Cardstock vs standard paper
Verdict
Cardstock prints well on printers with a straight or rear feed path, and jams or misfeeds on printers that curve the sheet tightly. Check your printer's maximum paper weight before buying a ream. Standard paper works everywhere and cannot do what cardstock does. Buy cardstock only after confirming your printer supports the weight.
~$20
Check Astrobrights Bright White Cardstock Price| Astrobrights Bright White Cardstock | Hammermill Premium Paper | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Heavy | Standard |
| Jam risk | Higher | Low |
| Needs a straight path | Often | No |
| Suits invitations | Yes | No |
| Cost per sheet | Higher | Very low |
| Check the manual first | Essential | No |
You are making cards, invitations or anything that needs to feel substantial. Feed it one sheet at a time through the rear tray if your printer has one, which dramatically reduces jams.
Check Astrobrights Bright White Cardstock on Amazon
For everything routine. Trying to force heavy stock through a printer not rated for it is how feed rollers wear out and how paper paths get damaged.
Check Hammermill Premium Paper on Amazon
The manual states a maximum, usually in gsm or pounds, and it varies enormously between models. Exceeding it risks jams and mechanical damage.
Tight curves in the paper path. Printers with a rear or straight-through feed handle heavy stock far better than those that curl the sheet around a roller.
Many can, and heat is the additional consideration: some coated stocks are not rated for laser fusing temperatures and can damage the fuser. Check that the stock says laser safe.
Comparison based on published manufacturer specifications and the general consensus of owner reports. We have not tested these units side by side. Confirm current prices and specifications before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Media handling limits vary by machine. Our Brother MFC-L5710DW review covers the practical rule: feed heavy stock through the manual route, not the main cassette.