🖨️ How to Print Digital Scrapbook Paper Without Wasting Ink or Paper

Rea Weeks
Jun 7
3 min read

Simple tips for beautiful prints, every time.

Digital scrapbook paper is a total game-changer for crafters. It’s affordable, accessible, and you can print exactly what you need, when you need it. But if you’ve ever ended up with streaky prints, wasted paper, or a printer out of ink halfway through your project—you know that printing digital paper can get tricky.

In this post, I’m sharing my best tips for printing digital scrapbook paper without wasting ink, paper, or your creative energy. Whether you’re printing from home or prepping files to send to a print shop, this guide will help you get crisp, color-true results every time.

Let’s get printing!

📦 Step 1: Start with High-Quality Files

First things first—always use high-resolution files.Look for files that are:

300 DPI (dots per inch)
Sized to 12x12" or 8.5x11" (depending on your printer)
JPEG or PDF format for the cleanest print results

✨ Pro Tip: All the papers in my shop are high-resolution and print-ready—perfect for crafting, planning, and junk journaling!

🖨️ Step 2: Choose the Right Printer Settings

Before you hit "print," pause and peek at your printer settings. Here’s what to look for:

Paper Type: Set this to "Matte Photo Paper" or “Presentation Paper” for the best color payoff.
Quality: Choose “High” or “Best” (not “Draft”).
Scale or Fit: Set to “Actual Size” or 100%—not “Fit to Page”—unless you're adjusting intentionally.
Color Management: Turn off any “Auto Enhance” settings if colors are printing too dark or saturated.

📄 Step 3: Use the Right Paper

Your paper choice can make or break the final look.

Best paper types for scrapbook printing:

Matte Presentation Paper – Great for journals and paper layering
Cardstock (65-80 lb) – Perfect for sturdy ephemera or card-making
Premium Copy Paper (28–32 lb) – A great budget-friendly option for layering pieces
Sticker Paper – For labels, washi strips, and planner use

✨ Avoid glossy photo paper unless your design is photo-heavy—it can smudge with certain inks and doesn’t layer as well in handmade crafts.

🖌️ Step 4: Print a Test Page First

Before printing an entire pack, do a test print on regular copy paper.

Ask yourself:

Are the colors too dark or too light?
Is the design cut off or scaled incorrectly?
Does it match what you saw on your screen?

If something looks off, adjust brightness, scaling, or print quality settings before printing your final copies.

🧠 Step 5: Print Only What You Need

One of the best things about digital paper? You don’t have to print everything at once.

Try this:

Print only the patterns you need for your project
Use Canva to crop or shrink down designs to save ink
Print at 50% scale to create mini versions for embellishments
Combine several sheets into one layout to conserve paper

✨ Bonus tip: Store unused designs in a labeled folder on your computer so you can easily reprint later!

🧼 Bonus: Keep Your Printer Happy

Regular maintenance = longer printer life and better prints.

Do a nozzle check once a month
Clean print heads if colors seem off
Use genuine ink (or high-quality compatible cartridges)
Keep paper stored in a dry place to prevent curling

🧾 Want to Print Professionally?

If you're printing in bulk or want super-polished results, consider:

Local print shops or office supply stores
Online printers (like VistaPrint or Printique)
Staples or FedEx for affordable, high-quality sheets

Just make sure to upload files at full resolution and use CMYK color mode when possible.

🎁 Free Download: Print Settings Cheat Sheet

Need a quick reference when you sit down to print?Grab my free Digital Paper Print Settings Cheat Sheet—includes paper types, setting tips, and troubleshooting notes!

📥 Click here to download your free printable cheat sheet

✂️ Final Thoughts

Printing digital scrapbook paper doesn’t have to be wasteful—or frustrating! With a little preparation and the right materials, you can print stunning, high-quality designs that bring your projects to life beautifully.

Whether you're making tags, journal spreads, or layering pieces, these tips will help you get the most out of every print. Want more tutorials like this? Join my mailing list for tutorials, tips, the latest offers and more!