Artists, crafters, and creatives who plan to print greeting cards, wedding invitations, postcards, display cards, and other stationery on their preferred cardstock frequently and in smaller batches will enjoy printing on a cardstock printer at home or in the studio.
Printing greeting cards by yourself, as opposed to an online or local printer, also gives you greater flexibility. It may also be cheaper based on my calculations comparing the cost of materials.
But getting the right cardstock printer is not easy! It is frustrating and sometimes even confusing because the manufacturers don’t specifically say what type of thick paper the printers support.
To save you hours of research, in this article, you will discover what I think are the best printers for cardstock printing, based on my research, tests, and what I’ve heard from my artist friends. You will also understand what the 110lb, 300gsm, 13mil, and 0.3mm mean and how it differs for different paper types. So keep on reading!
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Top 4 Printers for Cardstock Printing Compared
This is a quick comparison of my favorite printers that print cardstock. There are more picks in the overview below, such as eco-friendly and laser printer picks.
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My Pick
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Budget Pick
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All-in-one Pick
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Art Studio Pick
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Description: For artists and crafters who want the best price-value experience |
Description: For artists and crafters on a budget |
Description: All-in-one Printer, Scanner, and Copier for scrapbooking and card prints |
Description: For artists and studios with a steady business selling art prints and greeting cards. The 13″ model is SureColor P700. |
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Colors:
8-color dye-based ink system
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Colors:
6-color dye-based ink system
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Colors:
4-color pigment-based ink system
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Colors:
10-color pigment-based ink system
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Max paper thickness:
Rear feed: 11.8mil (0.3mm) = ±110lb / 300gsm Cover cardstock
Manual feed: 23.6mil (0.6mm) = ±140lb / 385gsm Cover cardstock |
Max paper thickness:
Rear feed: 23mil (0.6mm) = ±140lb / 385gsm Cover cardstock (manual feed)
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Max paper thickness:
Bottom feed tray: 90lb - 110lb / 250 - 300gsm Cover cardstock
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Max paper thickness:
Rear feed: 11mil (0.3mm) = ±110lb / 300gsm Cover cardstock
Front manual feed: 60mil (1.5mm) 😮 |
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Paper sizes:
3.5″×5″ to 13″×19″ / A3+ (user definable length)
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Paper sizes:
4″×6″ to 13″×19″ / A3+ (user definable length)
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Paper sizes:
3.5″×5″ to 8.5″×11″ / A4
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Paper sizes:
3.5″×5″ to 17″×22″ / A2+ (user definable length + roll paper adapter allows for panoramic prints)
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Borderless printing:
3.5″×5″ to 13″×19″ / A3+
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Borderless printing:
4″×6″ to 13″×19″ / A3+
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Borderless printing:
On photo paper only, up to 8.5″×11″ / A4
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Borderless printing:
3.5″×5″ to 17″×22″ / A2+
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Paper input capacity:
Depending on paper type ±50 sheets plain; ±20 sheets thick; 1 canvas
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Paper input capacity:
Depending on paper type ±50 sheets plain; ±20 sheets thick; 1 canvas
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Paper input capacity:
Depending on paper type ±250 sheets plain; ±50 sheets thick
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Paper input capacity:
Depending on paper type ±120 sheets plain; ±30 sheets thick; 1 canvas
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For artists and crafters who want the best price-value experience
Manual feed: 23.6mil (0.6mm) = ±140lb / 385gsm Cover cardstock
For artists and crafters on a budget
All-in-one Printer, Scanner, and Copier for scrapbooking and card prints
For artists and studios with a steady business selling art prints and greeting cards. The 13″ model is SureColor P700.
Front manual feed: 60mil (1.5mm) 😮
Table of Contents
- Overview: 7 Best Printers for Cardstock Printing
- Get Paper Cutter and Scoring Board, too
- Main Criteria for Choosing a Cardstock Printer
- FAQs about Cardstock Printers
- Conclusion
- Sources
Overview: 7 Best Printers for Cardstock Printing
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My Pick: Canon Pixma PRO-200
My Pick for Art Prints, Canvas, Cardstock, Stickers, Vinyl and Transfer paper
8-color dye-based ink system :: 4800×2400 DPI :: Borderless prints up to 13″×19″ (A3+) :: Max paper thickness: rear feed 11.8mil (0.3mm); manual feed 23.6mil (0.6mm) :: Late 2020 model :: Wireless & AirPrint
Why it’s my pick – Canon Pixma PRO-200 is my pick for the best cardstock printer because it reproduces colors very accurately and can batch-print on thicker paper and cardstock up to Cover 110lb / 300gsm!
Pros & Cons of Canon Pixma PRO-200 as a Cardstock Printer
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ➕Amazing price-value experience | ➖Size and weight |
| ➕Supports Cover cardstock | ➖Inks cost |
| ➕8-color highest quality dye-based ink system | |
| ➕Vibrant and highly accurate colors | |
| ➕Batch-printing on Cover cardstock | |
| ➕Borderless prints |
Canon Pixma PRO-200 Specifications
- Printer type: 13″ Color Inkjet Printer
- Maximum paper thickness:
- Rear feed 11.8mil (0.3mm) = Cover ±100lb – 110lb (270gsm – 300gsm)
- Manual feed 23.6mil (0.6mm) = Cover above 150lb (385gsm) makes it a heavy cardstock printer
- Colors and ink system: 8-color dye-based ink system
- Ink cartridges cost: ±$100 for an 8-color pack or ±$14 for a single cartridge (each 12.6ml)
- Supported paper sizes: From 3.5″×5″ to 13″×19″ / A3+ (user definable length)
- Borderless printing: From 3.5″×5″ to 13″×19″ / A3+
- Duplex printing: Manual only
- Supported paper types: Plain, matte, gloss, stickers, vinyl, transfer paper, fine art paper, canvas
- Paper input capacity: Depending on paper type, ±50 sheets plain; ±20 sheets thick; 1 canvas
- Printing speed: A3+ photo print in color: ±1min 30s
- Resolution: 4800 x 2400 DPI
- Connectivity: USB, Wireless, AirPrint, Ethernet
- Release date: Late 2020
- Dimensions:
- Closed 26″ x 16” x 8” (65 x 40 x 20 cm)
- Open 26″ x 34” x 16” (65 x 85 x 40 cm)
- Weight: 32 lb (15 kg)
Canon Pixma PRO-200 is the successor of, among artists and crafters, the beloved Pixma PRO-100 model.
It uses all the newest technology, which means it’s a vast improvement in art prints and glossy prints (e.g., photographs and stickers). The 8-color dye-based ink system ensures that the colors are reproduced accurately, and your artworks come out beautifully.
These improvements also translate to cardstock printing. Canon Pixma PRO-200 can easily handle many thick paper and cardstock types making it my pick for the best cardstock printer.
Budget Pick: Epson Expression Photo XP-15000
Budget Pick for Art Prints, Cardstock, Canvas, Stickers, Vinyl, and Transfer paper
6-color dye-based ink system :: 5760×1450 DPI :: Borderless prints up to 13″×19″ (A3+) :: Max paper thickness: rear feed 23mil (0.6mm) manually :: Late 2017 model :: Wireless & AirPrint
Why I like it: For a fairly inexpensive printer, it can reproduce colors quite accurately and handles cardstock up to Cover 140lb / 385gsm when fed manually.
Pros & Cons of Epson Expression Photo XP-15000 as a Cardstock Printer
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ➕Price | ➖Relatively slow printing |
| ➕Supports thick cardstock | ➖Requires some “trial & error” depending on the cardstock type |
| ➕Amazing print quality | ➖6-color dye-based inks |
| ➕Vibrant and accurate colors | |
| ➕Batch-printing on Cover cardstock | |
| ➕Borderless prints | |
| ➕Size |
Epson Expression Photo XP-15000 Specifications
- Printer type: 13″ Color Inkjet Printer
- Maximum paper thickness:
- Rear feed: 23mil (0.6mm) = ±140lb / 385gsm Cover cardstock (manually) makes it a heavy cardstock printer
- Colors and ink system: 6-color dye-based ink system
- Ink cartridges cost: ±$20 for a single cartridge (each ±45ml)
- Supported paper sizes: 4″×6″ to 13″×19″ / A3+ (user definable length)
- Borderless printing: From 4″×6″ to 13″×19″ / A3+
- Duplex printing: Automatic on plain paper; Manual on other paper types incl., cardstock
- Supported paper types: Plain, matte, gloss, stickers, vinyl, transfer paper
- Paper input capacity: Depending on paper type ±50 sheets plain; ±20 sheets thick; 1 canvas
- Printing speed: Color A3 HD print – ±6min
- Resolution: 5760 x 1440 DPI
- Connectivity: USB, Wireless, AirPrint, Ethernet
- Release date: Late 2017
- Dimensions:
- Closed 19″ x 14.5″ x 6″ (48 x 37 x 16 cm)
- Open: 19″ x 31″ x 16″ (48 x 80 x 41 cm
- Weight: 18.7 lb (8.5 kg)
The Epson Expression Photo XP-15000 is a printer that can print on very thick and heavy cardstock if fed manually, and at the same time, it is quite an inexpensive printer.
With its high-quality 6-color dye-based ink system, it can represent colors very vividly and accurately.
It can also print on a wide range of paper types and textures, making it a no-brainer if you are starting out or have a limited budget.
All-in-one Pick: HP OfficeJet 9015
All-in-one Pick for Cardstock and Stickers, Vinyl, and Transfer paper
4-color pigment-based ink system :: 4800×1200 DPI :: Borderless prints up to 8.5″×11″ (A4) :: Max paper thickness: bottom feed tray 90lb - 110lb / 245gsm - 300gsm Cover cardstock :: Early 2019 model :: Wireless & AirPrint
Why I like it – For an office printer, it reproduces colors quite nicely, and it can batch-process thick paper and cardstock up to Cover 90lb – 110lb (245gsm – 300gsm)
Pros & Cons of HP OfficeJet 9015 as a Cardstock Printer
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ➕All-in-one Printer, Scanner, Copier | ➖Lower color accuracy |
| ➕Price | ➖Only four colors, but pigment-based inks |
| ➕Supports Cover cardstock | ➖Max print size 8.5″ x 11″ / A4 |
| ➕Batch-printing on Cover cardstock | ➖Limited borderless printing |
| ➕Size | |
| ➕Cost-effective |
HP OfficeJet 9015 Specifications
- Printer type: Color Office Inkjet Printer
- Maximum paper thickness: Bottom feed tray 90lb – 110lb / 245gsm – 300gsm Cover cardstock
- Colors and ink system: 4-color pigment-based ink system
- Ink cartridges cost: ±$45 for a single cartridge (23ml)
- Supported paper sizes: From 3.5″×5″ to 8.5″×11″ / A4
- Borderless printing: On photo paper only, up to 8.5″×11″ / A4
- Duplex printing: Automatic on plain paper; Manual on other paper types incl. cardstock
- Supported paper types: Plain, matte, gloss, stickers, vinyl
- Paper input capacity: Depending on paper type, ±250 sheets plain; ±50 sheets thick
- Printing speed: 4″×6″ photo print in color ±45s
- Resolution: 4800 x 1200 DPI color; 1200 x 1200 DPI black
- Connectivity: USB, Wireless, AirPrint, Ethernet
- Release date: Early 2019
- Dimensions:
- Closed 17″ x 13.5” x 11” (43 x 34 x 28 cm)
- Open 17” x 20.5” x 11” (43 x 52 x 28 cm)
- Weight: 20 lbs (9 kg)
HP Officejet Pro 9015 represents one of the best investments in a home and office printer. As an all-in-one office printer, it doesn’t specifically cater to artists, photographers, and crafters because it doesn’t reproduce colors as accurately as the printers above.
But its strength lies in the fact that, depending on the paper type, it can batch-print on up to 50 sheets of thick paper, and it supports Cover cardstock of 90lb – 110lb / 245gsm – 300gsm.
And the scanner is the icing on the cake!
Eco All-in-one Pick: Epson EcoTank ET-8550
Eco All-in-one Pick for Art Prints, Cardstock, Canvas, Stickers, Vinyl, and Transfer paper
6-color hybrid dye-based & pigment-based ink system :: 5760×1440 DPI :: Borderless prints up to 13″×19″ (A3+) :: Max paper thickness: rear feed 50mil (1.3mm) manually :: Early 2021 model :: Wireless & AirPrint
Why I like it – As an ink tank printer, it’s eco-friendly, it reproduces colors very accurately, and it can batch-process thicker cardstock and, when fed manually, even heavy paper.
Pros & Cons of Epson EcoTank ET-8550 as a Cardstock Printer
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ➕Eco-friendly | ➖Relatively slow printing |
| ➕Price of ink | ➖Six colors |
| ➕Supports Cover cardstock | |
| ➕Excellent print quality | |
| ➕Vibrant and accurate colors | |
| ➕Batch-printing on Cover cardstock | |
| ➕Borderless prints | |
| ➕Size |
Epson EcoTank ET-8550 Specifications
- Printer type: Color Ink Tank Printer
- Maximum paper thickness: Rear feed 1.3mm (50mil)
- Colors and ink system: 6-color hybrid ink set incl. both pigment and dye-based ink
- Ink cartridges cost: ±$18 for a single ink bottle (70ml)
- Supported paper sizes: From 3.5″×5″ to 13″×19″ / A3+
- Borderless printing: From 3.5″×5″ to 13″×19″ / A3+
- Duplex printing: Automatic on plain paper; Manual on other paper types incl. cardstock
- Supported paper types: Plain, matte, gloss, stickers, vinyl, transfer paper, fine art paper
- Paper input capacity:
- Front trays: depending on paper type, ±100 sheets plain; ±20 sheets thick
- Rear feed: depending on paper type ±50 sheets plain; ±5 sheets thick; 1 sheet heavy
- Printing speed: A3+ borderless color photo on glossy paper ±9min
- Resolution: 5760 x 1440 DPI
- Connectivity: USB, Wireless, AirPrint, Ethernet
- Release date: Early 2021
- Dimensions:
- Closed 20.5″ x 15″ x 7″ (52 x 38 x 17 cm)
- Open 20.5″ x 30″ x 17″ (52 x 76 x 43 cm)
- Weight: 24.5 lb (11 kg)
Epson EcoTank printers deliver the most sustainable and cost-effective printing solutions on the market. And the ET-8550 model takes this premise further by catering to artists, photographers, and crafters.
It reproduces the colors accurately and can handle heavy cardstock up to 1.3mm when fed manually. It also supports a wide range of paper types, which makes it a very interesting option!
Art Studio Pick: Epson SureColor P900
Art Studio Pick for Art Prints, Canvas, Cardstock, Stickers, Vinyl, and Transfer paper
10-color pigment-based ink system :: 5760×1440 DPI :: Borderless prints up to 17″×22″ (A2+) :: Max paper thickness: rear feed 11.8mil (0.3mm); manual feed 60mil (1.5mm) :: Late 2020 model :: Wireless & AirPrint
Smaller version: SureColor P700 13″ Inkjet Color Printer
Why I like it – This is a true art studio fine art printer that can print on a wide range of media and papers, reproducing colors flawlessly.
Pros & Cons of Epson SureColor P900 as a Cardstock Printer
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ➕10-color highest quality pigment-based ink system | ➖Price |
| ➕Supports Cover cardstock | ➖Size and weight |
| ➕Outstanding print quality | ➖Inks cost |
| ➕Vibrant and absolutely accurate colors | |
| ➕Archival prints | |
| ➕Batch-printing on Cover cardstock | |
| ➕Borderless prints |
Epson SureColor P900 Specifications
- Printer type: 17″ Color Inkjet Printer (13″ version is Epson SureColor P700)
- Maximum paper thickness:
- Rear feed: 11mil (0.3mm) = ±110lb / 300gsm Cover cardstock
- Front manual feed: 60mil (1.5mm), which makes it a heavy cardstock printer
- Colors and ink system: 10-color pigment-based ink system
- Ink cartridges cost: ±$44 for a single ink cartridge (50ml)
- Supported paper sizes: From 3.5″×5″ to 17″×22″ / A2+ (user definable length + roll paper adapter allows for panoramic prints)
- Borderless printing: From 3.5″×5″ to 17″×22″ / A2+
- Duplex printing: Manual only
- Supported paper types: Plain, matte, gloss, stickers, vinyl, transfer paper
- Paper input capacity: Depending on paper type ±120 sheets plain; ±30 sheets thick; 1 canvas
- Printing speed: A3+ HD Photo ±6min 30s
- Resolution: 5760 x 1440 DPI
- Connectivity: USB, Wireless, AirPrint, Ethernet
- Release date: Late 2020
- Dimensions:
- Closed 24″ x 14.5″ x 8″ (61 x 37 x 20 cm)
- Open 24″ x 36″ x 20.5″ (61 x 91 x 52 cm)
- Weight: 35 lb (16 kg)
Epson SureColor series has always been very popular among artists, designers, and illustrators.
Epson SureColor P900 (17-inch version) and SureColor P700 (13-inch version) vastly improve over their predecessors and deliver the best advances in printing technology.
What can I say? Vibrant colors, absolute color accuracy, ability to print on a wide range of paper types, support of thick paper, heavy cardstock, batch-printing possibilities, and borderless prints. I could go on for days. The only drawback is the price, but if you are buying it for your business, it’s an expense, and you can write it off!
Monochrome Laser Printer Pick: Brother MFC L2710DW
Monochrome Laser Printer Pick for Cardstock
Monochromatic toner system :: 2400×600 DPI :: Up to 8.5″×14″ / A4 prints :: Max paper thickness: manual feed Cover ±90lb / ±245gsm :: Late 2017 :: Wireless & AirPrint
Why I like it – This affordable and cost-effective monochromatic laser printer produces crisp black and white prints, and it can handle thick paper and cardstock up to 90lb / 245gsm when fed manually.
Pros & Cons of Brother MFC L2710DW as a Cardstock Printer
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ➕Price | ➖Not for fine artwork and high-quality photographs |
| ➕All-in-one Printer, Scanner, and Copier | ➖No borderless printing |
| ➕Crisp black and white prints | ➖Cover cardstock through a manual feed only |
| ➕Cost-effective with a very high yield |
Brother MFC L2710DW Specifications
- Printer type: Monochrome Office Laser Printer
- Maximum paper thickness: Manual feed Cover ±90lb / ±245gsm
- Toner cartridge cost: ±$45 – $80 depending on yield
- Supported paper sizes: From 4″×6″ to 8.5″×14″
- Borderless printing: No
- Duplex printing: Automatic on plain paper; Manual on other paper types incl. cardstock
- Supported paper types: Plain, bond, labels
- Resolution: 2400 x 600 DPI
- Connectivity: USB, Wireless, AirPrint, Cloud
- Release date: Late 2017
- Dimensions:
- 16″ x 16″ x 12.5″ (41 x 41 x 32 cm)
- Weight: 26 lb (12 kg)
I wouldn’t personally choose a laser printer for my work because I don’t do black and white art, and my work is a lot about color blending, so I need a very accurate reproduction. But I see the appeal among people who need to print big batches of cards, for example, display cards.
Brother MFC L2710DW is a solid printer that can print crips black and white prints on cardstock up to Cover 90lb / 245gsm, which makes it quite an exciting choice.
And did I mention it also has a scanner so you can scan and copy, too?
Color Laser Printer Pick: Xerox VersaLink C400
Color Laser Printer Pick for Cardstock
4-color toner system :: 600×600 DPI :: Up to 8.5″×14″ / A4 prints :: Max paper thickness: One-sided: Cover cardstock up to 80lb / 220gsm; Two-sided: Cover cardstock up to 60lb / 160gsm :: Late 2016 :: Wireless
Why I like it – This is a reasonably accurate laser printer that can print on cardstock in high volumes up to Cover 80lb / 220gsm, and it also prints duplex on Cover 60lb / 160gsm
Pros & Cons of Xerox VersaLink C400 as a Cardstock Printer
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ➕Cost-effective with a very high yield | ➖Not for fine artwork and high-quality photographs |
| ➕Supports thicker cardstock | ➖No borderless printing |
| ➕Acceptable color accuracy | ➖Older technology |
| ➕Duplex printing on cardstock 60lb Cover | |
| ➕Big capacity for batch-processing |
Xerox VersaLink C400 Specifications
- Printer type: Color Office Laser Printer
- Maximum paper thickness:
- One-sided: Cover cardstock up to 80lb / 220gsm
- Two-sided: Cover cardstock up to 60lb / 160gsm
- Colors: 4-color toner system
- Toner cartridge cost: ±$200 – $300 per single toner cartridge
- Supported paper sizes: From 3″×5″ to 8.5″×14″
- Borderless printing: No
- Duplex printing: Yes, lightweight cardstock
- Supported paper types: Plain, matte, glossy
- Resolution: 600 x 600 DPI
- Connectivity: USB, Wireless, Ethernet
- Release date: Late 2016
- Dimensions:
- 19″ x 19” x 16” (49 x 49 x 40 cm)
- Weight: 57 lb (26 kg)
Similar to the monochrome printer above, I wouldn’t choose a laser printer because of the nature of my artwork. However, if you need to print big batches of, e.g., display cards in color, Xerox VersaLink C400 may be a good choice.
It reproduces colors quite nicely to a certain extent and supports thicker cardstock up to Cover 80lb / 220gsm. It can even print duplex up to Cover 60lb / 160gsm. That’s super useful in some situations.
Get Paper Cutter and Scoring Board, too
Suppose you print greeting cards and, for that matter, any type of cards and haven’t gotten a quality paper cuter, scoring board, or electric creaser yet. In that case, you absolutely need to get one. 🙂 It will make your life so much easier!
For the paper cutter and trimmer, get either my budget or premium pick below:
Titanium Paper Trimmer Scrapbooking Tool with Automatic Security Safeguard and Side Ruler for Craft Paper, Coupon, Label, and Cardstock
Precision Rotary Trimmer with Self-Sharpening Precision Steel Blades and Twin Stainless Steel Guide Rails
Using a scoring board is sufficient if you don’t crease too many cards or don’t mind it. I’d recommend this one:
It can be used to make perfectly crisp folding lines for greeting cards. The board comes with a bone folder and a useful separate measurement guide with instructions for working with various paper sizes
Get an electric creaser if you have too many orders or don’t like scoring them. I’d recommend this one:
3-in-1 Paper Creasing and Scoring Machine with Heavy Duty Metal Present Multi-function
Main Criteria for Choosing a Cardstock Printer
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Supported Paper Weight – Heaviness and Thickness
TL;DR – As a rule of thumb, I recommend getting a printer that supports higher paper thickness (mil/pt, mm) to ensure you are flexible regarding your creative ideas.
Paper thickness is the most critical criterion for selecting a cardstock printer.
Not all printers can print on thick paper, and it’s essential to know if the one you choose can do so because otherwise, you risk jamming your printer and a lot of headaches.
Fortunately, a good selection of consumer-grade printers print on thick cardstock, the most common being Cover 65lb / 180gsm, 80lb / 220 gsm, 100lb / 270gsm, and 110lb / 300gsm and Index 110lb / 200gsm.
You are likely asking what’s up with the “Cover”, “Index”, “lb” and “gsm.”
Without going into too many details about paper production, here is what I understood from reading paper guides and watching YouTube videos.
There are five types of paper:
- Bond or Ledger, Offset or Text (also known as Plain and Copy Paper), Cover (Cardstock), Tag and Index (Cardstock) paper
- All of these five types of paper have different weights when they are produced
The “lb” and “gsm” are the units for measuring paper’s weight:
- “lb” – also known as “pound” and sometimes written as “#” is how the paper’s weight is measured in the US. It’s basically how many pounds 500 sheets of paper weigh.
- “gsm” – also known as “grams per square meter,” is how the paper’s weight (or better known as grammage) is measured in the UK and Europe. It tells you how many grams a square meter of paper has.
You normally see the gsm and lb on the paper packaging:
When selecting the printer for cardstock, the most confusion comes from the fact that the printers’ specs usually list the supported lb and gsm only for common copy paper, also known as Offset or Text paper. And sometimes they don’t specify what type of paper they are referring to at all!!
Why is this important?
It’s important because 100lb Offset / Text paper (Copy paper) is not the same as 100lb Cover paper or 110lb Index paper (cardstock). They are very different, indeed. For example, 100lb Offset paper is only 56lb Cover and 83 Index. Quite a difference, right?!
But wait, there is more!
Sometimes the manufacturers don’t mention the “lb” and “gsm” at all and refer to media support of up to, e.g., 23mil or 0.3mm.
This is the paper thickness. It is measured in “mil” or “pt” and “mm” and it’s a proxy unit for paper density:
- mil – also known as one-thousandth of an inch and referred to as “caliper” tells you the thickness of the paper in the US. 10mil = 0.01”
- pt – also known as points are just a different name for “mil,” and I’d say a bit more understandable
- mm – also known as “millimeter,” is the metric version of the “mil,” and it tells you the thickness of the paper in the UK and Europe. 10mil = 0.25mm
You might have seen these units on the paper packaging too.
There is a slight catch with thickness, though.
Paper density and thus thickness depend on the paper production method and finish. Not all papers are created equal; sometimes the “mil”/” pt” is approximate, and 10mil paper from one manufacturer is not exactly 10mil from the other.
Take the example above. Epson doesn’t specify what type of paper this is, so let’s use the conversion table below. 10mil is 10 pt which puts it at 90lb Cover and 135lb Index; however, the 192gsm is lower than 245gsm in the table. In such a way, we need to approximate and assume it’s about 75lb Cover or 110lb Index. That can be satisfactory for some creative projects but not for all.
Despite minor differences and standard deviations, paper thickness is usually the same for all paper types regardless of weight. And that’s why I also like to use it when selecting a new printer.
To make your life easier, I’ve put together a handy conversion table you can use if you ever need to check if the printer is good enough for your needs:
Paper Weight Conversion Table and Printing Guide
Please note: The data in the table are approximate and greatly depend on paper brand, type and finish
| Bond (a.k.a Text / Copy / Plain) | Cover (cardstock) | Index (cardstock) | Thickness mil/pt | Thickness mm | Grammage gsm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50lb | 28lb | 42lb | 4mil / 4pt | 0.01mm | 75gsm |
| 110lb | 60lb | 90lb | 7.4mil / 7.4pt | 0.19mm | 160gsm |
| 120lb | 65lb | 97lb | 8mil / 8pt | 0.2mm | 175gsm |
| 135lb | 75lb | 110lb | 9mil / 9pt | 0.215mm | 200gsm |
| 145lb | 80lb | 120lb | 9.5mil / 9.5pt | 0.235mm | 220gsm |
| 165lb | 90lb | 130lb | 10mil / 10pt | 0.24mm | 245gsm |
| 185lb | 100lb | 150lb | 11mil / 11pt | 0.29mm | 270gsm |
| 200lb | 110lb | 165lb | 13.5mil / 13.5pt | 0.34mm | 300gsm |
| 240lb | 130lb | 195lb | 16.5mil / 16.5pt | 0.4mm | 350gsm |
To be clear, it is sometimes possible to print on cardstock thicker and heavier than the manufacturer recommends.
You can do it by using a manual feed tray and exercising patience, gently pushing the paper into the printer. But if you print a lot, I don’t recommend it because you may jam and damage the printer and decrease its lifespan. Also, I believe, if you are trying to do a business, you probably don’t have much time to do this anyway.
💡Pro tip: I think the ideal cardstock is Cover 100lb and 110lb (270gsm – 300gsm). It feels premium, but it’s still easy to cut and score.
Inkjet Printers vs. Laser Printers
TL;DR: Get an inkjet printer for creative projects that involve a lot of color blending (e.g., watercolors) and require vibrant colors (e.g., photographs). For less color-intensive projects, get a laser printer.
When it comes to printers for art prints and craft projects, there is a lot of discussion about whether you should get an inkjet printer or a laser printer.
Inkjet printers can blend the colors much better than laser printers, and that’s why they are the best for image-heavy projects, such as artwork and photo prints.
Additionally, they can print on thicker cardstock (up to 11mil / 0.3mm, or Cover 100 – 110lb / 270 – 300gsm) and more types of paper and mediums – for example, vinyl and transfer papers.
If you plan to print mostly in black, a monochrome laser printer supporting cardstock can also be a good choice. Remember that most consumer-grade laser printers don’t usually support cardstock heavier than Cover 80lb / 220gsm (9mil / 0.2mm).
💡Pro tip: Color profiles are among the most critical settings to reproduce colors with your printer accurately. Most modern inkjet photo printers have a wide range of color profiles. In addition, many professionals also create custom profiles you can purchase.
Colors and Ink System
TL;DR: The more colors and ink cartridges the printer has, the more flexibility it has to reproduce the colors from your artwork and photograph accurately.
Color accuracy is the difference between the colors you used in your artwork or the colors represented in your photograph and those printed.
It is as much about the paper as it’s about the printer. Not all paper types are made for printing, and you should always verify if the paper you want to use is intended for inkjet or laser printing.
You need to ensure you are getting “inkjet-friendly” cardstock that can nicely absorb the ink and show the colors of your artwork accordingly. There are only a few things more heartbreaking than seeing your artwork come out of the printer all washed out and dull!
The photo printers from Canon and Epson all have very good color accuracy scores because they all have 6-, 8- or 10-color ink systems. That makes them perfect for art and photography printing jobs.
💡Pro tip: The number one way to damage your printer is by using 3rd party, non-original ink cartridges. Don’t risk it and rather write off the cost – it’s a business expense!
Support of Batch Printing through Rear Feed Tray
TL;DR: If you have an art business with a steady inflow of orders and don’t have time to feed your printer manually, get a printer with a rear feed tray that supports batch printing.
As any small business owner knows, doing business is challenging.
And unless you absolutely love it, waiting for your printer to finish the printing job could be wasted time. You could spend it, for example, on creating new artwork, taking new photographs, engaging with your community, or just taking a nap because you need it.
Of course, it’s not entirely possible to make your printer run without any supervision. Still, batch processing through an auto feeder definitely helps.
Printers capable of printing on cardstock make auto feed possible through a rear feed tray because in this way, they don’t bend the paper, so it’s less likely they get jammed. So the paper doesn’t get damaged, too.
Canon and Epson photo printers have a dedicated rear feed capable of feeding cardstock.
The office printers from HP and laser printers from Brother and Xerox have auto feed options; however, they usually support smaller cardstock sizes only.
💡Pro tip: To batch-process even more and save up, try printing copies of your artwork on bigger paper size and then use a cutter, scoreboard, or electric creaser.
Support of Borderless printing
TL;DR: Most modern inkjet photo printers support borderless prints. Check the printer’s spec sheet to ensure it supports the paper sizes you use for your cards.
Depending on artwork and photographs, the borderless cards, art prints, and photographs usually feel more premium. They are a true hit with the customers.
That’s why most inkjet printers for photography and art prints usually support borderless printing in many paper sizes and specify them in the specifications.
It’s a different story with the laser printers, which are mostly targeted for office and business use and don’t usually support borderless printing.
💡Pro tip: When printing borderless, clean the print head regularly because some of the ink gets over the edge, builds up on the print head, gets mixed up with the paper dust and can cause smears and other issues.
Support of Duplex or double-sided printing
TL;DR: Most inkjet photo printers don’t have the feed tray supporting automatic duplex printing. You will usually find this feature in office and laser printers.
And the ones that do, don’t usually support heavy cardstock of Cover 100lb – 110lb / 270gsm – 300gsm.
It is, however, possible to print double-sided manually. Make sure you use a double-coated cardstock suitable for duplex printing.
💡Pro tip: To read about more criteria important for choosing an art printer, such as cost of ink cartridges, model’s age, and ink types, read my article about the best printers for artwork and art prints.
FAQs – Best Printer for Cardstock
Inkjet or Laser printers that can handle paper weight higher than 80lb / 220gsm Cover work well with cardstock paper. My pick is Canon Pixma PRO-200.
Based on my experience, depending on the paper type and the printer, the thickest card that will go through a consumer inkjet printer manually is Cover +140lb / 385gsm. Some printers can batch-print on Cover cardstock up to 110lb / 300gsm.
No, not all printers can use cardstock. But there is a good selection of consumer printers that print on thick cardstock, the most common being Cover 65lb / 180gsm, 80lb / 220 gsm, 100lb / 270gsm, and 110lb / 300gsm and Index 110lb / 200gsm.
This depends on the model you own. For example, I think HP Officejet Pro 9015 is the best HP printer for cardstock because it prints on Cover cardstock 90lb to 110lb (245gsm to 300gsm) thick.
This depends on the model you own. For example, Epson Expression XP-970, XP-15000, EcoTank ET-8550, SureColor P700, and SureColor P900 all support printing on thick cardstock.
This depends on the model you own. My favorite Canon Pixma PRO-200, Canon Pixma PRO-300, and PRO-1000 print on thick cardstock.
Conclusion
To sum up, here are my recommendations for the best cardstock printers on the market today:
- My Pick: Canon Pixma Pro-200 13″ Inkjet Color Printer
- Budget Pick: Epson Expression Photo XP-15000 13″ Inkjet Color Printer
- All-in-one Pick: HP OfficeJet 9015 Inkjet Color Printer
- Eco All-in-one Pick: Epson EcoTank ET-8550 Inkjet Color Printer
- Art Studio Pick: Epson SureColor P900 17″ Inkjet Color Printer
- Monochrome Laser Printer Pick: Brother MFC L2710DW Monochrome Laser Printer
- Color Laser Printer Pick: Xerox VersaLink C400 Color Laser Printer
If you are already printing and selling art prints, greeting cards can be an excellent addition to your creative business.
When it comes to art prints, there is a limited number the customers can put on their walls. Moreover, not all art prints are suitable for every room. For example, cute animal prints are fantastic for kids’ rooms, but many customers don’t want to hang them in their living rooms.
So to reach new customers and ensure your current customers buy from you more often, it makes sense to print and sell greeting cards and other stationery.
And when you print greeting cards by yourself, as opposed to outsourcing to an online or local printer, you benefit from greater flexibility in experimenting with different cardstock. You may also make a more significant profit when comparing the cost of materials.
I hope my research has made it easier for you to get a new cardstock printer, and you will have a lot of fun with your creative projects.
I encourage you to visit my blog – Art Side of Life – for other buyer’s guides, online courses, articles, and other resources.
Sources
- Wikipedia.org – Paper weight and grammage explained
- Jampaper.com – Paper weight comparison chart
- Cardstock-warehouse.com – Paper weight guide
- RTINGS.com – Color accuracy explained
- Keith Cooper Photographer – Printing greeting cards on Epson XP-15000 inkjet printer – Choosing the right card paper
- Keith Cooper Photographer – Printing greeting cards on the Canon Pixma PRO-200 inkjet printer. Choosing the right card type
- Keith Cooper Photographer – Printing greeting cards on Epson ET-8550
- Keith Cooper Photographer – Manual Double-sided/duplex printing on Canon Pixma PRO Series
- Easy Sunday Club Art Studio – Best printers for making art prints and cards for artists/designers/illustrators
- Easy Sunday Club Art Studio – Epson SureColor P800 vs. P900 features comparison
- Canon.com – Paper thickness supported by Canon Pixma PRO-200
- Canon.com – Canon Pixma PRO-200 specs
- Epson.com – Epson EcoTank Photo 8550 specs
- Epson.com – Paper thickness supported by Epson SureColor P900 and P700
- Epson.com – Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 specs
- Brother.com – Brother MFC L2710DW specs (Paper handling section)
- Xerox.com – Xerox Versalink 400 Color specs
- Xerox.com – Paper thickness supported by Xerox Versalink 400 Color (Page 5)
Other articles in the Printers and Scanners series:
- Best Printer for Art Prints
- Best Canvas Printer
- Best Printer for Stickers
- Best Sticker Maker Machine
- Best Printer for Cricut Print and Cut
- Best Screen Printing Printer
- Best Inkjet Printer for Heat Transfer
- Best Sublimation Printer for Heat Transfer
- Best Super Tank Printers
- Best Ink Tank Printer
- Best Printer for iPad, iPhone, and Mac
- Best Art Scanner for Artworks
- Best Camera for Artwork Photography
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