- \n
- Greetings cards<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Invitations<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Business cards<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Revision cards<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Marketing materials<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Brochures<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Name badges<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"Card](\"https:\/\/infowp.cartridgepeople.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/card-lined-up.png\" "\\"Card")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Printing on card produces professional results that are more durable than standard copy paper. Making your own greetings cards allows you to customise your own design and save money<\/a> when compared to buying a card from a shop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tips for Card Printing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Requiring a slightly different approach than standard copy paper due to its thickness, here\u2019s some advice to help you get the most out of your card printing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Printer Compatibility:<\/strong> First of all, check your printer manual to confirm it can handle cardstock. Most modern printers will be able to print with card, but there may be weight and thickness limitations that you\u2019ll need to be aware of before printing.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Reading](\"https:\/\/infowp.cartridgepeople.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/reading-printer-manual.png\" "\\"Reading")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Choosing Cardstock:<\/strong> Make sure you choose card that is compatible with your printer. Consider factors like thickness, finish (matte\/glossy) and colour. Various weights of card are available, with heavier weights, (measured in gsm<\/a>,) being thicker. Think about how sturdy your print needs to be when choosing card to print on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Preparing Your Design:<\/strong> Either find a design you like, (we have lots of free printable birthday cards<\/a> here), or create your own using design software such as Adobe Illustrator, Canva or Photoshop. Make sure your design fits within the dimensions of the cardstock (more on that later) and that it includes the desired text, images and graphics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Proofread:<\/strong> Read over your document to check for any errors or typos. This prevents you from wasting ink\/toner and card on unusable prints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Print a Draft First:<\/strong> Before printing on cardstock, print a draft version on standard copy paper<\/a> to check the layout, colours and alignment of your print without wasting card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to Print on Card: A Step-by-Step Guide<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n![\"Card](\"https:\/\/infowp.cartridgepeople.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/inserting-card-into-printer.png\" "\\"Card")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Set the Printer Preferences:<\/strong> You\u2019ll need to adjust your printer\u2019s settings to be able to print with cardstock. Settings to look out for include paper type, size and thickness. Check your printer\u2019s manual for printer-specific instructions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Load Cardstock Into the Printer:<\/strong> Open the paper tray on your printer and adjust the paper guides to fit the card\u2019s width. Then place the card in the tray, making sure that it doesn\u2019t exceed the maximum thickness accepted by your printer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Print:<\/strong> Once you\u2019ve checked your design and confirmed there\u2019s no errors and it looks the way you want, simply print it out!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Allow Your Print to Dry:<\/strong> While it may be tempting to pick up and inspect your print straight away, you\u2019ll need to be very careful doing so, as it needs time to dry. This could take between a few minutes and an hour, depending on the ink<\/a> and printer<\/a> used. To avoid smudging the ink and ruining your print, handle the cardstock carefully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Trim:<\/strong> Finally, trim your print to the desired size and shape, if necessary. Consider laminating your card print for a more professional look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to Make a Birthday Card<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Printing a birthday card at home is a great way to save money with a bespoke memento for a loved one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cartridge People offers a wide range of free printable greetings cards for the following occasions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Birthdays<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Valentine\u2019s Day<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Mother\u2019s Day<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Easter<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Father\u2019s Day<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Exam Congratulations<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Christmas<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
\n![\"Birthday](\"https:\/\/infowp.cartridgepeople.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/birthday-card.png\" "\\"Birthday")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It couldn\u2019t be easier to print your own cards, simply make sure your printer is topped up with ink and card, and follow the instructions below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Either select your design (we have a wide range of free printable birthday cards), or create your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. If you choose to create your own design, open your design software and create a document with the appropriate dimensions for a greetings card (usually 5×7 inches).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Design the front cover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Write your message to go inside the card. Alternatively, you can wait until it\u2019s printed and handwrite your message instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Review the design, making sure you proofread the text to avoid typos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Print a test print on standard copy paper to ensure the design is correct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7. Review the following settings on your printer:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Paper Type:<\/strong> Look for \u201cCardstock\u201d, \u201cHeavyweight\u201d or \u201cThick Paper\u201d in the settings menu.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Paper Size:<\/strong> Ensure the paper size matches the card size you need to print. For greetings cards this is typically 5×7 inches.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Paper Tray Selection: <\/strong>If your printer has more than one paper tray you need to make sure that you select the right one. Some printers have a specific tray designed for thicker media.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Print Quality:<\/strong> For the best birthday cards, you\u2019ll need to make sure your printer\u2019s quality settings are set to the highest setting it\u2019s capable of. While this will result in slower print speeds, it\u2019s worth it as the print resolution and colour accuracy will be improved.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Orientation: <\/strong>Do you want your birthday card to be landscape or portrait? You\u2019ll need to change this in your printer\u2019s settings to make sure your card is printed the right way round.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Margins:<\/strong> Make sure your design doesn\u2019t continue over the edge of the cardstock\u2019s printable area. Your printer may have its own margin settings that could inadvertently cut off part of your card design, so it\u2019s important to check this before you print.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Scaling:<\/strong> Make sure the scaling setting is \u201cActual Size\u201d or \u201c100%\u201d to stop your design from being resized or stretched.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Duplex Printing<\/a>:<\/strong> If your printer supports duplex (double-sided) printing, you\u2019ll be able to print the front cover and inside message simultaneously. The duplex setting will need to be enabled if you want to do this, so make sure you check this before printing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Preview\/Adjustments:<\/strong> Preview the card before printing and make sure there aren\u2019t any error messages or warnings relating to the paper type or size.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
8. Print your card after checking the settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
9. Cut and fold your card. Carefully cut along the edges of the card using scissors<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
10. Write your message and send!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Printers for Card<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
While generally both inkjet and laser printers can print on card (although not all do, so check your printer manual), laser printers are better suited to doing so because they are more capable of handling thicker materials. Plenty of inkjet printers can still produce high-quality prints using cardstock, however.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Laser printers<\/a> use toner instead of ink, and toner is fused onto the paper using heat, which results in smudge-resistant prints. This is important when printing with card, as it can smudge if you don\u2019t handle the print carefully. They also have straight paper paths which allow them to handle thicker media effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many inkjet printers<\/a> support cardstock printing but this is dependent on the model and its capabilities. The ink these printers use is sprayed onto the paper, which makes it capable of smudging when printing on card. Smudging is less of an issue if you\u2019re careful when handling your prints though. Inkjet printers are generally less expensive as well and are more than capable of producing high-quality card prints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Please see our comprehensive breakdown of the difference between inkjet and laser printers<\/a> for a more detailed comparison of the two printer types.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What to Look for in a Cardstock Printer<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n![\"Epson](\"https:\/\/infowp.cartridgepeople.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/epson-workforce-pro-wf-7840dtwf.png\" "\\"Epson")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Think about the following if you\u2019re looking for a printer to print on cardstock:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Printer Specifications:<\/strong> Most importantly, you need to make sure the printer is capable of printing on card. Check the maximum paper weight and thickness and keep this in mind when buying card.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Print Quality:<\/strong> Check the print resolution to make sure it\u2019s good enough quality for your prints.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Printer Path: <\/strong>Ideally, you\u2019ll want a straight paper path as it reduces the risk of paper jams and allows thicker media to be fed into the printer smoothly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Budget\/Usage:<\/strong> If you\u2019re not going to print on card very often, an inkjet printer will be a more cost-effective printer to use. However, if you need to print professional quality documents on card frequently for your business, for example, a laser printer will be able to offer the quality and consistency you need.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
To sum up, yes you can put card in a printer, as long as it supports thicker media. It\u2019s easy to check if your printer supports cardstock, simply check your printer manual. Whether you\u2019re printing a personalised birthday card, producing professional business cards or wanting a helpful revision tool, printing on card can be a great way to produce durable prints that are more substantial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Find more helpful how-to guides on our blog<\/a> today!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your Office. Your Peace of Mind<\/h2>\n\n
At Cartridge People, we know that organising and filling an office with everything you need is difficult. That’s why we’ve put together a great range of printer ink & toner<\/a> and inexpensive office supplies<\/a>. We have a full range, including Epson printer cartridges<\/a>, toners for xerox printers<\/a> and Canon printer inks<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Learn how to print on card with our step-by-step guide. You can also find our cardstock printer recommendations and lots of helpful information about card printing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":12695,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[9,10],"class_list":["post-3390","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","tag-featured","tag-handy-guide"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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Brown","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/fb37ef4c7b62304877b16eec51ed1fc25f6ecbbf69f49415df0570ae52a36b2f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/fb37ef4c7b62304877b16eec51ed1fc25f6ecbbf69f49415df0570ae52a36b2f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/fb37ef4c7b62304877b16eec51ed1fc25f6ecbbf69f49415df0570ae52a36b2f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Alice Brown"},"description":"Alice is a Content Writer for Cartridge People with extensive experience in ecommerce copywriting. She has a background in printer consumables gained through her work on the Cartridge People blog. Alice holds both a Bachelor\u2019s and a Master's degree from the University of Liverpool and is passionate about making printing easier for readers by writing helpful explainers on everything to do with printing.","url":"https:\/\/www.cartridgepeople.com\/info\/author\/alice"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cartridgepeople.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3390","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cartridgepeople.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cartridgepeople.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cartridgepeople.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cartridgepeople.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3390"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/www.cartridgepeople.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3390\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18008,"href":"https:\/\/www.cartridgepeople.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3390\/revisions\/18008"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cartridgepeople.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12695"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cartridgepeople.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3390"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cartridgepeople.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3390"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cartridgepeople.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3390"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}} - Print Quality:<\/strong> Check the print resolution to make sure it\u2019s good enough quality for your prints.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Paper Size:<\/strong> Ensure the paper size matches the card size you need to print. For greetings cards this is typically 5×7 inches.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Valentine\u2019s Day<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Birthdays<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n