When printing on heavy cardstock with HP printers, it's essential to adjust the settings appropriately to achieve the best print quality and prevent paper jams. Here's a guide on how to set up your printer for heavy cardstock:
Selecting the Paper Type
HP Color LaserJet Printers:In either the software application or the driver, select "Cardstock," "Heavy," "Extra Heavy," or a similar option as the media type. This ensures the printer applies the correct amount of pressure and heat for the thicker media.
Tray Selection
Use Tray 1 for printing on cardstock that exceeds 163 g/m² to 200 g/m² (43 lb bond up to 53 lb bond). This tray is typically designed to handle thicker media efficiently.
Printer Driver Settings
Open the Print Dialogue:
Go to the "File" menu in the application you are printing from and select "Print."
Access Printer Properties:
Choose your HP printer from the list and open "Properties" or "Printing Preferences."
Select Cardstock Settings:
Navigate to the "Paper/Quality" tab.
From the "Media Type" dropdown, select "Heavy," "Extra Heavy," or the specific cardstock type if listed.
Adjust Print Resolution:
If available, select a lower print resolution to prevent excessive ink usage, which can cause smudging or curling with thick media.
Load Cardstock Correctly:
Ensure the cardstock is loaded in the correct orientation as specified by the printer's tray guide. Typically, it should be placed facing up in the manual feed tray.
Setting Adjustments
Print Speed:Consider selecting a slower print speed if your printer has this option, as it can improve print quality on heavyweight media.
Duplex Printing:Avoid using automatic duplex printing, as thick cardstock may not handle being fed back through the printer without jamming.
By configuring these settings according to the paper's weight and your printer model, you should achieve optimal results when printing on heavy cardstock.
