With the release of the NEW Spring Circus kits, there are always question HOW to use the kits if you are not a digital scrapbooker or digital diva!
When you print out these digital files & craft with them...it's called Hybrid Crafting...& that's what we'll be talking about today.
Basically, you can use all of the kits to print out & enjoy, except the actual Brush files. So....here's a little help on HOW to do that!
Ok, the first kit I want to talk about is the Paper Card Printables kit...These are offered in PDF format which can be opened in ANY program! Yes, ANYONE that has a computer & printer can use these at home.
Once you download your kit, unzip it & then OPEN up the PDF file. Now, depending on what kind of software you have on your computer, your PDF file will open up & you just send it to your printer & print off.
IF you choose to use these kits to print at a office supply store or copy center, be sure you are familiar with the licensing....some stores will ask you about it. Our personal license states in sections III & VII that as long as you are not changing anything & only printing for personal use....no commercial use/compensation.
This Card kit is designed with 2 funky 5x7 fold over cards with a cute little stamp on the back. The edges have some word art that can be cut out & used for the inside of the card...or other projects. So, print out, cut & fold for easy & gorgeous cards!
The above image with the Printable Journal cards has got to be my fave. Small 'playing' cards can be used for journaling, note cards, labels, or how about sewing them together for a cool & funky banner?
And the last sheet in this kit is the plain cards: Invitations, greeting cards...whatever you want!
These were designed to be a one sided card, post card, or even a photo card for your scrapbooks! The bottom greetings are sized perfectly for the shape of the banner....It would be cool to *pop* them up on there! I envisioned these blank insides for a photo, a handwritten note, or IF you are savvy...you can OPEN up the PDF file in Photoshop & apply one of the Spring Circus brushes, Tattoos, or just type a message on there and then print out!
Also...one of the great things about printing at home is the various printing mediums out there. I LOVE experimenting with printable fabric, sticker paper, window decals, tattoo paper, iron on transfer paper, clear transparency paper or even clear sticker paper! Have fun with these!
Now...all of the other digital kits can be used as digital art OR they can also be printed out. For example...
this gorgeous Spring Paper kit can be printed out on gorgeous ink jet matte photo paper.
& WOW...it's amazingly gorgeous! This kit comes in JPG files which are just like Photo files. So, how ever you print your photos (at home, Costco...or my fave: Persnickety Prints) you can just upload them as you would your photos. See? not so scary, huh?
The other kits: Borders, Tags & Tattoos are all in colored PNG files. Now, think of PNG files as Clip Art. You can actually print them out as you would Clip Art....so, any program you use Clip Art in (like Word) you can just use the PNG files to resize & put on an 8 1/2 x 11 page. Cool, Huh?
The only kit that can't be used in other programs is the Brush kit...since the ABR brush file is specifically for Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements.
But, I do have to say...if you are DYING over the designs & want them in black...as Clip Art...you CAN still purchase the kit & use the black PNG files as Clip Art. *just sayin'*
OK.
Now...a word about paper.
All inkjet paper is not created equally. I've had people emailing us with questions as to WHY the color isn't as it appears on the monitor...chances are (IF your monitor & printer are properly calibrated) it's your paper choice. I LOVE this paper: Epson Presentation Paper. It's just plain paper weight, but the colors are rich & beautiful...not washed out or too faded. *sometimes you may want that look, so keep that in mind* See the bottom paper? It's printed out on plain inkjet copy paper...Look at the others...much more true to color...bright, rich & soo lush!
I also have an Epson R2000 printer, so keep that in mind, too. You may need to do some of your own experimenting to see what papers work best with your printer.
For card stock weight, I LOVE this paper: Epson Premium Matte Double sided photo paper. Again, rich gorgeous color. And double sided means you get the same quality on each side...so fun!
Don't mind me...I"m just printing out all of the Spring Circus stuff to create.... Have an uplifting & inspiRing weekend!
