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[tiggerwalker]

Im trying to print some PS2 covers

How can I print them so they look exactly like real ones?

Im using HP Deskjet 3745:
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF06b/18972-236251-236261-14438-f51-406455-372336-372337.html

Standard 8 1/2 x 11 paper

What do I need to do.

Is this printer good?
Do  I need better paper?

[4tyGames]

First of all, you need at least legal size paper (8.5" x 14").

Plain, legal size paper does not look that bad when printing off of a deskjet. Try it out and see if you like it. If not, you may want to try and get the covers professionally printed.

Here are some threads to help you out:

http://www.thecoverproject.net/forums/index.php?topic=125.0 (Printing Covers)

http://www.thecoverproject.net/forums/index.php?topic=2689.0 (Getting a copy store to print your covers)

http://www.thecoverproject.net/forums/index.php?topic=2245.0 (Replacement Covers made easier)

[tiggerwalker]

I don't wont people to be able to know that I printed it.

So i need some kind of glossy paper right?

Also how is paper clarity measured? (my prints have always looked bad then I realized I have a photo printer and its the paper that makes it look bad)

[AppleQueso]

You won't need glossy paper actually, once they're in the cases themselves they'll look fine next to official ones, assuming you use a good printer. I'd just go for a nice matte paper, it dries a lot faster anyhow. Nobody will tell unless they start taking covers out of their cases.

You don't need legal sized for DVD covers, there's a simple workaround to get them to fit on regular paper. Simply use page setup, set the paper type to legal, orientation to horizontal, disable vertical/horizontal centering, and set the margins as small as they can go. Your printer will act as if it's printing on legal sized paper even though it's using standard sized, and the cover should fit fine on it. I've done this myself many, many times with fine results.

[tiggerwalker]

thanks  . I still would like to know what kind of paper it is?
Also how paper clarity is measured?

[dejimus]

i dont know the name for it, but i use super white legal paper on a thicker than usual stock. the colors actually come out more vibrant than the official cases usually.

[Velmeran]

I've discovered recently that most who do custom covers for DVD and Bluray all recommend using Brochure Paper.
Glossy, Semi-Glossy, Matte is up to the individual preference, the Brochure Paper is nearly an identical thickness and weight to actual dvd and bd covers.

[AppleQueso]

...Brochure Paper is nearly an identical thickness and weight to actual dvd and bd covers.

...at least if we aren't talking newer ps2 games, which seem to have thinner inserts (and generally cheaper-feeling packaging all around.)

I have brochure paper myself and can vouch for this though, it's the perfect thickness.

[chazparks]

Is it the toner or paper style that should be changed for better images.  I printed a cover the printed graphic looks more washed and green than the image on screen.

[tiggerwalker]

Chazparks: Ink can have a part in it but in my case it was the paper. I have always used the cheapest paper from wal-mart.
I didn't even know that I had a photo printer

So if I use brochure paper no-one will be able to tell?
Also can you print these at Office Depot?

[shenske]

Also can you print these at Office Depot?

Probably, I get all my covers printed out at OfficeMax