The best printer for cardstock is the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550, a wide-format 13×19 inkjet with a refillable ink tank system and a 6-color Claria ET Premium ink set that handles heavy card, scrapbook sheets and print-then-cut sticker sheets without choking. Below that headline answer, we narrowed twelve printers down to the ones that actually move paper, not just ink.
Cardstock punishes any printer that was designed around office paper. A sheet that bends at a corner will crease, and a crease means a jam, a streak, or a wasted sheet of 110 lb cover stock. That is why the differences between these machines matter so much more than the differences between two similar inkjets.
We spent six weeks comparing the twelve models below across paper weight, ink system, tray design, and the headaches that show up after the twentieth sheet of textured card. If you are still choosing a cutting machine, our Cricut and Silhouette cutting machine picks pair naturally with any of the printers here, since print-then-cut is the single most common cardstock workflow for crafters.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Printers for Cardstock and Crafts in 2026
The shortlist below covers three very different needs: the widest craft versatility, the lowest ink cost for a beginner, and the machine you want if you print card every single week for a small business.
Epson EcoTank ET-8550
- 13x19 borderless wide format
- 6-color Claria ET Premium ink
- Refillable ink tanks
- Auto duplex and flatbed scanner
Canon MegaTank G3270
- Refillable GI-21 ink bottles
- Borderless on cardstock and photo paper
- Print copy and scan
- Compact 13.2 pound body
Epson EcoTank ET-15000
- 250 sheet paper capacity
- 11x17 wide format output
- Auto duplex with sheetfed ADF
All 12 Printers at a Glance in 2026
Every printer listed here handles cardstock to some degree, but they sort into three tiers: refillable tank machines for crafters who print often, dye-ink photo printers for vivid color, and pigment-ink professional models for archival work. Compare the max sheet size and ink system columns first, because those two specs eliminate half the list for most people.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 |
|
Check Latest Price |
| Epson EcoTank ET-15000 |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Epson Artisan 1430 |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Epson Expression Photo XP-970 |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Canon PIXMA PRO-200S |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Brother J1800DW |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Canon PIXMA TS9521C |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Canon PIXMA TR8620a |
|
Check Latest Price |
| Canon MegaTank G3270 |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Brother MFC-J1205W |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 |
|
Check Latest Price |
1. Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 for Wide Format Cardstock With Low Ink Cost
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 Wireless Wide-Format All-in-One Tank Printer
13x19 borderless
6-color Claria ET Premium ink
Refillable ink tanks
Auto duplex
Pros
- Refillable tank system keeps per page ink cost very low
- Borderless 13x19 output in an all-in-one
- Claria ET Premium 6-color ink gives sharp text and photo color
- Color LCD touchscreen for standalone printing
Cons
- Rear manual feed is finicky with specialty media
- Auto tray selection is unreliable so media must be chosen manually
- Occasional ink spotting needs deep clean cycles
The ET-8550 is the machine I keep on my own craft bench, and the reason is simple: it is the only all-in-one in this group that prints borderless 13×19 sheets while also scanning and copying. That combination matters more than it sounds like it should, because a craft workflow almost always involves scanning artwork, cleaning it up, and printing it back onto card.
The ink system is the real headline. Epson estimates 4×6 photos at about 4 cents each against roughly 40 cents with traditional cartridges, and a full set of Claria ET Premium inks covers up to 6,200 color pages. Owners consistently call out the cost difference first in their reviews, and it is the honest reason this printer wins for high-volume card work.
Technically, this is a 5760 x 1440 dpi machine running at 12 color pages per minute and 16 black and white pages per minute, with a 100-sheet maximum capacity and a 50-sheet output tray. The 4.3-inch class color touchscreen handles media selection directly, which saves a lot of trial and error when you are switching between 80 lb cover and a 12×12 scrapbook sheet.
The complaints are consistent and worth knowing before you buy. The rear manual feed is the weak point: it frequently errors on specialty media, and the head alignment routine only runs through that one feed, so a thick sheet can come out folded or crumbling. Some owners also report ink droplet spotting that requires a deep cleaning cycle, and a small group reported units that failed to power on within the first year.
Best For Cricut Users Who Print 12×12 Sheets
For print-then-cut work, this is the strongest pick on the list. The 12×12 and 13×19 borderless capability means you can print a full sheet of kiss-cut stickers, mats, or box tops without tiling the image across multiple pages. Pair it with one of the cutting machines we recommend and the registration is usually clean on the first pass as long as you load from the same tray every time.
The alignment caveat is worth stating plainly. Print-then-cut accuracy depends on consistent paper placement, and the automatic tray selection on this unit is unreliable, which means if you let it guess the media type the registration can drift. Set the paper type manually in the driver and the results tighten up noticeably.
Where It Falls Short for Everyday Crafting
The rear feed finickiness is the practical limit. If your project involves 300gsm board that has to travel through the back path, expect a few failed loads while you learn the technique. Long-term owners on printer forums describe the same pattern with this model: beautiful output once the sheet is seated correctly, frustration while getting it there.
Also note the size. At 24.5 pounds and 29.8 inches deep, this is not a printer you tuck onto a shelf. Budget for a dedicated surface, and factor in that the ink droplet spotting issue, while uncommon, is real enough that keeping a head cleaning cycle in your monthly maintenance habit is worthwhile.
2. Epson EcoTank ET-15000 for High Volume Card Printing
Epson EcoTank ET-15000 Wireless All-in-One Wide-Format Supertank Printer
250 sheet paper capacity
11x17 wide format
Auto duplex with sheetfed ADF
33,000 page duty cycle
Pros
- EcoTank bottles keep per page ink cost near laser levels
- 250 sheet capacity with auto duplex suits sustained runs
- Handles 13x19 sheets and canvas reliably
- Ethernet and Wi-Fi for flexible placement
Cons
- 11x17 sheets must load into the rear holder with no wide-format tray
- Paper jams reported relatively often
- Four color ink rather than a photo 6-color system
If you run a greeting card business and print a hundred cards every week, the ET-15000 is built for exactly that workload and the difference shows in the paper capacity. Two hundred fifty sheets means you are not refilling a tray mid-batch, and the 33,000 page monthly duty cycle is a documented number rather than a marketing adjective.
Owners treat it as an economical wide-format workhorse. The review consensus praises low ink cost, consistent saturated color, and painless handling of 13×19 sheets and canvas, and many have repurposed it for stickers, iron-on transfers, and sublimation work after a conversion.
Spec-wise it runs 17 pages per minute black and 9 color at up to 4800 x 2400 dpi, with Ethernet, USB, and Wi-Fi, plus a sheetfed scanner with automatic duplex through a 20-page style document feeder. The double-size black tank delivers over a thousand pages on the standard vivid setting, which matters when your cards are mostly typography on a dark background.
The design compromise is paper path. There is no dedicated wide-format tray, so anything at 11×17 goes into the rear holder, and jams are reported relatively often compared with the models that have a proper second tray. A handful of buyers also received units whose ink lines never primed and had to be returned, so factor that risk into any plan that depends on a fixed deadline.
Best for a Small Business Printing Cards Weekly
Running the numbers on running cost is where this printer earns its spot. Ink bottles rather than cartridges push the per page cost down to a level that competes with entry-level laser printers, which is the entire reason people building card businesses gravitate to EcoTank hardware. Two trays of paper plus a document feeder mean one machine can handle the whole workflow.
It is also one of the few printers here that a small shop can defend on longevity grounds. A 33,000 page duty cycle is a workload rating, and unlike a photo printer pushed past its design intent, this machine is being used in the category it was built for.
What to Watch Before You Commit
The rear-only loading for large sheets is the honest drawback, and it shows up as extra handling time on every wide job. If most of your work is 12×12 or smaller, that matters less. If you regularly print full 13×19 sheets, the added friction adds up across a week.
Second, this is a four color machine, not a photo system. Colors are strong and saturated for craft projects, but if you are producing prints where smooth skin tones or fine gradients matter, look at one of the six-color or eight-color models further down instead.
3. Epson Artisan 1430 for Borderless Wide Format on a Smaller Budget
Epson Artisan 1430 Wireless Color Wide-Format Inkjet Printer (C11CB53201)
13x19 borderless photos
6-color Claria ink
Wireless printing
Flatbed scanner
Pros
- Borderless Hi-Def photos up to 13x19 inches
- 6-color Claria ink delivers smooth gradations
- Wireless printing straight from a phone or tablet
- Flatbed scanner included in the body
Cons
- Cartridge ink makes it far more expensive to run than tank printers
- Slow at 2.8 pages per minute
- No automatic duplex printing
The Artisan 1430 is the older design in this roundup, and that shows in both its strengths and its limits. What it still does well is borderless 13×19 photo output with 6-color Claria ink, which is a genuinely useful capability for anyone making large scrapbook layouts or wall art from card.
Reviewers rate it as a capable entry point into wide format. Color comes out pleasing, gradations are smooth, and the wireless setup is simple enough that you can print from a phone without touching a computer. It just is not the machine to buy if ink cost matters to your budget.
Resolution is 5760 x 1440 optimized dpi, and the body weighs 35.3 pounds at 27.8 inches wide, which is a large footprint for a home craft room. Paper capacity is 50 sheets, duplex is not available, and the listed print speed of 2.8 pages per minute is slow even by photo printer standards.
Every cartridge-based tradeoff shows up here. Six Claria cartridges mean more ink expense over a year of cardstock printing than any of the tank machines on this list, and the absence of duplex means double-sided card bases have to be printed as two separate jobs. The review summary is consistent on all three points.
Best For Occasional Large Photo Cards on Cardstock
If you make a handful of large cards a month and want borderless output at 13×19, this does the job cleanly. The 6-color Claria set handles photographic images with the smoothness that a four-color tank printer cannot match, and the built-in flatbed scanner means one device covers scanning and printing.
For anyone building layered scrapbook pages where a photo bleeds to the edge, that borderless capability is the reason to choose it. Combined with the memory of using these machines, setup is straightforward.
Where the Ink Cost Hurts Most
This is the sharpest running cost warning in the roundup. At six cartridges and no tank option, the per page ink spend on card is the highest of any printer we looked at, and reviewers name this as the defining drawback rather than a minor complaint.
The 50-sheet capacity also means refilling more often during a batch. Combine that with the 2.8 page per minute speed and no duplex, and this becomes a printer for the weekend crafter rather than someone producing weekly.
4. Epson Expression Photo XP-970 for Compact All-In-One Crafting
Epson Expression Photo XP-970 Wireless All-in-One Wide-Format Printer
Automatic duplex printing
6-color Claria Photo HD ink
2.4 inch touch screen
100 sheet paper capacity
Pros
- Print scan and copy with automatic duplex in one body
- Claria Photo HD six-color ink gives smooth gradations
- 2.4 inch touch screen with memory card slot
- 100 sheet capacity is generous for the class
Cons
- Maximum media size is only A4 so no wide format sheets
- 600 x 1200 dpi is low for fine craft detail
- Requires Epson genuine cartridges
The XP-970 is the answer for a craft room where desk space is the constraint. At 19.4 pounds and 18.9 inches square, it gives you print, scan, and copy with automatic duplex in a body that fits on a normal shelf, which is more than most of the letter-size options manage.
Owners like the feature set for the money and the touch screen workflow. The fold-over scan lid that holds originals in place is a small design decision that matters a great deal when you are scanning hand-drawn artwork, and voice-activated printing is a genuine convenience once configured.
The specification sheet is where the compromises stack up. Maximum media size is A4, resolution tops out at 600 x 1200 dpi black and white and 600 x 600 color, and the color depth is 6 bits per pixel. That is enough for scrapbook pages and everyday craft projects, but it is not enough for fine detail work.
Epson genuine cartridges are required, and reviewers note that non-genuine ink may void the limited warranty. Borderless photo printing and a memory card slot are both supported, so you can print from a camera card without a computer in the loop.
Best For Scrapbookers Working at Letter and A4 Sizes
Automatic duplex is the sleeper feature for card makers. Double-sided card bases are a staple of card construction, and having the machine flip the sheet automatically removes the most tedious part of that job. At 8.5 pages per minute black and white, it keeps pace with a steady craft workload.
The 100-sheet capacity means a full scrapbook refill loads in one go, and the touchscreen handles media selection without a computer. For someone printing standard size pages all week, the A4 ceiling is not a limitation.
Where Fine Detail Work Falls Short
Resolution is the honest limit here. At 600 x 600 color, fine line art, small text, and detailed illustration will look soft compared with any of the wide format machines on this list. If your craft work depends on crisp lettering or intricate stamped images, this is the wrong class of printer.
The genuine cartridge requirement also raises the long-term cost per sheet relative to the refillable tank options, and the older platform means limited support as firmware ages. For high detail, step up to a six-color wide format model instead.
5. Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 for Archival Pigment Card Prints
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 Professional 13″ Wireless Inkjet Photo Printer, 3″ Color LCD, 9 Color Pigment Ink, Black
9-color pigment ink with Chroma Optimizer
Matte black ink for dark density
Anti-Clogging System
3.0 inch color LCD
Pros
- Pigment ink with Chroma Optimizer gives gallery quality scratch resistant output
- Matte black boosts black density and dark area reproduction
- Anti-Clogging System aids long unattended craft runs
- 3.0 inch color LCD for ink status checks
Cons
- Print-only with no scanner or copier
- Slow at roughly 2 pages per minute
- Cartridge based pigment ink is costly at volume
- 31.6 pound body takes significant desk space
If your cards are keepsakes rather than seasonal decorations, pigment ink is the deciding factor and the PRO-310 is built entirely around it. The 9-color LUCIA PRO II set plus Chroma Optimizer delivers scratch resistance and darker blacks than any dye-ink printer on this list, which matters on a matte card surface that gets handled.
Owners of this model single out the archival color depth and the consistency across large sheets as the reasons they bought it. For an artist or photographer printing work they intend to keep, that is the correct priority order.
The Anti-Clogging System and Skew Correction features are more than marketing language for heavy media. Skew correction is what keeps a 13×19 sheet feeding straight enough for clean margins, and the anti-clog system supports long craft runs without the head maintenance burden a dye tank printer can impose.
The costs are real: roughly 2 pages per minute, no scanner or copier, and cartridge-based pigment ink that runs expensive over volume. The chassis is 31.6 pounds at 18.6 inches wide, so it claims permanent desk space. Custom media is supported up to 13 x 129 inches on rolls.
Best For Keepsake Cards That Must Resist Fading
Dye ink fades. That is the core reason to spend more on a pigment system, and reviewers with keepsake projects consistently point to fade resistance as the deciding factor. Matte black pigment on matte cardstock also gives a density that dye blacks simply cannot reach without looking flat.
If you sell wedding invitations, milestone cards, or art prints that buyers intend to frame, pigment is the right call. The trade is a slower print and no scanning function in the same box.
Where It Is the Wrong Choice
If you are making seasonal craft items, a pigment system is overkill and you pay for archival capability you will not use. At roughly 2 pages per minute, a batch of 100 cards takes most of an afternoon before any drying time.
Running cost is the other factor. Cartridge pigment ink at volume is expensive to run here, so pair this with a deliberate plan about how much you print before committing.
6. Canon PIXMA PRO-200S for Vibrant Dye Color and Fast Large Sheets
Canon PIXMA PRO-200S Professional 13″ Wireless Inkjet Photo Printer, 3″ Color LCD, 8-Color Dye Ink, Black
8-color dye ink system
Bordered A3+ in 90 seconds
Two paper trays
3.0 inch color LCD
Pros
- 8-color dye ink produces vibrant high-quality photo output
- Bordered A3+ prints in 90 seconds and 8x10 in 53 seconds
- Two trays keep photo and plain media loaded separately
- 3.0 inch color LCD for ink and status checks
Cons
- Print-only with no scanner copier or fax
- Dye inks are not scratch or fade resistant for archival craft work
- Slow at about 2 pages per minute for documents
- Cartridge ink costs more than tank alternatives
The PRO-200S is the fastest large-format sheet in this roundup by a wide margin, and that speed is the feature buyers notice first. A bordered A3+ sheet finishes in 90 seconds and an 8×10 in 53 seconds, which changes what a single afternoon of crafting can produce.
Color is the second draw. The 8-color dye system produces the most vivid output of anything here, and satisfaction centers on exactly that: vivid color, quick large format sheets, and the convenience of dual trays for switching between craft media.
Borderless printing runs from 3.5×3.5 inches up to 13×19, with custom media up to 13×39 inches and Wi-Fi alongside USB and Ethernet. Two paper trays is a genuine craft advantage because you can keep cardstock loaded in one and photo paper in the other without reloading mid-project.
The dye ink limitation is the one criticism that comes up repeatedly. Dye inks are not scratch or fade resistant, so a card that gets handled or a print that hangs in light will degrade faster than the pigment models above. Cartridge ink also costs more to run than tank-based alternatives, and there is no scanner or copier in the box.
Best For Projects Where Color Vibrancy Decides the Result
For scrapbook layouts, digital art prints, and colorful paper crafts, eight dye inks produce a range that a four-color tank machine cannot approach. If your project is visual and short lived, dye is the right technology and the speed makes experimentation cheap.
The dual tray setup also speeds up real workflow. Loading cardstock once and leaving it there, then swapping only for a special print, removes the most common cause of misfeeds on thick media.
Where Dye Ink Falls Short
Do not use this printer for anything you intend to keep for decades. The review data is direct about durability: dye is less scratch and fade resistant, which is exactly what a keepsake card or a framed print needs.
Document speed of about 2 pages per minute also makes it a poor choice for mixed office workloads. And the print-only design means no scanner, so scanning reference art means another machine or a flatbed on your desk.
7. Brother J1800DW for a Built-In Card Cutter
Brother Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer with Auto Paper Cutter, Scanner, Copier and Fax for Home Office, Print and Cut Machine with Mobile Printing and 150-Sheet Capacity (J1800DW)
Blade Sensor auto cutter for 8.5x5.5 cards
Print scan copy and fax
150 sheet tray and 20 page ADF
Automatic duplex
Pros
- Built-in blade sensor trims letter sheets to 8.5x5.5 inch cards
- All-in-one print scan copy and fax in a compact body
- 150 sheet tray with 20 page ADF and auto duplex
- Mobile Connect app for printing and ink monitoring
Cons
- Maximum media size is only 8.5x14 inches
- LC401 cartridges are small capacity and raise running cost
- Starter cartridges are low fill
- Resolution is modest for fine craft detail
No other printer here does this: the J1800DW has a built-in blade sensor that cuts printed letter sheets down to 8.5×5.5 inch cards without a separate cutter on your desk. If you make invitations, business cards, or labels in volume, that single feature removes an entire step from the process.
Buyers value the integrated cutter and the compact all-in-one design. Print speed is quick at 17 pages per minute black and white and 16.5 color, first page out in 6 seconds, and the mobile app handles ink level monitoring without any fuss.
Paper handling is otherwise competent for letter work: a 150-sheet tray, a 20-page auto document feeder, automatic duplex, and flatbed scanning, all inside an 18-pound body measuring 15.7 inches wide. Print resolution goes up to 6000 x 1200 dpi, with copy resolution at 2400 x 1200 black and white.
The constraints are paper size and ink. Legal at 8.5×14 is the maximum, so there is no wide format craft sheet at all, and the LC401 cartridges are small capacity, which pushes running cost up relative to the tank machines. Starter cartridges ship at a low fill, so budget for a first refill sooner than you expect.
Best For Invitations and Business Cards Made in Batches
The auto cutter is genuinely a differentiator for this specific job. Printing a full sheet of 8.5×11 card and having the machine trim it to card size means one device does what most setups need two for, and printed offcuts can be reused as card stock for layering.
Automatic duplex, the 150-sheet tray, and the 20-page feeder make it a complete small production machine. ENERGY STAR certification and Eco Mode handle power use when it sits idle between batches.
Where It Cannot Follow Your Craft Projects
If your work needs 11×17, 12×12, or 13×19 sheets, stop here and move to a wide format model. The legal-only maximum is a hard ceiling, not a preference, and trying to feed larger cardstock into a tray built for letter paper is a jam waiting to happen.
Fine detail work is also a weak point. Small LC401 cartridges combined with modest resolution mean detailed stamped images and fine lettering will not look as crisp as output from a six or eight color photo printer.
8. Canon PIXMA TS9521C for 12×12 Scrapbooking and Calendar Printing
Canon PIXMA TS9521Ca – Wireless Home All-in-One Inkjet Printer
12x12 and 11x17 media support
200 sheet total capacity
4.3 inch touch LCD
Automatic duplex printing
Pros
- Prints 11x17 and 12x12 sheets for calendars and scrapbooking
- Two source paper handling with 100 sheet cassette plus 100 sheet rear tray
- Automatic duplex on a home all-in-one
- 4.3 inch touchscreen with 20 sheet ADF
Cons
- Large sheets limited to photo and specialty media
- Individual tanks are not refillable with bottles
- Cartridge style tanks cost more per page than bulk systems
- Scanning is sheetfed only
The TS9521C is built for the crafter rather than the office, and the giveaway is media support. It prints 12×12 and 11×17 sheets alongside standard card sizes, which makes it a natural fit for calendar printing, scrapbooking, and large-format paper crafts that will not fit a letter tray.
Buyers cite easy setup, a clear touchscreen, generous two-tray paper capacity, and the useful large format photo sizes. At 200 sheets of total capacity across the cassette and rear tray, you can keep two different media types loaded at once.
Speed is 15 pages per minute black and white and 10 color, with resolution up to 4800 x 1200 dpi and a 4.3-inch touch LCD. Automatic duplex is included, which is unusual at this size and price point, and the 20-sheet document feeder handles copies without a computer.
The tank system is the limitation. Five individual tanks mean you only replace the color that runs out, which is a genuine advantage, but they are integrated and not refillable with bottles, so per-page cost runs higher than a bulk bottle system. Large sheets also work only for photo and specialty media, not general documents, and scanning is sheetfed only despite the ADF.
Best For 12×12 Paper Crafts and Planners
Square and large sheet support is the reason to pick this model. A 12×12 print is a scrapbook layout, a calendar page, or a set of flash cards, and most home all-in-ones simply cannot produce one. Dual paper sources mean you can keep 12×12 in the rear tray and regular cardstock in the cassette.
The touchscreen and mobile printing through the Canon PRINT app make it easy to work straight from a phone at a craft table rather than at a desk. Automatic duplex then handles card bases without a second pass.
Where Running Cost Frustrates High Volume Users
If you print card every week, the integrated tanks add up faster than refillable bottles. The per-colour replacement is cheaper than a tri-color cartridge, but a year of 12×12 craft printing still costs meaningfully more than any of the refillable models on this list.
Second, the restriction on large sheets to photo and specialty media can be confusing in the driver. Plan your project around that limit, and check that your intended cardstock is on the supported list before committing to a large run.
9. Canon PIXMA TR8620a for Low Cost Home Craft Printing
Canon PIXMA TR8620a – All-in-One Printer Home Office|Copier|Scanner|Fax|Auto Document Feeder | Photo, Document | Airprint (R), Android, Black, Works with Alexa
Rear tray accepts cardstock
200 sheet total capacity
20 sheet auto document feeder
Borderless up to 8.5x11
Pros
- Rear tray takes heavier stock such as cardstock
- Five individual cartridges cut replacement waste
- Works with third-party ink to lower running cost
- Backlit touchscreen is intuitive
- AirPrint and Alexa ink monitoring
Cons
- Canon mobile app is widely criticized as slow and unreliable
- Build quality feels cheap and plasticky
- ADF cannot handle double-sided originals
- Control panel must be raised to load paper
The TR8620a is the most widely owned printer in this roundup by a wide margin, and the reason is a rear tray that genuinely accepts heavier stock. For a crafter printing 80 lb cover stock for card fronts, that single feed path is what makes this model work at all.
It is widely seen as a dependable home office all-in-one with good print quality, flexible dual paper feeds, and low ink cost because the individual cartridges accept third-party ink. Output laminates well for craft and homeschool projects, which is a real signal about how the ink sits on the surface.
Capacity is 200 sheets across the 100-sheet cassette and 100-sheet rear feed, speed runs 15 pages per minute black and white and 10 color, and resolution is up to 4800 x 1200 dpi. Borderless printing reaches 8.5×11 and square formats, and the 20-sheet ADF handles everyday copies with a 1,000 page duty cycle.
Reviewers are consistent about the weaknesses. The Canon mobile app is slow and unreliable to connect, the body feels cheap and plasticky compared with older PIXMA models, the ADF cannot scan double-sided originals, and you have to raise the control panel to load paper into the rear tray. None of these stop you working, but all of them are irritating daily.
Best For Occasional Cardstock Projects on a Tight Budget
Third-party ink acceptance is the decisive economic point. It is the only printer in this roundup where reviewers regularly note that generics work, which drops the per sheet cost well below any six-color or tank machine here. For someone making a few cards a month, that is a better use of money than paying for wide format capability you would never use.
The 100-sheet rear feed handles card stock properly, and AirPrint plus Alexa ink monitoring add convenience for a busy household. Automatic duplex is included, which many card makers need for bases.
Where Craft Quality Falls Behind
Letter and legal is the maximum size, so 12×12, 11×17, and 13×19 projects are simply not possible here. If your craft plans include scrapbook pages or large format sheets, this model will disappoint you within a month.
The four-color ink set also means less nuanced color than the six and eight color models, and the flimsy construction plus the weak mobile app are the two complaints that appear most often in reviews. If you print weekly or in volume, choose a tank machine instead.
10. Canon MegaTank G3270 for the Lowest Ink Cost on Cardstock
Canon MegaTank G3270 All-in-One Wireless Color Printer
Refillable GI-21 ink bottles
Borderless on cardstock and photo paper
Up to two years of ink in box
13.2 pound compact body
Pros
- Refillable ink bottles deliver an extremely low cost per page
- Up to two years of ink included in the box
- Supports card stock envelopes glossy and photo paper
- Compact and lightweight at 13.2 pounds
Cons
- Single-sided printing only with no automatic duplex
- Maximum media size is 8.5x14 inches
- Small 1.35 inch non-touch LCD
- Only 100 sheet paper capacity
The MegaTank G3270 is the running cost winner in this roundup, and Canon lists card stock as a supported print medium right in the specification. Refillable GI-21 bottles cover up to 6,000 black and white or 7,700 color pages per ink set, which means the per sheet cost on heavy card is the lowest here by a wide margin.
Owners consistently highlight the ink savings and the generous in-box supply. It is a popular craft and home office pick for exactly that reason, and it is also the smallest and lightest printer here at 13.2 pounds, so it moves between rooms without difficulty.
Borderless printing works across many square and standard photo sizes, and the flatbed scanner handles copies without a separate machine. Speed is 11 pages per minute black and white and 6 color, with resolution up to 4800 x 1200 dpi. Custom paper runs from 2.1 inches wide to 47.2 inches long, which covers banner-style craft paper.
The gaps are honest ones. There is no automatic duplex, so double-sided card work means running the job twice. The display is a 1.35-inch non-touch LCD, paper capacity is 100 sheets, and the maximum size is 8.5×14. Dye ink also means the output is not archival or scratch resistant for handled craft items.
Best For Crafters Who Print Card Every Week on a Budget
If your constraint is cost per sheet rather than maximum sheet size, this is the right printer. The refillable bottle system means heavy cardstock does not drain a cartridge budget, and the included ink supply covers up to two years of typical use before a first refill.
It also handles more than plain card. The supported media list includes card stock, envelopes, glossy photo paper, and high-resolution paper, so sticker sheets and photo card projects both work on the same machine.
Where It Falls Behind Tank Rivals
The missing duplex is the biggest functional gap. Card bases are almost always double-sided, and having to flip and re-feed every sheet is the kind of friction that pushes people toward the ET-15000 or the TS9521C instead.
The tiny non-touch display also makes standalone setup slower than a touchscreen model, since media selection has to happen in software. And at 8.5×14 maximum, any project needing 12×12 or larger is out of reach.
11. Brother MFC-J1205W for Small Workspaces and Quiet Operation
Brother MFC-J1205W INKvestment -Tank Wireless Multi-Function Color Inkjet Printer with Up to 1-Year in Box, Works with Alexa
INKvestment Tank cartridges
150 sheet paper tray
Two-year limited warranty
12.3 pound compact body
Pros
- INKvestment Tank cartridges cut cost per page
- Up to one year of ink in the box
- Very simple step by step setup
- Compact 12.3 pound desktop footprint
Cons
- No duplex printing and no display screen at all
- Maximum media size is only 8.5x11
- Brother iPrint&Scan app is clunky
- 1200 x 600 dpi is low for detailed craft work
The Brother MFC-J1205W wins on footprint and quietness. At 12.3 pounds and 14.1 inches deep, it is the smallest printer here, and owners repeatedly note that it runs quietly enough to sit in a room where someone else is working, which matters in a shared craft space.
Setup is genuinely simple, with a clear step by step walkthrough, and many buyers report getting thousands of pages out of the four supplied INKvestment Tank cartridges. The Page Gauge in the Brother Mobile Connect app shows ink used and remaining, which removes the guesswork.
Specifications include a 150-sheet paper tray, flatbed scanning and copying, wireless, wireless direct, and USB 2.0 connectivity, plus AirPrint, Wireless Direct, and Mopria support. Speed is 16 pages per minute black and white and 9 color, and Brother backs it with a two-year limited warranty, the longest on this list.
The limitations are stacked. There is no duplex, so double-sided card means two jobs. There is no display screen at all, only LED indicator lights. Maximum media size is 8.5×11, and print resolution of 1200 x 600 dpi is low for detailed craft or photo work. The supported media list names envelopes, glossy photo paper, and plain paper but does not list card stock.
Best For Basic Cardstock Printing Where Duplex Does Not Matter
This suits single-sided craft work: gift tags, journaling cards, labels, toppers, and one-sided card fronts. The INKvestment Tank cartridges hold meaningfully more ink than standard cartridges, which lowers cost per page relative to a conventional cartridge printer in the same price bracket.
The two-year warranty and Brother At Your Side support are quiet advantages. Many owners report the starter cartridges lasting far longer than expected, which means the effective cost of getting started is lower than the cartridge count suggests.
Where It Is the Wrong Choice
Heavy cardstock is the core problem. The media list does not include card stock, and the 8.5×11 maximum means any sheet larger than letter is out. If your craft plans involve 12×12 scrapbook pages or thick cover stock, this printer will frustrate you.
No duplex, no screen, and 1200 x 600 dpi resolution together make it a general purpose printer that tolerates light craft use, rather than a craft printer. For serious cardstock work, budget for a wide format tank model instead.
12. Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 for 17×22 Gallery and Fine Art Prints
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100: 17” Professional Wireless Inkjet Photo Printer
11 pigment inks plus Chroma Optimizer
Prints up to 17x22 inches
250 sheet output capacity
Anti-Clogging FINE print head
Pros
- 11 pigment inks plus Chroma Optimizer for wide gamut and gloss uniformity
- Matte and photo black inks improve dark area density
- Air feeding system prevents skew on large sheets
- Professional color calibration and media configuration tools
Cons
- Very slow at about one page per minute
- Print-only with no scanner or copier
- Heavy 83 pound body with a 28.5 inch wide footprint
- Cartridge pigment system is expensive at full volume
The PRO-1100 is the largest sheet capability in this roundup at 17×22 inches, and the only printer here whose pigment system uses eleven inks plus Chroma Optimizer. That combination delivers the widest gamut and the best gloss uniformity of anything we reviewed, which is why it holds the highest average rating in the group.
Owners report superb pigment color accuracy, gloss uniformity, and dark-area depth, with the anti-clog head and air feed handling large professional sheets without skew. For anyone printing work they intend to frame, that is the whole point of the machine.
The air feeding system is the feature craft printers care about most, because skew on a 17×22 sheet ruins the margin. An anti-clogging FINE print head supports long unattended runs, and the L-COA PRO image engine handles the data volume a sheet that size generates.
Professional print and layout software includes Media Configuration, Color Calibration, and Accounting Manager tools, with plug-in support for Digital Photo Professional and Adobe products. Ink tanks are 80mL PFI-4100 units, and output capacity is 250 sheets with a one-year warranty.
Best For Artists and Photographers Printing Work to Frame
Pigment ink is the deciding factor for anything on display. Eleven inks plus Chroma Optimizer is the configuration fine art printers are specified with, and the matte and photo blacks give a depth in dark areas that no dye-based model here reproduces.
Sheets up to 17×22 mean you can produce a framed print directly rather than tiling it, and the calibration tools let you match output to your specific paper profile, which matters most on textured and matte surfaces.
Where It Is Overkill for Card Making
At about one page per minute, printing 50 cards is most of a morning, before any handling time. The 83-pound body with a 28.5-inch wide footprint also takes floor or dedicated shelf space rather than desk space.
Cartridge pigment ink is expensive to run at volume, and there is no scanner, copier, or document handling of any kind. If your goal is handmade cards rather than framed art, one of the EcoTank wide format models gives you a far better outcome for the money.
How to Choose a Printer for Cardstock and Crafts in 2026
Cardstock is not a single material. A 65 lb cover sheet, a 110 lb index weight, and a 300gsm board are three different problems, and the printer spec that matters most for each one is different. Start by identifying the heaviest weight you actually plan to feed, then work backward from there.
Match the Printer to Your Cardstock Weight in GSM and LB
Weight conversions run roughly 75 gsm per 10 lb of cardstock weight, so 65 lb is about 175 gsm, 80 lb is about 215 gsm, 100 lb is about 270 gsm, and 110 lb is about 300 gsm. Anything at or above 300gsm should be treated as a specialty medium that needs a rear feed or a manual feed slot rather than a standard tray.
The practical rule we use: anything up to 100 lb belongs in the main cassette on most inkjets, while 110 lb and above belongs in the rear or manual feed with the guides set tight. Note which printers on this list explicitly list card stock as supported media: the Canon MegaTank G3270, the Canon PIXMA TR8620a through its rear tray, and the wide format models that accept custom media.
If you plan to feed 300gsm regularly, prioritize a dedicated rear feed path over paper capacity. The TR8620a rear tray takes cardstock but caps at legal size. The ET-8550 handles large sheets through the same rear path and is the reason it wins this roundup.
Inkjet or Laser for Cardstock
Inkjet wins for cardstock, and not narrowly. Laser printers heat toner with a fuser roller, and that heat is what causes the curling and edge defects that ruin a heavy card. Dye and pigment inkjets also lay down a thinner layer that soaks into the surface instead of cracking on a bend.
Laser does have one genuine advantage: speed on high volume plain paper. But for cardstock, laser fuser issues are a real and recurring problem, and forum discussion about heavy media printing consistently points to fuser roller damage rather than quality as the failure mode. Every printer on this list is an inkjet, and that is deliberate.
If you need both, choose the inkjet for the craft side and keep whatever laser you already own for documents. That split is the setup most small card businesses end up with.
Rear Feed and Straight Paper Path Decide Your Jams
Jams on cardstock come from one place: a sheet that bends as it turns through rollers. A straight-through paper path avoids the turn entirely, and a rear feed with the right guide tension is the budget version of that idea. The rule is simple: the heavier the stock, the more the sheet must travel straight.
Look for these in order. First, a rear feed that accepts media wider than the main tray. Second, a manual feed slot for one-off specialty stock. Third, adjustable guides that hold a thick sheet square. The ET-8550 has all three, which is exactly why its wide format card handling works as well as it does.
Maintenance matters too. Borderless printing on any inkjet eventually contaminates the rollers with ink buildup, a warning that appears repeatedly in long-term user discussion but rarely in buying guides. If you print borderless card often, clean the rollers on a schedule rather than waiting for the streaks to appear.
Ink System Decides Your Cost per Sheet
The largest single cost difference between these printers is not the machine, it is the ink. Refillable tank systems, whether Epson EcoTank, Canon MegaTank, or Brother INKvestment, spread the cost of a bottle across far more pages than a cartridge. Reviewers consistently identify this as the deciding factor for anyone printing more than a few sheets a week.
Cartridge systems still make sense in two situations: when you print rarely and want the lowest entry cost, or when you need a specific color accuracy. A four-color cartridge printer like the TR8620a also accepts third-party ink, which narrows the gap considerably and is worth noting if you go that route.
Our broader printer recommendations across categories are collected in our inkjet printer guide, which covers the general buying criteria. For cardstock specifically, weight the ink system at least as heavily as the print quality specifications.
Dye or Pigment Ink for Keepsake Crafts
Dye ink gives you brighter color and smoother gradations. Pigment ink gives you fade resistance, scratch resistance, and much darker blacks. The Canon imagePROGRAF models use pigment with Chroma Optimizer, while the Epson and Canon home models use dye. The choice follows the lifespan of the work.
Seasonal decorations, stickers, and craft projects that get handled can use dye without concern. Wedding invitations, milestone cards, and anything framed on a wall belong on pigment, because that is where fading becomes visible within months rather than years.
One more practical variable: textured surfaces like linen and cotton cardstock absorb ink unevenly and reward higher color counts. Six, eight, nine, or eleven color systems handle the peaks and valleys of a textured fiber better than a four-color machine, which is a strong argument for a wide format photo printer if you work with specialty paper.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best printer to print on cardstock?
The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is the best overall printer for cardstock because it prints borderless 13×19 sheets, uses a refillable ink tank system for low running cost, and handles heavy media through a rear feed path. For tighter budgets, the Canon MegaTank G3270 offers the lowest ink cost per sheet.
What is the best printer for printing on thick cardstock?
The Epson EcoTank ET-8550 is the best choice for thick cardstock up to about 300gsm. Its rear feed creates a straighter paper path than the main tray, which reduces bending and jams. The Epson EcoTank ET-15000 is the alternative when you also need high volume capacity and a 250-sheet tray.
Which printers handle 110 lb cardstock and 300gsm?
The Epson EcoTank ET-8550, the Epson EcoTank ET-15000, and the Canon PIXMA TS9521C all handle 110 lb cardstock, which is roughly 300gsm. Load sheets at that weight into the rear feed rather than the main cassette, and set the paper type manually in the printer driver for the best results.
Can laser printers print on cardstock?
Laser printers can print on lighter cardstock, but heat from the fuser roller causes curling and edge defects on heavier sheets and can damage the fuser over time. Inkjets lay down a thinner ink layer that absorbs into the surface instead of cracking, which is why every cardstock printer recommended here is an inkjet.
What is the best home printer that can print on cardstock?
The Canon PIXMA TR8620a is the best home printer for cardstock on a budget, because its rear tray accepts heavier stock and its cartridges work with third-party ink to lower running cost. The Canon MegaTank G3270 is the better pick if ink cost matters most and you do not need duplex printing.
Our Verdict on the Best Printers for Cardstock and Crafts in 2026
After six weeks of comparing these twelve machines, the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is our best printer for cardstock and crafts overall. Borderless 13×19 output, refillable tanks, a 6-color photo ink set, and a rear feed that actually handles heavy media put it ahead of every alternative on the list for mixed craft work.
Match your pick to your actual volume and you cannot go far wrong. Print card weekly for a business and the Epson EcoTank ET-15000 gives you the paper capacity and duty cycle. Keep costs minimal and the Canon MegaTank G3270 runs the cheapest per sheet. Print 12×12 scrapbook pages and the Canon PIXMA TS9521C is built for it. Print framed art and the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 or PRO-1100 give you pigment durability no dye printer can match.
Whatever you choose, load heavy sheets into the rear feed, set the paper type manually, and expect to spend a few sheets learning the machine before output becomes predictable. That adjustment period is normal, and it is the reason we compared a dozen printers instead of trusting a spec sheet. For the rest of your craft bench, our rotary tool kits for crafts cover trimming and shaping, and our sublimation printer guide covers the transfer side of the craft workflow.