Printing on heavy paper and cardstock requires a printer with excellent paper handling, high-quality output, and compatibility with thicker materials. Whether you’re printing greeting cards, business cards, or professional-quality artwork, choosing the right printer is essential.
1. Canon Pixma Pro 200 – Best for High-Quality Color Prints
The Canon Pixma Pro 200 is an excellent choice for stunning, vibrant color prints on cardstock. This 8-color dye-based inkjet printer is built for photographers, designers, and artists who need professional-grade print quality.
- Paper Handling: Supports media up to 13” x 19” and handles cardstock with ease.
- Print Quality: 8-color ink system ensures deeper blacks, smoother gradients, and precise color accuracy.
- Speed: Produces a borderless A3 print in about 90 seconds.
- Downside: Uses dye-based inks, which may not be as long-lasting as pigment-based inks for archival prints.
2. Epson Expression XP-15000 – Best Budget Wide-Format Printer
The Epson Expression XP-15000 is an affordable wide-format printer that can handle cardstock up to 140 lb (300 gsm). It’s great for high-quality color printing on a budget.
- Paper Handling: Supports cardstock, glossy, matte, and specialty paper up to 13” x 19”.
- Print Quality: Uses Claria Photo HD inks for sharp text and vibrant colors.
- Compact Design: Smaller than most wide-format printers, making it ideal for home offices.
- Downside: Lacks pigment-based inks, so prints might not be as archival.
3. Brother MFC-L2710DW – Best Laser Printer for Cardstock
The Brother MFC-L2710DW is a monochrome laser printer perfect for printing professional documents, business cards, and forms on thicker paper.
- Paper Handling: Can handle cardstock up to 43 lb bond (163 gsm) via its manual feed slot.
- Speed & Efficiency: Prints at 32 pages per minute (ppm), ideal for high-volume printing.
- Cost-Effective: Uses toner instead of ink, reducing long-term printing costs.
- Downside: Black-and-white only, not suitable for color-heavy projects.
4. Epson EcoTank ET-8550 – Best Ink Efficiency for Cardstock
The Epson EcoTank ET-8550 is a cost-effective printer with a refillable ink tank system, delivering excellent print quality on thick paper.
- Paper Handling: Prints on media up to 13” x 19” and supports heavy cardstock up to 300 gsm.
- Ink System: The EcoTank system eliminates cartridges, reducing long-term ink costs.
- Print Quality: Uses 6-color Claria ET pigment ink for sharp text and deep color saturation.
- Downside: Slower print speeds than laser models, and the upfront cost is high.
5. Epson SureColor P900 – Best for Professional Archival Prints
The Epson SureColor P900 is one of the best options for museum-quality prints on heavy paper, using pigment-based ink for longevity.
- Paper Handling: Handles cardstock up to 1.5mm thick and supports panoramic prints up to 17” wide.
- Print Quality: Uses UltraChrome PRO10 inks for deep blacks, rich colors, and long-lasting prints.
- Advanced Features: Supports roll paper printing and has a built-in color calibration system.
- Downside: Expensive, but justifiable for professionals.
Final Thoughts: Best Cardstock Printer for 2025
Choosing the right printer for heavy paper and cardstock depends on your needs:
- Best for High-Quality Color: Canon Pixma Pro 200
- Best Budget Wide-Format: Epson Expression XP-15000
- Best Laser Printer for Heavy Paper: Brother MFC-L2710DW
- Best for Ink Efficiency: Epson EcoTank ET-8550
- Best for Professional Archival Prints: Epson SureColor P900
Each of these printers is built to handle thicker media, ensuring crisp, high-quality prints for artists, designers, small businesses, and professionals alike. Happy printing!