Hey:

I'm just curious if anyone is familiar with the different companies that produce the different types of waterproof and tear resistant plastic paper and if there were some good sources to get some. I'm wanting to print my own set of maps from the PCT discs I have from www.morethanamile.com

Kinda looking for quality like the Tom Harrison John Muir Trail Maps I have.

Oh, also I'm curious on printing on this paper and what type of printer would I need.

Thanks,

-Kevin

First, you might want to establish the printer that you will use, and then select the paper. Some papers work best for black laser. Some work best for color inkjet.

In the past, I have used HP LaserJet Tough Paper and HP Color LaserJet Soft Gloss. These are each pretty tough. I've used many types of color inkjet paper, but if they are ordinary matte papers, they are not plastic, and if they are plastic, they are either heavy or expensive.

--B.G.--

tyvek ?

http://www.riteintherain.com/category.asp?Id={96FCA12F-1B87-44CE-B177-3B98AB1428E2}

http://www.amazon.com/National-Geographic-Adventure-Paper/dp/B00005OMZ9

http://www.waterproofpaper.com/selecting-waterproof-paper.shtml

I've use the Rite in the Rain Duracopy paper to print the halfmile PCT maps with a colour laser printer.

http://www.riteintherain.com/inventoryD.asp?item_no=6512&CatId={29657998-A116-404D-9FC9-2646DF026778}

It works really well. I haven't used the maps (That comes this summer) but I have tested the printed maps by putting them in the sink and trying to rub off the print. The maps don't smudge at all! I am completely confident that the maps will survive everything I might throw at them. :)

You can also try GBC 1.5 mil laminating pouches:
http://spr.7cart.com/search.aspx?keyword=GBC+1.5+mil

They are cheaper than WP paper, and work, with a carrier that is included, on cheap Walmart hot laminators that you can use for other projects.

They make it possible to make several copies on inexpensive print paper until it is just the way you want it, than laminate your finished product. It is also easy to make 2-sided maps this way. I did have one failure after many hours of rain; but it was because I did a sloppy job, and did not allow a wide enough pouch margin around the paper.

Yes "Xerox" or laminate the maps you print out. This way you can even use them as a food cutting surface or plate. I've done this in the past. Works fantastic. Most office supply stores can do this for you.

This way would also keep your maps in tact so you can file them neatly.

Edited by ForestCrunk on 01/24/2012 08:55:46 MST.

Maybe I should have mentioned that the 1.5 mil laminating pouches are very thin, and the result of the lamination is nothing like what we see on licenses, menus and the like. The result, while not as pliable as a Trails Illustrated map, is readily folable into thirds, as you would a letter, and so ends up about the size of a folded TI map.

Vellum. Its been around for hundreds of years. Its waterproof. Ink sits on top so you must you a waterproof ink. Of course you had to do so already. Works with both laser jet and inkjet printers along with your typical commercial pressure printers.

Before the advent of computers and printers attached to said computers, drafters/artists the world over used VELLUM paper to draw all of their drawings on. One can still find it in university book stores or art stores/departments.

It is thin and lightweight. It is also opaque so one can "see through" it. This can be a bad or good thing depending on what you really want.

Any paper store like paperzone or paper source or online etc will have it. It is readily available and cheap.

Edited by footeab on 01/24/2012 23:05:11 MST.

In doing some research, I came across this and tried Vellum. I bought a pack of 50 sheets at OfficeMax for $7, and ran one under water, which it quickly absorbed and tore. Did I get the wrong kind? It said "25% rag" on it - don't know what that means. Any ideas?

tyvek is pretty hard to beat

http://www.allweatherblueprints.com/tyvek-sheets-printing-1481150.html