Inkjet Printer Recommendations

View CommentsFriday • December 18, 2009 • by DIY Bride

Hey Everyone!

My beloved 10 month old son, a curious soul, decided to rip the LCD display from my printer a couple of days ago. I’m in the market for a new printer and, from the emails I get from you guys, many of you are looking for good home printers, too.

I had a Canon Pixma MP500. It was one of the best all-in-one (printer, fax, scanner) I’ve had though it had a tendency to get streaky on hi-res images. I had been using an Epson Artisan 800 but it died after a year and it never really handled heavier cardstock well.

I’ve been asking around for recommendations for a new home inkjet that can handle most crafter-oriented cardstocks. Here’s what’s been recommended to me thus far:

Canon Pixma MP620
Canon Pixma ip3500
Canon Pixma Pro9500
Canon Pixma iP4500
Canon iP90
HP Photosmart 8000 (mixed reviews)
HP psc 750
HP 1200
Epson R340
Epson RX620
epson R1900
Kodak ESP 9 (mixed reviews)

The consensus is that a printer with a top-loading tray, rather than one that loads from the bottom and has to bend and spool through the printer, is best for heavy cardstocks.

What are you using? Do you like or dislike it?

Posted in: Crafting Advice

Tagged with: Canon, cardstock, Epsn, HP, Kodak, printer

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Missy

Did you finally decide on a printer? I'm interested to know what you chose!
admin

I did! I went for the Epson R1400. Many of my stationer friends highly recommended it so I figured it had to be pretty good. I haven't received it yet, though. Still waiting for USPS delivery.
Nicole-Lynn

I have been needing some reccommendations so I really appreciate this post! Thank you!
BridePack

I also like the Epson R1900. I've been using it for a while now and it really is a great value for the money.
pam

I got the Canon MP620 almost free when I purchased my Macbook Pro last year. I have always had Epsons, which I love, but was constantly buying ink. I love my new Canon. It loads from either a tray or on top, it is also a copier and it's wireless! I can be sitting in my living room and print in the other room with the touch a button. No printer cords! Good luck in your decision
cre8ive crafter

I have been using my Canon i9900 (13x19 wide format) printer with fabulous results since 2004. I love this printer, especially for top quality photos.

I have had great luck with various (Letter sized 8.5x11) HP all-in-ones over the years. They seem to be more consistant and just keep going and going (better than the Epson and other brands I have tried out).
The Thirty-Something Bride

I bought an HP5580 and really like it. Need the jumbo ink cartridges though for extensive printing for wedding stuff. I was VERY happy with how my cardstock printing turned out.
Larry

I couldn't agree more, a top loading feeder can make the difference when printing on heavier (100lb or greater) or textured card stocks. To help along with your reviews we actually did a review a few weeks back on the Epson R1900 http://talk.lcipaper.com/2009/11/12/epson-stylu... We tested this in house using a variety of heavier papers. Feel free to add it to your list of reviews.
catie

i splurged on an HP 9800 when i was in college because i had to print a lot of stuff on 11x17 paper for studio (i'm an interior designer). i LOVE it! it does amazing with graphics, is never streaky, you can print borderless, AND you can print up to 12" wide and super long if you want. i didn't have any problems with cardstock and i used it constantly throughout school. now that i work at an architectural firm in the "real world" we have the exact same computer there! i would highly recommend it!
Melanie

I use the Epson R1900. I Love it for an inkjet. It takes really heavy cardstock which I use quite often. And yes...top loading makes it much easier for heavy cardstock.