Tools Of the
Craft
telling myself - "you have a printer. You know how to
use it. Why do you need/want this?" But it looked so
cool. I do have times when the project I'm working on
needs a printed saying - but I've gone too far and can't
run it through the printer. Also, for some reason I can't
explain, I was caught by the idea that you can print on
fabric. And I kept thinking I could print all over a linen
lampshade. How cool would that be. Especially with the
flower card - or maybe for a holiday theme! I haven't
made that lampshade, yet. I'll post pictures when I get
to it, though.
So, what will it do? More specifically, what will it do
for you? I guess the answer is, what are doing now for
printed phrases? I know people who don't use the
computer, and would be totally uncomfortable making
text boxes and printing them out. They would have no
idea of how to print on cardstock or patterned paper.
So, for them, this is a quick, simple way to get the
printed phrases on their projects without any other
thing needed. It's also portable. They can take it to
Crops or on vacation, and have a printer ready for when
they need it. Another advantage is that Designers are
coming on line and making cards with their specific
fonts and styles. These patterns will coordinate back
into that Designer's line of products. These are some
nifty considerations!
But, if you are computer literate, and you know how to
make great text boxes for your projects, this might not
be first on your wish list.
How it works (an overview - you'll want to read the
manufacturer's instructions for full details): It sits on a
stand that protects the ink jets. You lift the lever, and it
frees the Design Runner. Put a Design Card in (if you
don't have one installed). Lift up the cover, and you'll
see the control panel. Push the "on" button, and the
LCD screen will show that the card is loading. The first
design comes up and is ready to print. You can scroll
frontwards or backwards through the designs to find
the one you're looking for, by pressing the arrows.
When you have the design you want showing on the
screen - line up your print with the + mark on the side.
The + is the spot the Design Runner will begin printing -
not where you originally set it down on the paper. Now,
holding down the "print" (big green) button, gently and
evenly slide the DR over the paper. Voila - your
phrase/design is printed!
If you press the "continuous" button (3 little squares) -
when you slide your DR over your paper, it will print that
design in a continuous line (perfect for borders).
The options: to date, the inks come in Red, Green,
and Black (one would hope they'll come out with Blue
soon).
There are a lot of cards to choose from, including the
new Designer series.
The font cards have been harshly criticized, as
people wonder why you can only print one letter at a
time. It is hard to line up the next letter - if you're trying
to print a word on a straight line. But for monograms or
whimsical wording - it's perfect.
TIPS: I usually print on a separate piece of paper, and
then adhere it into my project - just in case I goof. I
have been brave enough to print on my finished project
directly - and it did work out, but I wouldn't risk it on a
regular basis. (I don't stamp directly onto my projects
for the same reason!)
It prints best on porous paper/surfaces. It will smudge
on glossy paper or vellum.
I use the edge of a heavy book to glide along the front
of the DR - when printing. This way my print is always
straight.
ONE MORE COOL THING I HAVE TO SHARE: The Design
Runner will print the phrase on the screen correctly -
whether you glide the DR to the left or to the right! Just
set up the print the same way - lining up the + mark on
the left side, and gently, evenly slide the DR to the LEFT
- and it will still print out correctly!
Another cool tip: The paper that comes inside the card
with all of the designs printed on them is valuable.
You'll want that for reference. The only problem is that
if you open it up, and refold it too many times it will rip. I
have run all of mine through the Xyron 510 (double
sided laminate cartridge) and have them stored and
preserved. They are easy to use and safe from ripping.
