Printing color on cardstock can add a professional, polished look to documents and projects. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when printing on cardstock to ensure the best print quality. In this article, we’ll look at the factors that affect printing color on cardstock and best practices to follow.
What is Cardstock?
Cardstock refers to heavyweight paper or cardboard with thickness ranging from 50 lb to 100 lb. It is thicker and more durable than regular copy paper, which usually ranges from 20 lb to 24 lb.
Here are the key characteristics of cardstock:
- Thickness – 50 lb to 100 lb
- Weight – 176-350 gsm
- Surface – Smooth, linen, felt, laid
- Common uses – Business cards, postcards, brochures, invitations, scrapbooking
The extra thickness gives cardstock a nice feel and makes it ideal for formal documents and projects. The smooth, stiff surface also allows for crisp printing with minimal distortion.
Can You Print Color on Cardstock?
Yes, you can definitely print color on cardstock. Modern inkjet and laser printers are capable of handling cardstock and printing professional color projects.
However, there are some factors to consider:
- Printer capabilities – Check your printer’s specs to ensure it can accommodate the thickness and paper weight.
- Ink/toner compatibility – Use ink and toner formulated for cardstock to get optimal results.
- Print settings – Adjust settings like paper type, print quality, and drying time when printing on cardstock.
As long as your printer and supplies can handle it, printing vibrant color on cardstock is achievable. The next sections go into detail on how to print successfully.
Choosing the Right Cardstock
To achieve the best quality color printing on cardstock, you need paper that’s optimized for the task. Here’s what to look for when selecting cardstock:
Thickness/Weight
Choose a weight your printer can accommodate, typically between 50-100 lb or 176-350 gsm. Heavier cardstock may jam.
Coating
Coated cardstock has a smooth finish that allows for sharp print quality. Uncoated works too but may absorb more ink.
Surface Texture
The smoother the surface, the better detail you’ll achieve. Avoid heavily textured cardstock.
Bright White Shade
Opt for a true white cardstock vs. cream or grey hues for vibrant color reproduction.
Ink/Laser Compatibility
Use cardstock made for either inkjet or laser printing depending on your printer.
| Cardstock Feature | Ideal for Color Printing |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 50-100 lb / 176-350 gsm |
| Coating | Smooth coated |
| Surface Texture | Smooth |
| Color | Bright white |
| Compatibility | Inkjet or laser |
Follow these cardstock guidelines for flawless color printing.
Print Settings for Cardstock
To print successfully on cardstock, you need to adjust your printer settings and preferences accordingly:
Set Paper Type to Cardstock
Most printers have a cardstock or heavy paper setting. Choose this instead of plain paper.
Use Best Print Quality
Choose the highest print quality setting available for sharp detail and vivid color. Avoid fast/draft modes.
Enable Heavier Paper Setting
Look for a paper weight or thickness adjustment that matches the lbs/gsm of your cardstock.
Adjust Printer Margin
A narrower margin prevents cardstock from bending or jamming in the printer.
Enable Color Correction
Color correction and ColorSmart settings optimize color matching and accuracy.
Allow Extra Drying Time
Ink needs a few extra seconds to dry on thick cardstock before stacking prints.
Tweaking these printer parameters ensures cardstock prints correctly without issues. Refer to your printer’s user guide for model-specific settings.
Ink and Toner for Cardstock
The type of ink or toner used when printing on cardstock also impacts the color quality. For best results:
Use Original Ink/Toner
Go with OEM cartridges designed specifically for your printer model. Third party supplies may not adhere or fuse as well on cardstock.
Choose Pigment Ink
Pigment ink binds better and lasts longer on coated cardstock compared to dye ink. It resists fading over time.
Consider Heavy Duty Cartridges
Some brands offer high yield cartridges with more pigment for successful cardstock printing.
Match Color Profiles
Using the same ink/toner brand as the paper ensures the color profiles are optimized together.
The combination of quality cardstock plus matched ink or toner will enable beautiful, accurate color reproduction. Test print on a sample first before printing a large project.
Printer Maintenance for Cardstock
Proper printer maintenance prevents jams and issues when printing on heavy cardstock:
Check Paper Guides
Confirm the guides aren’t too snug against the cardstock to avoid feeding problems.
Clean the Rollers
Wipe down the feed and discharge rollers to prevent slips and misfeeds of thick paper.
Test Feed Single Sheets
Verify the printer grabs and loads individual cardstock sheets correctly.
Clear Paper Dust
Excess paper dust on the printer’s rollers can impact grip on slick cardstock.
Print Alignment Test
Confirm the printer precisely places ink or toner on the cardstock surface.
Take the time to tune-up your printer, and it will have no issues handling cardstock printing. Replace worn rollers and belts as needed.
Troubleshooting Color Printing on Cardstock
Sometimes print jobs on cardstock don’t go as smoothly as hoped. Here are some common issues and fixes:
| Problem | Potential Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Jammed paper | Too heavy cardstock, snug guides | Use recommended weight, loosen guides |
| Smearing Ink/Toner | Insufficient drying time | Increase drying time, use fixative |
| Light print | Printer needs alignment | Run alignment procedure |
| Misaligned printout | Cardstock slippage | Clean rollers, test feed |
Take a systematic approach to diagnose and resolve any cardstock printing problems. A little trial and error can go a long way.
Achieving Quality Color Prints on Cardstock
Printing in color on cardstock allows you to produce stunning business cards, flyers, invitations, and more. Here are some final tips for success:
– Choose the right heavyweight coated cardstock for your printer
– Adjust print driver settings appropriately for cardstock
– Use high quality pigment ink/toner matched to the paper
– Maintain the printer to prevent jams and feed issues
– Allow proper drying time for ink on the thick paper
– Address any print quality problems systematically
With careful prep work and the right technique, your printer can handle color cardstock printing easily. The finished projects will look fantastic with deep vibrant hues and crisp detail on the thick premium paper stock. Dazzle your customers and contacts with professional color prints on cardstock!
Conclusion
Printing in color on cardstock can take your business collateral, invitations, and photos to the next level. As long as you select appropriate cardstock, optimize your print settings, use matched ink/toner, and maintain your printer, achieving fantastic results is straightforward. Just keep in mind cardstock’s thickness and texture requirements compared to normal copy paper. With a quality printer, ink, and cardstock combination, you can produce eye-catching color prints on cardstock for any project or occasion. Have fun printing on cardstock and taking your documents and occasions to a more impressive level.
