appropriate HP paper type for 80 lb. greet card stock

[BOC_2363TTa]

I am using ‘Greeting Card Factory Deluxe’ card program and printing on a Color Laser Jet Pro MFP M277 printer but I’m experiencing ink smears / streaks on particular cards (not all).  I think I may not have selected the correct paper type for this program / application.

The greeting card stock is 80 pounds but there are a total of 32 paper types shown for my printer but I think of the following eight HP Paper Types would be the best option:

 HP Cover Matte 200g

HP Color Laser Matte 105g

HP Premium Choice Matte 120g

Light 60–74g

Intermediate 85-95g

Mid-Weight 96-110g

Heavy 111-130g

Extra Heavy 131-175g

Can someone tell me which of the eight options would be best for printing my greeting cards on 80 lb. Greeting Card stock?

Any help is appreciated.

[Dragon-Fur · Accepted solution]

@BOC_2363TTa 

Card paper can be manufactured from different paper stock.

This complicates the calculation - you need to know what kind of card stock / card paper you have.

For example,

If the Card Stock is "Cover" - the 80lb paper is too heavy at 216gsm.

If the Card Stock is "Index" the 80lb paper is 145 gsm  - This might work with Media selection "Extra Heavy"

There are many articles on the Internet that attempt to explain Paper Weight.

Examples...

An easy to read and understand article on the subject:

Paper Weights Explained and Simplified

Gsm / paper weight (includes media type “card stock”

Calculate & Convert Paper Weights on Your Own Website

From Star Print Brokers – Conversion Information gsm to lbs for different paper stock:

Paper Conversion, Paper Weight Chart, to Compare the Book Printing Stock we use.

From PaperPapers.com

HELP UNDERSTANDING PAPER WEIGHTS

What if?

If the examples are not appropriate, you don't like the explanation, or your situation does not match the information, do search for additional  results using your favorite web browser and search engine.

Next...

After you determine what kind of paper you have (ISO standard for paper type manufacture),

If the paper is supported,

Select a paper that describes the appropriate surface and paper weight.

Reference - Important

Printer Specifications for HP Color LaserJet Pro M252, M274, and M277 Printers

Section:  Paper-handling specifications

Review the following tables to make sure that you are using the correct paper types and sizes and are not overloading the input tray.

Subsection for MFP M277 > Paper tray capacities

Printer  Home Page - References and Resources – Learn about your Printer  - Solve Problems

 “Things that are your printer”

NOTE:  Content depends on device type and Operating System

Categories:  Alerts, Access to the Print and Scan Doctor (Windows), Warranty Check, HP Drivers / Software / Firmware Updates, How-to Videos, Bulletins/Notices, Lots of How-to Documents, Troubleshooting, User Guides / Manuals, Product Information (Specifications), more

When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic

HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M277 series 

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Question Resolved / Answered, Click "Accept as Solution" .

[BOC_2363TTa]

Dear Dragon-Fur,

Thank you for all the information you provided. I will investigate your information and let you know if I was able to choose the appropriate HP paper type.

Thanks and have a Blessed and Merry Christmas

[Dragon-Fur]

@BOC_2363TTa 

You are welcome.

This is one of the instances where the solution is that you need to figure out whether it will work.

Less satisfying than an answer that says, Yes, No,  or "Use This".

Smiling.

Stay Safe.

Merry Christmas 2020

Thank you for participating in the HP Community.

The Community is a separate wing of the HP website - We are not a business group of HP..

Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.

Click Thumbs Up to say Thank You.

Question Resolved / Answered, Click "Accept as Solution" .

[BOC_2363TTa]

Dragon-Fur,

Thank you for all your previous information with links to sites that might answer my question and have saved the links.

Before going to the various sites, I contacted the seller of my card stock, Desktop Publishing Supplies and ask about the type of material used in their product.  I didn't get an answer to this question but they did reply that for a Laser printer they suggested to use  the heaviest printer setting - Extra Heavy 131-175g so that the fuser will have addition time to warm up.

I had printed all the cards I needed but next greeting cards, I will use suggested paper weight.  (I'll let you know how that works.)

Thanks and have a Safe and Happy New Year 2021.

[Dragon-Fur]

@BOC_2363TTa 

You are welcome.

it's a complex subject - at least it can be so - I try to make use of the main points without dragging people down the rabbit hole.

Good advice from the paper-people - Essentially:  "Use the heaviest paper setting you can find".

Stay Safe...

We'll all benefit from a New Year - most of us are worn out (from) dealing with the last one.

Smiling.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community.

The Community is a separate wing of the HP website - We are not a business group of HP..

Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.

Click Thumbs Up to say Thank You.

Question Resolved / Answered, Click "Accept as Solution" .