Are you struggling to find a printer that can handle heavy card stock? Many creatives and businesses face the challenge of printing on thicker paper for projects like invitations, business cards, and crafts. The frustration of a printer jamming or simply refusing to feed card stock is all too common. This guide is designed to help you navigate the world of Card Stock Printers and choose the best one for your needs, ensuring smooth, high-quality prints every time.
Original blog post featured image
Understanding Card Stock and Printer Compatibility
The first step in finding the perfect card stock printer is understanding the paper itself. Card stock, known for its thickness and durability, comes in various weights. You might have encountered heavy card stock, perhaps purchased from craft stores, only to find your home printer unable to manage it. This is a widespread issue. Many standard printers are designed for regular printer paper and simply can’t feed thicker materials reliably. This is why identifying a printer specifically designed to handle heavy paper is crucial.
Let’s briefly demystify paper weight. The paper weight system, particularly in the United States, can seem confusing. It’s based on the weight of 500 sheets of paper in its uncut form. For instance, the weight indicated on a pack of paper refers to the weight of 500 sheets of a specific parent size before it’s cut down to standard letter size. While the specifics of this measurement might seem irrelevant, understanding paper weight is key to ensuring your chosen printer can handle your desired card stock. Knowing the weight of the card stock you intend to use, such as 110 lb card stock, is essential when researching compatible printers.
Close up of a printer printing on cardstock
How to Find Your Printer’s Card Stock Compatibility
Before investing in a new card stock printer, or even if you’re trying to use your existing one, it’s vital to determine its paper weight capacity. This information isn’t always prominently displayed but is usually available in the printer’s specifications. A good starting point is the product page on online retailers like Amazon. Let’s take the HP ENVY Photo 7855 All-in-One Photo Printer as an example, similar to our original article’s approach.
Often, the key specifications are hidden within downloadable documents. Look for terms like “Specification sheet” or “Product documentation,” often available as a PDF download. If these aren’t readily visible, you might need to delve deeper into the manufacturer’s official website, such as HP’s website in this case. Within these documents, search for “Media Weight Supported” or similar phrasing. This specification will tell you the maximum paper weight the printer is designed to handle. As illustrated in the screenshot below, the HP Envy 7855 supports up to 72 lbs paper weight.
Screenshot of printer specification document highlighting media weight support
This means that the HP Envy 7855, while a capable photo printer, is not ideal as a card stock printer for 110 lb card stock. Attempting to use card stock exceeding the printer’s recommended weight is likely to lead to paper jams, misfeeds, and frustration. It’s always better to choose a printer that is explicitly designed to function as a reliable card stock printer.
Top Card Stock Printers: Recommendations
After extensive research, including personal experience, we’ve identified two printers that stand out as capable card stock printers. It’s important to note that the market for retail-grade inkjet printers that handle very heavy card stock is somewhat limited.
Canon Pixma Pro-100: Our Top Pick
Based on personal long-term use and performance, the Canon Pixma Pro-100 is highly recommended as a top card stock printer. This printer has consistently delivered excellent results when printing on 110 lb card stock for both personal and business needs. Its design and features make it particularly well-suited for heavier media.
PROS:
- Handles 110 lb Card Stock: Reliably prints on 110 lb card stock, which is considered heavy card stock, without jamming or feeding issues. This is its primary strength as a card stock printer.
- Rear Paper Tray for Thick Media: Features a rear paper tray that allows for straight paper feeding. This is crucial for thick card stock as it minimizes bending and creasing during the printing process, leading to smoother, higher-quality prints.
- Borderless Printing: Supports borderless printing, which is ideal for creating professional-looking invitations, photos, and other projects where you want edge-to-edge printing.
- Versatile Paper Sizes: Accommodates a wide range of paper sizes, from small 5×7 cards up to large 13×19 inch prints, offering flexibility for various projects.
CONS:
- Large Footprint: It’s a large printer, requiring significant desk space. This might be a consideration for users with limited space.
- No Scanning or Copying: It is strictly a printer and does not include scanning or copying functionalities. If you need an all-in-one device, this might not be the ideal choice.
- Occasional 5×7 Feeding Issues: Can sometimes experience difficulty feeding 5×7 cards, requiring patience and occasional manual adjustments.
- Ink Cost: Original Canon ink cartridges can be expensive. However, as discussed later, there are cost-effective alternatives.
[amazon link to Canon Pixma Pro-100 if desired]
Canon Pixma Pro-100 printer product shot
HP OfficeJet 3830: A Budget-Friendly Alternative
The HP OfficeJet 3830 is mentioned as a potential alternative card stock printer, particularly for those seeking a more budget-friendly option. It is advertised to handle paper weights up to 145 lbs. However, it’s important to investigate further whether this capacity applies to standard-sized paper or only smaller sizes like 4×6 cards.
PROS: (Based on specifications – Unverified for heavy cardstock in personal experience)
- Potentially High Paper Weight Capacity: Claims to handle up to 145 lbs paper weight, which, if accurate for standard sizes, would make it suitable for very heavy card stock.
- More Affordable: Generally more budget-friendly compared to the Canon Pixma Pro-100.
- All-in-One Functionality: Typically includes scanning and copying features, offering more versatility than the Canon Pixma Pro-100.
CONS: (Based on limited information and lack of personal testing for heavy cardstock)
- Uncertain Heavy Card Stock Performance: Real-world performance with heavy card stock, especially 110 lb or heavier, is not personally verified and may be inconsistent. Further research and user reviews are recommended.
- Paper Path: Likely uses a curved paper path, which can be less ideal for feeding thick card stock compared to the straight paper path of the Canon Pixma Pro-100.
[amazon link to HP OfficeJet 3830 if desired]
2024 and Beyond: Updated Printer Options
It’s worth noting that printer models evolve, and the Canon Pixma Pro-100, while still excellent, might be considered an older model in 2024. While it remains a reliable card stock printer, exploring newer models is advisable when making a purchase decision. Manufacturers like Canon and Epson continuously release updated printers that may offer improved features and performance for card stock printing. Checking for updated lists and reviews of the best printers for heavy card stock in 2024 and beyond is recommended to ensure you’re considering the latest options.
Saving on Ink: Compatible Ink Options for Canon Pixma Pro-100
One common concern with high-quality inkjet printers like the Canon Pixma Pro-100 is the cost of ink. Original manufacturer ink cartridges can be expensive. However, there are compatible, or “knockoff,” ink options available that can significantly reduce printing costs without compromising print quality. Many users have reported success with compatible ink cartridges designed for the Canon Pixma Pro-100, finding them to be a cost-effective alternative to genuine Canon ink. Exploring reputable brands of compatible ink can make printing on card stock more economical, especially for frequent use.
The Importance of Paper Quality for Card Stock Printing
While choosing the right card stock printer is crucial, the quality of the card stock itself is equally important. Even with the best printer, using low-quality card stock can lead to disappointing print results. The texture, finish, and absorbency of the card stock all play a role in print quality. Investing in good quality card stock specifically designed for inkjet printing can make a significant difference in the final output, often even more so than the printer itself. Consider exploring different types of card stock to find the best match for your printer and project requirements.
Printing on Heavier Card Stock: 130 lb and Beyond
For projects requiring exceptionally heavy card stock, such as 130 lb or even heavier, printer compatibility becomes even more critical. While the Canon Pixma Pro-100 is excellent for 110 lb card stock, printing on 130 lb card stock might require a printer with even more robust media handling capabilities. The Canon Pixma Pro-200 has been suggested by users as a potential option for 130 lb card stock. While not personally tested, it’s worth investigating as a step up for very heavy media, especially if you are already satisfied with the Pro-100 series. Always check the printer specifications and user reviews to confirm compatibility before attempting to print on extremely heavy card stock.
Related Resources for Card Stock Printing
For further information and related topics on printing and card stock, you might find these articles helpful:
- [Link to “The Best Printer for Invitations” article if applicable]
- [Link to “Printing Invitations at Home” article if applicable]
- [Link to “Print Invitations Online” article if applicable]
- [Link to “Best Printer for Invitation Business” article if applicable]
Conclusion
Choosing the right card stock printer is essential for anyone who frequently prints on thicker paper. Understanding printer specifications, particularly “media weight supported,” is the first step. The Canon Pixma Pro-100 stands out as a highly recommended option for 110 lb card stock due to its reliable performance and features designed for heavy media. While the HP OfficeJet 3830 might be a more budget-friendly all-in-one, its heavy card stock performance requires further investigation. Remember to consider ink costs, explore compatible ink options, and prioritize good quality card stock for the best printing results. By carefully considering these factors, you can confidently select a card stock printer that meets your needs and ensures successful printing projects.
If you found this guide helpful, please leave a comment below! We’d love to hear about your experiences with card stock printers and any tips you might have. Let’s connect and share our creative journeys!
