Inkjet paper, particularly the inkjet paper made for photo printing, has a clay-coated surface that's almost but not completely waterproof. It has enough absorbency so that the water-based ink will adhere and soak in a few microns, and then dry swiftly.
Since toner is plastic-based, it adheres to the clay surface but not very well. When it's soaked in water, the clay surface separates easily, and anything that the toner is already stuck to will adhere to that, and not to the inkjet paper.
I need to test this again, since I have an old inkjet printer and some photo-grade paper for it; and a brand-new laser printer.
The last time I tried this (1994??) I had less than perfect results, but it kind of worked.
73
Jim N6OTQ
On Thursday, October 10, 2013 9:50 PM, Harvey White <madyn@...> wrote:
>
> How do you know if the paper will melt in the printer - or is this an urban myth?! Obviously a laser printer heats the drum and the paper is passed over the drum, so there is potential for a sticky mess?