Best Cardstock Printer in 2023: our top 5 picks (September)
Looking for the best cardstock printer? You’ve come to the right place.
Printing high-quality materials has become a necessity for various personal and professional purposes. Whether creating invitations, business cards, or crafting projects, having a reliable cardstock printer is essential to bring your designs to life. Hence, we created this best cardstock printer guide to help you make the right decision for your needs.
Cardstock printers, like photo printers, are printers which perform particularly well on varied materials – in this case, card stock, which is used for products like greeting cards or some art prints. The extra bonus of this is that the best cardstock printers will perform as well with heavy cardstock as they will other materials aside from standard paper, like glossy photo paper and envelopes.
In this comprehensive review, we will explore the top printers in the market that are specifically tailored to handle cardstock printing with precision and excellence.
Products at a Glance
How we picked the best cardstock printer
When selecting a cardstock printer, we understand that printing quality and performance are everything. However, we also know that many other factors can influence your decision. That’s why we created a list of essential things to consider when purchasing the best cardstock printer and accessed all the printers based on that.
For instance, we considered printer type, paper handling, ink/toner compatibility, printer budget, and customer reviews. After running multiple printers through this assessment, we picked the top 5 printers to add to this list.
Inkjet printers vs Laser printers
When looking for a new or replacement printer, you will have to choose whether you’re after an inkjet printer or a laser printer. Both have pros and cons: for example, inkjet printers tend to have a better depth of color but are more expensive to run, whereas laser printers are cheaper to run but have limited coloring capacities.
Although laser printers excel at printing text on regular paper, inkjet printers outperform them when it comes to printing on cardstock. The drawback even with high-quality laser printers is that they utilize heat to fuse toner onto the paper, causing the cardstock to warp.
Best Cardstock Printer in 2023: our top 5 picks (September)
- High printing speed for quick printouts
- Wireless and cloud-based printing are available
- Easily maintainable ink cartridges
- 9600 x 2400 maximum dpi quality print
- Lacks scanning and faxing features
- Maintenance can be challenging
The Canon PIXMA iX6820 is a wireless inkjet printer designed for high-quality printing of documents and photos. Its compact and stylish design suits home offices or small businesses.
The PIXMA iX6820 can print documents and photos up to 13 x 19 inches. It uses a 5-color ink system. An exceptional color ink system and weight handling make it a great fit for various printings, including cardstock, black and white, and sticker prints.
It supports wireless connectivity, so you can seamlessly connect your printer to any system for quick cardstock prints. The PIXMA iX6820 delivers a print resolution of up to 9600 x 2400 dpi. It is very quick when it comes to printing and can produce a borderless 4 x 6-inch photo in approximately 36 seconds.
- Supports borderless printing for various paper sizes
- Good print quality and color accuracy
- Small and compact
- High-yield cartridge available
- High cost per print
- The scanner’s accuracy in picking up fine details is poor
- Lacks automatic document feeder
If you want the best cardstock printer on a limited budget, HP Envy 6055 is the right choice. It is a versatile all-in-one printer that can handle cardstock printing effectively. Having a high-print quality with a maximum resolution of 1200 x 1200 dpi, the printer ensures sharp and detailed prints on cardstock, resulting in vibrant colors and clear text.
The Envy 6055 has a sturdy paper handling mechanism, ideal for cardstock printing. Additionally, this printer offers a comprehensive solution. Besides printing, Envy 6055 offers scanning and copying capabilities. This versatility makes it suitable for users who require additional functionality beyond cardstock printing.
Plus, the HP Smart App is a fantastic way to print remotely, update firmware, and more.
- Wide-format printing available for cardstock and other paper types
- Both wired and wireless connectivity options are available
- Easy ink system maintenance
- Dual-sided printing
- Lacks cloud support
- Low highest resolution, which is 5760 x 1440 dpi
The Epson Expression XP-15000 is widely regarded as one of the best printers for cardstock due to its exceptional features and capabilities. One of its key strengths lies in its print quality. The printer utilizes advanced technology, including Epson’s MicroPiezo inkjet technology and six-color Claria Photo HD ink, resulting in outstanding print quality with vibrant colors, sharp details, and smooth gradients.
We love the fact the connection is strong and reliable for wireless printing, allowing you to create lovely greeting cards from mobile devices, laptops or a tablet. Ethernet allows for seamless wired printing, meaning you have the option of both.
Another factor that sets the XP-15000 apart is its ability to handle wide-format printing. With support for sizes up to 13 x 19 inches, it allows users to print on larger sheets, accommodating various card sizes and designs. This is especially advantageous when working with cardstock, as it provides the flexibility to create larger and more impactful designs.
- Good for wide-format prints
- Budget-friendly
- Fantastic color options and quality
- Printing speed is slow
- Does not support roll media
PIXMA PRO-200 is often regarded as one of the best cardstock printers for many reasons. To begin with, It features an 8-color dye-based ink system, which ensures accurate color prints on the cardstock.
Moreover, it has an excellent paper-handling capacity.It has wide-format printer capabilities, with rear tray that can accommodate cardstock and other thick media up to 0.6 mm in thickness. It also has a fast printing speed, meaning you can print your cardstock quickly and efficiently.
Lastly, it offers an optimal value for its price range. It is a budget-friendly printer with exceptional features.
- ChromaLife100 ink system for high color absorbance
- 5 color cartridges
- Automatic document feeder
- Can print heavier page weights
- Takes a long to warm up
- Quite bulky
The last to feature on our list of best cardstock printers is Canon TS9521C. This printer offers a lot of versatility in terms of paper handling. It supports cardstock up to 12×12 inches, making it suitable for scrapbooking, crafting, and other creative projects. Additionally, it features a rear tray designed specifically for cardstock. The tray accommodates thicker media and ensures smooth feeding without bending or damaging the cardstock, providing consistent results.
It also has a large color gamut, producing a wide range of colors. The print quality of these crafting projects or just regular photos will also be bright and outstanding.
Things to Consider When Buying the Best Cardstock Printer for Your Needs
While you can take inspiration from this article, the ultimate best cardstock printer for your specific needs will depend on your requirements. Hence, the first thing you need to do is define what you need from the cardstock printer.
For example, do you want it for personal or professional use? Likewise, you must also consider what type of connectivity you need. Should it be wired or wireless?
Some other things to consider are:
Print quality
Print quality is of course important, especially if you’re printing on card for commercial use, e.g a small business creating greetings cards or business cards. Aim for a higher resolution (dpi) if this is the case.
Print size and format
It is crucial to ensure that the printer can accommodate the desired print size and format for your cardstock projects. Some printers may have limitations on the maximum size they can handle, so checking the compatibility is essential.
Printing speed
The printing speed determines how quickly your cardstock prints will be produced. If you have high-volume printing needs, for example if you are a small business, a faster printing speed can significantly improve efficiency and productivity.
Paper handling capability
Cardstock tends to be thicker and heavier than regular paper, so it’s important to choose a printer with robust paper handling capabilities. Look for features like adjustable paper trays, manual feed options, and compatibility with various paper weights to ensure smooth and reliable printing.
Ink system
Different printers employ different ink systems, such as dye-based or pigment-based inks. These have different degrees of color depth and range. Consider the ink system that best suits your cardstock printing requirements in terms of color vibrancy, durability, and resistance to fading.
Brand and support
Opting for a reputable printer brand ensures better quality, reliability, and ongoing support. Research customer reviews and consider factors like warranty, technical support, and availability of printer accessories or replacement parts.
Additional features
Some printers may offer extra features that can enhance your cardstock printing experience. This could include wireless connectivity, duplex printing, high-resolution capabilities, or specialized print modes for specific cardstock finishes or textures.
Budget and total cost of ownership
Set a budget that aligns with your cardstock printing needs and consider the total cost of ownership, which includes the initial price, but also factors like ink or toner costs, maintenance requirements, and potential future upgrades.
Our Verdict
We consider Canon Pixma iX6820 to be the best pick from this list. Its compact size with high-quality and fast-speed printing makes it an excellent choice. With the ability to print documents up to 13 x 19 inches, it can print cardstocks of various sizes and weights.
If you want a more budget-friendly option, you can also go with HP Envy 6055 or Canon PIXMA PRO-200.