Use Photo Paper for Print & Cut. Triple T Tuesday Tip

Have you used photo paper for print and cut embellishments? I do frequently, because I love the high quality print results and the glossy finish it creates.

It may sound rather extravagant, but it’s not really as I don’t buy it for this purpose (although you could!) – I utilize the “free” packs of 4 x 6 photo paper that come with the set of three colour ink cartridges.

I have an HP printer and purchase the refill coloured inks in packs of three, this is cheaper for me and they usually have a bonus pack of photo paper included in the pack.  If the company that makes your printer ink offers  packs like this consider using all that excess photo paper for your smallish print and cuts. You’ll love the results.

Here’s how I set up the Silhouette Software for the 10 x 15cm (4 x 6 inch)  paper I have.

Option 1 with Registration marks.

This option is great for small shapes for scrap booking, card making etc that will fit within the registration marks. Keep your design centered within the Cut border box.

1. Open a new file and go into the Design Page Settings.
2. In the width and Height Boxes enter the size of the photo paper
3. In the box below use the down arrow and select Custom
4. At the bottom check the Show Print Border & the Show Cut Border Boxes.   
5. Head on over to the Registration Marks Window
6. Set them for the type of machine (Cameo or Portrait). I leave the rest of the settings at the default options.
7. Ensure the design placed is within the registration marks and doesn’t overlap the grey crossed area.
8. Print and cut in the normal way.

Option 2. Manual cut with no registration Marks.

Option 2 is perfect for slightly larger elements that won’t fit within the registration guides but will fit within the print Border guide. Choose shapes that have straight sides or uncomplicated shapes if using this method.

1. Follow Steps 1 to 4 as above.
2. Place the design within the Print Border lines (with registration marks off,  this is pretty much leaves most of  the photo paper available for the design.)
3. Print out design on photo paper.
4. Cut design manually with Ruler (Straight edge) and Scalpel on cutting mat for straight edged shapes or with scissors for rounded edge shapes.

I used option 2 to print out the coloured tops of my Halloween treat boxes. Once printed it was pretty quick to cut manually with my scalpel and a ruler. It probably would have taken longer to set up the registration marks, load the mat and cut with the Cameo.

I love the results I get when I use Photo paper and the Photo settings on my printer.

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