Members Xeranthe Posted August 13, 2009 Members Report Posted August 13, 2009 I couldn't say for sure w/o experimenting, But I don't think so.Laser printers work by "baking" the ink onto the medium. Ink jets rely on the ink drying naturally/being absorbed by the medium. 3M makes transparencies that are for use in regular photocopiers and laser printers. I have a laser printer at home and have printed onto the transparency without any problems. Quote
Members CitizenKate Posted August 13, 2009 Members Report Posted August 13, 2009 3M makes transparencies that are for use in regular photocopiers and laser printers. I have a laser printer at home and have printed onto the transparency without any problems. The problem is not printing on the transparency. The problem is that the dry ink may not come off on the leather. Same thing with a copier. But I'm only guessing. If it doesn't come off on dry leather, perhaps it could transfer more easily onto cased leather. Dunno... Could you give it a try and let us know if it works or not? Kate Quote
Members Xeranthe Posted August 13, 2009 Members Report Posted August 13, 2009 The problem is not printing on the transparency. The problem is that the dry ink may not come off on the leather. Same thing with a copier. But I'm only guessing. If it doesn't come off on dry leather, perhaps it could transfer more easily onto cased leather. Dunno...Could you give it a try and let us know if it works or not? Kate I know that when I printed onto a transparency and experimented with tracing over the design with the ink side on the leather that the ink did transfer to the leather. I will give it a try using your method and see how it transfers doing it that way and let everyone know. Quote
Members Xeranthe Posted August 14, 2009 Members Report Posted August 14, 2009 I know that when I printed onto a transparency and experimented with tracing over the design with the ink side on the leather that the ink did transfer to the leather. I will give it a try using your method and see how it transfers doing it that way and let everyone know. I tried the transfer method with dry leather and that doesn't seem to work at all. Probably because the laser has the heat involved. I didn't get an opportunity to try it with damp leather last night - that will be tonight's project. I'll keep you posted on what I discover. Quote
electrathon Posted August 14, 2009 Report Posted August 14, 2009 I have been using transparancy printed patterns for the last couple years. They work great. The trick is that you must use a laser printer. I do mine on a copy machine. I do not have trouble with ink rub off or bleading because laser printers burn the image into the papar. I did once try using my ink jet printer and got a smeary mess. I typically only use my printed patterns once because it is so easy to just print another one when I need it. I have near zero ability to draw my own patterns so all of my work is done using pre-printed patterns (Chan Geer is great for these). I scan them into the computer, adjust the size to what I need and then print them. The totally clear transparancy paper is much easier to work with then the hazy velum paper. Aaron Quote
Members azrider Posted August 14, 2009 Members Report Posted August 14, 2009 So what I am getting from this so far is that an inkjet will allow you to transfer the ink directly to the leather, wipe off and reuse the transparancy sheet. A laserjet will create a permaent pattern that you can trace onto multiple pieces of leather. Does that sound right? Quote Drygulch Leatherworks- Baldwin City, Kansas www.drygulchleather.com
Members CitizenKate Posted August 14, 2009 Members Report Posted August 14, 2009 I have been using transparancy printed patterns for the last couple years. They work great. The trick is that you must use a laser printer. I do mine on a copy machine. I do not have trouble with ink rub off or bleading because laser printers burn the image into the papar. I did once try using my ink jet printer and got a smeary mess. If you use an inkjet printer, the leather needs to be dry when you transfer it. (See my earlier post.) But thanks for answering our question about whether you could transfer a pattern that was printed onto the transparency with a laserjet printer. Sounds like it will work if the leather is wet. So what I am getting from this so far is that an inkjet will allow you to transfer the ink directly to the leather, wipe off and reuse the transparancy sheet. A laserjet will create a permaent pattern that you can trace onto multiple pieces of leather. Does that sound right? Yes. Kate Quote
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