Printing PVC cards on an HP ENVY 5660 series?

[ConfusedEmu]

I am trying to print one, singular PVC card. ONE! 😭 I can't find a way to do it. I have found blank PVC cards on amazon, but google has said putting them through a regular printer will ruin it. Is that true? I also saw there are pvc card assist trays, but I can't seem to find one for the printer I have (HP ENVY 5660 SERIES). It's just one. One card. Pls help. 🥲 

ALTERNATIVELY! Is there a type of paper that I could print on that a pvc card would both look & function like one? Or at least LOOK like one?

TIA! 😭🩵

[zoey7886]

@ConfusedEmu, Welcome to the HP Support Community!  

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding Printing PVC Cards on HP ENVY 5660! 

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.  

Printing PVC cards using a standard inkjet printer like the HP ENVY 5660 is not recommended because these printers are not designed to handle PVC materials. Attempting to print directly on PVC cards can potentially damage the printer and will not produce satisfactory results, as these cards require specific ink and printing methods used by dedicated card printers.

Why Standard Printers Don't Work:

1. Ink Compatibility: Standard inkjet printers use water-based inks that do not adhere well to non-porous surfaces like PVC.
2. Heat: PVC cards require heat to set the ink properly, which standard inkjet printers do not provide.
3. Card Thickness: The thickness of PVC cards is generally not supported by standard paper trays and feed mechanisms in inkjet printers.

Alternatives:

PVC Card Printers: For printing PVC cards, using a dedicated PVC card printer is ideal. These printers use special technology and inks suitable for printing on PVC.

Printable Paper: If you need a similar effect, consider using heavyweight cardstock or a glossy photo paper to simulate a PVC card appearance and rigidity. These materials are compatible with standard printers and can be customized to resemble a PVC card.

PVC Card Assist Trays:

PVC card assist trays that allow printing on PVC cards are usually specific to printers explicitly designed for handling such materials. Unfortunately, the HP ENVY 5660 series does not have accessories available to support PVC card printing.

For your one-off card project, the most efficient suggestion is to print on a compatible paper type and consider laminating for added durability and appearance similar to PVC.  

Hope this helps! 

Take care, and have an amazing day!  

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Regards, 

[Valsimot]

You can't print on PVC cards, your printer model doesn't support them.