You always want your business card or a customized greetings card for a friend’s birthday to look wonderful. Many people print their photos on standard photo paper, but photo prints on cardstock are actually better in many respects, as printing on thick paper gives you a true textured and solid feel on your images. Have you ever printer your photo on a cardstock printer?
The first thing to understand is that a cardstock printer is just a regular printer that has been designed to handle not only regular paper but also thicker, heavier material. If you try to print paper on a regular printer, you’ll get a lot of irritation due to printer jams and smeared ink. As a result, choosing an inkjet printer that is compatible with cardstock is crucial, as it can easily handle such high-quality paper.
Are you confused about which printer to buy for cardstock? You’re not alone if you answered yes. Many others struggle to find a printer that can handle cardstock paper while still producing high-quality prints. Many others struggle to find a printer that can handle cardstock paper and produce high-quality prints.
Top Pick Cardstock Printer
We mentioned the top 10 and best cardstock printers, but curiosity to be first does not go away, so here is the best choice from our experts in case you need guidance choosing the right one for your work and business. For your business suggestion, check out the Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 that can handle everything from greeting cards to business slips, certificates, posters, and elegant home décor items, with a size range of 4×6 to 13×19.
Contents
- 1 Best Printer For Cardstock
- 1.1 1. Canon TS8320 All In One Printer – Best All in One Printer for Cardstock
- 1.2 2. Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000
- 1.3 3. HP Smart Tank Plus 651 – Best HP Printer for Cardstock
- 1.4 4. Brother MFC-J497DW – Best Brother Printer for Cardstock
- 1.5 5. Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 – Best A3 Printer for Cardstock
- 1.6 6. Canon Pixma Pro-100
- 1.7 7. Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 – Best Inkjet Printer for Cardstock
- 1.8 8. HP OfficeJet Pro 8025 – Best Laser Printer for Cardstock
- 1.9 9. Canon TS9521C
- 1.10 10. Epson Expression Photo XP-970
- 2 Buying Guide For the Best Printer for Cardstock
- 3 FAQs
- 4 Conclusion
Best Printer For Cardstock
You can also get a quick comparison of our selected best printer for cardstock by unfolding our comparison table.
Best Printer For Cardstock | Features | Price |
---|---|---|
Canon TS8320 All In One Printer | Resolution: 1200 x 4800 DPI | Check Price |
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 | STORAGE: 128GB SSD | Check Price |
HP Smart Tank Plus 651 | Maxi Paper Size: 8.5 x 14 Inches | Check Price |
Brother MFC-J497DW | All-in-One Inkjet Printer | Check Price |
Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 | 200 sheet front tray | Check Price |
Canon Pixma Pro-100 | Prints up to 13x19 inches borderless | Check Price |
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 | Ink type: Pigment-based 9-color + CO | Check Price |
HP OfficeJet Pro 8025 | Input/output capacity: 225 sheets, 60 sheets | Check Price |
Canon TS9521C | Prints up to 13x19 inches borderless | Check Price |
Epson Expression Photo XP-970 | Printing 4"x6" photos | Check Price |
To provide you with the most reliable and trustworthy best printer for cardstock as we have researched dozens of brands and flirted with those which you can use for heavy-duty purposes and they perform high-power tasks for you.
1. Canon TS8320 All In One Printer – Best All in One Printer for Cardstock
Design
The Canon PIXMA TS8320 Wireless Inkjet All-in-One Printer is designed for home users that need a device that can print, scan, and copy. Its features have a simple setup and are easy to use and operate from mobile devices.
The PIXMA TS8320’s large and intuitive 4.3″ LCD touchscreen makes it simple to print, copy, scan, and operate. A six individual ink system, including a Photo Blue ink tank, produces excellent print quality. The photo blue ink improves shadows and reduces gradation, which helps to increase image detail.
Performance
The printer contains a 100-sheet front paper cassette, a 100-sheet rear paper tray, and a 1-sheet multipurpose tray for printing special media such as magnetic and re-stickable photo sheets, as well as printable CDs and DVDs for managing your projects.
The PIXMA TS8320 can hold plain paper simultaneously with dual-paper feeding without needing to remove paper trays or exchange trays which make printed papers and photographs a breeze.
Dual-band Wi-Fi makes it simple to connect all of your devices and for uninterrupted printing, connect your PIXMA TS8320 to a 2.4 or 5 GHz wireless network.
Integrate the PIXMA TS8320 into your smart home easily with voice-activated printing. Use your voice to check the ink status and print coloring pages and more for hands-free hand printing with Google Assistant, AirPrint, and Amazon Alexa.
A built-in SD memory card reader allows you to print directly from a camera’s memory card. No computer or additional wires are required to print images quickly and easily. Without the use of any additional features and can print from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
See some of the best printers for 110 lb cardstock and select the appropriate option according to your usage.
- Print quality is excellent.
- Connectivity is robust.
- There isn’t an automated document feeder.
- The cost of each page is high.
Verdict
The Canon Pixma TS8320 is a superb family and home inkjet all-in-one because it combines exceptional six-ink photo and graphics output with a plethora of productivity and convenience features.
2. Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000
Design
The PROGRAF PRO-1000 Professional Photographic Inkjet Printer is designed to offer clients large-format print sizes with great image quality. It is marked with the unique red line found on Canon’s professional lenses.
The PRO-1000 also offers a breadth of 17″ and the largest print size in the imagePROGRAF range, allowing borderless printing of up to 17 x 22″ and work on 27,6 mm Fine Art media. This printer uses the exceptional FINE technology with a 50% higher print head than previous options, and the 11-color pigmented LUCIA PRO ink set with Chroma Optimizer to produce prints with high resolution.
Performance
Using an L-COA PRO Image Processing Engine, it is possible to define paths and patterns in the printing process as quickly and precisely as possible for achieving the fastest and most efficient operations. A two-way vacuum feeder keeps the media flawless and fast for accurate media feeding which allows you to generate bordered photographs in just 4 minutes 10 seconds.
It also includes four monochrome inks that eliminate bronzing, boost black density, and expand dynamic range in the shadows for great grayscale prints, extending the possibilities of the LUCIA PRO ink set.
On the front of the machine is a 3.0″ color LCD for readily viewing settings and making adjustments. This model also shines in terms of connectivity, with USB 2.0, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi options.
By integrating compatibility with Canon’s Print App and PIXMA Cloud Link, wireless printing expands the printer’s overall capabilities. The Mobile App is accessible for iOS and Android smartphones, allowing users to transfer print pictures, files, and print settings instantly. For prints directly from cloud servers, PIXMA Cloud Link provides Google Cloud Print connectivity.
- Grayscale photographs are excellent.
- Sheets up to 17 by 22 inches are supported.
- There is no option for roll-paper.
Verdict
The 17-inch wide-format photo printer Canon ImagePrograf PRO-1000 produces outstanding, bright-colored, deep black photographs. We merely wanted roll paper supported.
3. HP Smart Tank Plus 651 – Best HP Printer for Cardstock
Design
The HP Smart Tank Plus 651 is a bulk-ink device with a compact design that allows it to be used practically anywhere. This printer, which measures 7.8 inches high by 17.7 inches wide by 14.7 inches deep, can fit on a desktop or in a room corner.
It’s your light office partner the weighing about 13.6 pounds. A 2.2-inch touchscreen is also included in a small area of the control panel and during operation, this monochrome touch screen allows for easy control and access. You can check ink levels without opening the lid thanks to the transparent ink tanks. It’s so handy!
Performance
Color inkjet printing technology is integrated with HP thermal inkjet for high-quality printing and also offers color printing resolutions up to 4800 x 1200 and mono printing resolutions up to 1200 x 1200.
It allows you to enlarge and reduce copied documents by up to 400% and 25%, respectively, with a maximum rate of 99 pages. The HP Smart Tank Plus is ideal for low-cost elevated printing, with up to 8000 color pages or 6000 black pages with bottles supplied in the box for up to two years of ink.
The printer has also an input tray capacity of 100 sheets, which extends from the back upwards and can be modified for different media sizes like envelopes and labels.
With printing speeds up to 11ppm and a hands-free 35-page automated document feeder, you can get things done quickly. When using it to print a color copy on A4 paper, the speed increased to 16 pages per minute.
Dual-band Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, USB 2.0, and the HP Smart app for smartphones and tablets are included as standard connectivity. Bluetooth Low Energy can also be used to enjoy the connection.
- Low-cost operation.
- High-quality printing.
- The footprint is quite small.
- Low volume and capacity ratings.
- ADF and print engine with no duplexing.
Verdict
The HP Smart Tank Plus 651 wireless all-in-one is a bulk-ink printer that provides good results and is inexpensive to run in the long run, but it lacks many of the features found in similarly priced competitors.
4. Brother MFC-J497DW – Best Brother Printer for Cardstock
Design
This Brother model is a good alternative for enthusiastic DIYers, who want to produce custom-designed cards. This model, which comes at a low price, is the best printer for people who want to receive good results without spending a lot of money. Its dimensions are 13.4 x 15.7 x 6.8 inches, and it weighs only 19.36 pounds.
This printer also allows you to scan to and print directly from all prominent cloud services, another notable feature is its 2.7-inch color touchscreen display, which lets you easily access on-screen menus and streamline your workflow.
Performance
The Brother MFC-J497DW printer comes with a 100-sheet paper tray that is simple to install and ensures maximum compatibility. This inkjet printer is able to produce high-quality prints and has a small footprint and is easily moveable.
Thanks to the convenient and smooth auto document feeder through which this equipment is very easy to use. With a 20-sheet capacity and a 100-sheet paper tray, this feeder can produce a large print output without the need for regular monitoring.
The machine includes built-in wireless, ethernet, and USB interfaces, as well as a variety of connecting options. There’s an NFC option that employs touch-to-connect technology to connect to your devices for printing and scanning.
Scan to Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and other popular cloud services directly from the printer. It also saves paper thanks to the automated duplex printing feature, finally, this product comes with a significant 2-year limited guarantee as well as free online and phone assistance which gives users peace of mind.
- Suitable for small places.
- Generate a big output for print.
- Connecting to a Wi-Fi network takes time.
Verdict
Connecting to a Wi-Fi network may take longer with Brother MFC-J497DW printer, apart from that, the connection may be inconsistent, as the Wi-Fi may be disconnected at random periods. In fact, these niggles will slow you down, particularly if you’re in a hurry.
5. Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 – Best A3 Printer for Cardstock
Design
Epson is another Japanese paper printer player who is as good as Canon and even better sometimes. The XP-15000 is a good example of cardstock, canvas, and fabrics.
Do you run a business that sells high-end cardstock prints? Or is there a really active popular YouTube channel working on manufactured documents using DIY designs? If yes, you require a 110-lb cardstock printer and we speak on the low side.
It can handle everything from greeting cards to business slips, certificates, posters, and elegant home décor items, with a size range of 4×6 to 13×19. The greatest resolution is 5760 x 1440 dpi, where the Claria ink of Epson beats the canon supply which is based on the nozzle ink. The amazing thing about the Expression XP-15000 is that it can take over 140 pounds of weight.
Performance
The USP is the print quality, which is handled by Epson’s superior 6-ink system, known as Claria photo HD ink. It will print out bright, spotless, and colorful designs in seconds if you give it heavy cardstock or canvas paper.
This has a 50-sheet rear feed for thicker paper and a 200-sheet front tray for automatic duplexing. Users can print directly on CDs and DVDs using the output tray, which has an auto-open/close function.
With a clear 2.4″ color LCD screen that displays status and an easy-access USB 2.0 and Ethernet connection for immediate printing, it also has built-in Wi-Fi enabling a wireless setup and access to a variety of mobile printing protocols.
Printing is quick, with black-and-white rates of up to 9.2 ppm and color speeds of up to 9 ppm. When utilizing the Draft Mode, a 4 x 6″ borderless shot may be generated in just 27 seconds. A wide-formats A3+ printer is naturally 30% smaller than its predecessor, but you won’t have to worry about jams or sticky paper.
- Ink replacement, cleaning, and maintenance are easy.
- Printing on two sides.
- There is no cloud support.
Verdict
The Epson XP-15000 is the best printer for cardstock and images due to its outstanding ink system and ability to transfer high-resolution patterns on a variety of shapes and types of cardstock.
6. Canon Pixma Pro-100
Design
For most supported media types, the Canon Pixma Pro-100 printer has a 2-way paper feeding tray, as well as a separate manual feed in the back of the printer for loading thicker sheets. For amazing detail, 4800 x 2400 dots per inch with high technology are used and print professional-quality photographs up to 13 inches x 19 inches on a variety of surfaces.
Black, Gray, and Light Gray are the three monochrome inks included in the 8-ink ChromaLife 100+ system. When generating the dramatic expression of grayscale photography, these inks provide boosted, deep black density to raise your level of professional print quality.
Performance
It is suitable with a broad range of media, including glossy, sheen, and matte photo paper as well as with Museum Etching and other fine art papers and can be printed with borders up to 13×19.” Print a picture of 8.0×10″ in around 51 seconds and an image of 11×14″ in about 1 minute and 30 seconds.
You may even print your own customized discs and covers directly on CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs. This included Plug-in Software that enables easy printing results from both Adobe Photoshop CS and Elements and Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, to obtain ideal outcomes.
You can print photos, email pages, and documents instantly from a MacBook, iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch without installing a driver with the PIXMA Pro-100’s multiple connectivity options.
You may also connect the printer through a wired or wireless Ethernet network in addition to a standard USB connection. In furthermore, the USB front-facing connector can be used for print directly from a compatible PictBridge digital camera.
- Produces images fit for a gallery.
- Extremely fast.
- Some color problems, especially in graphics.
Verdict
At the lower end of the dedicated image printers, the Canon Pixma PRO-100 is designed for photographic enthusiasts, but it still generates images worthy to hang in a gallery.
7. Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 – Best Inkjet Printer for Cardstock
Design
Whether you’re an expert enthusiast, a professional photographer, or a graphic designer, the Photographic Inkjet Printer has covered you. This 13-inch photo printer is equipped with a 9-color LUCIA PRO ink system to generate outstanding black and white prints and a vast selection of colors.
Large volumes of image data can be processed fast by the L-COA PRO image engine, making it suitable for gallery and studio photo printing. Users may change the FINE Print Head while keeping track with an integrated 3.0″ color LCD monitor on your ink levels, printer status, and more.
Performance
You may print over USB, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi with this Canon printer, and don’t forget to use the professional print and layout software (PPL) of Canon, which makes it easy to print. It has a simple interface that allows for the estimation of the proper print configuration.
PPL may be used as a standalone app or as an Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom plug-in for Canon Digital Photo Professional or Photoshop elements. This printing device also has the Nozzle Recovery System and the Skew Fix for easier operation.
This Canon printer has Windows, macOS, iOS, Android devices compatibility, you can also utilize mobile app and plugins as AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, and Canon Print Services (Only for Android). This Canon printer is ready to satisfy your demands from professional photography to fine art printing.
- Switching from black to white ink automatically.
- Detection of nozzle clogs automatically.
- Paper rolls aren’t supported.
- Purchasing price is high.
Verdict
With two black inks including several useful features, the Canon image Prograf Pro-300 produces excellent-looking photographs and artwork up to 13 by 39 inches.
8. HP OfficeJet Pro 8025 – Best Laser Printer for Cardstock
Design
Here’s another good-quality HP OfficeJet Pro 8025 series model that can efficiently print your cardstock. It’s noteworthy that it’s an all-in-one device with a 2.65″ color touchscreen and 18.11 x 13.43 x 9.21 dimensions that can handle all of your scanning, faxing, printing, and copying needs.
Because of its higher quality, it can compete with numerous laser printers, ensuring that you obtain flawlessly printed cardstocks every time. This inkjet printer is manufactured up to 15% from recycled plastics and other electronics.
Performance
This home office printer prints 20 pages per minute, has a quick color copy, scan, and fax for enhanced productivity, and is % smaller than the competitors. With a 60-sheet output and a 225-sheet input tray, this device is more than capable of servicing your home and office paper demands.
You may also use the HP Smart App to perform all of your printing and scanning tasks remotely, as well as control your ink requirements. Simply download it to your smartphone, configure the printer via the app, and you’re ready to go!
It also has ethernet network connectivity, allowing you to connect to other devices. Another significant advantage is the inclusion of a number of advanced security features, including basic encryption, Wi-Fi security, and password protection, which help in the effective protection of sensitive data.
- The Smart App makes it simple to use.
- Provides features that enhance security.
- Build material is not strong.
Verdict
The material utilized in the building of the HP OfficeJet Pro 8025 printer is not as durable as that used in other models on the market. As a result, the gleam on the surface may not remain very long. Some of the controls, such as the start button, may not function properly.
9. Canon TS9521C
Design
Next up is the Canon TS9521C printer, which can be used to print a variety of creative ideas on cardstock. It comes with lots of adaptable functions that can provide much-needed peace of mind for artists and craftsmen.
This device can print on a variety of materials, including envelopes and CDs, as well as cardstock and other materials. To begin, this machine has a 4.3†LCD Touchscreen that allows you to print paper up to 12 x 12 inches for versatility.
Performance
The addition of 5 different cartridges, which are also not generally available in other printers, provides an additional advantage. We appreciate the high-quality ink, which ensures that your designs stay for a long time without fading.
The printer speed is 15 pages per minute, which is pretty good for the price, and built-in printable designs and an SD Memory Card port are some of the extra features, although the former can help craftsmen and enables you to print documents immediately from an SD card.
Print speeds for black and color are 15 ipm and 10 ipm, respectively, with Duplex printing, enabled for two-sided printing and saving paper. 100 sheets of plain paper or 20 sheets of 4 x 6″ / 10 sheets of 5 x 7″ picture paper may be stored in the front paper tray.
Remote printing from your mobile device using services like AirPrint or Mopria, as well as remote operation via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and If This Then That, are all possible thanks to the built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
- Extremely adaptable.
- Fade-resistant ink is high quality.
- Responds longer if not use for few days.
Verdict
The sole disadvantage of the Canon TS9521C printer is that when you restart it after a long time, it takes longer to react to a print command. This is especially likely to happen after one or two days of use. Nonetheless, this minor annoyance has no impact on the overall smooth operation.
10. Epson Expression Photo XP-970
Design
The Epson Expression photo printer offers all of the same features as a standard printer has and it can print, copy, and scan the documents which you select. The Epson Expression Photo XP-970 is one of the best photo printers since it is built for users who want to print true-to-life photographs and has an all-in-one design that includes photo-grade scan and copy capabilities.
It’s a stationary printer, weighing 19.4 pounds, and measures 18.9 x 14 x 5.8 inches in its smallest configuration only with 23 pounds. However, it’s not much bigger than a typical home inkjet printer and has a significantly smaller footprint than other large-format photo printers.
Performance
The XP-970 works for both pictures and high-volume papers, printing at speeds of 8.5 ppm in black and 8 ppm in color with a six-color Claria Premium ink set with a maximum resolution of 5760 x 1440 dpi.
The XP-970 also has an SD, MemoryStick Duo (MSD), and CompactFlash cards storage port, and the 4.3″ touchscreen controls and enables settings without a computer. The device includes USB 2.0, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi mobile, tablet, and smartphone printing possibilities.
Furthermore, many kinds of specialized paper, including label printing for CDs and DVDs are supported. For 15x10cm (6×4) and A4 photo prints, print speeds aren’t nearly as fast as the XP-8600 but still fairly good.
For borderless printing, the regular and high-quality printing times worked out for 15 seconds, 15x10cm, 58 seconds, and for A4 either one minute two seconds, or two minutes forty seconds. In standard quality mode, the XP-970 takes 1 minute 55 seconds, and in high-quality mode, it takes 4 minutes 35 seconds.
- The price is affordable.
- Design and construction are outstanding.
- There is no document feeder in the machine.
- At any given time, it can only hold one wide-format sheet.
Verdict
The Epson Expression Photo XP-970 is a large-format printer that can print A3 prints on all paper types. It is cheap, offers high-quality photographic prints, and is easily useable with wifi features. It may be a little faster, but it is tough to complain at this size and price.
Buying Guide For the Best Printer for Cardstock
Choosing the perfect printer for your paper isn’t difficult if you examine a few essential aspects, it’s also important to remember your personal requirements and preferences. So, let’s have a look at some key considerations you should make before purchasing an appropriate unit.
What is Cardstock?
Cardstock is a thicker, heavier paper that has a gazillion uses for artists, crafters, DIYers, and anybody else who is creative, and you can produce very gorgeous and useful objects by printing onto cardstock paper.
Sheet Capacity
The sheet capability which meets your requirements depends on the average cardstock volume which you need to handle on a regular basis. If you require a lot of printing work regularly you should get the model for quick printing with a large input capacity. Check your printer’s sheet tray to ensure your printer’s printer capacity. Make sure your printer achieves at least 150 sheets of sheet tray capacity. Then, when you examine the specifics of each model, remember to check the card number that can manage.
Connectivity
Connectivity is one of the most important printing factors, so make sure you have a wired printer or wireless printer because wireless printers are portable, however, the degree of quality of the wireless printer compared to the wired printer is relatively smaller. It is also very important to consider the connectivity possibilities offered by a device. In certain cases, all potential choices are available, including Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, and USB.
Print Quality
Checking the DPI resolution offered by a device will give you a good indication of the print quality. Inches per second (IPS) is a measurement used by some manufacturers to describe how detailed and clear their prints are. Another essential aspect to consider when determining print quality is ink quality. Remember to include in the printer’s ink technology as well as the expense of refilling ink stocks.
Paperweight
Different printers are designed to handle different amounts of paper at the same time, some versions include an input tray that can hold up to 50 pounds of sheets at a time. If you do a lot of cardstock printing, you’ll want to choose a printer that can handle a large number of papers to help you speed up the printing process.
Printing Speed
The printing speed of a printer is an important aspect to research before purchasing. If you need to print huge amounts of pages, it’s crucial. Some printers are capable of printing up to 25 pages per minute (also referred to as ppm). A printer that can only print five pages per minute can be exasperatingly slow.
Ink Configuration
The number of ink cartridges in the printer is known as the ink configuration. However, purchasing a printer with many cartridges (5+) may be more cost-effective. This is because only one ink cartridge should be replaced at a time. If you just have two cartridges, you’ll run out less fast.
FAQs
You’ll know exactly which printer will work best for you once you’ve gained a better grasp of printer features and ratings for various types of printers.
What kind of printer do I need for cardstock?
Can any printer print cardstock?
No. Not every printer is appropriate for cardstock printing. Because most printers are designed on regular printing paper, which is very different from cardstock. Cardstock paper seems to be thicker and more robust, but feeding it to the improper printer might result in jams and poor print quality. Use a printer designed to handle cardstock for the finest print results on projects like invitation cards, greeting cards, business cards, and family photographs.
What printer will take 300gsm card?
It’s critical to figure out what type of paper your new printer will take because it may jam the printer if it is too heavy. Stick with an inkjet printer for a 300gsm card, they print well on heavier cardstocks and have no problems.
Can inkjet printers print on cardstock?
Using an inkjet printer, you may obtain excellent print results on thick, high-quality material, Yeah, you can also save some money! Many inkjet printers approach laser-quality text printing, are able to print on the paper of a thick card and are versatile enough to create images and graphics of photo lab quality.
Conclusion
Getting the best printers for cardstock, which is designed to work with cardstock paper is the key to printing cardstock. Some printers mentioned in this article are used by home and business owners to print on cardstock with excellent results. With that, we’ve come to the end of our guide to the best printer for cardstock and we hope that selecting an appropriate model is now easier for you.
Now it’s up to you what you want, the OfficeJet Pro 8035 is an excellent choice if you need a high-volume, low-cost printer with a lot of features while for those seeking a cardstock printer with a lot of versatility, the Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 is a great choice. This model, however, is more costly than others.