Printable Mittens by Anders Ruff, Image by Becca Bond. Used under Flickr Creative Commons license.
Here are some ideas from guest author Tina for using your printer besides just printing out documents!
Did you know there are many different crafts you can do with 3 materials? All you need is a computer, printer with ink, and paper. Not that into crafting? Well, how about some organization printables and calendars to help you out? A printer is the most versatile tool you can own.
- Coloring pages
This is an easy thing to print. All you have to do is search on the Internet for your favorite character’s coloring page. More than likely, you will get a ton of search results (try using something like Google Images), and the hardest part is going to be picking out which one to print and color. - Paper Dolls
Do you remember playing with these when you were little? Now, you can find paper dolls online that are either come with full sets of clothes, or you can draw in your own designs. This is great for the fashionista in training. - Organization Printables
You can find a lot of free templates online to help you keep things organized. Just tuck all your printables in a nicely organized binder with tabs that separate what each printed sheet is for. You can print anything from calendars, to meal planners, chore lists, holiday planners, family time schedulers; the amount of printables you can find for organizing are endless. - Gift Boxes
If you are having a hard time finding small gift boxes for trinkets or party favors, try printing out a template and make your own. You can, again, put your own design on them, or print something in full color. If you want to make a sturdy box, instead of printing on regular paper, try using a cardstock instead. - Educational Games
Are the kids stuck in the house on a rainy day? Do you want to make sure your kids are having fun while enhancing what they are learning in school? Then, search for printable education games. Laminate them to reuse them with washable markers, or if you don’t have a laminating machine, make prints that can fit inside plastic bags. You could stick small games in sandwich bags or full sheet games inside large gallon bags. Just have another bag handy with washable markers or dry erase markers, and you’re set. These are great for road trip games especially if your kids are missing school for it. Even if they aren’t educational games, classic games like Bingo and Tic Tac Toe are great for making reusable entertainment. - Printable Mini Notebooks
Writing in a journal is a good meditation method. Nowadays, since we’re so busy and caught up with technology, many people have forgotten what it’s like to write in a journal everyday especially after the launch of blogging. However, if you physically write, not only does your memory get better, but you’ll have something to have and cherish. Yes, you can always look back at your blog, but it’s a bit more satisfying to see how much you’ve matured by physically reading the journal you used to keep when you were younger.
This isn’t an exhaustive list of all the possibilities your computer and printer can bring you. You can just search the word “printables” online, and a plethora of results will come up. The hardest part is just choosing one.
This article was brought to you by Tina, a major contributor for 123Inkjets. 123Inkjet printer cartridges are inexpensive, print in great quality, and are recycled making it very eco-friendly.