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If you’re a digital artist or designer, the quality of your work depends on the quality of your printing. Not all printers will accept card stock, with so many options available. So, how do you know which printer will be best suitable? You’ll need to be selective when picking the best printer for your needs. You’ll want a printer with accurate color accuracy and one with the ability to print on a variety of paperweights.
You’ll also want to consider the ink options and the overall cost of operating the printer. Also, there are other minor details to consider, such as overall print yield and print speed. We’ve thoroughly researched the best cardstock printer and found that Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 is the best overall printer for printing on cardstock. This article will also examine other top printers for printing on cardstock.
Review Of The Best Printer for Printing on Cardstock
1. Best Overall Cardstock Printer – Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000
Key Features:
- Professional Photo Quality
- 13″ Wide Format Printing
- Automatic Two-Sided Printing
- Custom, Borderless Printing
- Wireless and Wired connectivity
The Epson Expression HD XP-15000 is among the best cardstock printers available, with the ability to print pages up to 13″ wide. This Epson printer has excellent image quality, making it ideal for printing vibrant colors. So, if you’re searching for a cardstock printer with vibrant colors, the XP-15000 is an excellent choice for both artists and crafters.
The Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 is perfect for wide-format and premium photo paper. This printer is also compact for a wide-format printer. This Epson printer’s main disadvantage is its high operating costs.
Pros:
- Good for wide format prints
- Excellent color quality with six cartridges
- Compact and lightweight
Cons:
- High operating costs
2. Best Budget-Friendly Cardstock Printer – Canon TSC9521C
Key Features:
- 5-Color Individual Ink System
- Versatile Paper Support
- Simple, Intuitive Interface
- Wireless Connectivity
When choosing the best value card stock printer, the Canon TSC9521C is the best option. This printer has a surprisingly low price point and five individual inks. This printer has built-in patterns for scrapbooking and cards, making it one of the best printers available for crafts.
Furthermore, the SD card slot, 4″ touchscreen, and several easily accessible printing apps make this printer extremely user-friendly. The Canon TSC9521C can print on borderless 12″ x 12″ prints, making it a great choice for card stock printing.
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Accurate and vivid color prints
- Highly user-friendly
- Good for printing on heavier page weights
Cons:
- A tad bulky
3. Best Compact Cardstock Printer – Canon PIXMA-PRO 200
Key Features
- Borderless A3+ printing.
- High-speed printing.
- 8-colour dye-based ink system
- 3-inch LCD.
- Compact, lightweight frame.
- Wireless & Ethernet connectivity.
The Canon PIXMA-PRO 200 is up next on our list. In terms of print quality, this printer is among the best, and it can print on heavier paperweights very well. It’s a good choice for people looking for the best cardstock printer in terms of professional quality and affordability.
Although this printer is slower than some of the other options on our list, it is difficult to find such a high-quality printer in this price range. With low operating costs and the ability to print 13″ x 39″ high-quality prints, this printer is excellent for those looking for an affordable, high-quality card stock printer.
Pros:
- Excellent print quality
- Great for grayscale and heavier paperweights
- Good for wide format prints
- Affordable operating costs
Cons:
- Slower than other top printers
- Does not support roll media
4. Best Wireless Cardstock Printer – Canon Pixma iX6820 Printer
Key Features:
- Up to 13 x 19″ Print Size
- Wi-Fi Connectivity
- 5-Color Ink System
- Auto Power On & Off Settings
- Ethernet Port
The Canon Pixma iX6820 printer is ideal for cardstock printing and is also suitable for working with photos, crafts, and artwork. Whereas most printers with vibrant colors require a lot of maintenance or are expensive to buy, the iX6820 is both inexpensive to purchase and to maintain. This cardstock printer is an excellent choice because it supports wireless and wired connections. This printer can print 13″ x 19″ images, making it both capable and versatile.
However, one disadvantage is that this printer has a slow printing speed of under three pages per minute. Furthermore, the iX6820 lacks a scanner for copying or scanning. Aside from these considerations, the Canon Pixma iX6820 is among the best cardstock printers available in terms of price and image quality.
Pros:
- Great image quality
- Has a 5-cartridge ink system
- Affordable price point
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with a scanner
5. Best Multifunctional Cardstock Printer – Brother Wireless All-in-One Inkjet Printer
Key Features:
- All-in-one printer
- 1.8″ Color LCD
- 100-Sheet Input Tray & 20-Sheet ADF
- USB 2.0 and Wi-Fi Connectivity
- Mobile Printing Support
The image quality and print speed of this all-in-one printer are both impressive. The Brother Wireless printer is also a pleasure to use because it is both functional and compact. This printer can copy, scan, and fax prints, making it ideal for small workspaces and offices. The Brother wireless inkjet printer guarantees crisp image quality and vivid colors on cardstock at an affordable price and value for money.
It’s also worth noting that this printer has cloud connectivity so that you can print and backup images on cloud storage. This printing does an excellent job of printing on cardstock. It should be noted that this printer has high running costs, so it might not be suitable for businesses with small budgets.
Pros:
- Impressive image quality
- Affordable price
- Comes with double-sided printing and wireless capability
- Borderless printing capability
Cons:
- No support for flash drives
- High running costs
Things to Consider Before Buying a Cardstock Printer
Paper Weight
Paper weight is typically measured in two units: pounds (LBS) and grams per square meter (GSM). Paper weight influences the opacity and overall quality of the paper used. Art prints and cardstock typically use a medium to heavy GSM paper.
Paper Sizes
Opt for printers that can handle A3 paper sizes if you want versatility since it is typically what you will need. However, there are wide-format printers that can handle A2 paper. To put things in perspective, standard A4 paper measures roughly 8 by 12 inches, while an A2 paper measures approximately 17 by 23 inches. So, if you’re working on larger-scale projects, it would be best to get a wide format printer.
Color Accuracy
Color accuracy is another important factor to consider when choosing a printer. In terms of color accuracy, inkjet printers are better than laser printers. Inkjet printers are the best option if you’re serious about delivering quality prints. However, you might need to compromise a little on speed and quantity.
When shopping for an inkjet printer, take into account that a printer with more than three cartridges is essential for high-quality imaging. Furthermore, most high-end printers include advanced ink chips that guarantee accurate color prints.
Quantity and Type of Ink Used
Ink toners are used in laser printers, whereas ink tanks/ink cartridges are used in inkjet printers. In either case, you’ll want a larger-capacity printer. Smaller, less expensive printers may cost you more than you intend in the long run.
While pigment-based inks are generally less expensive and often come with multiple ink cartridges, they are more likely to bleed more color and fade over time. So, if you’re looking to buy an inkjet printer, we advise a dye-based ink printer. Even though it may appear insignificant, the type of ink you use can significantly impact the overall print quality.
Price
Even if you’re working with a tight budget, buying a cheap, low-quality printer could cost you more money in the long term. Additionally, a low-quality printer may be difficult to service, resulting in splashing more money on another printer.
Even though getting the best deal is great, you should also look at other features. For instance, most mid-range printers have replaceable print heads. These are simple to clean and easy to replace in the long run. We recommend choosing a printer with multiple cartridges and, preferably, replaceable print heads.
Media Compatibility
When shopping for a cardstock printer, you need to consider the printer’s media compatibility. The printer’s specs tell you what kinds of paper it can work with. There are several cardstock finishes to choose from. You want to ensure that your printer can handle it without bleeding or smudging to achieve high-quality printing. Additionally, ensure that the connections are correctly made, with USB 2.0 and other connection options available.
Specialty Feeds
Some of the best cardstock printers have specialty feeds designed to process heavier and thicker paper. If you frequently print on cardstock, you should opt for a printer with this feature. Also, consider how the feed works. Some rear feed printers require you to input one paper sheet at a time manually. While other printers might have a tray that automatically processes multiple sheets.
Conclusion
Finding the best printer for printing on cardstock can be difficult. You may require card stock printers for crafts, artwork, or perhaps even greeting cards. But, no matter what you use it for, you would still want the best printing quality possible, and the printers listed in this review offer that. Here is our final verdict on the best printers for printing on cardstock:
- Best Overall Printer for Printing on Cardstock: Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000
- Best Budget-Friendly Printer for Printing on Cardstock: Canon TSC9521C
- Best Multifunctional Printer for Printing on Cardstock: Brother Wireless All-in-One Inkjet Printer
Frequently Asked Questions
Most inkjet printers are capable of printing on cardstock; however, you must ensure that the cardstock is compatible with the printer you’re considering. Moreover, m Most home printers are capable of printing on light cardstock, such as greeting cards, presentation paper, and thick photo paper. If you plan on printing on thicker cardstock, you’ll have to be pickier about which printer you purchase.
The best cardstock printers can handle at least 60 pounds of weighted paper or more. Cardstock printers must be capable of handling heavier and thicker paper other than the standard 8 x 11″ letter paper. It is important to consider your printing requirements as well as the number of pages per minute the printer can produce.
Some regular printers can print on lightweight cardstock. These are cardstock within the 60 – 80 pounds weight range. If you use media that is thicker than what’s recommended for the printer, the machine will most likely jam. Furthermore, regular printers will struggle with special cardstock textures and finishes.
Yes, you can print on cardstock with an inkjet printer. Some of the best models on the market can produce photo-quality prints. For the best results, verify the printer is great for printing on thicker and heavier materials. Also, ensure that it uses ink that will quickly absorb into a variety of finishes without bleeding or smudging.
