a lo using my dad's HP ones. They dried really quickly too. Definitely use the transparency setting (under properties when you are printing.) I am completely addicted to transparencies. I use them all the time for journaling and titles. They are a must-have in my book! Have fun!!

Thank you again. I tried one last night and left it to dry so when I get home today I will check. Also when I am out this weekend I am going to look and make sure I bought the best transparencies for my machine.

Thanks for all the information on transparencies. I have wanted to use them for the longest time and all they do is smudge!

Off to Wal-Mart . . .

Cindy