[Flashcards] Which printer saves LOTSA time & money?

[Update] Please refer to the latest printer and paper recommendation at this post:
[Flashcards] What Printer & Paper to Choose

I’ve found a way to print flashcards and materials while saving LOTSA time and money. This is a common question that mummies at the recent home practice intensive workshops* asked, so here’re the details for all of you…

Which printer?

In the past, I’ve been using a HP photo inkjet printer. The quality is superb, but ink cartridges cost RM100+ per month for my volume of printing (hundreds of flash cards each month).

After a friend suggested the “ink tank system”, I explored further and found out that Epson released the first range of printers with in-built ink-tank systems. This is also known as Continuous Ink Supply System (CISS).

This means there’re huge external ink tanks at the side of the printer, for high volume printing.

There’re several models of Epson L-series CISS printers. I needed to print flash cards with photographs, so opted for the L800 with full range of colour ink tanks.

*

  • Model: Epson L800 (newer models available now)
  • Maximum paper weight: 280gsm
  • Estimate: 9,900 pages for 70ml black ink tank; 1,800 pages for 70ml coloured ink tank

I bought my Epson L800 at Low Yat (Malaysia) at about RM800+. The ink tanks have lasted me 1 year of printing (some heavy-duty months, some lazy months). I’ve just bought ink tanks at RM36 each.

What paper?

Previously, I’ve made flash cards using 300-310gsm art card. (Thick cards are easier to flash fast.) However, I couldn’t find any ink-efficient printer that could print on such thick paper.

The print, glue and stick method is rather time-consuming for large number of cards.

The print and stick method shared here is much faster, but incurs the cost of adhesive paper.

The most efficient is printing directly. With Epson L800, I’m now printing directly on 270gsm paper, which saves me lots of time. I’ve been flashing 270gsm cards, which is still fast enough.

Tip #1: Get paper without glossy finishing, i.e. as paper-like as possible. This absorbs ink faster instead of running at the edges. (Deleted on 17/11/17) New tip: When printing on glossy art card, go to Print, Print Settings, under Media Type, choose Epson Premium Glossy. Fabulous print quality!

Tip #2: Remember to print something full-colour every week or so. If you’ve nothing to print, just run the simple test print. This ensures that the printer ejects some ink, so that the nozzles won’t be clogged. If they become clogged, there’ll be white lines across the image. You’d then have to run the cleaning function a few times till the problem is resolved.

Where to get paper?

Here’s an updated list of paper suppliers:

  • For convenience: Shichida Tensai store. RM20 per 100 A5; RM38 per 100 A4. (Note: The card stock has glossy finishing, so I don’t think Epson L-series can print directly on it.)
  • For bulk savings: Find a local paper supplier near you. May request for some or most to be cut into A5.

1. Singapore:

Hiap Moh:

Block 162 Bukit Merah Central
#08-3545
Singapore 150162
Tel: +65 6273 5333
Fax: +65 6278 9707

(Updated note on 11 August 2015: Hiap Moh sells 270gsm and ~300gsm card stock.)

2. Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur:

(310gsm art card, ~RM0.14 per A4)

SNT Marketing
10, Persiaran Cahaya 2, Taman Cahaya Indah Light Industrial, 68000 Ampang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
Tel/Fax: +603 42942108, +603 42942109

(270gsm art card, ~RM0.17 per A4)

B Soon Trading
No. 12 Jalan Brunei Barat, Off Jalan Pudu, Kuala Lumpur 55100, Malaysia.
Tel/Fax: +603 21489792

 

Happy making flashcards!

.

Cheers,
MieVee

>>> P.S. Check out these printable and readymade flash cards*


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17 thoughts on “[Flashcards] Which printer saves LOTSA time & money?”

  1. Hi,

    Just curious, how many of the blank flash card could you load at one time? Is there a limitation on the feed?

    Thanks 🙂

    1. mievee @ mummyshomeschool.com

      I didn’t try the limit…. At least 20 pieces of cards. My current batch of card stock doesn’t absorb the ink well like paper, so I’d print in batches of 10.

      As the ink dried, then I’d print more.

      So, if you get blank cards that absorb well like paper, you’d be able to mass-print much better.
      I can mass-print well on paper.

      All the best! 🙂

  2. Hi

    Does this mean that you have stop sticking a4 papers on the stock cards and is printing all your cards directly now? Is this faster than your adhesive paper method?

    Thanks!

    1. mievee @ mummyshomeschool.com

      Hi Vivian, as I’ve stopped sticking and printing directly. Exception: for pictures that need high resolution to show small details, I may still print on adhesive paper & stick.

      Definitely much faster. 🙂

  3. Hi mievee, thanks for all your wonder tips. Is really useful for new mummy like me. As I am a working mom, i could only spend the most half an hour a day to do flashcard with my daughter. Hence I just had a debate with my hubby, I am pro the physical card flashing method but hubby thinks the e-flash card (ie from Brillkids) has th same effect. Appreciate your thoughts on this: Will e-flash card has the same effect as physical flashcards. TIA.

    1. mievee @ mummyshomeschool.com

      Hi Xin, thank you for reading my blog. Here’s my reply:
      1. Right brain education is a lot more than flashcards. That is, flashcards is only 1 component. Right brain activities can be very short. Dedicating 30 minutes a day to do home practice is a great start and routine. If it takes more time, it’s probably because the child wants to repeat the activities more times, or do a lot more.

      If you decide to focus on flashcards, then it actually takes a very short time.
      2 cards per second –> 100 seconds for 200 cards (~2 minutes)
      Add 1 minute for 3 “Which One” game
      Choose 1-2 cards to explore / explain / discuss in more detail. Perhaps a few more minutes.

      I’d suggest adding these activities:
      – before flash cards: relaxation, breathing and perhaps imaging. Child would be able to focus better.
      – after flash cards: reading and speed reading. Helps in reading, language, and building memory. Easy to transit to bedtime after reading time too.

      As for e-flash cards, this is my view:
      To me, the primary purpose of flash cards is to activate the right brain and not to stuff knowledge into the children.

      The right brain learns best when it’s based on a strong relationship with parents. Therefore, it needs real-life interaction with parents, in a personal and fun way. This cannot be replaced with screens.

      To learn to speak well, a young child needs to see the parent’s lips when the card is flashed. This also cannot be replaced with screens.

      Other advantages of physical flash cards over e-flashcards:
      – no glare versus unhealthy glare for young children’s delicate eyes, even if it’s for a short
      while every day

      – able to play “Which one” games straight after or in between topics to maintain the child’s
      interest (child gets to move and touch the card)

      – very interactive and can hold the child’s interest for up to 1000 cards, if she wants to. Mummy can vary the tone, have exaggerated facial expressions when needed (dramatise at certain cards). If child is fidgety, pause to sing a song with hand actions, then continue flashing again. Etc.

      – no distraction with an electronic device. Using an electronic device tempts my children to request to view photos, videos, and play games. And tempts them to press buttons. Out of sight, out of mind. So I prefer to use hard copy books and materials, especially with kids below 5-6 who have yet to develop sufficient self-control over screens.

      That’s why I don’t choose e-flashcards.

      If a family has no space / budget / time at all for physical flashcards and has a slightly older child (perhaps 2 and older), then e-flashcards may be an alternative. This is similar to choosing physical story books over ebooks for young children. If there’s really no choice, then at least ebooks is better than not reading at all. Just that it isn’t my first choice.

      Feel free to join my next workshop when it’s launched. KL: 24/5 & Singapore: should be 6/6. Join mailing list at the side bar to be kept updated.

      Hope the above helps you and all the best.

  4. Pingback: flash cards | e-flashcards | online flash cards

    1. mievee @ mummyshomeschool.com

      Hi Vivian, I’m not familiar with Epson L355. Please check its online manual and printer specifications.
      Or enquire with a shop, bring your thick paper to request a test print.

      If the printer can accept your paper, either A4 or A5 would be fine.
      Just choose when you’re printing the image. Set the paper size to the correct one.

      Hope this helps.

      Cheers,
      MieVee

  5. Hi MieVee
    Have your ever tried 250gsm paper? is that thick enough to flash smoothly?

    i called up the SNT Marketing, however, they dont have 270gsm stock. and the 250gsm A5 matte art card is selling at RM0.12/pcs now.

    thank you

    1. mievee @ mummyshomeschool.com

      Hi Yoong Yen,

      The thinnest I tried is 270gsm, which I find ok.
      I’ve seen video of mummy using 250gsm.

      There should be many paper wholesalers in Malaysia. Try asking someone working in an office, to get the paper supplier contact.
      Before buying, try getting 2 pieces of sample to print and flash.

      Hope this helps.

      Cheers,
      MieVee

  6. Hi Mummy,
    Just to check on this model printer, how do you place the cardstock? Isnt the tray of the DVD printing or just put in the normal paper feed tray? I had a mummy who mentioned she cant print on 270gsm paper and so it is confising as I am planning to invest on this printer.

    1. mievee @ mummyshomeschool.com

      Hi Celine, I place the cardstock in the normal paper tray. Anyway, there should be new models of this printer range now, so the safest is to bring card stock sample to the printer shop to try printing a copy. Also read the printer manual (PDF) for the maximum paper weight allowed. (Control F “gsm” to find it.)

  7. Hi MieVee,

    Appreciate your sharing and input on right brain training. May I know do you have any workshop coming up? Thanks!

    Regards,
    Jazz

  8. Hi, I know this is an old post, Im just wondering have you tried printing on blank flashcards of 350gsm? How do you place the cards in the printer?

    1. mievee @ mummyshomeschool.com

      Hi Yan, the thickest card stock I printed was about 270-280gsm. My 310gsm cards couldn’t be printed.

      Did you check your printer specifications regarding the max gsm printable?

      If it can accept your card stock, just place it as per normal in the paper feed. Perhaps only feed 1 or a few at a time so that each can go through the roller easily.

      Do note that if you exceed the max paper weight often, the printer head may be damaged. All the best!

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