How to Print on Handmade Paper With a Digital Printer
Digital printing on handmade paper is very tricky as most printers hate the toothiness and deckled edges of handmade paper. I always recommend letterpress or foil press if my clients can afford it, but I have this method in my backpocket for smaller orders.
IMPORTANT! Before I proceed with sharing my supplies and instructions for this project, please note that this method has worked for me, and your results may vary! Please proceed with caution as every printer is different!
A quick video tutorial for those who are visually-minded like me:
Supplies:
Inkjet printer with a straight-through feed that can handle thicker stocks (up to 100-110# paper)
Handmade paper
My favorite handmade paper is linked here. It’s made of 100% recycled cotton rag!
This heaviest weight (thickest) I’d recommend is 150gsm. Any thicker, and the paper may get caught.
Masking/painter’s tape that will easily peel off without damaging the paper
US Letter size card stock (I love 100# weight) for the template (see video).
Instructions:
First we need to make a US Letter size template. You’ll need your printer and the US Letter size card stock (ideally 100# weight). Set your design file size to the finished size (so if your table number is 5x7”, have the file size be 5x7”), and print it at 100% scale with trim marks, centered onto the US Letter card stock. This will serve as a guide so you know where to tape your handmade paper for printing. I recommend making multiple templates to save time.
Use masking/painter’s tape to secure your handmade paper onto the guide. Taping down the deckled edges prevents the printer from catching on them.
Set up your printer to print your file again, at 100% scale, but onto US Letter size paper, this time without crop marks. Set your printer to “envelope” setting and print.
Carefully peel off the tape, so the handmade paper doesn’t get damaged.
