10 Best Printers for Cardstock & Thick Papers – 2023

Last Updated on February 4, 2023

I used to print images on standard photo paper. However, after experimenting, we have recently concluded that printing on cardstock is much more satisfying since the thick paper gives your images a more solid, textured feel. Printing on cardstock is also ideal for ceremonies, party invitations, greeting cards, digital drawings, and art pieces.

Typically, you can print on cardstock using your home inkjet printer in the same manner as you would with general paper. If you are running a business or focused on DIY Vlogging, ordinary home printers are unsuitable because cardstock is too thick or stiff and can jam or simply not slide through the rollers.

In this situation, it would be more practical to purchase a printer that can handle thick paper. You will have greater control over the design, customization, and editing processes.

We evaluated the best machines from our list of 10 best printers to determine which could handle thicker media and a variety of paper. The list below includes printers with the best ink quality to absorb quickly into cardstock finishes without smudging.

Top 3 Pick Of Best Printers For Cardstock

EDITOR’S CHOICE
9.2
Canon Pixma Pro-100
Canon Pixma Pro-100
  • 4800 x 2400 DPI Printing
  • Mobile Device Printing
  • Compatible with individual CLI 42 ink tanks
PREMIUM PICK
9.1
Epson SureColor P700
Epson SureColor P700
  • Outstanding image quality and color
  • No Photo and Matte Black ink switching
  • New 10-channel MicroPiezo AMC printhead
BUDGET PICK
8.8
HP LaserJet Pro M29w
HP LaserJet Pro M29w
  • Prints up to 19 pages per minute
  • Auto On/auto off Technology
  • Mobile Device Printing

What Should You Look for in a Cardstock Printer?

Inkjet and laser printers that use a large number of individual inks for accurate color reproduction are the best printers for printing on thick card stock; they can print on a wide variety of paper sizes and types, and they are premium products that produce high-quality prints.

Specialty Feeds

There are some printers designed specifically for card stock printing that include specialty feeds that are specifically designed for handling thicker and heavier paper. You should probably look for a printer that can handle cardstock printing if you print a lot of documents on cardstock. Don’t forget to account for the feed system. Manually feeding one sheet at a time into rear feeds is necessary. On other machines, like the Cricut printer, multiple sheets may be processed automatically.

Number of Prints per Ink Cartridge

It is important to consider the number of prints each ink cartridge will be able to produce before it runs out when choosing an inkjet printer for cardstock.

Printers with two cartridges commonly found in cheap devices have relatively inexpensive ink, but high-end printers with 10+ ink cartridges can put a great deal of strain on your wallet when the time comes to replace them. It costs $120 for a printer such as the Canon Pro-300 even if each cartridge is only about $12.

There is no generic ink available for the newest Canon printers. In addition to generic ink cartridges, Epson printers also have a number of firmware updates that disable these cartridges in the printers, so be sure to check recent reviews before purchasing generic ink.

Media Compatibility

If you plan to use a cardstock printer, you should pay attention to the machine’s media compatibility. The printer’s specifications determine the type of paper the printer can handle. The cardstock should be listed among the compatible media. Just like sticker printers manufacturers will list compatible inks.

Further, ensure that the printer is compatible with the type of finish and texture of the paper you intend to use. Different finishes are available for cardstock. To achieve high-quality printing, you must ensure that your printer can handle the paper without bleeding or smearing.

In addition, ensure that USB 2.0 and related types of connection are supported.

Laser / Inkjet

There are pros and cons to both types of printers when considering cardstock printers, and the question of laser vs. inkjet frequently arises.

Reviews have stated that HP printers are the best laser printers for cardstock, while Canon and Epson printers are the best inkjet printers.

Compared to laser printers or conventional heat transfer printers, I believe that inkjet printers are more suitable for most art-related purposes, and especially for printing on card stock.

Suppose you consider the cost of the initial purchase and the cost of replacing ink. In that case, laser printers are relatively expensive due to their high print quality and color printing costs significantly higher than inkjet printers per page.

10 Best Printers for Cardstock

IMAGE PRODUCT Rating PRICE
HP OfficeJet Pro 9015 HP OfficeJet Pro 9015
4.4
Check on Amazon
HP OfficeJet 3830 HP OfficeJet 3830
4.3
Check on Amazon
Canon Pixma Pro-100 Canon Pixma Pro-100
4.3
Check on Amazon
Epson SureColor P600 Epson SureColor P600
4.1
Check on Amazon
Canon PIXMA PRO-200 Canon PIXMA PRO-200
4.1
Check on Amazon
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300
4.7
Check on Amazon
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000
4.5
Check on Amazon
Epson SureColor P700 Epson SureColor P700
4.2
Check on Amazon
HP Color LaserJet Pro M454dw HP Color LaserJet Pro M454dw
4.5
Check on Amazon
HP LaserJet Pro M29w HP LaserJet Pro M29w
4.4
Check on Amazon

1. HP OfficeJet Pro 9015 all-in-one wireless printer

HP OfficeJet Pro 9015
  • Organize documents 50% faster
  • Genuine HP 962 ink delivered to your home
  • Print remotely using HP Smart app

After testing a number of printers, we selected the HP OfficeJet Pro 9015 as the first printer on our list because it redefines the meaning of the term “all-in-one” with its remarkably broad paper handling range. It can handle paper weights up to 110 lb cardstock, which is the maximum weight for consumers all-in-ones.

We achieved vibrant colors with a high-quality resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi using four individual ink cartridges. In addition, it is able to handle a wide variety of finishes with good ink absorption, including super glossy ones. 

Thanks to the machine’s two-sided automatic document feeder, you will have no problem printing brochures, folded cards, or any other media requiring double-sided printing.

I just loved the efficient and smart system by HP for printing, connecting, and organizing. Through its mobile application, the machine and its cloud storage providers such as Dropbox and Google Drive are directly accessible. We maintained a number of different files in several locations and I must say this functionality is quite useful as it allows for easier access for printing. 

Furthermore, it is equipped with a large input tray that can hold up to 250 sheets of paper. 

Pros
  • Paper feeds automatically on both sides.
  • A high level of ink absorption on a variety of surfaces
  • Easy-to-use smart controls
Cons
  • Only one paper tray

2. HP OfficeJet 3830 Budget Printer For Cardstock

HP OfficeJet 3830
  • Touch Screen
  • Optional quiet mode keeps noise to a minimum
  • Cloud & Mobile Printing

I conclude that the HP OfficeJet 3830 is the second best printer for at-home cardstock printing on a budget. It produces high-resolution prints up to 4800 x 1200 dpi using only two ink cartridges, which is excellent since you do not need to purchase a lot of replacement cartridges in order to achieve high quality. Although it may take longer to print in color than the one we discussed above, the ink absorption is quite high, even on glossy photo paper.

A thick photo paper or a lighter cardstock is the best material to print on with this printer. It’s great for making photo holiday cards and postcards.

Just like any other beginner sublimation printer, 3830 offers copying, scanning, wireless printing, and faxing along with cardstock printing. 

Pros
  • The footprint is small enough to fit almost anywhere
  • A maximum index weight of 110 pounds; a maximum photo weight of 145 pounds
  • Optimized color resolution of 4800 x 1200 DPI
Cons
  • Slow print speed
  • It is most effective with HP brand cardstock

3. Canon Pixma Pro-100 Large Size Printer

Canon Pixma Pro-100
  • 4800 x 2400 DPI Printing
  • Mobile Device Printing
  • Compatible with individual CLI 42 ink tanks

The third is a photo printer that produces excellent results when printing photos on cardstock. Printing highly detailed images onto cardstock and up to 13 x 19″ paper is no problem for the Canon Pixma Pro-100 printer. The rear paper feed was designed to process thicker papers with a wide range of textures and finishes.

Using an advanced eight-cartridge ink system, this printer can achieve impressive depth and gradients in color with more than 6,144 nozzles. You can print crisper lines, a deeper shading, and a monochrome print with this printer. It comes with three grayscale cartridges. 

There is a technology called the Optimum Image Generating System, a printhead that analyzes what you’re printing to determine the most appropriate ink mix to produce the most accurate colors

Pros
  • For heavier media, there is a dedicated manual feed
  • A high-resolution color image with a resolution of 4800 x 2400 DPI
  • Excellent grayscale printing
Cons
  • No LCD screen

4. Epson SureColor P600 Inkjet Printer for Cardstock

Epson SureColor P600 Inkjet Printer for Cardstock
  • Maximum Print Resolution: 5760 x 1440 DPI
  • 9 Numbers Of Colors
  • Mobile Device Printing

A high-quality photo printer, the Epson SureColor P600 provides prints similar to those produced in a print shop on sizes up to 13 x 19″ precut and 13 x 129″ on roll paper. Because of this, the printer can handle a wide variety of paper finishes and weights; it features a rear feed that can accommodate cardstock, canvas, fine art paper, heavy photo paper, labels, and an endless variety of other papers. I believe that this is one of the best options for a printer capable of handling heavy card stock.

AMC’s micro piezo print head achieves rich, vibrant colors and fantastic gradients as a result of its advanced micro piezo technology. In addition, it is highly absorbent and durable, making it the perfect material for cardstock. The two cartridges contain black ink, one for photo printing and the other for matte textures. Your cardstock prints will have excellent blacks and crisp lines. In addition, the ink is highly fade-resistant.

Pros
  • Use paper rolls up to 129 inches in length.
  • Nine cartridges with advanced micro piezo printhead
  • Heavy specialty media receive a dedicated rear feed
Cons
  • It can take a long time to process print requests

5. Canon PIXMA PRO-200 Vibrant Quality Printer

Canon PIXMA PRO-200
  • Compatible with a wide range of media and sizes.
  • With a enhanced 8-color dye-based ink system
  • Compact Design

In addition to being one of the best printers for thick cardstock, the Canon Pro-200 must also be a great printer for thick paper.

Moreover, it is possible to print very large prints, up to 13 inches wide, or even use it for borderless, smaller prints, such as cards.

Although this is the best printer for making cards and printing invitations, do not forget that the choice of paper will affect the final product.

The Canon Pro-300 offers three inks, plus a Chroma optimizer, while the 200 offers dye-based ink rather than pigment ink.

Pros
  • Feeding of heavier media by hand
  • Color image with a resolution of 4800×2400 dpi
  • Excellent printing in grayscale
Cons
  • No LCD

6. Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 Wide-Format Printer

Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300
  • Nozzle Recovery System and Skew Correction
  • Easy Of Use With Wide Dimensions
  • 9-color plus Chroma Optimizer ink system

I believe that PRO-300 is the best mixture of professional quality and home usage as a heavy cardstock printer.

With similar print quality and color accuracy to the Pro-1000, but in a smaller, cheaper package, this is the middle brother in Canon’s lineup, below the Pro-1000 and above the Pro-200. Two inks are lost compared to the Pro-1000, and the maximum width is reduced by four inches, but it has very little impact on most people.

Based on two main factors, I assure you that the Pro-300 is superior to the Pro-1000: a lower price and a much lower cost of ink. It is intended to be used intermittently rather than daily, the Pro-300 is essentially a home version of the Pro-1000. For a professional photo printer, it occupies a relatively small amount of desk space. It is smaller than the Pro-1000 and is about the same size as the Pro-200.

Our laboratory tests demonstrated that the Pro-200’s pigment inks offer better print quality than the dye inks, at least for black and white work, without the need to visit a photo lab.

Pros
  • The quality of the photo prints is excellent
  • A high degree of color accuracy and vibrancy
  • A reasonable price for the quality of prints
  • Compared to the Pro-1000, it is smaller and lighter
  • It is possible to print very long, panoramic images
Cons
  • Costly
  • In comparison to the Pro-200, this printer is not quite value for money when printing on card stock.

7. Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 Photographic Inkjet Printer

Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000
  • Anti-Clogging Technology
  • Air Feeding System
  • Wide Color Gamut

Canon’s Pro-1000 printer, which can produce prints up to 17 inches wide, is the largest printer on the list. I used PRO-1000 for producing prints for large walls and other large-format applications – although this printer is not ideal for making cards, it is capable of handling cardstock quite well.

I was quite impressed by 11 individual color cartridges, plus Chroma optimization that brings out the vibrant colors, the print quality and color accuracy.

This printer is so good that it will uncover all the small flaws you did not even notice in your photographs or artwork. It is certain to improve your artistic abilities!

Remember that official ink refills cost more than $700. Generic ink may be slightly cheaper, but it is not going to have the same impact as official ink does. You may not be able to afford the printer if you cannot afford refills.

Pros
  • Professional photo printers of the highest quality
  • Prints up to 17 inches wide
  • With vivid colors and very accurate black levels
Cons
  • A huge and heavy piece of equipment (70.5 pounds!)
  • Very costly

8. Epson SureColor P700 Cardstock Printer For Home Use

Epson SureColor P700
  • Outstanding image quality and color
  • No Photo and Matte Black ink switching
  • New 10-channel MicroPiezo AMC printhead

The next printer we tested, P700, is an excellent choice for a large-format Epson cardstock printer, provided that you are not concerned with the high cost of replacement ink.

Epson’s SureColor P700 inkjet printer is a successor to the SureColor P600 inkjet printer. It offers similar high-quality print performance but in a modern package. Despite their high quality, the images displayed here are quite expensive due to their excellent color accuracy and print quality.

This printer has an interesting feature: it includes two types of black cartridges, one for glossy paper and one for luster paper. According to the type of paper being used, the printer automatically selects the appropriate black cartridge.

As a consequence, this printer is not intended to be left unattended for long periods, as the print heads may get clogged with infrequent use, and excessive ink will be wasted when the printer is cleaned when it is set up, so you should ensure that you print each day before purchasing this printer. If so, then it would be a cheaper alternative to the Canon Pro-1000.

Pros
  • It is possible to print large prints
  • With exceptional photo quality and color accuracy
  • Large prints can be printed quickly (A3 in 2 minutes and 30 seconds).
  • Excellent connectivity and easy touchscreen operation
Cons
  • The cost of printing and ink is high
  • Maintenance carts can consume a lot of ink

9. HP Color LaserJet Pro M454dw Laserjet Printer

HP Color LaserJet Pro M454dw
  • Fast Two Sided Scanning
  • Touch Screen
  • PRINT WITH OR WITHOUT A NETWORK

While choosing the best color laser printer for cardstock, remember that even though laser printers have low image quality, they are not suited for printing photographs or documents with significant amounts of details. However, there are some applications where laser printers are well suited, such as high-volume printing of greeting cards and invitations.

You would need to look at an inkjet printer such as the Canon Pro-1000, which has a similar performance but is much more expensive.

The HP LaserJet Pro M255dw is limited to a maximum of 65lb / 175 gsm cardstock, but this is more than enough for most postcards and greeting cards and is actually able to accommodate the heaviest of all budget laser printers. Having a touchscreen control panel and a relatively small footprint, this printer is my favorite laser printer for printing cardstock.

Pros
  • This printer is capable of printing up to 28 pages per minute in both black and white
  • Features a 2.7-inch color touch screen
  • Automatically prints on both sides
  • Excellent cost per page
  • designed for high volumes and large print runs
  • suitable for mailing of cards and postcards
Cons
  • Low DPI results in lower quality prints
  • Maximum paper weight of 65 lb / 175 gms

10. HP LaserJet Pro M29w Monochrome Cardstock Printer

HP LaserJet Pro M29w Monochrome Cardstock Printer
  • Prints up to 19 pages per minute
  • Auto On/auto off Technology
  • Mobile Device Printing

The final and last machine on the list is the smallest laser printer for cardstock printing. Because it is the lightest and smallest printer on the list, it weighs slightly more than ten pounds. Furthermore, it has outstanding features, including one-click copying, color scanning, Wi-Fi Direct option, and Amazon Alexa integration. As well as being useful for DIYers and YouTubers who use the printer occasionally, it also makes a good printer for home use.

The M29w takes some time to print, however, it can still produce up to 19 pages per minute. Considering it is capable of printing on all types of cardstock, that is not bad for a small desk printer.
Even though this printer is much lighter than the last three on our list, it can still handle thick envelopes, business cards, and posters easily.

It is important to note that this printer for envelopes and cardstock does have some significant drawbacks. There is no color printing option or fax option (which is actually not a detriment when you think about it), no Ethernet networking option or USB printing option, neither is there dual-sided printing. The sheet will need to be manually modified in this case. There are a few minor constraints, however, when it comes to speed, convenience, and size, this is the most suitable option.

Pros
  • Professional photo printers of the highest quality
  • Prints up to 17 inches wide
  • With vivid colors and very accurate black levels
Cons
  • A huge and heavy piece of equipment (70.5 pounds!)
  • Very costly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

A cardstock printer, whether it is inkjet or laser, is a printing device designed to print on thicker material such as cardstock. There is a slight difference in thickness between these papers and conventional office paper and some additional printing skills are necessary to obtain the required results. In addition to printing on cards, such printers often have the capacity to print on general-purpose paper and other materials of a thicker thickness. Howver, it does not include printing for fabrics like T-shirts.

Most of the time, no. Heavy materials, such as cardstock, cannot be fed into a basic printer. You are more likely to experience a stuck print, garbled output, or worse, possibly damage your printer.

A printer with an appropriate cardstock tray or control operation is best suited for printing on cardstock paper. Because this varies from model to model, it is advisable to carefully read the instruction manual.

To obtain the best deals and discounts, we recommend purchasing online through Amazon. Also, if you wish to support a local retailer, you can shop in an electronics store offline.

Different brands, features, and types have different prices. Cardstock printers can cost as much as several hundred dollars. In contrast, printers capable of printing on thicker cardstock and more advanced models will be more expensive.

Canon, Epson, HP, or Brother are recommended. These printers are all designed to cope with heavy cardstock.

You can generally print up to 100 lbs. thickness cardstocks. In most cases, cardstock is classified according to its weight, which is determined by the number of pounds (lbs.) per thousand sheets. An average cardstock weighs 65 pounds (the thinnest) and 110 pounds (the thickest).  

If your printer is capable of handling a particular thickness, you can select one accordingly. Keep your preference set to heavy paper, and your printer will take care of the rest.

Yes, cardstock can be printed on canon. Having used this printer over and over again, I have printed numerous business cards. In the drop-down selection for paper type, there is no option for “cardstock”. In the paper selection menu, I selected “high resolution”.

Conclusion

There is no denying that the answer to the question “what is the best printer for card stock?” can vary from user to user. We chose these ten top machines since we believe they have the capability to handle any printing requirements that a business might have.

However, if you are unable to decide between two models when shopping, here is what we would choose if we had very specific requirements.

  • Canon PRO-1000 – HD color, fast operation, wide format support
  • Epson SureColor P700 – fastest color printer, wireless capabilities, highest resolution
  • The HP LaserJet Pro M29w offers a set of quite desirable features in a very compact size.

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