Canon Pixma Pro-100 Inkjet printer
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Best Cardstock Printer Reviews 2022

Introduction

Today I’d like to talk to you about cardstock printing, which is becoming increasingly popular in recent years and is a fantastic method for any artist or crafter to broaden their palette, stretch their imagination, and create some stunning, high-quality products. Let’s take a look at the best cardstock printer available.

Cardstock is a type of paper that is thicker and heavier than regular printing paper. It has a million uses for artists, crafters, DIYers, and anyone else who is creative, and you can make some very wonderful and useful items by printing on them.

The only issue is that most printers aren’t intended to work with cardstock paper. If you try to print cardstock on a regular printer, you’ll get a lot of frustrating printer jams and messy ink smears in the best case, and in the worst case, you’ll quickly wear out your printer rollers and other parts, and the printer will stop feeding any kind of paper, break down, or fail in other ways.

Printers that can print on cardstock are also great for making invitations, and greeting cards, and turning your digital art and drawings into professional-looking tangible art pieces.

Cardstock is too thick or stiff for many home printers to handle, and it can jam or simply not fit through the rollers. As a result, I’ve compiled a list of the finest printers for cardstock that can handle thick paper printing after hours of research and actual experience.

Best Cardstock Printer of 2023

HP OfficeJet Pro 9015
  • Automatic dual-sided paper feed
Canon Pixma iX6820 Printer for Cardstock
  •  Printshop quality 9600 x 2400 dpi color resolution
Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 Printer for Cardstock
  • Dedicated feeding tray for specialty media
Canon Pixma Pro-100 Printer for Cardstock
  • Dedicated manual feed for heavier media
Epson Artisan 1430 Printer for Cardstock
  • Incredible 5760 x 1440 dpi resolution
HP LaserJet Pro M29w Monochrome Cardstock Printer
  • High-speed printing at 19 ppm
Brother MFC-J895DW Printer for Cardstock
  • Intuitive tilt-out touchscreen
Epson SureColor P600 Inkjet Printer for Cardstock
  • Use roll paper up to 129” long

HP OfficeJet Pro 9015

With its impressive paper-handling capabilities, the OfficeJet Pro 9015 redefines the term “all-in-one.” It’s the greatest printer for printing on 110 lb cardstock, which is the thickest paper most consumer all-in-one printers can handle. Four separate ink cartridges produce brilliant colors at a high 4800 x 1200 optimized dpi color resolution.

It also absorbs ink well in a variety of finishes, including very glossy ones. The machine’s dual-pass, two-sided automatic document feeder makes printing brochures, folding cards, and other media that require double-sided printing simple.

HP has created a smart system for connecting, printing, and organizing information. You can use the machine and its mobile app to access cloud storage such as Dropbox and Google Drive. This feature is very handy for folks who have a lot of different files in a lot of different places because it makes printing easier. There’s also a big input tray that can store up to 250 sheets of paper.

Another choice is the finest big format printer, which comes with two 250-sheet high-capacity paper feeding trays as well as a specialist media input tray in the back. If you use a Chromebook, you’ll need a printer that works with it. For more information on the best printer for Chromebooks, see our guide.

Pros

  • Automatic dual-sided paper feed
  •  High ink absorption on all kinds of finishes
  •  Intuitive smart controls

Cons

  • Only one paper tray

Canon Pixma iX6820 Printer for Cardstock

The Pixma iX6820’s sophisticated FINE print head system and extensive paper compatibility make producing high-resolution, colorful cardstock prints simple.

The printer employs a total of 4,096 nozzles to apply five different ink cartridges. Two of the cartridges are black ink cartridges with different types of black ink for even cleaner lines and richer shading.

Most importantly, it appears to be designed for printing on cardstock, as it has a rear document feed that can handle heavier paper. You can use regular sheets, business cards, and even watercolor papers to print on.

It can also process bespoke sizes up to 13 x 19″ and print borderless, which is fantastic. Furthermore, Canon provides access to a wide library of templates that will assist you in quickly printing popular paper goods.

It also has with built-in creative software that allows you to design your materials before they’re printed. It’s also critical to invest in the best printer paper available for high-quality printing.

Pros

  • Long-lasting ink system
  •  Printshop quality 9600 x 2400 dpi color resolution
  •  Access to a library of templates and creative software

Cons

  • No scanner or copier

Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 Printer for Cardstock

You may print on thick paper in a wide format with the Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000, which has a color resolution of 5760 x 1440 optimum dpi. The printer uses a six-color ink system to print precise lines and detail on cardstock paper without smudging or streaking.

Higher-volume paper printing is significantly easier and more efficient with the rear 50-sheet specialized media tray than manually feeding heavier media one at a time. That feed can handle paper thicknesses of up to 23 ml and card weights of up to 140 lb.

With the capacity to print borderless from 4 x 6″ to 13 x 19″, it also gives you a lot of size flexibility. If you’re a student, you’ll want to choose the finest printer for students, one that allows you to manage printing functions easily and keeps track of ink levels.

Pros

  • Dedicated feeding tray for specialty media
  •  Print on cardstock up to 23 ml thick
  •  Claria Photo HD six-ink system

Cons

  • Manual double-sided printing on cardstock

Canon Pixma Pro-100 Printer for Cardstock

Photo prints aren’t limited to photo paper. The Canon Pixma Pro-100 printer is capable of printing highly detailed photos on cardstock and up to 13 x 19″ paper. The machine’s back paper feed is designed to handle thicker paper with a variety of textures and finishes.

With an innovative eight-cartridge ink system that is applied through 6,144 nozzles, this color printer achieves remarkable depth and gradients. Three of those cartridges are grayscale-only, allowing you to print cleaner lines, richer shading, and stunning monochrome images.

The printhead technology of the machine uses an Optimum Image Generating System, which analyses what you’re printing and applies the optimal ink combination to generate true-to-life colors. Check out the most ink-efficient printer, which includes an Ink Save Mode for rationing your ink usage as well as automated duplex printing.

Pros

  • Dedicated manual feed for heavier media
  •  High-res 4800 x 2400 dpi color
  •  Fantastic grayscale printing

Cons

  • No LCD screen

Epson Artisan 1430 Printer for Cardstock

If you’re a designer or artist, this is the printer for you. It can print your work in a variety of sizes, textures, and weights. Cardstock, fine art paper, thick photo paper, and other materials are handled by the unique rear feed tray. It can also be printed on CDs and DVDs. It can handle around 60 distinct media kinds in total.

Its sophisticated inkjet system produces beautiful prints with smooth gradients, precise lines, and exquisite detail, regardless of the material you choose. Epson’s Claria ink has excellent absorption on all types of paper. The ink dries quickly and is resistant to smudges, fading, and even water. It can also print borderless on huge formats up to 13 inches wide. Of course, you’ll need the best printer ink on the market to achieve unsurpassed quality.

Pros

  • Incredible 5760 x 1440 dpi resolution
  •  Borderless wide format printing
  •  Rear feed tray for specialty media

Cons

  • Cartridge yields can be low

HP LaserJet Pro M29w Monochrome Cardstock Printer

It is true that it is the lightest and smallest printer on this list, weighing just over ten pounds. Add to that its numerous features, like one-click copying, color scanning, Wi-Fi Direct support, and Amazon Alexa integration. It’s a great printer for home use, as well as DIYers and YouTubers that just print once in a while.

HP has devoted all of its resources to improving print quality. When you compare it to the Brother model above, you can plainly see the difference in print quality. The M29w does take a little longer to print, but it can still print at a rate of up to 19 pages per minute.

Despite its lightweight (in comparison to the previous two models on this list), this printer can nonetheless handle thick envelopes, business cards, and posters.

Use your Wi-Fi connection to print or send PDFs via mobile. If you don’t have access to the internet, you could try Wi-Fi Direct. Its flexibility to get requests from a multitude of sources makes it an excellent choice for vloggers and businesspeople on the go.

However, there are numerous serious flaws with this printer for cardstock and envelopes. There is no color printing or faxing (which isn’t really a flaw if you think about it), no Ethernet networking, no print through USB, and no dual-side printing.

You’ll have to change the sheet manually for that. These aren’t deal breakers, but when it comes to size, speed, and convenience, this tiny youngster is the best option.

Pros

  • Supports one-touch copying and color scanning
  • High-speed printing at 19 ppm
  • Wireless connectivity
  • Compact build and easy to use

Cons

  • No Ethernet networking
  • No color printing or faxing

Brother MFC-J895DW Printer for Cardstock

For all of its versatile and modern features, this Brother printer is an excellent value, with the extra bonus of a dedicated bypass tray for cardstock. With good visual quality and borderless printing, you may simply print on thicker material for presentations, mailings, and business cards.

Starting with its straightforward and handy 2.3″ color touchscreen that tilts out for convenient access, the machine makes your process a breeze. You may easily access your Google Drive, Dropbox, and other cloud services from that interface. It also features all of the smart connectivity you could want, including the ability to connect directly from your favorite gadgets.

Compare that to the finest laser printer, which offers dependable dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, as well as handy control and administration features via the HP Smart App.

Pros

  • Intuitive tilt-out touchscreen
  •  Bypass tray for cardstock printing
  •  Smart ink monitoring

Cons

  • The Paper tray capacity is small
  •  Print speed can be slow

Epson SureColor P600 Inkjet Printer for Cardstock

The Epson SureColor P600 is a high-quality photo printer that can print prints up to 13 x 19″ pre-cut and 13 x 129″ on roll paper in print shop quality. As a result, it can handle a wide range of paper textures and weights, with a special back feed for cardstock, canvas, fine art paper, heavy picture paper, labels, and more. It’s unquestionably one of the best printers for heavy cardstock.

Deep, brilliant colors and delightfully smooth gradients are achieved by its Advanced Micro Piezo AMC print head. It’s also highly absorbent and long-lasting, making it ideal for cardstock. In reality, there are two black ink cartridges included, one for matte textures and the other for photographs.

On cardstock prints, you’ll be able to get excellent blacks and precise lines. The ink is also resistant to fading. If you want a wireless printer, check out the best wireless printer, which has the most connection options, exceptional performance, and print quality.

Pros

  • Use roll paper up to 129” long
  •  Advanced Micro Piezo printhead with nine cartridges
  •  Dedicated rear feed for heavy specialty media

Cons

  • Can respond slowly to print requests

What is a Cardstock Printer?

The first thing to understand is that a cardstock printer is nothing more than an ordinary printer that has been specially engineered to handle not only conventional paper but also thicker, a heavier paper that would jam and ruin other machines.

So, if you’re looking for a “cardstock printer,” you’re really looking for a printer that includes everything an artist or crafter would want in a daily printer. You’ll also want to be sure it can print on heavier cardstock.

What Exactly is Cardstock Paper?

Cardstock paper, which is commonly used for business cards, invitations, and even packaging, is simply heavier (and thicker) paper.

The usual weight of cardstock paper in arts and crafts is roughly 110-120 GSM (grams per square meter), but it may be a bit thinner than you think, and having the ability to run much heavier card stock through is certainly handy.

As a result, every printer I propose has a maximum paper weight of up to 300 GSM – a good, heavy cardstock that’s ideal for creating stunning art prints and a variety of craft projects!

What is a Cardstock Printer Good For?

I probably don’t need to tell you all of the fantastic things you can do with a printer that can print on cardstock – after all, if you’re artistic and creative, and you’re here anyway, you probably already have tonnes of ideas, or at least one or two great ones – but perhaps we can talk more broadly about why getting a good cardstock printer is a good idea.

For any of the following reasons, you should acquire the best printer for printing on cardstock:

  • You wish to use card stock to print cards or promotional materials.
  • You’d like to print artwork or crafts on card stock.
  • In your arts and crafts, you employ a variety of materials.
  • When an idea or inspiration comes, you don’t want to be restricted.
  • You’re going to buy a new printer anyway.

I’m sorry, but I just can’t help myself! Despite the fact that I just mentioned you probably already have a lot of ideas about why you want a cardstock printer and what you’ll do with it, I can’t help but think of a few creative ideas and projects you could do if you have a nice printer for printing onto heavier paper:

  • Business cards and promotional materials
  • Limited or deluxe editions of artwork
  • Special packaging for presents or customer packages
  • Toys and puzzles
  • Holiday ornaments and cards
  • Household decorations, centerpieces, flowers
  • Photo or art albums
  • Beautiful photo prints for display
  • Wonderful bindings for special books or journals

What to Look For in a Cardstock Printer

The finest printers for printing on thick cardstock all have a few things in common: they’re almost all inkjets with a lot of individual inks for color accuracy; they can print on a variety of paper sizes and types; and they’re high-end goods that produce professional-looking prints.

Laser Vs Inkjet Printer?

You might not know what type of printer to use if you don’t know how to print on cardstock. Most laser printers aren’t built to handle thick paper or cardstock.

As a result, your choices for the best paper laser printer are restricted. When printing on thicker paper, I always recommend inkjet printers.

Some high-end laser printers are capable of printing on cardstock. However, these are generally more expensive and are best suited to large businesses.

Connectivity

Check out how simple it is to connect your devices and print documents. Most printers have USB ports that you can use to connect your laptop.

However, WiFi connectivity is a fantastic feature. It enables you to print from any location within your home. You don’t have to stand right next to your printer to use it. If you can print from your phone, that’s even better!

Image Resolution & Quality

The quality of your photographs will be your top focus. So you need a printer with a high resolution and the ability to produce clean, sharp prints.

Printing Speed

The printing speed of a printer is an important element to research before purchasing. If you need to print big amounts of pages, it’s essential.

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, on the other hand, can be exasperatingly slow.

However, if you simply print a few pages or use this printer on a regular basis, this may not be an issue.

Ink Configuration

The number of ink cartridges in the printer is referred to as the ink configuration. You might believe that the more ink cartridges you have, the more money you’ll have to spend on replacements.

However, purchasing a printer with many cartridges (5+) may be more cost-effective! This is because you should only need to replace one ink cartridge at a time. You’ll run out of cartridges faster than if you only have two.

Size

Don’t forget to look at the printer’s dimensions. While some current printers are small, this is not the case for all models. You’d be surprised at the size of some printers!

You might not have a lot of space if you’re buying a printer for your home office.

If feasible, take measurements of the space where your printer will be installed and compare them to the specifications. Then you can eliminate any printers that are excessively huge.

Specialty Feeds

Specialty feeders optimized for processing thicker and heavier paper are available on some of the top printers for cardstock printing. If you plan on doing a lot of printing on cardstock, you’ll want to hunt for a printer with this capability. Also, think about how that feed functions. Some rear feeds need manually entering paper one sheet at a time. Others may feature a tray that automatically processes many sheets.

Conclusion

So there you have it: my current list of the finest printers for paper.

There are a variety of printers available, ranging from simple printers to specialty printers for art projects.

It’s not always clear whether a printer is capable of printing on cardstock. So, I’ve already done the legwork for you! You may rest assured that each of these models checks all of the necessary boxes.

Once you’ve selected the printer you like, click through to learn more and get a quote!

If you have any questions or comments, please leave them in the comments section below.

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