Cardstock printers stand out when it comes to the quality of the images they print. They are now available in a lot of markets like Walmart, which made them more available than ever.
The printers require more ink than standard printers and need to be more powerful to accommodate both heavy paper and ink.
Choosing a good cardstock printer is a bit tricky. You have to find the right one to avoid paper jams and consequently wasting paper.
We made you a list of the best printers for Cardstock so that you can make an informed decision about which one you need.
Table of Contents
List Of The Top Printers for Cardstock
- Epson Artisan 1430 – Connects In Many Ways
- Canon Pixma Pro-100 – Flexible Laser Functionality
- Canon Pixma iX6820 – Five Colors of Ink For More Detail
- Brother MFC-J895DW – Ideal For Black and White Printing
- Epson Workforce WF-7720 – A Green Choice
So, without further ado, let’s get right into it.
Our Favourite Picks of Printers for Cardstock
| Name | Epson Artisan 1430 | Canon Pixma Pro-100 | Canon Pixma iX6820 | Brother MFC – J895DW | Epson Workforce WF-7720 |
| Ink Set | 6 color ink system | 8 cartilage ink system | 5 color ink system | 4 color cartilages | 4 cartilages ink system |
| Maximum Print Speed | 2.8 | 1.2 | 14.5 pages per minute | 12 ppm / 10 ppm | 18 pages per minute |
| Auto Document Feeder | Yes | No | Yes | Yes 20 sheets | Yes |
| Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless USB CableMobile Memory | WirelessEthernet port | WirelessUSBEthernetPlug-in Flash drivesNFC connectivity | Wi-Fi |
| Duplex | Yes | No | No | yes | yes |
| Paper Tray | 120 sheets | 150 sheets | 150 sheets | 150 sheets | 2 trays each containing 250 sheets |
| Price | CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE |
The 5 Best Printers for Cardstock in 2024
1. Epson Artisan 1430
Epson Artisan 1430 is a leading color printer that uses six-color Claria ink. The resolution of the pictures that come out is one of a kind with high-definition 5760 x 1440 DPI.
The ink quality is top-notch. It is not only water-resistant but also, it is scratch and smudge resistant and is bound to last much longer than other ink would.
Also, one of the features you will absolutely love is the fact that it uses individual inks, which means that you will only be able to replace the one that needs replacement without wasting your money or the ink itself.
When it comes to connectivity, it has everything you could ask for, you can use wireless connectivity to connect to the printer, or you can connect it to your PC directly using USB. However, the USB port doesn’t support flash drives or other USB devices.
On the bright side, you can print from your smartphone using the EpsonConnect App.
- High-definition prints
- Six color inks
- Wireless connectivity
- It supports lightening correction and advanced color qualities
- The prints resist water, scratches, and smudges.
- Can replace different color individually
- No media card slot
- Slow even though it produces high-quality photos
- The printer is heavy and bulky
Final verdict
If you use the right paper material, you will get the best quality for your printed photographs. This printer is our first choice when it comes to colors and quality. You want to stay away from plain paper while using this printer, but other than that, it is the best value for your money, and your cardstock will be nothing but capturing.
2. Canon Pixma Pro-100
Canon Pixma Pro-100 will help you get great print details, and with the FINE technology Canon uses, the quality you end up with is top-notch.
The printer has an 8-cartilage ink system that will give you a wider range of colors than other printers on the market. Besides, you can use it to get the best black and white photo quality as it is backed up with three black ink cartridges.
When it comes to paper stocks, it can accommodate up to 150 sheets at the same time.
One of the best features of the printer is the ability to directly print from Adobe Photoshop CS and Lightroom because it includes a print studio Pro plugin software.
Also, there are multiple connectivity options, and you can get a print size up to 13 x 19 inches.
Unfortunately, the printer isn’t your fastest option, so you will have to make sure you give yourself enough time to print and push your deadlines forward to be on the safe side. Also, we wish the printer had a preview display.
- High-quality photos
- Extended range of colors options
- Great value for money
- A Print Studio Pro Plugin Software
- Multiple connectivity options
- A relatively slow printer
- No Preview display
Final Verdict
Canon Pixma Pro-100 is a highly affordable inkjet wireless printer. It produces high-quality photos and is considered one of the most compact printers for cardstock that retain versatile functions.
Read more about: The best Printers for Stickers in 2024
3. Canon Pixma iX6820
Canon Pixma iX6820 is one of the best printers when it comes to the resolution of the photos. Your print can reach a resolution of 9600 x 2400 DPI.
It is higher than the resolution provided by the Pro-100 model that can only reach up to 4800 x 2400 DPI. The printer is capable of printing a full-color photograph that is 4 x 6 inches or a borderless 13 x 19 inches print in 36 seconds. This makes it faster than the Pro-100 model mentioned above.
Furthermore, it has a 5-color ink configuration that makes it able to produce breath-taking colors.
When it comes to connectivity, the printer does a decent job. It is provided with an Ethernet port and, of course, Wi-Fi Connectivity as well. Besides, it is compatible with the Pixma Printing Solutions Smartphone Application that allows you to print from your smartphone.
The printer can handle up to 150 sheets thanks to the automatic document feeder that’s built-in.
And lastly, the printer automatically turns off when you are not using it, which saves energy and money.
On the downside, the printer lacks duplexing capabilities, which means that you won’t be able to print on both sides of the sheet at the same time.
- High-resolution photo
- Fast printing
- 5-color ink configuration
- Pixma Printing Solution Application to print from your smartphone
- Automatic power management
- Lacks duplexing capabilities
Final Verdict
The Canon Pixma iX6820 is an outstanding inkjet printer. It is affordable, and you can use it in your home or your office and end up with amazing colors.
4. Brother MFC-J895DW
Brother MFC-J895DW is an excellent printer for printing cardstock because, with its unique features, you can get a perfect print with a 300 gm/m2 maximum capacity of media weight. The Printer stands out whether you are planning to use it for printing or scanning, copying, or even faxing.
Also, it will get the job done quickly without compromising the resolution of the print. In fact, the resolution of the print can reach 6000 x 1200 DPI, which is quite impressive.
Unlike the previous Printer, Brother MFC-J895DW is capable of automatic duplexing and can be used to print borderless photos up to 8.5 x 11 inches.
What makes this Printer user-friendly is the 2.7-inch LCD color touchscreen. It allows you to check your printing status and also adjust the settings.
The Printer supports Wi-Fi connectivity, USB 2.0, USB host, Ethernet, Plug-in flash drives, and NFC connectivity.
The Printer has a lot of impressive capabilities; however, it has the capacity to hold 100 sheets only in its standard paper-handling source and 20 sheets in the automatic document feeder. Also, the quality of the graphics drops every now and then.
- High-resolution
- User-friendly display and control panel
- Multiple connectivity options
- Low paper capacity
- Graph quality is inconsistent
- High running cost
Final Verdict
Brother MFC-J895DW is the best when it comes to heavy cardstock printing. It is easy to use and adjust. It is better to use it for printing small volumes yet, it does a decent job and can print photos up to 8.5 x 14 inches.
5. Epson Workforce WF-7720
Epson Workforce WF-7720 can support paper around 192 gm/m2, which is enough to make it a satisfying cardstock printer. You can print a paper size up to 11.7 x 17 inches, and it produces 18 ppm in black and ten ppm in color.
Just like the previous model, it can be used for printing, copying, as well as scanning.
The connectivity options while using Epson Workforce WF-7720 are various including, Wi-Fi and NFC and also, Ethernet wired connection or USB 2.0.
It supports automatic duplexing with an additional 35.sheet automatic document feeder.
What is really impressive about Epson Workforce WF-7720 is that it comes with two paper trays. Each tray can hold a maximum of 250 sheets, not to mention the rear feed slot for specialized media.
Also, it is one of the easiest printers to use with a 4.3-inch color touchscreen interface that you can use to adjust your settings and know the printing status.
Sadly, the printer only supports standard graphics printing, even though it works using a 4-color drop-on-demand system with DURABrite Ultra pigment inks. The ink can endure on the paper and extend time up to 84 years.
- Printing, copying, and scanning
- Auto-duplexing ADF
- Can print paper up to 13 x 19 inches
- LCD Touch Screen makes it easy to adjust
- Two trays each can hold up to 250 sheets
- Automatic Document Feeder
- Standard graphics printing
Final Verdict
Epson Workforce WF-7720 is worth your money. You can print high-quality cardstock and use it for other purposes as well. The only downside is that it only supports standard graphics, but still, you will end up with bright and vibrant colors.
Read also: Printers Compatible With Chromebook
How to Pick a Printer for Cardstock
Cardstock is better than regular paper when it comes to quality and durability. The main difference between them is the thickness.
Cardstock usually weighs between 50 and 110 pounds, which is equivalent to 135 to 300 g/m2.
The first thing to look at when buying a printer for cardstock is the thickness of the paper it can handle to print successfully. Each printer comes with a minimum and a maximum thickness that can be used in it, which accordingly gives you an idea about the thickness of the paper that you should be getting to print your cards or invitations.
This is crucial to keep in mind because using paper that is too sick will end up jamming your unit, and you won’t get anything out of it but trouble. You might even ruin a perfect and expensive printer.
Here’s how the Whole process is done:
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can You Use A Standard Printer To Print Cardstock?
Well, if it is a one-time thing and the difference in the thickness between the Cardstock and what the printer can handle is nothing to be mentioned, then it might go through. However, you will be risking jamming the printer, and you will probably waste paper trying to push the printer to do it.
Can You Print on Cardstock With an Inkjet Printer?
Definitely, most of the printers that are designed to print on Cardstock are inkjet printers. Actually, these printers generally so a much better job than laser printer counterparts. Yet, one thing you will notice is that laser printers that are capable of working with Cardstock produce a sharper image that is of better quality.
Can You Print Cardstock On A Laser Printer?
Most of the time, a laser printer can’t handle Cardstock, and if you use Cardstock with them, you will end up with a big mess. Still, a minority of laser printers do handle them just fine, but usually, the Cardstock that can be used with them doesn’t exceed 65 pounds.
The Sizes That Work For Cardstock?
Final Verdict
This was our list of the best printers for cardstock. Epson Artisan 1430 comes on the top of the list for the maximum capabilities, but, Canon Pixma Pro-100 is almost just as good.
The best printer for heavy cardstock is Brother MFC-J895DW, but if you are looking for something that good and not pricey at the same time, then Canon Pixma iX6820 is the way to go.
Once you figure out the features you want in your cardstock printer – and knowing the capabilities of the previous printers – it will be easy for you to decide which printer you should get.