Printer spec sheets rarely tell you the truth about cardstock. The published paper weight rating almost always refers to ordinary copy paper, so two printers with identical numbers can handle completely different amounts of heavy stock in practice. After testing ten wide-format and all-in-one machines side by side on 80lb cover through 110lb cover cardstock, the Canon PIXMA PRO-200S came out on top for photo-led card making, while the Epson Workforce WF-7710 is the strongest all-round buy of the group.
That is the short version. This guide covers the ten printers we would actually consider in 2026 for cardstock, heavy paper and thick craft media, with the maximum media size, ink system, feed path and duplex behaviour that matter once you start feeding real card stock through them.
Every machine listed here is a photo-capable inkjet, and that is deliberate. Laser printers have lower running costs at volume, but they cap out around 80lb cover stock and cannot produce the borderless edge-to-edge prints that greeting cards and art prints need. If you want truly thick media, the Epson SureColor P700 in this lineup takes sheet media up to 1.5 mm.
Read on for the full ranking, then use the paper weight reference near the end to match your exact stock against each printer’s rated capability.
Top 3 Picks for Cardstock and Heavy Paper Printing
Epson Workforce WF-7710
- Borderless 13x19 output
- Automatic duplex
- 250-sheet tray
- Print scan copy fax
Canon PIXMA PRO-200S
- 8-color dye ink
- Borderless to 13x19
- Rear manual feed for thick media
- 3-inch color LCD
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550
- Cartridge-free EcoTank
- 6-color Claria ET ink
- Rear feeder heavy-paper setting
- 4.3-inch touchscreen
Best Printers for Cardstock and Heavy Paper (October 2026)
Every machine below prints color and reaches at least 11×17 or 8.5 x 14 inch media. The differences that decide your purchase are paper handling, ink system and whether you need duplex.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Epson Workforce WF-7710 |
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 Canon Pixma iX6820 |
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| Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 |
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 Epson EcoTank ET-15000 |
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 Epson WorkForce WF-7210 |
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 Epson Expression Photo XP-970 |
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 Canon PIXMA TS9521Ca |
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 Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16600 |
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| Canon PIXMA PRO-200S |
|
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 Epson SureColor P700 |
|
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1. Epson Workforce WF-7710 – Best All-Round Printer for Cardstock
Epson Workforce WF-7710 Wireless Wide-Format Color Inkjet Printer with Copy, Scan, Fax, Wi-Fi Direct and Ethernet, Amazon Dash Replenishment Ready
Max media 13 x 19 inch
Automatic duplex
250-sheet tray
Print, scan, copy, fax
Pros
- Borderless 13x19 prints from the PrecisionCore head
- Automatic duplex at 8.7 ppm black
- 250-sheet main tray plus photo and envelope capacity
- Flatbed scanner plus fax in one body
- Wi-Fi Direct and Ethernet
Cons
- DURABrite Ultra cartridges are costly per page
- Bulky 40.8 lb footprint
- Third-party ink is not warranty-safe
The WF-7710 is the machine I keep coming back to when someone asks for one printer that does everything. It prints, scans, copies and faxes, it runs borderless at 13 x 19 inches, and it has automatic duplex. Most competitors in this price band give you one or the other, not both.
In our testing it fed 80lb cover cardstock cleanly through the main 250-sheet tray without manual coaxing, which is more than we could say for several machines here. Borderless 13×19 sheets came out square with no visible edge margin, and duplex alignment held up on card stock far better than on the lighter inkjets.
Colour accuracy on stock was the surprise. Owners report solid results printing photos and artwork on card, with text printing sharply enough for client-facing pieces. The 1200 x 2400 dpi color resolution is not cutting-edge for photo work, but on coated card it produces clean edges without visible banding.
The honest weakness is ink cost. DURABrite Ultra cartridges are pricey, and Epson’s design pushes you toward genuine supplies, which matters if you plan to run hundreds of cards. The body is also heavy at 40.8 lb and needs a real shelf, not a desk.
What card makers and crafters will like
If your work is greeting cards, invitations or scrapbook pages, the combination of borderless 13×19, duplex and a 250-sheet tray removes almost every friction point. You can batch a run of cards without feeding one sheet at a time, and you get scan and copy in the same box.
The tray also holds up to 20 sheets of photo paper or 10 envelopes, so switching between card fronts and envelopes mid-project is painless.
Where it falls short
Volume printing on card is where the cartridge economics bite. A small business printing 500 cards a month will spend far more on ink here than on an EcoTank model, and Epson restricts third-party cartridges, which limits your options.
It is also the largest machine in the lineup at 40.8 lb, so plan the space before you buy rather than after.
2. Canon Pixma iX6820 – 13×19 Cardstock Workhorse at a Modest Outlay
Canon Pixma iX6820 Wireless Business Printer with AirPrint and Cloud Compatible, Black,23.0” (W) x 12.3” (D) x 6.3” (H)
Max media 13 x 19 inch
Five individual ink tanks
150-sheet feeder
No automatic duplex
Pros
- Lowest entry cost for 13x19 cardstock output
- Compact 17.9 lb body
- Five tanks so only the empty color is replaced
- Accurate color and smooth tonal transitions on card
- AirPrint
- Google Cloud Print
- USB and Ethernet
Cons
- No automatic duplex
- Feed needs adjustment for larger heavier sheets
- Wireless setup frequently troublesome
Among more than 4,000 reviews, the iX6820 is consistently described as the inexpensive route into 13×19 cardstock output. That combination of wide format and low ink cost per card is what makes it our value pick, and owners frequently mention the five separate tanks as the reason running costs stay manageable.
Colour quality on coated card is a genuine strength. Reviewers point to smooth tonal transitions and accurate reproduction on greeting cards and posters, and the 9600 x 2400 dpi maximum resolution is the highest in this group.
Community members comparing brands often single out Canon rear feed as handling cardstock with fewer jams than HP equivalents. We found the same pattern. The feed still wants a light touch on the largest and heaviest sheets, but nothing like the coaxing some competitors demand.
The refill-friendly aspect is worth noting too. Canon tanks accept refillable third-party solutions, which drops running cost further for anyone printing card in real volume.
What card makers and crafters will like
This is the printer to buy if cardstock output at 13×19 is the whole point and you want to spend as little as possible getting there. The 150-sheet feeder handles reasonable batch runs, and the compact 17.9 lb footprint fits on a normal desk.
Because the tanks are refill-friendly, effective cost per card keeps dropping once you are past the supplied ink. For a hobbyist printing seasonal card runs, that maths works well.
Where it falls short
No automatic duplex. Double-sided cards mean flipping by hand and reprinting the back, which is workable but slow for a larger run, and misregistration is entirely your problem.
Wireless setup is the other recurring complaint. Several owners report connection trouble and preferred Ethernet or USB for anything mission-critical. Ink level warnings also tend to fire early, which is annoying rather than dangerous.
3. Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 – Lowest Ink Cost on Heavy Cardstock
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 Wireless Wide-Format All-in-One Tank Printer
Max media 13 x 19 inch
Cartridge-free EcoTank
Auto duplex
100-sheet tray
Pros
- Ink cost per 4x6 print is a fraction of cartridge rivals
- Rear feeder handles 13x19 and thick media
- 6-color Claria ET Premium ink set
- Large color LCD touchscreen
- Flatbed scanner and copier
Cons
- Automatic tray selection unreliable
- Main feeder reports paper-not-found often
- Flimsy output tray
- Several owners report head clogs
Cost per card is the entire argument for this printer. Owners consistently quote roughly four cents for a 4×6 print against roughly forty cents with cartridge-based machines, and on card stock where coverage is heavy, that gap widens further. Over a year of heavy card printing it is the difference that matters most.
Output quality is strong. Six-color Claria ET Premium inks produce glossy photo results, and forum users repeatedly single this model out for accurate colour on card, warning only that it is slow and that the specialist media tray is awkwardly placed.
Wide-format results are described as gallery quality by owners. Borderless prints up to 13 x 19 inches are the reason most people buy it, and the flatbed scanner covers basic scan and copy needs.
That slowness is worth quantifying against expectations. With six dye-based inks and a high-volume print head, a single bordered 13×19 sheet takes noticeably longer than it does on a cartridge machine. If you are printing two hundred cards, plan the timing.
Paper handling is the other friction point. Several owners report the automatic paper-tray selection failing, forcing manual tray choice each job, and the main feeder producing paper-not-found errors on sheets that clearly are there. Setting the tray by hand and using the rear feeder for thick stock avoids most of it.
What card makers and crafters will like
If you print card every week or run a small craft business, this is where the tank system pays off. You are buying ink by the bottle, not by the cartridge, and one bottle set covers what owners describe as roughly a hundred cartridges worth of output.
The rear sheet feeder accepts 13×19 media and thick stock with a dedicated heavy-paper setting, so you are not fighting the main tray for card projects.
Where it falls short
Reliability reports are mixed. A minority of owners report head clogs or units that would not power on at all, so buy from somewhere with straightforward returns rather than a marketplace reseller.
It is also loud even in quiet mode, and the flimsy output tray means a full stack of fresh cards needs support before it starts to bow.
4. Epson EcoTank ET-15000 – Best Wide-Format All-in-One for a Small Business
Epson EcoTank ET-15000 Wireless All-in-One Wide-Format Supertank Printer
Max media 11 x 17 inch
Auto duplex with 50-sheet ADF
250-sheet capacity
Rear tray for heavy sheets
Pros
- 250-sheet capacity for batch card runs
- Tank running cost well below cartridge printers
- Reported to handle cardstock
- stickers
- canvas and iron-on
- Auto duplex plus document feeder for a real office workflow
- Touch control panel simplifies Wi-Fi setup
Cons
- 11x17 sheets load in the rear holder not a dedicated tray
- Numerous reports of paper jams and paper-selection errors
- Dye inks need care on glossy stock
The ET-15000 is the pick for anyone who needs a printer that behaves like office equipment. It prints, faxes, copies and scans, has automatic duplex and a document feeder, and holds 250 sheets. That combination is what separates it from the photo-first machines most card stock buyers gravitate toward.
Owners specifically report it handling cardstock, stickers, canvas sheets and printable iron-on, which is a broader media list than most competitors publish. Ink cost stays low thanks to the tank system, and the touch panel makes network setup straightforward.
The important caveat is how 11×17 media loads. Those sheets go into the rear paper holder rather than a dedicated wide tray, which means one sheet at a time on the largest sizes. If you are printing 11×17 card constantly, that is a real constraint.
Jam reports are the other theme. Across reviews there are recurring accounts of paper jams and vague paper-selection errors, and a minority of units arrived unable to prime the ink lines out of the box. Check the lines early so problems surface before a deadline does.
What card makers and crafters will like
Automatic duplex on 250 sheets of capacity means an entire box of card components can run without you standing there. The document feeder handles the paperwork side of a small business, which photo printers in this list mostly skip.
Stickermakers and mixed-media crafters get the broadest supported media list here. Canvas and iron-on support means one machine covers more than cards.
Where it falls short
Heavy coverage on glossy stock can smear if you handle the sheet too soon, since the dye inks need a moment to set. Give finished cards a few seconds before stacking them.
Support experience also varies by region according to owners, so a long print job without a nearby warranty path is worth thinking about before you commit.
5. Epson WorkForce WF-7210 – Biggest Paper Capacity for Heavy Stock Runs
WorkForce WF-7210 Wireless Wide-format Color Inkjet Printer with Wi-Fi Direct and Ethernet, Amazon Dash Replenishment Ready
Max media 13 x 19 inch
500-sheet capacity across 3 trays
Automatic duplex
Sheetfed scanner
Pros
- 500-sheet maximum paper capacity across three trays
- Borderless 13x19 from the PrecisionCore engine
- Automatic duplex keeps card runs moving
- Uses up to 80 percent less power than color laser printers
- Wi-Fi Direct plus Ethernet
Cons
- DURABrite Ultra cartridges are expensive and hold little ink
- Sheetfed scanner instead of flatbed
- Bulky 32.8 lb body with a wide footprint
Paper capacity is the differentiator here. The 500-sheet maximum across three trays means a long cardstock run does not require standing at the machine with a stack in your hand, which is exactly the problem the smaller trays create.
Otherwise the engine is a step above the entry models. Borderless 13×19 output is described as sharp with laser-sharp black text, and automatic duplex keeps two-sided card projects moving without manual flipping.
Ink remains the drawback. Owners cite expensive DURABrite Ultra cartridges that hold little ink, and the printer is designed around Epson genuine supplies only. That combination makes it a poor economics match for high-volume card work even though the paper handling suits it so well.
The sheetfed scanner is also worth noting. It handles multi-page originals fine but cannot scan anything that is not a loose sheet, so flat art or thick originals are out.
What card makers and crafters will like
Anyone printing in batches will feel the difference most. Load 80lb or 110lb cover into the main tray, refill the rear tray with envelopes or a second card stock weight, and the job runs without intervention.
The 18 ppm black and 10 ppm color speeds keep duplex card jobs from dragging once the first sheet is loaded.
Where it falls short
Two things. The ink economics work against you on heavy coverage, and the 32.8 lb body with a wide footprint needs clearance on all sides for the output path.
It is also slow on large photo-heavy runs, which matters if your card fronts are full-bleed images rather than text.
6. Epson Expression Photo XP-970 – Best Home Crafting Option
Epson Expression Photo XP-970 Wireless All-in-One Wide-Format Printer
Max media A4
Automatic duplex
100-sheet tray
6-color Claria Photo HD
Pros
- Automatic duplex at an approachable entry point
- 6-color ink set for smooth photo gradients
- Compact 19.4 lb body fits a home desk
- Fold-over scan lid holds originals in place
- Good for occasional craft and photo work
Cons
- Listed max media size is only A4 with no 13x19 path
- Cartridge-only ink raises cost per page
- Modest 600 x 600 dpi color resolution
The XP-970 is here for the crafter who prints occasional cards at home and does not need tabloid output. Owners rate it highly for the combination of automatic duplex, a front LCD panel and photo quality at a modest entry cost, and the 19.4 lb footprint keeps it small on a normal desk.
The 6-color Claria Photo HD set gives smooth gradients on photo paper, which transfers reasonably to coated card at smaller sizes. Borderless printing is supported for the standard photo and card dimensions.
Be clear about the limit, though. The listed maximum media size is A4, so there is no rated 13×19 capability. If your project needs full-bleed art at poster size, this printer simply is not the right tool, and no setting will change that.
Cartridge-only ink keeps cost per page high, and the 600 x 600 dpi color resolution is modest. It is fine for text-led cards and casual photo use, not for gallery prints.
What card makers and crafters will like
A4 and 5×7 card projects are the sweet spot. Automatic duplex means you can produce folded card inserts and tent cards at home without manual flipping, and the front panel keeps settings simple.
The fold-over scan lid is a small touch that matters when you are scanning artwork to print onto card.
Where it falls short
The 100-sheet tray with no dedicated wide-media tray limits batch work, and cartridge ink cost will add up faster than the purchase price suggests if you print regularly.
Only Epson genuine cartridges are supported, which removes a common way of reducing running cost on entry-level inkjets.
7. Canon PIXMA TS9521Ca – Best Compact Option for 11×17 Card Projects
Canon PIXMA TS9521Ca – Wireless Home All-in-One Inkjet Printer
Max media 8.5 x 14 inch
Auto duplex with 20-sheet ADF
200-sheet capacity
4.3-inch touch LCD
Pros
- Handles 11x17 and 12x12 media for calendars and scrapbooking
- Auto duplex plus 20-sheet document feeder
- 200-sheet capacity across cassette and rear tray
- Five individual cartridges so only the empty color is replaced
- 4.3-inch touchscreen with the Canon PRINT app
Cons
- Max media listed as 8.5 x 14 inch
- Cartridge-based ink is pricier per page
- Modest print speed in photo settings
The TS9521Ca covers a gap the others leave. It handles 11×17 and 12×12 media, which covers calendars, scrapbook pages and mid-size card panels, and it does so with automatic duplex and a 20-sheet document feeder in a body under 26 lb.
Owners rate setup as easy and like the touchscreen for checking ink and settings without a computer. The five individual cartridges mean you replace only the colour that runs out, which is a meaningful saving on mixed-colour card work.
The ceiling here is the 8.5 x 14 inch listed maximum media size, so 13×19 is out of reach. That rules it out for full poster-size art prints, but it handles the 11×17 range that many scrapbook and calendar projects actually use.
Print speed in photo settings is modest, so full-bleed card fronts take their time. Cartridge ink is also pricier per page than the tank machines in this list.
What card makers and crafters will like
If your work sits in the 11×17 or 12×12 range, the media support is unusually useful. Envelopes, photos, business cards, banners and 11 x 17 documents are all listed as supported media.
The touchscreen plus Wi-Fi and mobile printing through the Canon PRINT app also makes it convenient to send a card job from a phone without waking a desktop.
Where it falls short
Two limits are structural. You cannot go beyond 8.5 x 14 inch, and there is no tank system to soften cartridge running costs over time.
At 4.0 stars from 363 reviews, it is also the least proven model here, so expect fewer long-term owner reports to lean on.
8. Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16600 – Fastest Ink Tank for Heavy Paper Volume
Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16600 Wireless All-in-One Wide-Format Tank Printer
Max media 8.5 x 14 inch
25 ppm black and 12 ppm color
500-sheet cassette
Auto duplex with 50-sheet ADF
Pros
- Fastest ink tank in the lineup at 25 ppm black and 12 ppm color
- Media support explicitly includes cardstock
- matte paper and glossy photo paper
- 500-sheet cassettes that expand for tabloid media
- 66000-page monthly duty cycle
- Two-year limited warranty
- 50-sheet ADF
- auto duplex and 4.3-inch touchscreen
Cons
- Very large at 40 lb with a motorized output tray
- Early firmware caused wrong-tray and jam errors
- Wifi drops and needs reinstallation
This is the volume machine. At 25 ppm black and 12 ppm color with a 66,000-page monthly duty cycle, the ET-16600 runs far faster on heavy stock than the photo machines here, and the 500-sheet cassettes hold a serious amount of card between refills.
Cardstock is explicitly listed among supported media alongside matte paper, envelopes and glossy photo paper, which is unusual to see stated plainly in a spec sheet. Print, copy, scan and fax come with a 50-sheet ADF, auto duplex and a touchscreen, and it carries a two-year limited warranty.
Owners credit it with excellent quality across cardstock, canvas and photo media and with dramatically lower ink cost than cartridge machines. For a small business printing boxed stationery, that combination is the whole argument.
The physical footprint is the trade-off. At 40 lb with a motorized output tray that extends far forward, this needs a dedicated spot and clearance in front of it, not a corner of a desk.
What card makers and crafters will like
Speed on thick stock is the headline. A tank system that keeps pace with a laser on card runs means fewer refills and fewer waits, which matters if you are producing wedding stationery or a product line.
The expanding cassettes let you keep two card weights loaded at once, which removes the manual tray switching that trips up several models in this list.
Where it falls short
Early firmware and driver issues caused wrong-tray and paper-jam errors until owners updated, so install the current drivers before your first real run rather than after it.
Some units also reported failures around the one-year mark, wifi drops needing reinstallation, and a recurring complaint about the ink rebate programme. Treat the rebate as a bonus rather than part of your cost calculation.
9. Canon PIXMA PRO-200S – Best Photo Printer for Borderless Cardstock Art
Canon PIXMA PRO-200S Professional 13″ Wireless Inkjet Photo Printer, 3″ Color LCD, 8-Color Dye Ink, Black
8-color dye ink
Borderless 13x19
Rear manual feed for thick media
3-inch color LCD
Pros
- Eight-color dye system gives smooth gradations and a wide gamut
- Borderless from 3.5 x 3.5 up to 13 x 19
- Custom sizes up to 13 x 39 inches
- Rear manual feed suited to heavier specialty sheet media
- Bordered A3+ print in about 90 seconds
Cons
- Print-only with no scanner
- copier or fax
- Dye inks are not typically archival rated
- Cartridge ink cost is high versus EcoTank
If you print art rather than text, this is the printer. The eight-color dye ink system produces smooth gradations and a wide color gamut, which is exactly what illustration and photography on card need, and community recommendations consistently place the PRO-200S at the top for batch-printing on 110lb cover card.
Borderless output runs from 3.5 x 3.5 inches all the way to 13 x 19, with custom sizes up to 13 x 39 inches for panoramic pieces. That flexibility is why it turns up in board game and trading card projects as well as greeting cards.
The rear manual feed is the feature that matters most for your question. It is designed for heavier specialty sheet media, which means thick card goes in one sheet at a time on a straight path rather than fighting a shallow tray. A bordered A3+ print takes about 90 seconds.
Speed is the cost of quality. It manages roughly two pages per minute, so this is a printer you plan batches around, not one you run while doing something else.
What card makers and crafters will like
Eight inks produce the smoothest tonal transitions of anything in this list. Gradated skies, skin tones and blended illustration details come out without the banding you get from six-colour sets.
The 3.0-inch color LCD lets you check ink levels and settings at the machine, and the manual rear feed accepts heavy specialty sheets that other models here would refuse.
Where it falls short
It is a print-only design with no scanner, copier or fax. If you need to scan original artwork, you need a second machine or a separate scanner.
Dye inks are not typically rated for archival longevity, so if you are selling fine art prints meant to last decades, check the permanence figures on the box before you commit. Cartridge ink cost is also high relative to the tank models.
10. Epson SureColor P700 – Thickest Media Rating in the Lineup
Epson SureColor P700 13-Inch Photo Printer with UltraChrome PRO10 Ink
Sheet media up to 1.5 mm thick
UltraChrome PRO10 pigment ink
10-channel MicroPiezo AMC head
4.3-inch touchscreen
Pros
- Handles sheet media up to 1.5 mm thick plus rolls
- Dedicated Photo Black and Matte Black nozzles eliminate ink switching
- UltraChrome PRO10 pigment inks with violet for a wide gamut
- Print permanence rated up to 200 years in color
- Compact at 23 percent smaller than the previous generation
Cons
- Epson cartridges only and ink cost is high
- Very slow at roughly one page per minute
- No automatic document feeder
- Flatbed scanner limited to letter-size originals
The P700 is the only printer here rated for sheet media up to 1.5 mm thick, and it also accepts rolls. If your definition of heavy paper includes mounting board or thick chipboard, this is the one in the lineup that is built for it rather than merely tolerant of it.
Ink is the deciding factor for quality. UltraChrome PRO10 pigment inks with a violet channel widen the gamut, and dedicated Photo Black and Matte Black nozzles mean the printer never switches black ink mid-page, which removes the banding that plagues other photo printers switching between blacks.
Permanence is rated up to 200 years in color and 400 years in black and white, and a Carbon Black Driver mode increases density on glossy papers. Pro photographers value the 10-channel MicroPiezo AMC head for consistency across large runs.
Speed is the honest limitation at roughly one page per minute. The flatbed scanner is also limited to letter-size originals with no document feeder, so it is a photo and print-focused machine rather than an office one.
What card makers and crafters will like
The 1.5 mm sheet rating is the headline. Mounted prints, thick greeting card blanks and layered craft projects can go through without risk of a bent roller path.
Not switching between black inks keeps text and photo elements on the same card looking consistent, and the roll support opens up options the sheet-only printers here cannot cover.
Where it falls short
Cartridge-only ink at high cost is the main drawback, and at roughly one page per minute it is the slowest printer in this list. Batch card jobs need serious scheduling.
It is also not an all-in-one. There is no ADF, and the flatbed will not take anything larger than letter size.
How to Choose a Printer for Cardstock and Heavy Paper
Inkjet or laser for cardstock and heavy paper
Inkjet wins for cardstock. Every printer in this roundup is an inkjet, and that is not an accident. Inkjets handle coated, matte and specialty card surfaces, produce borderless edge-to-edge output, and use ink that sits on top of the stock rather than fusing to it with heat.
Laser is cheaper per page and faster on plain paper, but it typically tops out around 80lb cover and cannot print borderless. The heat used to bond toner can also warp thick stock. For cards, invitations and art prints, inkjet is the correct answer.
Why the rear feed and straight paper path matter
Feed path is the single most important spec for heavy media, and it is the one most spec sheets hide. A straight paper path keeps the sheet flat and supported from pickup to exit. A U-turn path bends thick card back on itself, which is where skew and jams come from.
Watch for misleading wording. Some manufacturers advertise a rear feed that is really a single-sheet slot rather than an open straight path, and forum users regularly call this out as a spec-sheet trap. Check whether the rear feed holds a stack of several sheets or exactly one.
Our testing advice: feed thick stock from the rear even on machines with a decent main tray. It costs you a little throughput and saves you a lot of reprints.
How to read paper weight specs without being misled
Manufacturers quote maximum paper weight in lb, but that figure usually refers to bond or plain copy paper, not cover weight. Cover weight describes thickness of the finished piece rather than grams per square metre, and index weight is the smooth, non-fibrous alternative.
So a printer rated to 80lb of plain paper may struggle with 80lb cover. Ask specifically what cover weight the feed path accepts, and treat any printer that does not state it as a question rather than an answer. The Epson SureColor P700 is unusually clear here, stating sheet media up to 1.5 mm thick.
Borderless printing and duplex on heavy media
Borderless printing means the image runs to the edge of the sheet with no margin. You need it for full-bleed card fronts, and only the models that list it can do it: the WF-7710, ET-8550, PRO-200S, WF-7210 and XP-970.
Duplex is where card printing goes wrong. Misregistration between front and back is common on light inkjets, so for anything that must align, print single-sided and check, or use a machine with a stronger feed path. Only the WF-7710, WF-7210, ET-8550, ET-15000, ET-16600, XP-970 and TS9521Ca have automatic duplex; the iX6820 and PRO-200S do not. Once a two-sided sheet prints cleanly, scoring and folding it properly is the next step, and our picks for the best paper folding machines cover gate folds and tent cards without hand creasing.
Cartridge versus tank ink systems and cost per print
Cartridge machines cost less to buy. Tank systems such as EcoTank cost far less to run, and on card stock the difference is amplified because heavy coverage uses more ink per sheet.
Rule of thumb from the reviews here: if you print more than a few hundred cardstock sheets a month, a tank printer pays for itself. If you print a handful of cards at Christmas, a cartridge machine is the sensible choice and the upfront saving is real.
Sheet size and paper capacity for batch card runs
Decide your largest finished size first. If you need full-bleed poster art, you want 13×19 capability, which narrows this list to the WF-7710, iX6820, ET-8550, WF-7210 and PRO-200S. For calendars and scrapbook pages, 11×17 support covers you.
Capacity matters more than people expect. Anything at 250 sheets or above lets a batch run unattended, and the ET-16600 at 500 sheets and the WF-7210 at 500 sheets are built for repeat production. Once printing is done, trimming matters too, and a guillotine paper cutter makes card edges straight where a knife does not. For large stacks, our guide to the best heavy duty guillotine paper cutters covers the heavier options.
Card offcuts are bulky and sharp, so shredding them matters in a small studio. The best micro-cut paper shredders reduce trimmed card waste to a fraction of its original size and keep it out of the recycling stream.
Paper Weight Conversion for Cardstock and Heavy Paper
Match your stock to the ratings above using these equivalents. Cover weight is measured in lb, index weight is measured in points, and gsm describes density rather than thickness.
Bond or plain paper: 20lb to 24lb equals roughly 75 to 90 gsm and about 0.1 mm thick. This is standard copy paper.
Cardstock cover weight: 65lb equals about 180 gsm and roughly 6 mil or 0.15 mm. 80lb cover is about 216 gsm and roughly 8 mil or 0.2 mm. 90lb cover is about 240 gsm and about 9.5 mil or 0.24 mm. 110lb cover is about 300 gsm and roughly 12 mil or 0.3 mm.
Index weight: 110lb index and 110lb cover are not the same sheet. Index weight runs roughly 130lb per 1000 sheets of a specific size, and it is smoother and denser than cover weight of the same gsm figure.
Conversion reminder: one mil is one thousandth of an inch, so 8 mil card is about 0.2 mm, and one point is about 1.3 mil. When a spec sheet lists thickness in mm or mil, convert before comparing it against a lb figure from a different source.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best printer for printing on thick cardstock?
The Canon PIXMA PRO-200S is the best all-round choice for thick cardstock because its eight-color dye ink system and rear manual feed are designed for heavy specialty sheet media, with borderless output up to 13 x 19 inches. The Epson SureColor P700 goes thicker still, accepting sheet media up to 1.5 mm, and the Epson Workforce WF-7710 is the pick if you also need scanning, copying and automatic duplex.
Can 110 lb cardstock go through a printer?
Yes, but only on machines with a feed path rated for heavy cover weight. In this lineup the Canon PIXMA PRO-200S and Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 are the safest choices for 110lb cover, while the Canon Pixma iX6820 handles it with some feed adjustment. Laser printers generally top out around 80lb cover, so check the cover weight rating rather than the plain paper figure.
Will 80 lb cardstock go through a printer?
80lb cover, which is roughly 216 gsm and about 8 mil thick, is within reach of most of the printers reviewed here. The entry-level options with A4 or 8.5 x 14 inch media limits handle it at smaller sizes, but wide-sheet machines such as the WF-7710 and WF-7210 feed it through the main tray without manual adjustment.
What is the thickest paper a printer can print on?
Among the printers reviewed, the Epson SureColor P700 has the highest stated capability, accepting sheet media up to 1.5 mm thick as well as rolls. Most other inkjets are rated for heavy card in the 110lb cover range at roughly 0.3 mm, and laser printers top out much lower. Forcing paper thicker than the rated spec can cause jams and shorten printer life.
Is inkjet or laser better for cardstock and heavy paper?
Inkjet is better for cardstock. Inkjets handle coated and specialty card surfaces, produce borderless edge-to-edge prints, and use ink that sits on the stock rather than heat-fused toner that can warp thick sheets. Laser printers are cheaper per page on plain paper but usually cap out around 80lb cover and cannot print borderless.
Can I print on cardstock thicker than the manufacturer spec?
You can, but it is not recommended. Owners report that forcing thicker paper than rated causes jams and can shorten printer lifespan, because the feed rollers and path were not engineered for that stiffness. Use the rated cover weight as your ceiling and switch to a machine built for thicker stock instead.
Verdict: Which Cardstock Printer Should You Buy?
The Epson Workforce WF-7710 is our pick for the best printers for cardstock and heavy paper overall, because borderless 13×19 output, automatic duplex and a 250-sheet tray in one machine cover more use cases than anything else we tested.
Match your choice to your workload. The Canon PIXMA PRO-200S wins on colour quality and thick media handling for art cards. The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 costs the least per card over time. The Epson WorkForce WF-7210 and EcoTank Pro ET-16600 handle the highest paper volumes, and the SureColor P700 takes media up to 1.5 mm thick for mounted work.
Whichever you pick, check the cover weight rating against the stock you actually buy, feed thick sheets from the rear, and give dye inks a few seconds before stacking finished cards. Those three habits remove most of the problems people hit with heavy paper in 2026.