Waterproof paper for map printing

>>> Have you tried it with purpose made waterproof papers for inkjet
>>> printers?
>>
>>Nope. Given that the inks themselves are water soluble, I'm surprised the
>>paper makes much of a difference, but that's what people are reporting.

I don't understand the science bit either, but clearly the paper does make a
difference. On my last trip I took maps printed on standard A4 letter
quality paper. When the rain got into the plastic folder containing the
maps it washed the paper almost completely clean. I recon I could have
ironed it and reused it.

The made-for-mapping waterproof papers clearly have the ability to lock the
ink in somehow. I have heard reports of folks holding them under the tap or
immersing them in water for days on end without appreciable deterioration of
the image.

Anyway, I have ordered some of this paper to find out for myself. It cost
me 16 UK pounds for 25 sheets so I'm hoping it works! I decided to make the
investment because as well as being waterproof it has other durability
advantages such as being tear resistant.

Keith

Keith Sheppard <keith.sheppard.TakeThisOut@tesco.net> wrote:
: I want to get some waterproof paper for my ink jet printer so I can
: print walking maps and not have all the colours run if the weather
: takes a turn for the worse. I'm not too worried about the paper being
: very heavy weight. I'd like to be able to fold it easily and a rarely
: use a map for more than a single trip. Image quality isn't an issue
: provided the map is legible.

Since you mention that you rarely use the map for more than one trip I may
have a very ecconomical suggestion. Use your regular paper (not photo
paper, just office copier paper) and then after printing spray both sides
with a thin coat of clear gloss spray paint. Be sure to try it out before
the last min as some brands of paint are more hazy than others when they
dry. I have used Krylon crystal clear a few times to seal images and been
happy with it. But many brands will probably work. But try it out with
the same paper, printer and spray paint in advance as different
combinations may react differently, and even different spray techniques
and thickness of spray can make a difference in both readability and
weather resistance.

BTW I mentioned spraying both sides so that water droplets on the back can
not soak through the paper and blur the printing underneath the front coat
of paint.

Randy

==========
Randy Berbaum
Champaign, IL