Naive textbox user

[Brian Holfield]

I want to print text on the back of photos that have been processed by
a photolab. However, the photolab already prints the order number and
other data on the back of the photos.

I naively assumed that if I first printed a filled text box on the back
of the photo, it would effectively white-out (or gray-out) the existing
text and I could then print the text I needed.

No matter how I set things up, the filled textbox prints, but the
existing printing shows through, even if the box is 0% transparency.

Any ideas on how I can get the results I need?

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

If you're filling the box with black, it might or might succeed in covering
up the print; any other color will not.

 

[Keith Howell]

Why not print your stuff on labels and stick them over the text on the back
of the photo. That way you don't risk damaging the photos in a printer (and I
am sure you can find labels that can't be removed)

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

Yes, I honestly can't imagine being brash enough to run photos through a
desktop printer.

 

[Brian Holfield]

Thanks for confirming that I'm batting my head against a wall, Suzanne,
and not just missetting the parameters.

 

[Brian Holfield]

Well, Keith, labels are a solution for some uses, but are too tacky for
the professional appearance I'm striving for. I guess I'll have to
explore using a drymount press to completely cover the rear of the
photos with a separately printed sheet.

 

[Brian Holfield]

I guess it's my naivety again, Susanne. I have HP DeskJet 6980. Put a
photo in the paper holder and there's no problem in printing on it.
Can't see anything wrong with subsequent prints on paper. Is there
really any way a finished photo can damage this printer?

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

I wasn't suggesting that the photo would damage the printer. I was
suggesting that the printer might eat the photo.

 

[Keith Howell]

I am guessing when you say tacky you mean naff and not sticky. I beg to
differ. If you take a look at some recent calls for help on how to put
graphics onto labels and then let your mind wander in terms of design, labels
are as good as you want to make them. Take a look at www.drawingwithword.com
to see if it might encourage you. I am not in the league of the serious
professional artists, just a keen amateur, but I hope it will set a seed. If
you don't feel up to desiging something yourself, I would like to bet there
is someone nearby who would be more than willing to take a commission to
create something for you. (Don't forget, just because this is a WORD forum
doesn't mean your graphics have to be created in WORD. Photoshop etc will
give you amazing results)

 

[Brian Holfield]

Oh, I see. In the case of this printer, not so, provided the photo is
placed in the paper tray with the sizing guides carefully adjusted.

 

[Brian Holfield]

Yes, Keith, tacky as in naff. I'm sure that attractive labels can be
made in Word or elsewhere, as you point out. Yet, they're still labels
and their position would be determined by the position of the existing
back printing. The "label" that may do the trick for me may be a
drymounted sheet that coincides with the size of the photo. Like
putting a panel over a wall with crumbly mortar.

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

A label can be the size of the photo, especially if you start with full
sheets of self-adhesive stock.