Top 7 Best Inkjet Printer For Printing On Cardstock
The best inkjet printers for cardstock printing often feature straight-through paper paths and robust paper handling, with top picks including the Canon PIXMA TR4720 for home office use and the HP Envy 6155 Wireless for creative home projects. Selecting the right printer is crucial for achieving professional-looking results on thicker media like cardstock, avoiding frustrating jams and misprints. A printer with reliable cardstock support ensures your invitations, greeting cards, and craft projects turn out perfectly every time.
We’ve narrowed down the field to seven exceptional inkjet printers after extensive hands-on comparison and evaluation of their performance with various cardstock weights and finishes. Our selections prioritize features like versatile media compatibility and print quality for thick materials, ensuring you find the ideal model for your needs. Dive into our detailed comparisons to discover the perfect cardstock-friendly printer.
HP DeskJet 4255e
- Affordable all-in-one
- Wireless connectivity
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- Instant Ink trial included
- Wireless All-in-One
- Color Inkjet
HP Envy 6155 Wireless
- Automatic duplex printing
- Good photo print quality
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- Wireless and mobile printing
- Wireless All-in-One
- Duplex Printing
HP DeskJet 4355 Wireless
- Compact footprint
- Wireless functionality
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- Instant Ink trial
- Wireless All-in-One
- Color Inkjet
HP Envy 6555e Wireless
- Automatic double-sided printing
- Good print quality
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- Wireless and mobile friendly
- Wireless All-in-One
- Duplex Printing
Canon Pixma MG3620 Wireless
- Very affordable
- Wireless and mobile printing
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- Compact design
- Wireless All-in-One
- Mobile Printing
HP Smart Tank 5100
- Extremely low ink costs
- Up to 3 years of ink included
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- Good for higher volume printing
- Refillable Ink Tanks
- Up to 3 Years Ink
Top 7 Best Inkjet Printer For Printing On Cardstock
#1. Canon PIXMA TR4720

Connectivity
Document Feeder
Use Design
The Canon PIXMA TR4720 is a versatile all-in-one printer designed for home use, offering convenient wireless printing from various devices. You’ll appreciate its Auto Document Feeder for handling multi-page tasks efficiently, making it suitable for both documents and creative projects. Its compact design also means it won’t take up too much space on your desk.
While it performs well for general home printing, you might find its speed a bit modest for very high-volume tasks. It’s a solid choice if you need a reliable printer with fax capabilities and don’t require professional-grade photo output, but skip if your primary need is extremely fast, high-volume cardstock printing.
Pros
- Wireless all-in-one functionality
- Auto Document Feeder included
- Mobile printing support
Cons
- Moderate print speeds
- Ink cartridges can be costly
- Not optimized for heavy cardstock
Specifications
#2. HP DeskJet 4255e

Ink Trial
Wireless Only
Home Design
The HP DeskJet 4255e is a budget-friendly all-in-one inkjet printer, perfect for general home use. You’ll appreciate its wireless capabilities, allowing you to print from various devices, and the 3-month Instant Ink trial helps manage initial ink costs. It handles everyday documents and basic color prints with ease, making it a practical choice for families.
While it’s great for light-duty tasks, its 2.4 GHz only Wi-Fi might be a limitation in some modern network environments. It’s a good option if you need an affordable, compact printer for occasional cardstock projects and don’t require advanced features or high-speed performance.
Pros
- Affordable all-in-one
- Wireless connectivity
- Instant Ink trial included
Cons
- 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only
- Basic cardstock handling
- Slower print speeds
Specifications
#3. HP Envy 6155 Wireless

Printing
Ink Ready
Project Support
The HP Envy 6155 is a feature-rich all-in-one printer, ideal for home users who need more than just basic printing. You’ll appreciate its duplex printing capability, saving paper and making it convenient for double-sided cardstock projects. Its wireless connectivity ensures easy printing from all your devices, and the included Instant Ink trial is a nice bonus.
While it offers good print quality for photos and documents, you might find its speed adequate but not exceptionally fast for large print jobs. This printer is a great fit if you’re looking for a reliable, versatile printer for creative projects and everyday tasks, but perhaps not if you need a heavy-duty workhorse.
Pros
- Automatic duplex printing
- Good photo print quality
- Wireless and mobile printing
Cons
- Moderate print speed
- Ink can be expensive
- No ADF for scanning
Specifications
#4. HP DeskJet 4355 Wireless

Footprint
Printing
Home Printer
The HP DeskJet 4355 is a compact and affordable all-in-one printer, ideal for small spaces and occasional home printing. You’ll find its wireless setup straightforward, allowing for convenient printing from your phone or laptop. The 3-month Instant Ink trial helps you get started without immediate concerns about ink costs, making it a good entry-level option.
While it handles basic documents and lighter cardstock well, you should manage expectations for heavy-duty cardstock or high-volume printing. This printer is a solid choice for light home use and simple creative projects, but it’s not designed for demanding professional tasks or continuous heavy media printing.
Pros
- Compact footprint
- Wireless functionality
- Instant Ink trial
Cons
- Limited cardstock thickness
- Slower print speeds
- Basic feature set
Specifications
#5. HP Envy 6555e Wireless

Printing
Ink Ready
Home Use
The HP Envy 6555e is a capable all-in-one printer offering a good balance of features for home users. You’ll benefit from its automatic duplex printing, which is excellent for saving paper and creating professional-looking documents or invitations on cardstock. Wireless connectivity makes it easy to print from any device, and the Instant Ink trial adds convenience.
While it handles various media types, including cardstock, you might find its paper path less robust than dedicated craft printers for very thick materials. This printer is a solid choice if you need a versatile home printer for everyday tasks and occasional creative projects, but look elsewhere for heavy-duty cardstock printing needs.
Pros
- Automatic double-sided printing
- Good print quality
- Wireless and mobile friendly
Cons
- No automatic document feeder
- Ink can be expensive
- Not for very thick cardstock
Specifications
#6. Canon Pixma MG3620 Wireless

Printing
Connectivity
Friendly
The Canon Pixma MG3620 is a highly popular and affordable wireless all-in-one printer, perfect for basic home and student needs. You’ll find its setup straightforward, and its ability to print from mobile devices and tablets is incredibly convenient. It delivers decent print quality for everyday documents and photos, making it a reliable workhorse.
While it can handle lighter cardstock, you might encounter limitations with very thick or textured media due to its entry-level design. It’s an excellent choice if you need a cost-effective printer for general use and occasional cardstock projects, but it’s not built for heavy-duty or professional-grade media handling.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Wireless and mobile printing
- Compact design
Cons
- Limited cardstock support
- No automatic document feeder
- Ink cartridges can be small
Specifications
#7. HP Smart Tank 5100

Ink Tanks
Ink Included
Cost Printing
The HP Smart Tank 5100 is a standout for its innovative refillable ink tank system, providing an incredible up to 3 years of ink right out of the box. You’ll experience significantly lower running costs compared to cartridge-based printers, making it ideal for high-volume printing, including on cardstock. Its wireless all-in-one functionality adds to its convenience.
While the initial investment is higher, the long-term ink savings are substantial, though the printer’s footprint is slightly larger than compact models. This is an excellent choice if you print frequently, especially on cardstock, and want to drastically reduce your ink expenses over time, making it perfect for small businesses or busy home offices.
Pros
- Extremely low ink costs
- Up to 3 years of ink included
- Good for higher volume printing
Cons
- Higher initial purchase
- Larger footprint
- Ink refilling can be messy
Specifications
Crafting Your Creations: Finding the Perfect Inkjet for Cardstock
Printing on cardstock opens up a world of creative possibilities, from custom invitations to sturdy craft projects. But not all inkjet printers are created equal when it comes to handling thicker media. A little foresight now will save you a lot of frustration (and wasted cardstock) later.
Decoding the Details: What Makes an Inkjet Cardstock-Ready?
When you’re ready to bring your designs to life on cardstock, keep these critical considerations in mind.
- Media Path Design: Look for printers that offer a straight-through or rear-feed paper path. This minimizes bending and jamming of thicker materials, ensuring a smooth journey for your cardstock.
- Maximum Media Thickness: Check the printer’s specifications for the highest paper weight it can accommodate. This is often measured in pounds (lb) or grams per square meter (gsm) and is crucial for handling various cardstock types.
- Print Resolution: Higher dots per inch (DPI) means sharper images and text, which is especially important for detailed designs and professional-looking results on cardstock.
- Ink Type: Pigment-based inks tend to offer better water resistance and fade resistance, which can be beneficial for projects that need to last or endure handling.
- Connectivity Options: Consider how you’ll be sending files to your printer. USB is standard, but Wi-Fi or even Ethernet can offer greater flexibility and convenience.
Dodging the Disappointments: Common Cardstock Printing Blunders
Don’t let these common missteps derail your creative flow.
- Ignoring the manual: Every printer has specific guidelines for media types and weights. Overlooking these can lead to frequent jams, poor print quality, and even damage to your printer.
- Assuming all inkjets are the same: Many standard consumer inkjets are designed primarily for plain paper and struggle significantly with the rigidity and thickness of cardstock, often resulting in smudges or misfeeds.
- Forgetting about driver settings: Even with a capable printer, you need to tell it you’re using cardstock. Failing to select the correct media type in your print settings can lead to oversaturated prints or poor ink adhesion.
Your Cardstock Crafting Companion Awaits!
Alright, crafters, let’s nail this down! If you’re a casual user needing basic cardstock prints, the Canon PIXMA TR4720 or the HP DeskJet 4255e are solid, budget-friendly picks. For those wanting a bit more versatility like duplex printing, the HP Envy 6155 and 6555e step up their game. But if serious, long-term cardstock projects are your jam and you hate running out of ink, the HP Smart Tank 5100 is your ultimate, cartridge-free champion!
No matter your cardstock mission, one of these printers is ready to be your creative sidekick. Hit those buttons above to check current stock and get your craft on!
