8 Tips to Help You Print Inkjet Greeting Cards
Eight tips, plus a bonus tips, for printing inkjet greeting cards from Red River Paper
In order to use most pre-scored inkjet note cards, you'll need to define a custom paper size to your printer. Epson, Canon, and HP printers all have this feature. The trick is to always define paper sizes the same way. Set the width to the smaller dimension of your paper and the length or height will always be the longer dimension of your sheet. After that you only need to change the orientation button depending on how your greeting card is laid out.
We recommend Photoshop or Photoshop Elements as your best option for greeting card layout and printing. The programs offer the most flexibility in terms of layout size, photo and text placement, as well as color management. Although Photoshop is an expensive program, the Elements version is quite affordable and offers all of the options you need. If you're not a fan of Adobe, Affinity Photo is a good alternative. Red River Paper supports these apps, plus others, in our greeting card support center.
Print the inside of your card first.
If you want to print text or graphics on the inside of your card, print that information first. This means the photo side will only pass through the printer once, which limits the possibility of scratching.
Decide if you want to print photos on the outside AND inside of your card before you buy your paper.
Not all inkjet printable card stock is designed for photo printing on both sides. Decide ahead of time on your design then make your paper purchase. If you want photos on both sides of the paper look for a paper that is called double-sided or C2S.
Greeting cards are usually sized to Match Standard Envelope Sizes. Below is a chart to help you verify your envelope size is right:
Card Size Before Folding Envelope Name Envelope Dimensions 5.5" x 8.5 " A-2 4.375" x 5.75" 9" x 6.25" A-6 4.75" x 6.5" 7" x 10" A-7 5.25" x 7.25" 8.5" x 11" 5.75" x 8.75" 5.75" x 8.75" 8" x 9" #10 4.125" x 9.5" 5.25" x 10.5" Baronial Square 5.5" x 5.5"Most inkjet printers are not really designed to take large stacks of card stock and feed them consistently. Be gentle with your machine and only put 5-10 sheets in the paper tray at one time. With extra heavy papers or fine art cotton media, you may have to feed them one at a time. Some trial and error may be necessary.
See a VIDEO on Feeding the Paper
It is critical to keep the feed mechanism of your printer clean and free of inkjet coating and paper debris, which are key factors in paper misfeed. Go to Our Red River Feed For Helpful DIY Fed Roller Cleaning Instructions.
See a VIDEO on Feed Roller Cleaning
When printing the outside of your card, make sure the photo side comes out first
Set your layout so that when you click print, the printer prints the photo side of the outside of your card first. This means the outside back of your card will come out of the printer last. This is helpful in preventing head strikes which can lead to black smudges on the edge of thick media.
See a VIDEO on Printing Photo Side First
Red River Paper's pre-scored note card stock is packed print side up in the box.
Of course, you'll want to print AND THEN fold. We also recommend that you allow sufficient time for the ink to dry before folding. Wearing white cotton or similar gloves is also recommended to avoid leaving fingerprints and smudges.
Square cards require extra postage
The USPS adds a "nonmachinable surcharge" to square letters. At this time the charge is 22 cents on top of the first-class rate.
Example - a 1oz. square card will cost $0.49 plus the $0.22 surcharge for a $0.71 total.
To print on a card, ensure your printer is equipped for handling thicker materials like cardstock. To begin, adjust the printer settings to accommodate the card's dimensions and thickness. Load the cardstock into the printer's paper tray, making sure not to overload it to prevent paper jams. It's advisable to use the manual feed slot if your printer has one, as this offers more control over the paper's path.
Before printing, review your printer's guidelines on acceptable cardstock weight and size to avoid damaging the machine. Once properly set up, initiate the printing process and allow the printer to complete the task. Always handle the printed cards gently to avoid smudging the ink or damaging the surface.
To print a card at home, you'll need a printer capable of handling cardstock. Begin by designing your card using software or templates. Next, adjust your printer settings to match the dimensions and thickness of the cardstock. Load the cardstock into the printer's paper tray, ensuring not to overfill it. If available, use the manual feed option for better control. Check your printer's specifications for acceptable cardstock weight and size. Once configured, initiate the printing process and allow the printer to finish. Exercise care when handling the printed card to avoid smudging the ink or causing damage. With these steps, you can create personalized cards conveniently from the comfort of your home.
Inspired Yet?
Last updated: August 25, 2023
We’ve all gotten craftier than ever this past year. Beautiful cards are the beginning of new business adventures and perfect heartfelt handmade gifts. When you dive into creating your custom greeting cards, however, it’s necessary to choose the right paper stock so that your card looks great and pops. Learn about the various types of greeting card stock for inkjet printers, the benefits and drawbacks of each, and how to make the right choice for you.
When you go to the store, you can find thousands of different designs and weights of greeting cards. Traditionally, greeting cards are printed on paper with a weight of 200 to 400 gsm (grams per square meter), averaging around 350 gsm. However, that’s for professional cards. The best greeting card stock for inkjet printers depends on many factors, all of which come down to what your specific printer can handle.
It’s time to choose the paper. Cardstock tends to be more rigid than paper and is a cross between paper and cardboard. Not every printer can handle cardstock. If you need cardstock alternatives, choose heavyweight paper. You’ll likely want weight between 44 lbs and 60 lbs, or between 200 gsm and 290 gsm. On the other hand, 80 lb, 90 lb, and greater are cardstock-level weights. If your printer can handle cardstock, choose heavier stock than the above. It’s important to check to avoid a paper jam!
Some people select photo paper because it’s thick and one side is glossy. If you have a photo printer, playing with the opportunities shiny photo paper presents is fun. It also carries some significant drawbacks though. Photo paper will get fingerprints all over it when touched. The backside is not made for printing, could bleed, and will not have the same texture as the photo side. Be aware when you try it out.
Consider what type of finish you like. Paper comes in gloss, luster, and matte finishes. The finish you choose is purely a matter of choice. Most professional greeting cards would use a luster or semi-gloss finish.
The benefit of lighter paper is its accessibility. From 20 to 60 lbs, almost every printer out there has no problem feeding it through. The downside is it will not have the professional-grade thickness of a greeting card.
On the other hand, cardstock is the perfect professional choice, but it may not feed through your printer. If you are a business owner, consider what printer you have and if you need to purchase an option to fit your needs. The variety of cardstock weight gives great flexibility for anyone looking for a personal touch on design and texture.
Finally, photo paper looks great on the outside, but the downside is that the back of photo paper, which usually feels very soft, isn’t made to take ink. Photo paper is also often marked with the brand on the back, so we do not recommend it for professional use.
We urge you to play with different papers, test out your options, and explore different features. If you are seeing issues with the ink quality be sure to check out our guide to ink cartridges. Need some more professional advice on cardstock printers? Give Vegas Ink and Toner a call today and create stunning, professional-grade greeting cards.