Thank You and Escort Cards

Mrs. Cookie, Denver Age and Occupation: 25, Nonprofit Fundraiser/Theatre Designer Fiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Financial Analyst Engagement Date: September 2007 Wedding Date: September 2008 Blogging Since: May 8, 2008 Venue: Ten Mile Station About Me: With a degree in Theatre I never realized that planning a wedding was a lot like Theatre Management, until I started planning my own. I am a coffee addict, especially Starbucks' Grande Mochas, yummy! I love to cook (especially chocolate chip cookies for my honey), travel to exotic places, and be creative. As a couple, Mr. Cookie and I are extremely practical, down to earth, and children at heart. We live in a cozy abode with our adorable Pomeranian, and love to play board games and watch movies into the evening.

September 4th, 2008 @ 4:27 pm by Mrs. Cookie

As wedding presents seem to be arriving on our doorstep lately, I thought it was time to whip out my Gocco again and get an early start on Thank Yous. And while I was at it, I also printed our escort cards.

Way back when I printed our invitations, I printed the bird and branches which I got from istock on both the cards and envelopes in order to save screens. I also burned the “Merci Beaucoup” and “Table” lettering, but wanted to wait until the final guest count came to get an accurate print number. I used the the RISO ink blocking material to separate the lettering from the invite design, and stored the screen in a Ziploc bag to save for later.

It’s been about two months since I printed the invites, and when I opened the bag, the ink had separated and created a sticky goo over the “Merci Beacoup” lettering on the underside of the mesh. The goo came off really easily with the RISO ink remover, but as I was wiping it off a little part of the screen tore around the lettering.

Since it was such minor tears and I really didn’t feel like burning another screen, I just printed it.

Here is a close-up of the “table” lettering.

This was a great experiment in the durability of the Gocco screen. When you save your screens, any residual ink will separate and form a sticky goo on the back of the mesh. According to Northwood Studios FAQs the residue won’t mark any future printings, but I removed it just in case and tore the screen. I’ve haven’t tried to save my screens in the refrigerator, which will be my next experiment.

Have you had any success saving and reusing your Gocco screens? Any tips or products that helped preserve the integrity of the screens?

4 Responses to “Thank You and Escort Cards”

Miss Dumpling says:

No success. I just ruined them trying to wipe off the ink. Those are great though! Is that stardream paper?

9/4/08 at 5:29 pm (reply)

Miss Cookie says:

@Miss Dumpling: The paper is from Art Co. that I got at Xpedx Paper in Denver.

9/4/08 at 5:32 pm (reply)

mtyf says:

Hm, I just scrape off as much excess ink as I can (and save it in a little patch of plastic wrap), then put some paper on both sides of the screen - under the plastic film, as well as on the side where the ink comes out. I wrap the whole screen in plastic wrap, and store it in the freezer. I think that helps the paint from separating too much.

When I want to use them again, I’ve had no problem after they thaw up a bit. If the ink does dry up a bit on the design, I just use some cleaner or scrape at it gently with a plastic spoon. I re-ink, and then usually, with a bunch of throwaway prints on scrap paper, I’m good to go.

9/4/08 at 7:42 pm (reply)

RyanT says:

Always clean off excess ink, use either the RISO cleaner, or (as I do) Simple Green cleaner that I got from Home Depot in bulk. Then Ziploc the clean screens. and hide them in a clean dry place. They should last a long time.

9/6/08 at 11:44 am (reply)