Paper Type Selection on printer for Cardstock

[BobbyFett]

I have an HP Officejet 3830  (which I ❤️ by the way) and am needing to print on cardstock and was unsure as to the Paper Type needed to be selected on the printer.  I have 3 options and would really like some input as to the best recommended choice for such. Should it be selected as Plain Paper, Photo Paper, or Specialty Paper (matte)? Also, what exactly is considered Specialty Paper? Is that paper designed by HP for specialty purposes? IDK, but any feedback is greatly appreciated. Thank you all and have a great day!

[Valsimot]

That printer doesn't support cardstock.

You will have only problems with possible damage to the printer if you force the printer to print on cardstock.

[Dragon-Fur · Accepted solution]

@BobbyFett 

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The Specifications do indicate support for Card paper within specific weight limitations.

Know that "card paper" and "card stock" can be wildly different paper types.

Card Stock, for example, made from Cover paper stock is likely much heavier.

•  Printer Specifications for HP OfficeJet 3830, DeskJet 3830, 5730 All-in-One Printers

Using another source,

Media Weights Supported, By Paper Path (Imperial)	Letter: 16 to 32 lb; HP envelopes: 20 to 24 lb; HP cards: up to 110 lb; HP 4 x 6 inch photo paper: up to 145 lb
Media Weights Supported, By Paper Path (metric)	A4: 60 to 90 g/m²; HP envelopes: 75 to 90 g/m²; HP cards: up to 200 g/m²; HP 10 x 15 cm photo paper: up to 300 g/m²

and

Media Types

Plain paper, photo paper, brochure paper, envelopes and other specialty inkjet papers

Note the weight limitation for "Card Paper".

The printer does not support card paper (card stock) that exceeds the limitations.

Yeah, but...

If you try it anyway (with heavier paper than supported),

The job may fail, print part way, Jam (recoverable or perhaps not), or maybe produce one a several "jam" or other paper errors.

Important too, and still not actually printed in the documentation, the "HP Cards" very likely is designating card paper made from Index paper stock.  This detail is only important if you want / need the information, else ignore for now.

Paper Selection:

Depends on what you find in your printing Preferences (assumes printer software is installed).

Look for Media / Paper Type:

Brochure, Thick paper, Card, even that "Specialty" paper might work

Try to choose something "Not photo" paper that is thicker than normal paper.

Brochure paper, for example, runs 180 gsm - if your card paper is somewhere in that weight range, try that Paper Type.

Example - Printing Preferences - Media type

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What about Card Stock?

What is it?

You likely don't need (or want) to know more about this unless you are really digging into the subject of paper manufacturing and standards.  Interesting subject for some of us.  Smiling.

If you do want to know more, search (for example) for Card Stock Paper standards

Example Article:  Paper Weights Explained 

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HP OfficeJet 3830 All-in-One Printer series 

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[BobbyFett]

Thank you very much. That information was more than helpful and very useful as I am venturing into a bit of advertising and paper specs and weights have become very important and an integral part of my everyday now. The paper I am using falls nice at in the range of acceptable limitations for this printer and I am currently running it with the HPSmart app as well as the HP doctor and specific printer addons amd software. I'm also using a 3833 as well as a 9010. All great models and ha e great print quality. My main concern now is the choice on printing quality and what would be the best option for printing on parchment paper for brochures and certificates. How high of a difference in quality is each choice? If I chose photo paper for parchment, would it make a huge difference as compared to plain paper? I haven't really tried to run it as i do NOT want to ruin the printer but am also actively doing as much research on the best possible solution to this. It seems that all roads so far keep leading me back to this forum. So I figure why not try again. I have already copied your info and have printed it for future reference. I thank you once again as the information provided was more insightful than I could've hoped. Many blessings.

[Dragon-Fur]

@BobbyFett 

You are welcome.

It will be worth your time after all to learn a bit about paper manufacture.  ISO standards provide the guidelines for how different papers are made from their "parent stock".  For example,  standard paper types include, Text, Index, Bond, Cover.

Which Printer?

You might have better luck deciding which printer to use by comparing what services each printer can provide.

For example,

The OfficeJet 3833 provides support for Photo Paper up to 300 gsm.

The Officejet Pro 9010 supports a larger number of paper types and photo paper to 280 gsm.

Home Page

HP OfficeJet 3833 All-in-One Printer 

Media Size (facet)	Letter; A4; Legal; B5
Media Sizes Custom (imperial)	3 x 5 to 8.5 x 14 in
Media Types	Plain paper, photo paper, brochure paper, envelopes and other specialty inkjet papers
Media Weight Recommended (imperial)	20lb
Media Weight Recommended (metric)	75 g/m²
Media Weights Supported, By Paper Path (Imperial)	Letter: 16 to 32 lb; HP envelopes: 20 to 24 lb; HP cards: up to 110 lb; HP 4 x 6 inch photo paper: up to 145 lb
Media Weights Supported, By Paper Path (metric)	A4: 60 to 90 g/m²; HP envelopes: 75 to 90 g/m²; HP cards: up to 200 g/m²; HP 10 x 15 cm photo paper: up to 300 g/m²

Home Page

HP OfficeJet Pro 9010 All-in-One Printer series 

Media Size (facet)	Letter; A4; Legal; B5
Media Sizes Custom (imperial)	Tray 1: 3 x 5 to 8.5 x 14; 5 x 8.3 to 8.5 x 14 in
Media Sizes Custom (metric)	Tray 1: 76.2 x 127 to 215.9 x 355.6 mm
Media Types	Plain Paper, HP Photo Papers, HP Matte Brochure or Professional Paper, HP Matte Presentation Paper, HP Glossy Brochure or Professional Paper, Other Photo Inkjet Papers, Other Matte Inkjet Papers, Other Glossy Inkjet Papers, Thick Plain Paper, Light/Recycled Plain Paper, HP Tri-fold Brochure Paper, Glossy
Media Weight Recommended (imperial)	16 to 28 lb (plain paper); 60 to 75 lb (photo); 20 to 24 lb (envelope); 90 to 110 lb (card)
Media Weights Supported, By Paper Path (metric)	60 to 105 g/m² (plain); 220 to 280 g/m² (photo); 75 to 90 g/m² (envelope); 163 to 200 g/m² (card)

Be Aware of Paper Type Selection

It is significant to note that you cannot generally select paper type "Photo" unless you actually have photo paper loaded into the printer.  Most printers can discern the difference, that is, the printer can normally distinguish photo paper from any other type of paper.  In other words, you cannot lie to the printer and expect it to believe you.

All the rest of what follows is "Commentary", that is, personal comments / opinions

Which Paper Type?

Your paper, including parchment paper, must be made for Inkjet printers.  Paper  designated for Laser printers will not work.

Since "photo paper" is not a viable selection for paper type, consider choosing Brochure or Professional paper.  Even if the paper is closer to 200 gsm than to 180 gsm, the paper type choice (Brochure /  Professional) might work.

"Parchment" paper pass the weight test - and should not exceed the maximum for "card" paper (200 gsm).  That said, the 9010, at least, might tolerate 210 / 215 gsm using the Brochure / Professional paper type selection.

What if?  The printable surface on the paper impacts whether the printer can actually feed the paper correctly AND whether the printer can print on the paper.

What else?

Brochure paper is easily available, comes in both matte and glossy. 

Matte is easy to print, has a  nice "hand feel" when held, and provides great color retention for mixed content.

Glossy is a "pretty" paper and might be preferred depending on the target audience and / or  if you want to emphasize images included in the content.

What to avoid?

Avoid paper outside the weight limitations - if the paper is too heavy it can jam. If the paper is not heavy enough, it might shred or tear in the paper path during print.  Paper that is too heavy or too light might also just sail through the printer without anything printing at all or perhaps a bit of the content printed "here" or "there".

Avoid paper that is too slick (slippery) or too rough.  Similar to paper that is too heavy or too light, the surface on the paper can cause similar issues - sticking or sliding, for example.

Want to try it...

What to choose?

The 3833 is older - less of a loss if you do manage to break something.

The 9010 is newer - and perhaps more robust.  It handles more paper types and might absorb more abuse without failing.

Good Luck.

Stay Safe.

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