When printing invitations, greeting cards, or any other card-based product, you need to have the right printer. Card stock is much harder to work with than regular paper, so it’s important to have a printer that suits your needs. If you don’t, you’re likely to face numerous paper jams, waste tons of paper, and maybe even damage your printer.
If you’re not sure which printer to go for, don’t panic! I’m here to help. I used to run a novelty gifts website back in the day that sold all sorts of printed stuff so I know a thing or 3 about printers!
In this article, I will take you through the best printers for cardstock.
(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Some links in the post are affiliate links meaning we may earn a commission. This does not affect the price you pay.)
Contents
Canon PIXMA PRO-100 – Best All Round Choice
- 8 Dye based inks for amazing gradients and color, 3 of which are dedicated grayscale...
- The Optimum Image Generating System reproduces colors as you intend them by logically...
- Compatible with individual CLI 42 ink tanks (Black, gray, light gray, cyan, photo...
// Last update on 2023-10-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Boasting a 4800 x 2400 DPI resolution, the PIXMA Pro-100 can print in great quality and detail. It works with various types of card and paper including glossy, matte photo paper, luster and thick card stock, making it suitable for printing card-based products like invitations and greetings cards.
The print speed of this machine is great, printing an 8×10-inch image in just 51 seconds. This is ideal for those with a small business looking to increase their productivity. Printing an 11×14-inch art print takes just 90 seconds, which is still incredibly quick.
The printer tray can accommodate 150 sheets, allowing you to print a fair few products without needing to refill. Whether you’re printing for business or personal use, this is definitely a plus.
The Canon PIXMA Pro-100 benefits from an 8-cartridge ink system to extend the color range of printing. The printer also uses three black ink for the best black and white photo quality. This is ideal for people looking to achieve a professional-looking print without splashing out on a commercial-grade machine.
Furthermore, the printer comes with Print Studio Pro plugin software, allowing you to print directly from your favorite Adobe programs. This is particularly beneficial for designers looking to save valuable time and make their life easier.
In terms of connectivity, there are multiple options. The printer comes with the standard USB and Ethernet wired connections if you want to plug it in, and also a front-facing USB port that allows you to print straight from your camera.
Pros:
- Prints on heavy cardstock
- Prints up to 13×19 inches
- 4800 x 2400 DPI resolution
- 8-cartridge Ink System
- Uses 3 black ink for excellent monochrome prints
- Good value for money
Cons:
- Doesn’t have a preview display
Epson SureColor P600 – Premium Choice
- Brand Epson, Model C11CE21201
- Packaged Quantity: 1 Pack, Product Type: Inkjet Printer, Recommended Use: Photo/Disc...
- Wireless Print Technology: Epson iPrint, Wireless Print Technology: Apple AirPrint,...
// Last update on 2023-10-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
With the Epson SureColor P600, you can print at an incredible 5760 x 1440 DPI resolution. The machine also supports borderless printing up to 13 x 19 inches and can be used with roll media of 13 x 129 inches. This is ideal for designers looking to print exhibition-sized products.
The cardstock printer comes with 9 UltraChrome HD ink cartridges that enable it to print vibrant color images as well as excellent black and white photographs. Furthermore, it benefits from auto-switching black ink technology, allowing you to switch between different ink cartridges for maximum productivity.
The printer supports various media including glossy photo paper and thick cardstock. The main paper tray can handle up to 120 sheets at a time, enabling you to print more without having the refill. In addition to the main tray, the Epson SureColor boasts a front media path for dealing with speciality media, roller holders, CDs, and DVDs.
If you want to adjust the settings, you can do so via the 3.5-inch color LCD touchscreen. This can also be used to check your printer status and cancel or pause the print queue. Depending on your preference, you can connect the device through the USB or Ethernet port or connect wirelessly through WiFi.
Pros:
- Can print on special media
- 5760 x 1440 DPI resolution
- 9 UltraChrome HD ink
- Auto-switching black ink technology
Cons:
- Expensive
Canon PIXMA PRO-100 – Best All Round Choice
- 8 Dye based inks for amazing gradients and color, 3 of which are dedicated grayscale...
- The Optimum Image Generating System reproduces colors as you intend them by logically...
- Compatible with individual CLI 42 ink tanks (Black, gray, light gray, cyan, photo...
// Last update on 2023-10-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Boasting a 4800 x 2400 DPI resolution, the PIXMA Pro-100 can print in great quality and detail. It works with various types of card and paper including glossy, matte photo paper, luster and thick card stock, making it suitable for printing card-based products like invitations and greetings cards.
The print speed of this machine is great, printing an 8×10-inch image in just 51 seconds. This is ideal for those with a small business looking to increase their productivity. Printing an 11×14-inch art print takes just 90 seconds, which is still incredibly quick.
The printer tray can accommodate 150 sheets, allowing you to print a fair few products without needing to refill. Whether you’re printing for business or personal use, this is definitely a plus.
The Canon PIXMA Pro-100 benefits from an 8-cartridge ink system to extend the color range of printing. The printer also uses three black ink for the best black and white photo quality. This is ideal for people looking to achieve a professional-looking print without splashing out on a commercial-grade machine.
Furthermore, the printer comes with Print Studio Pro plugin software, allowing you to print directly from your favorite Adobe programs. This is particularly beneficial for designers looking to save valuable time and make their life easier.
In terms of connectivity, there are multiple options. The printer comes with the standard USB and Ethernet wired connections if you want to plug it in, and also a front-facing USB port that allows you to print straight from your camera.
Pros:
- Prints on heavy cardstock
- Prints up to 13×19 inches
- 4800 x 2400 DPI resolution
- 8-cartridge Ink System
- Uses 3 black ink for excellent monochrome prints
- Good value for money
Cons:
- Doesn’t have a preview display
Epson Artisan 1430 Inkjet Printer – Professional Choice
- Borderless, Hi-Def photos up to 13 inch x 19 inch
- Wireless printing with Wi-Fi
- 6-color Claria ink
// Last update on 2023-10-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Epson Artisan 1430 Inkjet Printer is another great option for cardstock. The machine supports wireless printing, providing that you have WiFi and the 6-color Claria ink installed. Boasting the ability to print high definition and borderless prints, the printer is ideal for both personal and business use amongst creatives.
The cardstock printer can print sizes up to 13 x 19 inches and also benefits from CD and DVD printing. Supporting numerous paper stocks, this printer allows you to print your invitations, greetings cards, and art prints to share with your friends and family.
This Epson Artisan is a great option for those looking to print photos. The machine benefits from lighting correction and advanced color to create photos that look amazing. Better still, the high definition Claria inks ensure that your prints are resistant to water, fading, scratches, and smudges, allowing your products to look great for years to come.
The image quality produced by the Epson Artisan 1430 is 5760×1440 DPI. Each ink droplet is as small as 1.5 picolitres to allow greater detail and accuracy on every print.
This printer supports over 60 media types and sizes, including a wide range of standard and specialty cardstocks. It has an input capacity of 100 sheets of plain paper and 20 sheets of thick photo paper or card, which is more than enough for personal use. It can print various sizes from 4×6 inches to 13×19, and also supports 12×12 prints which are popular for scrapbooking.
Pros:
- 6-color Claria ink
- 5760×1440 DPI resolution
- Borderless printing
- 5 picolitre ink drops for greater detail
Cons:
- Smaller paper capacity than some printers
Canon PIXMA iX6820 Wireless Inkjet Printer
- OS compatibility: Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 7 , Windows 7 SP1, Windows Vista...
- Utilizes Air Print, Google Cloud Print and Pixma Printing Solutions (PPS)
- Fine print head technology (Full photolithography inkjet nozzle engineering)
// Last update on 2023-10-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Canon PIXMA iX6820 Wire Inkjet Printer can print full-color images at a resolution of 9600 x 2400 DPI.
The printer benefits from an automatic document feeder with a 150-sheet capacity. This is particularly useful for small businesses who are printing multiple products per day, as the high capacity allows you to print more without having to refill. Not only does this make your life easier, but it also increases productivity.
The print speed is 10.4 IPM in color and 14.5 IPM in black, allowing you to print a full-color 4×6 inch photograph in just 36 seconds. It also supports borderless printing and can print sizes up to 13 x 19 inches.
The 5-color ink configuration allows to iX6820 to produce high-resolution prints on a variety of paper stocks. The machine supports all types of media from standard copy paper to thick photo paper and cardstock.
Another great thing about this printer is its ability to connect with your smartphone. Simply download the PIXMA Printing Solution app and print directly from your phone or tablet. This is ideal for designers who work from the iPad Pro as it allows you to print directly from your device, without fussing about with airdrop.
Pros:
- Great value for money
- Capable of printing up to 13 x 19 inches
- Print from your smartphone or tablet
- Resolution of up to 9600 x 2400 DPI
Cons:
- Lacks duplexing capabilities
Epson Workforce WF-100
- Epson printing system is designed to be used exclusively with Epson Genuine...
- Flexible battery charging — Choose from a variety of charging options, including...
- Built-in battery — a rechargeable lithium-ion battery offers dependable performance...
// Last update on 2023-10-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The next pick on the list is the Epson Workforce WF-100. Popular amongst designers, this printer supports a wide variety of paper stocks, including heavy-duty card. Better still, it’s compact enough to fit on your desk without taking over your workspace.
The cardstock printer has a superb resolution of 5760 x 1440 DPI, allowing you to print photographs, art prints, and greetings cards in high detail. It prints at a speed of 3.8 PPM in color and 6.7 PMM in black, which isn’t too bad for a detailed, high-resolution print.
The construction is compact and lightweight, making it easy to move around your office or workspace. Designed with portability in mind, the printer has a built-in battery to power it without plugging it in. When operating on the battery, the print speed is reduced slightly to 2.0 ppm in color and 3.5 ppm in black. When it’s fully charged, the battery can print up to 100 pages without plugging it in. As soon as you connect it to the mains, it automatically starts recharging for your next use.
Like most of the printers on this list, the Epson Workforce has multiple connections including WiFi and USB. As the device supports both macOS and Windows, it can be used with Google Cloud Print and Apple AirPlay.
Pros:
- Built-in battery
- Compact and lightweight
- USB and WiFi connectivity
- Prints directly from Google Cloud Print and Apple AirPlay
Cons:
- A little more expensive than other inkjet printers
HP OfficeJet 3830 – Budget Choice for the Home
- The main functions of this HP color inkjet photo printer: copy, scan, fax, wireless...
- The power of your printer in the palm of your hand: The HP Smart app allows you to...
- Ink delivered to your home: Get your first 2 months free when you enroll in HP...
// Last update on 2023-10-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The next cardstock printer on the list is the HP OfficeJet 3830. Like all HP printers, the OfficeJet 3830 uses HP’s Instant Ink. This allows you to pay a monthly fee for your ink and receive new cartridges through the post whenever the current ones run low. If you’re printing regularly, this can save you a ton of money and stress.
The printer benefits from multiple inputs, allowing you to print on various paper types and sizes of up to 8.5 x 14 inches. The main paper tray can support 60 sheets, while the ADF can accommodate 35 to help you work with larger jobs.
The HP OfficeJet3830 boasts a print speed of 16 ppm in color and 20 ppm in black. It’s also equipped with a 2.2-inch touchscreen to help you manage your print jobs and adjust the print settings.
In terms of connections, this cardstock printer has several options. Depending on your preference, you can connect through the USB port or the built-in WiFi. If you choose the latter, you can print directly from your smartphone or tablet.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Low running costs
- 35 sheet ADF
- WiFi connection
Cons:
- Doesn’t support Ethernet connection
Can a Normal Printer Print on Cardstock?
While some normal printers can print on cardstock, many cannot support thicker media. If the paperweight exceeds the basis weight of the printer, you put your card at a higher risk of jamming. As well as leading to paper wastage, this has the potential to permanently damage your printer.
If you’re unsure whether your printer can handle card stock, the best thing to do is look for its maximum paper weight. This can easily be found in the instruction manual or through a quick Google search.
Is an Inkjet Printer Better Than a Laser Printer?
As you can see from the list above, Inkjet Printers are best for printing on cardstock. While laser printers are known for their sharp images, most cannot handle heavy-weight paper. For best results, invest in an inkjet printer that’s designed to support cardstock. The options above are designed with photo printing in mind, enabling you to print crisp, high-quality images on a range of media.
If you need to use a laser printer, you can do. However, remember to check the maximum paper-weight beforehand to check the machine can handle your cardstock. To avoid paper jams, feed the sheets in individually instead of placing multiple sheets into the tray.
So, there you have it – the best printers for cardstock. To print high-quality images onto cardstock, invest in an inkjet printer from the list above. Whether you’re printing for business or personal use, the printers above will produce excellent quality images that you can sell, gift or enjoy for yourself.
