Print on cardstock by checking your printer’s supported paper weight, loading it in the manual feed or rear bypass, and selecting the Cardstock paper type in the driver.
Cardstock printing fails for one simple reason more often than any other: the printer is still set to handle plain copy paper. That single setting causes jams, smeared ink, and curled sheets. Whether you’re printing wedding invitations, business cards, or a custom menu, the fix for printing on cardstock comes down to a handful of settings and one smart loading choice.
What You Need Before You Start
Cardstock is heavier than standard paper, so your printer must physically support the weight you plan to use. Check your printer’s manual for the maximum paper weight it accepts. Many consumer printers max out around 200 g/m², so a thick 110 lb cardstock may simply be too heavy.
You also need the right paper path. Heavier stock is safer in a manual feed or rear bypass tray, which offers a straighter path than a standard paper tray. Curved paths force stiff cardstock to bend, which causes jams. If your printer has a manual feed slot, use it.
How to Print on Cardstock Paper: Step by Step
Once you’ve confirmed the weight is supported, the process takes about two minutes. These steps work for most inkjet and laser printers with driver controls.
- Open File > Print and click Properties or Printer Preferences.
- Find the Paper Settings or Paper Type menu and select Cardstock, Heavy Paper, or Thick Media. Xerox’s interface calls these options Light Card and Heavy Card.
- Match the Paper Size to your cardstock. For nonstandard sizes like 5×7 cards, choose Custom Size and enter the exact width and height.
- Load one sheet into the manual feed slot, top edge first, pushing it in slowly and straight until the printer grabs it. Adjust the paper guides so they sit snugly against the sheet.
- Print a test sheet first, then run the full job.
Fan the cardstock before loading so the sheets don’t stick together, and never overfill the tray. If your printer only takes one manual sheet at a time, feed each sheet individually rather than stacking several thick sheets.
Cardstock Printing Mistakes That Ruin the Job
Several common errors cause most failed cardstock prints, and they’re all avoidable. Using the standard tray instead of the bypass path is the biggest one, because the curved paper path can jam stiff stock. Failing to change the paper type in the driver runs a close second, since the printer then applies the wrong heat or ink settings.
- Using the standard tray for thick stock instead of the manual feed or bypass path.
- Leaving the driver on Plain Paper instead of Cardstock or Heavy Media.
- Mismatching the paper size, especially for custom-size cards.
- Overloading the tray or feeding stacked sheets through a single-sheet manual feed.
- Printing duplex on cardstock when the manual warns against it.
- Handling inkjet prints too soon — wait for the ink to dry before stacking or trimming.
Xerox explicitly warns against automatic 2-sided printing on cardstock, and against loading mixed cardstock thicknesses in one tray. Use only one thickness per job. If prints look smeared or the printer reports a jam, the stock may be coated for inkjet use or simply too heavy for the device.
For a tested selection of sheets that feed reliably through laser printers, see our roundup of the best cardstock for laser printers.
How to Avoid Jams and Smearing
The two failure modes that end most cardstock projects are jams and wet ink. Jams happen when the paper path is too curved or the sheet is too thick. The manual feed path is usually the straightest route, so use it whenever the printer offers one.
Smearing is an inkjet problem. Cardstock absorbs ink more slowly than copy paper because of its coating, so prints stay wet longer. Let each sheet dry fully before stacking, cutting, or folding. If you must stack, give the top sheet a few extra minutes. Laser printers fuse toner with heat, so smearing is rarely an issue there, but the paper must be rated for laser use — cardstock coated for inkjet can melt or curl in a laser printer.
| Paper Type | Xerox Weight Range | Best Loading Path |
|---|---|---|
| Lightweight Cardstock | 100–163 g/m² (37–60 lb) | Manual feed or standard tray if supported |
| Heavyweight Cardstock | 163–220 g/m² (60–80 lb cover) | Manual feed / rear bypass only |
| Standard Copy Paper | 75–90 g/m² (20–24 lb) | Any tray |
FAQs
Why does my printer keep jamming on cardstock?
Jams usually mean the cardstock is too thick for the paper path, or the printer is set to Plain Paper instead of Cardstock. Switch to the manual feed or rear bypass tray, which offers a straighter route, and verify the weight is within your printer’s supported range. Overloading the tray also causes jams, so feed thick sheets one at a time.
Can I print on both sides of cardstock?
Only if your printer manual allows it. Many manufacturers, including Xerox, explicitly warn against automatic 2-sided printing on cardstock because the stiff sheet can jam in the duplex reversal path. If you must print duplex, check the manual first and expect to feed sheets manually for the second side.
What paper weight is best for cardstock printing?
Heavier stock above 100 lb usually requires a specialty printer. Always check your printer’s max weight rating before buying a ream.
References & Sources
- Xerox. “Printing on Cardstock.” Official guidance on paper types, weight limits, and loading instructions.