by Hope.
(United States)
I am a graphic designer and decided to put my art on necklaces etc.
When I researched jewelry making, it said having a laser printer to print out my images would turn out best.
So I got one and every time I print a sheet I put the settings correlating to the paper (110 lb.), they suggested not using an inkjet and if you did use Microglaze.
My laser images are coming out looking like were printed on an inkjet…the very first inkjet…
Does anyone else user a laser printer?
If you do, please let me know do you set the printer for the paper or print the images like a photo or a regular print job?
Thanks sooooo much in advance!
Hope
BellaHope Designs
Hi Hope, I used my laser printer to create the printouts for this jewelry tutorial:
Hand Colored Photo Jewelry (Tutorial).
In your photo editor, did you adjust the image for the dpi (dots/pixels per inch) you want?
Not sure if this is helpful for the type of printing you’re working with.
Have you contacted the manufacturer of your printer to ask how to get it to print at the quality you need?
You might also go to a local store that carries that brand of printer, and show them examples of what your printouts look like – and ask their advice for getting better quality prints.
I’ve used a laser for years to print all my artwork. You do have to play around with your settings and waste some paper and some toner. If you use Photoshop you have to play with letting the printer choose your color management or Photoshop. I finally decided to leave color management handled by the printer. I print on 110# paper and have never changed my paper settings, leaving the settings the same as I use for everyday printing. So far I have not been disappointed in quality and I am very picky. I have printed as small as 1″ images for my jewelry and larger images for artwork. The only time I have ever changed my paper selection is when I print on transparencies. 🙂 I am sure all this depends on the type of laser you use. Mine is an HP LaserJet Pro 200 and definitely not top of the line. Something else I learned… the hard way,.. I bought the cheaper toner not made by the manufacturer for years, but Murphy’s law says when you need to really print something important that is when the cheap toner will go on strike and almost put you in tears. lol Now I bite the bullet and buy only the “real” toner by HP. I hope this helps.
I use an old Brother laser printer that will print up to 600 dpi. If you are on the Mac as I am, go to the printer settings while in the print dialog box and adjust the settings for dpi (dots per inch) there. Pick the largest number available. The paper quality matters less than the amount of toner, as the toner is what gets transferred. Good luck!
Thank you all SO much!
I am going to try setting the paper for 11# and printing as usual…going to Staples to see if I can get a clearer print from them is a GREAT idea!
Thank you all!
Hope