What's on your Workdesk? Wednesday 137 - Safmat !!

I'm using my other workdesk today.  The one where my computer and printer sit.  I started out tidying the space it as things have got out of hand.  There is a pile of paperwork waiting to be filed and a bill to be paid.  As always I got distracted and I haven't done as much as I'd planned, but I felt I had made progress so I thought I'd give myself some time to play this afternoon. 

I bought a pack of Safmat and have been keen to try it out.  Have you come across it yet?  If not, it is self adhesive printing film which you use like rub ons.  You pop it into your printer (wax side down) and print directly onto it. I hoped it would be as good as it sounds....

After printing I cut out the word that I wanted to use, then realised that I should have printed it in mirror image.  I thought you rubbed it on, you see, and I didn't read the instructions before using, which is typical me!  But having the printed words I thought I may as well experiment, and that's when I discovered that you simply peel off the backing.  And this reveals a sticky back clear plastic with your printing on. 

You can see it here on my page.  The word 'first' is a bought rub-on, and the year and word 'sleepover' are Safmat.  You can see the clear film a little, but overall I am pleased with my new purchase.  If you want to give it a go yourself, here are a few tips I have picked up:

1.  Read the instructions before using a new product!

2.  Safmat is not cheap (I paid £8.25 for 10 A4 sheets).  So print as near to the top and edge as you can, to make good use of each sheet.  I printed across the top and after cutting it off I still have the best part of the sheet intact.  It's an idea to experiment on plain paper first if you are not confident with positioning your text.

3.  Cut close to the word or image so that there isn't too much film showing around the edge.  I learnt this after applying my first word.  My second attempt is much better and there is much less reflection.

4. Peel off the wax backing and stick your word onto your page.  Put a piece of paper over the film and rub. Once burnished the film becomes almost see through.  Again, I learnt by my mistake and rubbed straight onto the image first time.  This lifted some of the ink, so second time I did as suggested and it looks much better.

So, that's what I have been up to on my workdesk today.  You can see what others have been doing over at Julia's and I'm interested to know if you have used Safmat.  If so, what tips you have picked up?  Please share, and  have fun whatever you are doing!