There is a product you might want to look into which you put onto your vellum before you
print (very easy --you just wipe it with the felt pouch).
Google: "The Perfect Printing Pouch"
It's even recommended by Epson! Here's what they said:
"Hot tip:
For any vellums you encounter which resist being printed, we recommend you try ?The
Perfect Printing Pouch.? It is a pouch filled with a formula of acid-free, talc-free, non-
toxic powders. Prior to printing, lightly tap the pouch over the area where you wish to
print to release the powder onto the vellum surface. The powder makes the ink adhere to
the paper and speeds drying. It works well on patterned, coated, and colored vellum as
well as on many glossy, textured, handmade and coated papers. We recommend that after
using the pouch, run a plain sheet of paper through your printer to remove any excess
powder from the inside of your printer. Available online at www.scraperfect.com or by
calling 866-644-4435.
~ Reprinted from the Epson Print Lab Series Booklet
?Scrapbook Projects, 2004?
If you don't want to use a Perfect Printing pouch, here are some suggestions which are
posed on the website-FAQs. There are potential drawbacks on each but the tips might
work for you.
TIP 1: Try printing on transparency setting as this puts out a lot less ink. ?
DRAWBACK: The printing will not be perfect, bold or crisp, and the ink may still dry slowly.
TIP 2: Use vellum made specifically for inkjet printers or office supply vellum which often
prints fairly well.
DRAWBACK: Inkjet vellum can only be made in plain pastels...no pearl, embossed, or
metallic coating. No sparkle! Also, inkjet vellum tends to be more expensive and still takes
a long time to dry.
TIP 3: Use the "right side" of the vellum. If you can find a less shiny side, use it.?
DRAWBACK: You will probably be frustrated trying to find that side and waste a good deal
of vellum in the process.
TIP 4: Don't use big, wide fonts as thinner lines won't show the resisting as much.
DRAWBACK: If you want big, bold fonts for your title, who wants to compromise?
TIP 5: Since the ink will smear when it's wet, don?t touch it until it is totally dry or use
embossing powder and a heat gun.
DRAWBACK: Waiting to use your vellum--sometimes for hours or days--can be a drag.?
And while embossing can be attractive, who wants to have to do this everytime you print
on vellum?
TIP 6: Buy markers specifically made for vellum and stamp ink specifically designed to
stick to more difficult surfaces
DRAWBACK: Buying additonal special inks and markers can be costly, and your storage
space may be limited.
TIP 7: Buy pre-printed vellum, transparency film, ribbon and twill tape.
DRAWBACK: Pre-printed supplies are expensive, aren?t personalized, and when you buy
packs of quotes, you may find some you love and throw away the rest (or forever store
them).
TIP 8: Buy inkjet transparency film for printing on.
DRAWBACK: Inkjet transparencies may not be acid-free and the ones that are may be
expensive and difficult to find. (While Polyester film, such as film negatives and ?write-on?
transparencies are acid free and archivally safe, most ink jet transparencies are treated
with acid to make the matte surface and are not acid free.?If archival safety is important to
you, make sure the inkjet film specifies archivally-safe.
TIP 9: Buy shrink plastic specifically made for inkjet printers or use sand paper to rough up
the surface so the ink adheres better.
DRAWBACK: Inkjet shrink plastic may be less commonly available and more expensive.
You may already have non-inkjet shrink plastic in your child?s supplies and while sanding
helps, the surface may still resist the ink.
TIP 10: Reserve mulberry paper, shiny holographic papers, cool acryllic-coated, flocked
papers, other specialty papers, clay and wood for backgrounds and embellishments and
don?t try to print on them.
DRAWBACK: Limiting your usage means you?ll have fewer opportunities to use these cool
materials.