In my experience, printing cards and cardstock myself gave me way more flexibility, and it often turned out cheaper once I compared material costs.
Finding the right cardstock printer, though? That was frustrating. Most brands don’t clearly say what thickness or type of cardstock they actually support. So I put this guide together to save you the same headache. Let’s dive in!
My Picks for the Best Printer for Cardstock Printing at Home or in a Studio
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, photographers, and crafters who want the best eco printer for cardstock.
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) 😮
For designers, artists, and crafters who want to print on cardstock in black and white.
For designers, artists, and crafters who want a reasonably accurate laser printer that can print on cardstock in high volumes.
Two-sided: Cover cardstock up to 60lb / 160gsm
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Overview: 7 Best Printers for Cardstock Printing
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 printer for cardstock because it reproduces colors accurately and can batch-print on thick cardstock paper up to Cover 110lb / 300gsm!
Pros & Cons
| ➕Amazing price-value experience | ➖Size and weight |
| ➕Supports Cover cardstock paper | ➖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 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 printer for heavy cardstock printing
⭐️ Also great: Canon ImagePROGRAF PRO-300 is a great upgrade if you want a pigment-based printer for cardstock with ten colors. Get the PRO-300 here and learn more about the differences between dye-based and pigment-based printers.
Budget Pick: Epson Expression Photo HD 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 heavy cardstock up to Cover 140lb / 385gsm when fed manually.
Pros & Cons
| ➕Price | ➖Relatively slow cardstock 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 HD XP-15000 Maximum paper thickness
- Rear feed: 23mil (0.6mm) = ±140lb / 385gsm Cover cardstock (manually) makes it a printer for heavy cardstock
⭐️ Also great: Epson Expression XP-970 is a great budget alternative if you want an all-in-one inkjet printer for cardstock. Get the XP-970 here.
All-in-one Pick: HP OfficeJet 9015e
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 2021 model :: Wireless & AirPrint :: BONUS 6 months Instant ink with HP+
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
| ➕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 (enough for business cards and statinery printing) |
| ➕Batch-printing on Cover cardstock | ➖Limited borderless paper printing |
| ➕Size | |
| ➕Cost-effective cardstock printing | |
| ➕BONUS 6 months Instant ink with HP+ |
HP OfficeJet 9015e Maximum Paper Thickness
- Bottom feed input tray 90lb – 110lb / 245gsm – 300gsm Cover cardstock
Eco All-in-one Pick: Epson EcoTank ET-8550
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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+) :: 4800x1200 scan resolution :: 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, reproduces colors very accurately, and it can batch-process thicker cardstock and, when fed manually, even heavy paper.
Pros & Cons
| ➕Eco-friendly | ➖Relatively slow printing on cardstock |
| ➕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 Maximum paper thickness
- Rear feed 1.3mm (50mil)
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 large format printer that can print on a wide range of media, papers, and cardstock, reproducing colors flawlessly.
Pros & Cons
| ➕10-color highest quality pigment-based ink system | ➖Price |
| ➕Supports Cover cardstock | ➖Size and weight |
| ➕Outstanding print quality | ➖Inks cost |
| ➕Vibrant and accurate colors | |
| ➕Archival prints | |
| ➕Batch-printing on Cover cardstock | |
| ➕Borderless prints |
Epson SureColor P900 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
⭐️ Also great: Canon ImagePROGRAF PRO-1100 or imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 are great alternatives if you prefer Canon printers and want a pigment-based printer for cardstock with 10/11 colors. Get the PRO-1100 here and learn more about the differences between dye-based and pigment-based printers.
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
| ➕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 | |
| ➕Auto Document Feeder |
Brother MFC L2710DW Maximum paper thickness
- Maximum paper thickness and weight range: Manual feed of Cover cardstock with ±90lb / ±245gsm
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
| ➕Cost-effective with a very high yield | ➖Not for fine artwork and high-quality photographs |
| ➕Supports heavy cardstock | ➖No borderless printing |
| ➕Acceptable color accuracy | ➖Older technology |
| ➕Duplex printing on cardstock 60lb Cover | |
| ➕Big tray capacity for batch-processing | |
| ➕Auto Document Feeder |
Xerox VersaLink C400 Maximum paper thickness
- One-sided: Cover cardstock up to 80lb / 220gsm
- Two-sided: Cover cardstock up to 60lb / 160gsm
Get Cardstock Paper Cutter and Scoring Board, too
To make your life so much easier, make sure to get a quality paper cuter, scoring board, or electric creaser!
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
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 cardstock.
I’d recommend this one:
3-in-1 Paper Creasing and Scoring Machine with Heavy Duty Metal Present Multi-function
Main Criteria for Choosing the Best Printer for Cardstock
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Supported Paper Weight – Heaviness and Thickness
💡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.
TL;DR: Get a printer that supports thicker paper if you plan to use cardstock. Paper thickness is the most important factor—many printers can’t handle heavy stock and may jam.
Consumer printers can usually handle Cover 65lb to 110lb (180–300gsm) or Index 110lb (200gsm).
Confused by “Cover,” “Index,” “lb,” and “gsm”? Here’s the quick version:
There are five paper types: Bond, Offset (Plain), Cover, Tag, and Index. Each has its own weight scale.
- lb (pound): US system – how much 500 sheets weigh.
- gsm: Metric – weight of one square meter of paper.
The higher the number, the thicker the paper.
You normally see the gsm and lb on the paper packaging:
When choosing a printer for cardstock, the specs can be confusing. Most list supported lb or gsm for regular copy paper (Offset/Text), not for cardstock types like Cover or Index.
That matters because 100lb Text is much thinner than 100lb Cover or 110lb Index. For example, 100lb Text = 56lb Cover = 83lb Index. Big difference.
Sometimes, manufacturers skip lb/gsm entirely and list only thickness, like 23mil or 0.3mm.
Quick guide to thickness terms:
- mil = 1/1000 inch (US)
- pt = same as mil, just easier to read
- mm = metric version (10mil = 0.25mm)
Thickness is often a better way to judge if a printer can handle cardstock.
You might have seen these units on the paper packaging too.
One catch with thickness: it’s not always exact. Paper thickness varies by how it’s made and finished. So, 10mil from one brand might not match 10mil from another.
For example, Epson lists 10mil (or 10pt) but gives a gsm of 192. That’s lower than what you’d expect for 90lb Cover or 135lb Index—closer to 75lb Cover or 110lb Index.
That might be fine for some projects, but not all.
Still, thickness is a helpful spec because it stays fairly consistent across paper types. That’s why I use it when picking printers.
To help, I made a quick conversion table you can use to check if a printer can handle your cardstock:
Paper Weight Conversion Table and Printing Guide
| 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 input 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, if you are trying to do business, you probably don’t have much time to do this anyway.
Inkjet Printers vs. Laser Printers
💡Pro tip: Color profiles are among the most critical settings to accurately reproduce colors with your printer. You will find a wide range of color profiles in any modern photo printer. In addition, many professionals also create custom profiles you can purchase.
Go with inkjet for colorful, creative work (like art prints and photos). Choose laser for simple, less color-heavy stuff (like business cards or text-based stationery).
Inkjet printers blend colors better and handle thicker cardstock (up to 110lb Cover / 300gsm / 11mil). They also work with more media types, like vinyl or transfer paper.
Laser printers are faster and great for black-and-white, but most can’t handle cardstock over 80lb Cover / 220gsm / 9mil.
Colors and Ink System
💡Pro tip: The number one way to damage your printer is by using 3rd party, non-original ink cartridges. Don’t risk it; write off the cost – it’s a business expense!
TL;DR: More ink colors = better color accuracy.
Printers with 6–10 ink cartridges (like Canon or Epson photo printers) reproduce artwork and photos more accurately.
But paper matters too. Use inkjet-friendly cardstock with good ink absorption. Not all cardstock is made for color printing—using the wrong type can make your prints look dull or washed out.
Support of Batch Printing through the Rear Feed Input Tray
💡Pro tip: To batch-process even more and save up, try printing copies of your artwork on larger cardstock and then use a cutter, scoreboard, or electric creaser to get the size you want.
TL;DR: For a busy art business, get a printer with a rear feed tray that supports batch printing.
Rear feed trays handle cardstock better—no bending, fewer jams. Canon and Epson photo printers offer this. Some HP, Brother, and Xerox models have auto-feed too, but often only for lighter cardstock.
Batch printing saves time so you can focus on creating, not babysitting your printer.
Support of Borderless printing
💡Pro tip: When printing borderless cards, 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.
TL;DR: Most modern inkjet photo printers support borderless printing, great for premium-looking art and photo prints.
Just check the spec sheet to confirm it supports your card sizes.
Laser printers usually don’t support borderless printing since they’re built more for office use.
Support of Duplex or double-sided 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.
TL;DR: Most inkjet photo printers don’t have the input tray supporting automatic duplex printing. You will usually find this feature in office printers 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 double-coated cardstock suitable for duplex printing.
Conclusion
To sum up, here are my recommendations for the best printers for cardstock:
- My Pick for the Best Printer for Cardstock: Canon Pixma Pro-200 13″ Inkjet Color Printer
- Budget Printer for Cardstock: Epson Expression Photo XP-15000 13″ Inkjet Color Printer
- All-in-one Printer for Cardstock: HP OfficeJet 9015e Inkjet Color Printer
- Eco All-in-one Printer for Cardstock: Epson EcoTank ET-8550 Inkjet Color Printer
- Art Studio Printer for Cardstock: Epson SureColor P900 17″ Inkjet Color Printer
- Monochrome Laser Printer for Cardstock: Brother MFC L2710DW Monochrome Laser Printer
- Color Laser Printer for Cardstock: Xerox VersaLink C400 Color Laser Printer
I hope my research has made it easier for you to get a new printer for cardstock, and you will have a lot of fun with your creative projects.
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Hi, I am Iva (rhymes with “viva”). I am a full-time self-taught artist behind Art Side of Life® and a Top Teacher on Skillshare. I have 15 years of experience in the creative field as a concept designer, illustrator, art director, and now freelance artist, content creator, and art instructor. My goal is to help you get your creative groove on with Procreate and make awesome art through practical classes, tutorials, Procreate brushes, and guides on art tools, supplies and resources. About me »
