the age old question...

[HeatherPrins]

do you print your pages at home? Which printer do you use? Sorry for all the basic questions!

[annaaspnes]

I have an Epson R1800 printer but rarely use it. For me it's one less job to do to outsource my printing, and seems to be getting more affordable as time goes by. I've also have my loose pages printed at Costco, but by recommendation, am about to try ScrappingSimply.com. GoodLifePhotos.com is also another option to look into and I'm a big fan or photobooks from Shutterfly.com for specific projects and events with a definitive start and end.

[Cassie Jones (1gr8muggle)]

I use the Epson R1800 at home. I print my 12x12 pages on The Ultra Premium Presentation Matte paper by Epson. It's 8.5x11 paper, so I reduce my layout to 8x8 before printing and then put it into a binder album. I like the flexibility of moving the pages around and reorganizing.

I have also used Shutterfly to make gift albums and special projects. They also print loose pages at Shutterfly.

[Mary Rogers]

I have an Epson 2200 wide format printer, but use 8-1/2x11 paper and reduce my layout to 8x8, like Cassie...I also love shutterfly for albums and special products.

I am a bit behind printing my layouts at home, but it is on my to do list : )

[Jen D]

Nope I use scrappingsimply.com or Costco if I need something in a pinch =)

[GoingtotheSun]

I know it seems like an elementary question, but. . . for those of you that print at home, do you put the pages in blank sleeves and then into your albums? Any good sources for albums? I know there are tons of options out there, but I'd be interested to hear everyone's faves. THANKS!
terri

[Jen D]

Ali Edwards turned me torwards the American Heritage D-ring albums. They are inexpensive and fit a bunch of pages!!!

[THAT-GIRL]

When I print at home I use "Epson Stylus Photo 2880" and print on 12x12 "Epson Double sided matte" for Scrapbooks Art Paper... had to waste about one package until I got all colors right, but now it's a breeze when I need something fast and don't want to wait for orders... O-o-o and I by albums and sleeves at "Jo-Ann's Fabrics" or "Michael's" we get coupons every week from them too and they have good sales often...

[annaaspnes]

Originally Posted by GoingtotheSun

I know it seems like an elementary question, but. . . for those of you that print at home, do you put the pages in blank sleeves and then into your albums? Any good sources for albums? I know there are tons of options out there, but I'd be interested to hear everyone's faves. THANKS!
terri

I buy the leather ring WRMemory Keepers Albums from Ritz Camera.

[Carol Elliott]

I print at home (12x12) on a HP wide format printer (pro B8850). I like to look at the layouts in the books and love the convenience. I put the layouts in books depending on who is featured (individual kid or family). I use the American Craft post bound albums. The D ring would be easier to move pages around, but my husband and kids really like the bound albums. Go figure. I also PDF many of the layouts for my husband. He likes to look at them when he travels for work.

[annaaspnes]

Originally Posted by allmine

I print at home (12x12) on a HP wide format printer (pro B8850). I like to look at the layouts in the books and love the convenience. I put the layouts in books depending on who is featured (individual kid or family). I use the American Craft post bound albums. The D ring would be easier to move pages around, but my husband and kids really like the bound albums. Go figure. I also PDF many of the layouts for my husband. He likes to look at them when he travels for work.

In reality, I prefer the post bound albums. I like my pages to meet in the middle, but the ring binders are certainly more practical. I switched because they hold more pages.

[HeatherPrins]

so then here is a question in relation to ink and paper, how many layouts can you print before you need to replace the ink cartridges roughly?

[annaaspnes]

Depends on your printer and how color intensive your pages are....If you're a *white space lover* you're quids in! I print so infrequently these days I can't answer this one, but I can tell you, when I switched to outsourcing it was about the same price, and that was before you could print $1.99 12X12 pages.

[HeatherPrins]

so if you don't print what do you do with completed layouts?

[annaaspnes]

Originally Posted by HeatherPrins

so if you don't print what do you do with completed layouts?

Sorry I wasn't clear. What I meant to say is that I don't print at home but use on-line printing labs that do the work for me.

In answer to your question though. You can create slideshows that you can burn to a DVD if you prefer that route.

[Amy L]

I print mine at home on my Epson R1800, using their 12x12 Scrapbook paper. The ink seems to run out pretty quickly, but I love printing at home. I use American Crafts D-ring albums. I agree with Anna that I like the look of postbound albums better, but they are just too much frustrating work for me.

[GoingtotheSun]

Thanks for the great album suggestions, everyone. I'm ordering some today. Can't wait to start printing. I have an Epson R1900 that I haven't fully tested yet; it should be interesting to see how quickly I go through the ink. : )

[ccblue]

Originally Posted by allmine

I print at home (12x12) on a HP wide format printer (pro B8850). I like to look at the layouts in the books and love the convenience. I put the layouts in books depending on who is featured (individual kid or family). I use the American Craft post bound albums. The D ring would be easier to move pages around, but my husband and kids really like the bound albums. Go figure. I also PDF many of the layouts for my husband. He likes to look at them when he travels for work.

Carol, what paper do you use with your HP printer for 12 x 12 pages? I've been eyeing your printer but didn't know what paper to use. For events or trips I like to do books by Shutterfly or Blurb, but for those two or three page events or everyday life stuff I'd like to print at home. I've had a hard time getting the right paper (currently using 8 1/2 by 11) because the ink sticks to the plastic sheet protectors. I finally discovered HP's Advanced Photo paper which prints beautifully and doesn't stick but doesn't come in the bigger size.

[dugarner]

CCBlue---not to get off the subject, but you said you've used Shutterfly and Blurb? Heather was looking at Blurb because they do much bigger books than Shutterfly. How does the Blurb quality compare with Shutterfly, as far as binding, color, and paper quality? I'd be interested to know.

[LauraBean]

I usually print at Costco (8x8) and put in American Crafts Modern Albums (D-ring). I have printed at home, but I suspect printing at Costco (or ScrappingSimply, which I haven't tried but really should) is more cost effective.

[Carol Elliott]

Originally Posted by ccblue

Carol, what paper do you use with your HP printer for 12 x 12 pages? I've been eyeing your printer but didn't know what paper to use. For events or trips I like to do books by Shutterfly or Blurb, but for those two or three page events or everyday life stuff I'd like to print at home. I've had a hard time getting the right paper (currently using 8 1/2 by 11) because the ink sticks to the plastic sheet protectors. I finally discovered HP's Advanced Photo paper which prints beautifully and doesn't stick but doesn't come in the bigger size.

The HP Photosmart Pro BB50 uses the HP advanced photo paper. It is available in glossy and satin-matte/soft gloss finishes. I use glossy, personal preference. I use the 13x19 size to print my 12x12 layouts. I hope that HP will come out with a 12x12 size ... but the 13x19 works for now. The printer can also use the HP Professional Satin Photo paper, but I've never tried it. The printer can also use a variety of HP and non-HP specialty media (art paper, watercolor paper, canvas ...) I've never used any of these as I can't justify the price! Someday! I print, then leave the page out to "cure" for a day before putting in the page protectors. The prints are perfect. I also don't print on "best", but on "normal". Neither I or my husband can tell any difference and "best" just uses more ink. With my old HP wideformat printer the prints needed to cure for 5-7 days before being put into the page protectors.

I buy all my paper and ink online at HP. The more orders you have, the more you save. I'm up to 15% off all my orders, this is ontop of any sales that are going on. Shipping is always free (next day, 2 day, and ground). It works for me. I love the convenience of both printing at home and ordering my ink/paper.

[Avas Mom]

how many pages have people been able to fit in the postbound? is anyone using "extenders" with the post bound?

Carie

[ccblue]

Originally Posted by dugarner

CCBlue---not to get off the subject, but you said you've used Shutterfly and Blurb? Heather was looking at Blurb because they do much bigger books than Shutterfly. How does the Blurb quality compare with Shutterfly, as far as binding, color, and paper quality? I'd be interested to know.

Sarah,
I've only used Blurb for a short paperback so far and they did a fine job. I've only done one book with Shutterfly but it's hard to compare the two because I did the large 12 x 12 hard cover. The quality of the Shutterfly book was outstanding. The print quality for Blurb was outstanding. I was a a little disappointed with the binding but I think that had more to do with it being such a short book (20 pages) and being paperback.

I'm currently working on a book from a recent trip that I expect to be lengthy so I'm going to give Blurb a try for a hard back book. I'll be sure to post my results when I get the book. I've posted the pages I've completed so far on my dog's web site (she's good about sharing ) Shorty's Mom's Photo Gallery

There was another thread on this same subject you might want to see with a title of "am I reading this right" or something close to that.

[ccblue]

Originally Posted by allmine

The HP Photosmart Pro BB50 uses the HP advanced photo paper. It is available in glossy and satin-matte/soft gloss finishes. I use glossy, personal preference. I use the 13x19 size to print my 12x12 layouts. I hope that HP will come out with a 12x12 size ... but the 13x19 works for now. The printer can also use the HP Professional Satin Photo paper, but I've never tried it. The printer can also use a variety of HP and non-HP specialty media (art paper, watercolor paper, canvas ...) I've never used any of these as I can't justify the price! Someday! I print, then leave the page out to "cure" for a day before putting in the page protectors. The prints are perfect. I also don't print on "best", but on "normal". Neither I or my husband can tell any difference and "best" just uses more ink. With my old HP wideformat printer the prints needed to cure for 5-7 days before being put into the page protectors.

I buy all my paper and ink online at HP. The more orders you have, the more you save. I'm up to 15% off all my orders, this is ontop of any sales that are going on. Shipping is always free (next day, 2 day, and ground). It works for me. I love the convenience of both printing at home and ordering my ink/paper.

Carol,
Thank you so much for this information! I've left my pictures to dry for weeks and still had issues but always put it on "best" - sounds like I was just wasting money. Looks like I may be doing some shopping for a new printer, isn't it time for Christmas in July?

[notnufftime]

I have a Canon Pixma ip5300 printer that prints my 8 x 8 inch layouts. I also use Canon brand paper and ink. Its important to use the same brand name paper and ink as your printer if you want good results. I've just discovered matte photo paper and love it. Was always high gloss or glossy paper but thought I'd try matte and I'm now converted.

Kris.

[Squiz14]

Originally Posted by dugarner

CCBlue---not to get off the subject, but you said you've used Shutterfly and Blurb? Heather was looking at Blurb because they do much bigger books than Shutterfly. How does the Blurb quality compare with Shutterfly, as far as binding, color, and paper quality? I'd be interested to know.

Hi Sarah

We've printed from both Shutterfly and Blurb. I love Shutterfly and will stick with them but my husband loves Blurb because he knows the people who set it up.

He has had 2 books printed at Blurb now. The first was 10 x 8 (standard landscape), softcover, about 70 pages with their standard paper. The second was 13 x 11 (large landscape), hardcover bound with dust jacket and 130 pages printed on their premium paper. Both look great. I've printed both 12x12 and 8x8 with Shutterfly and just love the quality.

Blurb's premium paper is equivalent to Shutterfly's standard paper, so you'll need to factor that in when working out the price. The binding and print quality is excellent, although we haven't done an exact comparison between Shutterfly and Blurb. The main downside to using Blurb is that although their BookSmart software is easy to use (you have to download it onto your computer), you have to upload the entire book when you're finished, which is a problem unless you have a really fast internet connection. We have ADSL 1 broadband but it was still too large a file for us to upload at home (DH had to ask permission from IT dept at work to upload his book). Whereas with Shutterfly you can upload individual pages as you complete them. Just something to consider...

Lyndell

[LisaD]

I bought the HP B8550 (like in May/June) and haven't even installed it yet! I was so excited to get it. Just haven't had time. But I'll definitely be buying from the HP store now - thanks Carol for the info.

Before now, I've printed only those layouts I thought would convert well to 8x8 or those that I did in 8.5x11. I just printed all my old 12x12's with scrapbooksplease 99cent sale (info from another thread here) & am awaiting the order to see. I think it is probably cheaper to buy via on-line processing, but I like the idea of having it in my hot little hands as soon as possible. I prefer D-ring albums and the flexibility of scrapping what I'm in the mood to do verses chronologically. Although I have/do some albums for bound books (which none have been finished or printed yet).

I also put my layouts on a flashdrive to insert into a digi pic frame. It makes me hppy!