Printing Patterns With Your Laser Printer?

[ShortBBL]

I'm curious if it would work to print out a pattern made on the computer, using tranperency paper for the laser printers? Does anyone have any experience using this method? I have some graphics I have done in a paintshop type program and it would be easy to print these on transperency paper if that would work for a pattern.

[cem]

Yes I've done it and it works well you just need to press a bit harder with the stylus as the transparency sheet is thicker than the usual hand tracing stuff. Also it's best to try and tape the sheet down as it can move around easier as the moisture in the leather isn't enough to hold it down.

Cheers,

Clair

[ShortBBL]

Thanks for the reply! I may just give it a try. I wonder if you could just trace over regular white paper or if that doesn't wook too good?!

[cem]

Thanks for the reply! I may just give it a try. I wonder if you could just trace over regular white paper or if that doesn't wook too good?!

No white paper won't work it gets torn up too easy from the moisture from the leather if you definately want to use your laser printer it will need to be acetate thats what transparencies are you don't need to use an expensive brand just make sure they are listed for laser printers and definately don't use one listed for inkjet printers it will melt in your machine.

Cheers,

Clair

[Tina]

Yes you can use white paper too...Just put a layer of Glad Wrap in between and use tape to keep them inline:-)

[Deb59]

Yes you can use white paper too...Just put a layer of Glad Wrap in between and use tape to keep them inline:-)

How about Vellum paper?

[cem]

Yes you can use white paper too...Just put a layer of Glad Wrap in between and use tape to keep them inline:-)

Tina hadn't thought of that it's nice to read what other ideas people come up with. The stuff I've got on hand is basically crap, a cheap supermarket brand so didn't work that well but I did try some thin clear vinyl the stuff you get in craft stores (used for table coverings I believe) and that worked well and is reuseable, so that might be another option.

[Somawas]

I've printed several patterns on plain white paper. Taped them to tracing film and then traced onto the leather. Works fine. And saves the step of tracing onto film.

[Tina]

Tina hadn't thought of that it's nice to read what other ideas people come up with. The stuff I've got on hand is basically crap, a cheap supermarket brand so didn't work that well but I did try some thin clear vinyl the stuff you get in craft stores (used for table coverings I believe) and that worked well and is reuseable, so that might be another option.

What I do is streching the glad wrap around tightly and I use tape on the back...Then turning it right and tape the printed pattern onto that. It works out really good for me and I don't have to try to find "the right stuff" way up here in the north:-)

[bex DK]

I use ink jet transparencies for things I plan to use a lot, but sometimes the stylus scrapes the ink off, but it leaves a dent, so I can find it again. I need to try pricking them with a pin and see if it works like a craft aid. Just haven't gotten that far yet.

I find that paper patterns can generally be used once or twice before they deteriorate. If yours are deteriorating that quickly, I wonder if you are letting the leather dry enough after casing. But with an ink jet in any case, I can't use paper that has been printed on the other side. I tried once to use scrap paper that had been printed before and it left spots on the leather.