How to Avoid Printer Jams with Heavy Cardstock

Have you ever tried printing on heavy cardstock only to have your printer jam or refuse to feed the paper? It’s frustrating, right? The good news is that you can prevent this headache by understanding your printer’s specifications before you start printing. In this guide, I’ll show you exactly How to Avoid Printer Jams with Heavy Cardstock and how to find your printer’s specs and ensure it can handle the cardstock you want to use.

Step 1: Check Your Printer’s Specification Sheet – How to Avoid Printer Jams with Heavy Cardstock

The first step in determining if your printer can handle heavy cardstock is to check its specification sheet. This document lists the types and weights of paper your printer can support. Here’s how to find it:

• Look in the user manual that came with your printer.
• Visit the manufacturer’s website and search for your printer model.
• If you’re shopping for a printer, check the product details on Amazon or the manufacturer’s site for a downloadable PDF of the specs. (This could be called a user guide, or a specification sheet. I recommend doing a quick search for the term PDF to find it.)

For example, if you’re considering the HP ENVY Photo 7855 All-in-One Printer, you’ll find a specification sheet detailing the maximum paper weight it can handle. (Spoiler alert! This printer will NOT print on heavy cardstock paper!)

Step 2: Understand Paper Weight Measurements

One of the trickiest things about printing on cardstock is understanding paper weight measurements. Different manufacturers use different units, typically GSM (grams per square meter) or LBS (pounds). If your printer lists its media weight in LBS but your cardstock is in GSM, you’ll need to convert between the two.

Here’s a quick conversion guide:

• 70 lbs = approximately 180 GSM
• 80 lbs = approximately 216 GSM
• 100 lbs = approximately 270 GSM

Watch a video where I explain this GSM & LBS conversion in detail.

Step 3: What Happens If Your Printer Can’t Handle the Cardstock?

If you try to print on cardstock that’s heavier than your printer’s maximum capacity, one of three things will happen:

1. The printer won’t feed the paper through at all.
2. The paper will jam inside the printer.
3. The paper will feed through, but the printer won’t print correctly.

Any of these scenarios can be frustrating and a waste of both time and money. That’s why checking your printer’s specifications before purchasing cardstock is so important.

Step 4: Choosing the Right Printer for Cardstock Printing

If your current printer isn’t capable of handling the cardstock you need, consider investing in a printer that supports heavier media weights. Some great options for cardstock printing include:

• HP Office Jet 3830 Printer
• Epson XP 15000
• Canon Pixma Pro-200

Wrapping Up: How to Avoid Printer Jams with Heavy Cardstock

To wrap up, in order to figure out How to Avoid Printer Jams with Heavy Cardstock, always check your printer’s specifications before printing on heavy cardstock. Make sure you understand paper weight measurements and choose the right printer for your needs. If you’re still unsure which printer to use, drop a comment below, and I’d be happy to help!

For more tips on printing, crafting, and running a creative business, don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel!

Happy printing!

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