Cardstock is sturdier and thicker than regular paper, making it perfect for creative projects like invitations, journals, art prints, and more. But you‘ll need a specialty printer that can handle heavier paperstock without jams or issues.
In this buyer‘s guide, we‘ll review the top-rated cardstock printers to help you find the right fit for your needs and budget.
What is Cardstock and Why Does Printer Choice Matter?
Cardstock refers to heavy paper or pasteboard that is thicker and more durable than conventional writing or printing paper. It comes in a wide range of weights, typically measured in pounds (lb) or grams per square meter (g/m2).
Here are some of the most common uses for cardstock:
- Invitations
- Postcards
- Business cards
- Greeting cards
- Brochures, flyers
- Stickers, labels
- Presentation folders
- Crafts projects
While standard inkjet printers may technically accept cardstock, trying to feed heavyweight paper through the machine can easily cause jams, creases, misfeeds and other headaches.
The key is to choose a printer engineered specifically to handle thicker paperstock. But with so many models on the market, how do you pick the right one?
Here are the most important factors to keep in mind:
Maximum Paper Weight – Printers list the cardstock capacity as a paper weight limit, usually ranging from 200 g/m2 on the low end to 350 g/m2 or heavier on premium models. The higher the number, the thicker the paper it can accommodate.
Print Quality – A printer designed for photograph printing will provide better visual detail and color accuracy on cardstock than a standard document office printer.
Feed System – Printers meant for cardstock often have an upright feed path or rear paper feed that improves reliability when dealing with heavy sheets.
Ink Costs – Along with upfront printer cost, factor long term ink expenses into your budget. Business inkjets tend to offer lower cost per page than consumer models.
Below we pick the top cardstock printers across four key categories to match both functionality needs and budget.
Best Overall: Canon PIXMA PRO-200
Paper Weight: Up to 380 g/m2 | Print Quality: Photo inkjet | Cost: $$
The PIXMA PRO-200 hits the sweet spot of exceptional print quality, low maintenance, and mid-range pricing. With an eight dye-based ink system, it produces rich colors and vibrant detail on cardstock media up to 380 g/m2 thick.
An automatic switchover to dedicated matt black ink prevents time-consuming cartridge swapping when moving between glossy and matte paper types. Conveniently, it can house up to 50 sheets of cardstock at once in the upright rear paper tray.
While primarily photo-focused, it has enough robustness to handle varied cardstock projects from business cards to scrapbook pages. The print head self-cleans and ink ejects automatically to prevent clogging. An integrated color LCD provides print status alerts and useful menu navigation.
If you want pro-grade output without spending thousands, the Canon PIXMA PRO-200 strikes an ideal balance for cardstock printing.
Pros
- Handles cardstock up to 380gsm
- Dedicated grey and photo black inks
- WiFi, Ethernet, USB connectivity
- 50 sheet rear upright cardstock feeder
Cons
- Lacks niceties like auto-duplexing
- Significant ink usage
Best High Volume: Epson SureColor P900
Paper Weight: Up to 360 g/m2 | Print Quality: Photo inkjet | Cost: $$$
Serious artists and photographers who print a lot of cardstock owe it to themselves to check out the 13 inch Epson SureColor P900. The wide format printer can churn through stacks of paper up to 1.5mm thick via a rear feed slot, while keeping the high standards Epson is known for.
It utilizes the company‘s own UltraChrome HD pigmented ink technology to create vibrant, archival-quality prints even on fine art media. An advanced auto nozzle check and cleaning system keeps the print head in peak condition.
You can fine tune images right on the printer‘s 4.3 inch touchscreen or by installing the Epson printing software suite on your computer. It‘s also one of the few printers on the market that supports roll paper, making it super versatile.
If you have the workspace for its larger footprint and matching price tag, the exceptional productivity and reliability of the SureColor P900 make it a workhorse for photo studios, design firms and artists alike.
Pros
- Accommodates rolls up to 17 inches wide
- UltraChrome HD pigment ink technology
- Robust paper handling up to 1.5mm thickness
- Built-in color calibrator
Cons
- Significant upfront cost
- Large footprint
- High ink consumption
Best Budget: Canon PIXMA TS9521C
Paper Weight: Up to 200 g/m2 | Print Quality: Photo inkjet | Cost: $
You don‘t necessarily need to spend big bucks to start experimenting with cardstock projects. The Canon PIXMA TS9521C offers surprising versatility at under $200.
It can handle media up to 200 g/m2 cardstock from its rear manual feed slot, which is enough for everyday use like greeting cards and invitations. Five individual ink tanks allow you to replace only the colors running low. And it can print directly from your smart device via Canon‘s well-regarded app.
Resolution reaches up to 4800 x 1200 dpi using a FINE print head and ChromaLife 100+ dye ink. An integrated scanner and copier turn the TS9521C into a true all-in-one. While it lacks the paper capacity and print engine robustness of our other picks, it allows crafters to affordably dip their toes into cardstock printing.
Pros
- Excellent value
- Rear manual cardstock feeder
- Scan/copy functionality
- Borderless photo printing
- Works with Canon PRINT app
Cons
- Maximum 200 gsm cardstock
- Small ink tanks
- Manual two-sided printing
Best Laser: HP LaserJet Enterprise M612dn
Paper Weight: Up to 300 g/m2 | Print Quality: Monochrome laser | Cost: $$$
Inkjets aren‘t your only option for printing on cardstock these days. The HP LaserJet Enterprise M612dn can reliably handle stocks up to 300 g/m2, which covers anything from business cards to report covers. It‘s faster and more cost-effective for high volume black-and-white jobs.
The printer is built around a 40ppm print engine designed for robustness. Automatic two-sided printing allows booklets and other documents with minimal user intervention. Integrated Ethernet and USB ports provide flexible connectivity.
Consumables like toner run about 3 cents per page, far less than inkjets. And since it uses HP‘s popular LaserJet toner systems, you can find competitively-priced replacements from various brands.
If your cardstock needs revolve mainly around simplex or duplex monochrome printing, the HP LaserJet Enterprise M612dn offers faster speeds and lower operating costs than inkjets.
Pros
- Cost-efficient mono laser printing
- Enterprise-level 40ppm engine
- Auto duplexing
- 300gsm cardstock handling
- Wide toner compatibility
Cons
- No scanning/copying capability
- Monochrome printing only
- Significant upfront cost
Cardstock Printer Buying Guide: How to Choose
Beyond the best picks above, there are a few key criteria to keep in mind while shopping around for a cardstock printer.
Intended Use
Start by considering what type of cardstock applications you‘ll be printing for most often. This determines weight support needs as well as desired features.
For multipurpose use like invitations along with some photo printing, a mid-range photo inkjet like the Canon PIXMA PRO-200 balances paper handling with excellent output quality.
However, serious artists and photo studios working extensively with fine art cardstock will require a wider color gamut and thicker stack support found in models like the Epson SureColor P900.
Those printing mainly documents and materials like menus may be better served by a monochrome laser printer with duplexing like the HP LaserJet Enterprise M612dn to keep ongoing toner costs in check while supporting cardstock weights up to 300 gsm.
There are also more niche cardstock printers on the market focused specifically on applications like CD/DVD printing, address labels, and beyond. So identify your typical projected workflow before starting your search.
Print Quality
One advantage of printer systems designed for photographs is they offer superior color depth, saturation, contrast and clarity. This really makes graphics, artwork and images pop when printed on cardstock.
Many feature additional tools like printer color profiles for further optimizing output onto different media types. And some high end photo printers have dedicated gray inks for enhanced monochrome printing capability as well.
Of course there is a tradeoff – while laser printers can‘t match the photo-centric quality of an advanced inkjet, their speeds and operating costs keep budgets in line for document-focused applications.
Paper Path & Capacity
Printers engineered for cardstock often accommodate thicker stacks and use straighter paper paths to avoid jams and misfeeds. This translates into two key areas on spec sheets:
Paper Weight – Consumer grade photo printers typically support cardstock weights between 200 gsm on the lighter end up to 300 gsm and higher for professional models. Specialty cardstock printers may handle paper up to 400 gsm or heavier.
Input Capacity – Check not just max paper weight but input tray capacity as heavier cardstock stacks take up more space. Preferably you want 50+ sheets input ability.
Additionally, features like rear paper feeds, manual feed slots, and upright stock paths improve reliability when dealing with thick, rigid media.
Connectivity & Convenience
Consider your complete workflow when evaluating optional connectivity methods. Most printersaimed at creative applications offer not just USB, but built-in Ethernet and WiFi to send print jobs wirelessly.
Wireless networking enables printing directly from phones and tablets – super convenient for testing layouts with mobile apps. This allows checking pieces like invitations for proper fit without having to walk back and forth to the desktop.
Hybrid inkjet/scanner models can pull double duty for scanning completed cardstock projects and converting them to digital copies. Auto-duplexing simplifies creating booklets and other two-sided documents.
And don‘t forget to check ink or toner costs! Entry level consumer models tend to be more expensive per page. Business-class inkjets and mono lasers offer lower cost per print over the long run.
Personalization Software
Especially when dealing with specialty stationery pieces, having design and editing tools built-in or available for download should be on your checklist.
Capabilities like templates, custom layouts, image editing and manipulating/filling graphics allow you to achieve exactly the personalized vision you want without having to master third-party software first.
FAQs About Printing on Cardstock
What weight cardstock can I use in my home printer?
Many affordable home photo inkjets from leading brands like HP, Canon and Epson can handle cardstock between 200-300gsm reliably. Some office class inkjets and laser printers also accommodate lighter paperboard stocks. Always check your printer‘s specs before attempting use.
How can I prevent cardstock from jamming?
Using a printer specifically designed for thicker paperstock is essential. Features like rear feeds, vertical pass throughs and integrated cardstock trays all help avoid the twists and bends that cause jams. When possible, use the printer‘s manual feed slot. And don‘t overload the input tray.
Is cardstock safe for all printers?
Not all printers can handle thicker paperboard media without issues. Always check the supported stock weight ratings in your printer manual to avoid jams or damage. Forcing stiff, heavy cardstock through an incompatible printer is likely to cause problems over time.
What are best printing practices for cardstock?
When printing on cardstock, make sure you:
- Use the manual feed slot if available and feed sheets one at a time.
- Enable thicker paper presets matching the cardstock weight if possible.
- Select paper type settings like "Cardstock" or "Heavyweight Matte" to optimize ink drying.
- Limit input tray capacity to 10-20 sheets to reduce misfeeds.
Following these simple guidelines produces the best possible results on specialty media while reducing maintenance headaches.
Final Recommendations
As this buyer‘s guide illustrates, you have many high quality printers to choose from specializing in cardstock and heavy paperboard media.
For flawless professional photographs, the Epson SureColor P900 delivers exceptional color depth, customization and thick stock support exceeding 350gsm.
Canon dominates the multipurpose category with the PIXMA PRO-200 providing the best mix of photo printing prowess and everyday reliability if cardstock sheets aren‘t your sole workload.
On a tight budget, the Canon PIXMA TS9521C punches above its weight handling cardstock up to 200gsm at a very wallet-friendly price point.
And mono laser printers like the HP LaserJet Enterprise M612dn offer unmatched speeds and efficiency when cardstock use revolves around documents more than graphics.
We hope this detailed look at the top-rated printers for cardstock gives you the knowledge to pick the perfect model matching your creative passion projects!
