laser vs. ink jet

So I have taken on the task of creating brown and pink pocketfold invitations, I love how the template looks thus far. For all you who have helped me through this thus far - THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

I am getting to the point now where I have sized everything and have the templates already to go but now someone told me today that I could have a hugggge issue if I dont have a laser printer because the ink jet when mailed out might bleed. now Ima-ascared

I plan on sending myself one tinvite to see how it comes out and if any mail machines heat them up or anything but in the meantime, does anyone know out there if this really matters or not???

Now I am scared!!! We planned on cutting all the paper ourselves and printing etc, I am just hoping I dont have to find somwhere now to print them for me and add the extra expen$e

Hmm honestly I don't know the answer 'for sure' but I don't think that will happen. I use ink jet all the time. Its what you HAVE to use for magnetic paper and certain other specialty papers and its fine. I have only ever used a lazer at work-alot faster but I don't think it really matters for paper.

Honestly I think you will be ok unless you are sending your invites out in extreme conditions like monsoon season.

I just thought of something else; some transfer iron ons require you to use inkjet machines so maybe thats what this woman was thinking of? Its a specialty paper though. Like I said, Ive used inkjet always and it served me fine-I sent a magnet to my future MIL and she didnt mention that it bled. Honestly though, if it makes you feel better, do the test mailing. We all have moments where we need extra piece of mind.

This was all I found on bleed through (I know Im neurotic! LOL comes from 2 years of working for a lawyer!) so hope this helps. Its from ABOUT.COM



Before You Buy Inkjet Photo Paper
From Jacci Howard Bear,
Your Guide to Desktop Publishing.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

The variety of photo quality inkjet papers can seem overwhelming. However, there are really only five main differences in all these papers with four of these playing a critical role: brightness, weight, caliper, and finish. Learn how to choose the right paper for your needs based on these criteria and see how a few different types of paper stack up against each other.
Opacity
How see-through is the paper? The higher the opacity, the less that printed text and images will bleed through to the other side. This is especially important for double-sided printing. Inkjet photo papers have a relatively high opacity (94-97 usually) compared to ordinary inkjet or laser papers so bleed-through is less of a problem with these papers.


I think you will be fine if you are using cardstock or another good weight paper. Take care!

i made my own invites and i used both kinds of printers. (used my work printer for one part and my home printer for another... because of time issues)

I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH ANYTHING!!!

i didn't have hand-cancelled invites, either. i just dropped them all off at the post office and crossed my fingers. there were no issues.

if you're still worried, i would suggest that you follow your gut and mail yourself one. this will put your mind at ease.

good luck

The only way ink jets bleed is when using coated papers not made for a ink jet and/or mailing out the invites and it gets pretty wet. To be honest most mail houses (including the one i work at) use a ink jet system to address all envelopes and it works pretty good. They have heat sensors though that set the ink into the paper more then your average ink jet machine but even then with it getting wet you don't notice smudges.

We did a test though and dumped a whole glass of water on it then it smudges.

As stated above brightness, calliper (weight), coatings/textures do effect printing. If your folding then paper grain effects the fold unless you score.

Like you can't run laid paper (unless laser laid) which has a deep texture in it in your ink jet or laser printer because once you bend the paper the toner cracks. You need a real press then.

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Posted by Melissa52607

i use my ink jet to print on Envelopes, STD, and invites and never had a problem

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same here!

Thank you all so much! I didm't think it would be a problem, but the minute I heard, my heart when in my stomach. I was trying be to totally prepared, but I never even thought of that...

I am sure this will be the first of many learnings...thank god for you girls my FH thinks I am nutso these days!!! hah!



Have a nice night ladies.