Q Our university sustainable development group wants to produce some posters on kraft paper. On the proof of concept, we have cut down C3 kraft envelopes to A3 and put them through the Konica Minolta Bizhub 650, which works well. But I’m unhappy with the waste generated by converting envelopes to paper. So I’m looking for some flat cut-sheet kraft suitable to go through a digital colour laser printer. Any ideas?
Alan Lee, via the Help Line forum at printweek.com

A Assuming it’s a short-run job, I’ve found some suppliers who might fit the bill. PDA Card & Craft (www.pdacardandcraft.co.uk) sells a pack of 50 A3 sheets (90gsm) for £3.25. Great Art (www.greatart.co.uk) sells a high-end ‘art’ kraft paper in pad form. You could also try Atlantis Art; the firm’s website is currently being revamped, so call 020 7377 8855. Shepherds Bookbinders, which incorporates Falkiner Fine Paper, has a range of kraft sheets in its portfolio of paper and bookbinding supplies. See www.falkiners.com. If anyone has any pointers about other suitable suppliers, please do get in touch.

Q The company I work for has just bought a Roland VP-300, which is very exciting as I haven’t had the opportunity to play with a printer of this size before (although this is just a stop-gap until we receive the new VersaCamm VS-640, which is even more exciting). What is the best vinyl to use for shirt printing? We’ve been recommended something like a sublimation vinyl? We are going to be placing this onto 100% polyester shirts. However, this is all new to me and I don’t really know what the best options are, or where to buy it from. All help and feedback is more than welcome.
Craig Davis, via printweek.com

A We gave a brief response to this last week, but thought it worth the time to go into more detail. You’re definitely on the right track when it comes to the 100% polyester shirts as this information from my contact at specialist The Transfer Press confirms: Dye-sublimation printing is always done on a polyester, polymer, or polymer-coated item. At high temperatures, the solid dye converts into a gas without becoming a liquid. The same high temperature opens the pores of the polymer and allows the gas to enter. When the temperature drops, the pores close and the gas reverts to a solid state. It has now become a part of the polymer. For this reason true dye sublimation cannot be done on natural materials such as 100% cotton.