Printing on card can be a fantastic way to create invitations, business cards, menus or custom art prints. It gives your project a more professional and substantial finish compared to regular printer paper. Whether you are using an inkjet or laser printer at home or preparing files for a print shop, there are some important steps to follow to ensure your print looks crisp, clean and well aligned.
This guide is perfect for home users, small businesses or students looking to print onto thicker card for presentations or creative projects.
Check Your Printer Specifications
Before you begin, the first thing to check is whether your printer is capable of handling card stock. Most inkjet printers can print on card up to around 200gsm without issue, while many laser printers are built for slightly heavier media. However, not all printers are suitable for very thick or textured card. You should look at the printer manual or the manufacturer’s website to find the supported media types and thicknesses.
Trying to use card that is too thick for your machine can lead to paper jams or damage to the printer rollers, so it is always best to check before loading your materials.
Choose the Right Card Stock
Card comes in different weights and finishes. Common weights for card range from 160gsm to over 350gsm. Lighter card is ideal for items like flyers or folded menus, while heavier card gives a sturdier feel for greeting cards or display pieces. You should also consider the surface finish. Matte card works well with most printers and gives a smooth result. Glossy card may require special settings and is better suited to photo-quality prints.
Make sure the card is flat, clean and cut to a size that fits your printer’s paper tray. If you are using pre-cut cards or thicker stock, you may need to use a manual feed slot.
Adjust Printer Settings
Once you have your card ready and have confirmed that your printer can handle it, open your print settings. Choose the correct paper type from the printer menu. This might be labelled as “Cardstock”, “Heavy Paper” or “Special Media” depending on the make and model. These settings adjust the print speed and ink output so the printer can apply ink or toner correctly without smudging or jamming.
You may also want to change the print quality to “Best” or “High” to ensure your designs appear sharp and professional. Always check the “Paper Size” matches your card dimensions, especially if you are printing on non-standard sizes.
Load the Card Carefully
Printers often need a little help when printing on heavier stock. If your printer has a rear or manual feed tray, use that instead of the standard input tray. This allows the card to feed through the machine in a straight line which reduces the risk of bending or jamming.
Place one or two pieces of card in the tray at a time rather than stacking a full load. This helps ensure consistent feeding and better alignment. You should also check that the card is loaded print-side facing the right direction according to your printer’s design.
Do a Test Print First
Before printing multiple copies or high-quality designs, run a test print using a piece of plain paper or lower-cost card. This allows you to check layout, alignment and colours before committing to your final print run. If necessary, adjust margins or reposition the design in your document layout software to ensure it appears correctly on the card.
Allow Ink to Dry Fully
Card absorbs ink differently than paper and can take longer to dry especially when using high-resolution settings or saturated colours. Leave the print to dry completely before stacking or folding to avoid smudging. If you are using glossy or coated card, be particularly careful as smears are more likely.
If you are working with a laser printer, the toner fuses to the surface almost instantly but textured card may still need time to settle.
Consider Professional Printing for Larger Jobs
While home printing on card is suitable for one-off projects or small batches, large print jobs may be more efficient and cost-effective at a professional print shop. This is especially true if you are printing with bleed edges, spot colour or duplex (double-sided) layouts.
Print shops also have access to heavier card types and can ensure precise cuts, folding and finishing that may be difficult to achieve at home.
Final Thoughts
Printing on card adds a touch of quality and durability to your projects, whether you are making personalised stationery, marketing materials or creative gifts. With the right card stock, printer settings and a little patience, you can achieve great results from your own home or office printer. Just be sure to check your machine’s limits and do a test run first for best results.