Why is the ink bleeding/feathering on translucent paper>?

Question

I am making my wedding invites, and bought some translucent paper, but as i'm printing them they look ok for about a minute then the ink is starting to bleed/feather. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Wouldn't the question be, how to make the ink dry faster?

Thats your only problem, since the paper doesn't seem interchangable.  I dunno tho, does the cold effect the rate of drying?  Perhaps making the paper cold would help? lol.

Answer 2

You might not be using the right printer for that type of paper.  Some papers work only with Inkjet, some only with Laser, and some work on both.  If you don't know what type of printer you have, look up the model online to see what type it is, then see what type of printer the paper is for.  What does it say on the package for the paper for a printer recommendation? Also you need to really let it dry thoroughly.

Answer 3

It may be the ink in your printer, or that the vellum is not the right type for use this way.  If the translucent paper you are using is not intended or rated for an inkjet printer, you may have to buy another kind of translucent vellum.  

Here is a product you can buy that might alleviate your problem.  http://www.lcipaper.com/specialty/printi...

My daughter made her invites and used translucent vellum, but took hers to  photocopy shop to have them printed.  Just be sure your mastercopy is on perfectly white paper so no marks other than your text is showing.  I would recommend you take them to Kinko's or some other copy place and have them done.  It may cost a little more, but will save on wasted paper and your nerves. . . .  

Answer 4

You could try sanding the paper first lightly with a very fine (200 grit or finer) grade of sandpaper.  Be sure to blow off the grit before you go to write on it afterwards, though!  (And swallow any spit before blowing on the paper.  Don't ask me how I know to tell you that.:-)  

Different papers react differently, though, so it might not work.  Sometimes it just makes the problem worse.  So I suggest trying the sanding on a piece of paper that's already messed up.  

It also could be the ink.  What kind of pen are you using?  If you're using a fountain pen, that could be a problem.  Because fountain pens require ink that is not waterproof, and is very thin, so as not to gum up the nib.   If you're using one of those Speedball nibs, though, or something similar, you might try the Dr. Ph. Martin's acrylic inks.  They dry more quickly, so wouldn't be as apt to feather.  

It just occurs to me that you may be talking about using a mechanical printer.  If that's the case,  then ... and this is a bit of a pain in the neck, but it might work... try drying each page as it comes out of the printer (use a hair dryer, maybe?), and then spray fix it right away with something like the Krylon #1303 clear spray fixative.  Be sure you have good ventilation!  That stuff's nasty to breathe.  

Another thought:  is the paper you bought the right kind for the kind of printing that's being done on it?  Sometimes it's simply that it's the wrong kind of paper.  In which case, bummer.