Photos on Regular Copy Paper

I stopped scrapbooking in January. I was just burnt out and needed time to get some things in my life in order.
I would like to start scrapbooking again but find the expense of printing photos mind boggling...just in general but mostly because I am about 1 year behind in printing photos.
To add to that cost, I generally print 1 photo to keep in a photo box untouched and for those I want to scrap I print an additional copy to scrap w/. Obviously having to print duplicates of some of my photos is going to add to the cost.
So I was thinking... of printing my scrappy copies on regular copy paper.
I have photos printed like that on my bulletin board at work and although you can tell they're on copy paper they don't look bad at all!
So my questions are:
1) Has anyone done this/does anyone do this?
2) Does anyone know how long the images last?

TIA for you responses!

Doreena...(missed you!) Why don't you watch for a special at the drug store and upload and print since you have so many or other people may know of inexpensive print sites...I have printed on copy paper -depends on your printer whether you get a good photo or not-but I have no idea how long they last

Doreena! You're back. How nice to see you!
I agree with Marci. Wait for a sale. I know Snapfish frequently does penny sales. If you don't need photos right away to get going again why not wait?
I too have kept a copy of photos but just this evening as I was trying to find a particular one and bad to sort through hundreds I was questioning myself. I have so many pictures and many that really aren't scrapworthy. I have photos backed up in several places so why do I need an extra print?
This doesn't really answer your question but I don't think that you would be happy printing on copy paper. If you're going to use the ink how about getting the photo paper and printing them yourself?
That isn't cost effective in the long run but for a few it might work..
Hope to see you around some more but don't burn yourself out again.

Agree the ink is expensive either way. I keep all my pictures digital and just print what I want to scrap. I wait to print until I I'm ready to do a page so I know what size I want to use.

I have been printing on copy paper this year, a few of my images I just didn't want to wait on to be printed. My copier has a hard time running photo paper through it (don't know why other than not an expensive printer) so I used copy paper. I used GP image plus premium paper. It was what I had on hand.... I have no idea how long it will last but I have been happy with the end result...so far.

Project 52 week 20 By Sewflake

Dream By Sewflake

Autumn In Winter By Sewflake

These are copy paper photos....most of the ones I have used copy paper on are the PL pages, these other two it was quicker just to print from home.

You could run different kinds of paper thru the printer. The best way is to use the one at a time holder rather than the paper tray. My printer has a rear feeder.
You can achieve some very interesting results by just tinkering with your settings on your printer and/or your photo image program ... even if Paint is all you have.

• GMFTS Said:

Thank you!
But I wouldn't say "I'm back" just yet...not until I do some scrapping! LOL!

I print a copy to save, in my photo boxes, because I don't know how technology will be years from now. What if I don't print them and when my ancestors (grandkids, great grandkids, great-great grandkids etc...) want photos but they don't have any, because I didn't print them, and they can't access them because the digital storage we have now may be obsolete in the future. Know what I mean? Do you not worry about that?
I think I may just be a big worry wart! LOL!

• MarciLB Said:

Thanks Marci! It's nice to be missed!
Honestly part of the problem is not just the cost, I can justify the cost if I really want to, but the stress of downloading, sorting, saving and printing the photos. That's always been the worst part of scrapbooking for me! I cannot find a system that makes me feel like I haven't missed anything... (if that makes any sense).

• Sewflake Said:

Thanks for the great examples!

I print almost all of my scrapbook pictures on Georgia Pacific cardstock, purchased at Walmart. It's in a yellow and black wrapper, and comes 150 sheets per pack. Check it out. It's also the perfect weight for die cuts.

I have printed a few photos on regular paper. How long they last depends on the light it's exposed to. Some that I have had on the refrigerator, faded pretty quickly. The sun hits it for a few hours a day.

One photo that I printed about 10 years ago and framed with anti-fade glass has hung in our bathroom all that time and still looks as good as the day I printed it. It never gets direct sun light on it.

• MisasMom Said:

Thanks for the info!
That's actual great news!
I did some reading online and it said that even for photos printed on photo paper, fading can happen. And then they gave tips on how to minimize it.
One was "no direct sunlight" , but if so, then at least have the "photo in a frame/behind glass"... so you just proved that that tip works!

I have printed on regular copy paper and cardstock too. Give it a try and see how you like it.

• Doreena Said:

I DO worry about what technology will be available just as you do. My point is that until you want to spend the money on printing them don't and also that some photos (at least many of mine) are not worthy of being printed at all.

I love all the input on this topic. Gives me a lot to consider.

I guess I just assume that as technology changes, I will be updating my photos that I have on computer, EHD, etc....
No one uses slides anymore but you can get photo slides put on a disc if you want.....so I just don't worry about it.

As far as paper goes, I know this wasn't exactly your question but I've printed photos on vellum, canvas and even on birch bark......turns out very cool!

I have used "Brochure Paper" that can be purchased at any office supply store. It's a cross between cardstock and copy paper, and the results are just as good as glossy paper, just without the gloss! I'm not sure if it is acid free though.