Best Printer for Invitations 2026: Wedding, Party & Event Invitations
Create stunning DIY invitations on cardstock and specialty papers. Perfect for weddings, parties, showers, and special events.
Quick Answer: Best Printer for Invitations 2026
The Canon PIXMA PRO-200 is our top pick for premium invitation printing - it handles cardstock up to 300gsm with vivid colors. For budget-conscious DIY brides, the Epson EcoTank ET-2850 offers excellent quality at a fraction of the cost per print.
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Printing your own invitations can save hundreds of dollars while giving you complete creative control. Whether you're creating elegant wedding invitations on linen cardstock or fun party invites on glossy paper, the right printer makes all the difference.
The key challenge with invitation printing is paper handling. Standard printers struggle with cardstock heavier than 80 lb (216gsm), causing jams, smearing, and poor feeding. The best invitation printers have rear-feed trays or straight-through paper paths that handle heavy cardstock up to 110 lb (300gsm) without issues.
DIY Savings: Professional wedding invitations cost $5-15 each. Printing at home costs $0.50-2.00 per invitation including premium cardstock - a savings of $300-1,000 for 100 invitations!
Can You Print Invitations at Home?
Yes! With the right equipment, you can create professional-quality invitations that rival expensive stationery stores. Here's what you need:
Quality Printer
Inkjet with rear-feed for cardstock, 4800+ dpi resolution for sharp text and rich colors.
Premium Paper
Cardstock 80-110 lb, linen textures, vellum overlays, or specialty finishes.
Design Software
Canva (free), Adobe Illustrator, or Microsoft Publisher for layout.
Our Top 5 Printers for Invitations in 2026
1. Canon PIXMA PRO-200
Premium photo printer that excels at invitation printing with 8-color dye ink system and exceptional cardstock handling.
Why It's Perfect for Invitations:
- + Handles cardstock up to 300gsm
- + 8-color ink for vivid results
- + Prints up to 13" x 39"
- + Straight-through paper path
Key Specs:
- Resolution: 4800 x 2400 dpi
- Paper Weight: Up to 300gsm
- Paper Size: Up to 13" x 19"
- Ink Type: Dye-based ChromaLife 100+
2. Epson EcoTank ET-2850
Budget-friendly ink tank printer with incredibly low per-page costs - perfect for printing lots of invitations.
Pros:
- + $0.003 per page ink cost
- + 2 years of ink included
- + Handles cardstock well
- + Auto-duplex printing
Key Specs:
- Resolution: 5760 x 1440 dpi
- Paper Weight: Up to 256gsm
- Paper Size: Up to 8.5" x 14"
- Ink Type: Pigment black, dye color
3. Brother HL-L8360CDW
Color laser for invitation businesses - fast, efficient, and produces professional results on cardstock.
Pros:
- + 33 ppm print speed
- + High-yield toner available
- + Crisp, smudge-proof output
- + Auto-duplex standard
Key Specs:
- Resolution: 2400 x 600 dpi
- Paper Weight: Up to 163gsm
- Paper Size: Up to 8.5" x 14"
- Ink Type: Laser toner
4. Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000
Professional-grade wide format for large invitations, posters, and multi-panel designs.
Pros:
- + 17" wide printing
- + 12-color LUCIA PRO inks
- + Archival quality output
- + Straight-through paper path
Key Specs:
- Resolution: 2400 x 1200 dpi
- Paper Weight: Up to 350gsm
- Paper Size: Up to 17" x 22"
- Ink Type: Pigment-based
5. Canon PIXMA TS9120
Affordable all-in-one with excellent photo quality for casual invitation printing.
Pros:
- + 6-color ink system
- + Front and rear paper feeds
- + Borderless printing
- + Good for casual use
Key Specs:
- Resolution: 4800 x 1200 dpi
- Paper Weight: Up to 300gsm
- Paper Size: Up to 8.5" x 11"
- Functions: Print, Copy, Scan
Feature Comparison Chart
| Printer | Max Paper Weight | Max Size | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon PIXMA PRO-200 | 300gsm | 13" x 19" | Wedding | $549 |
| Epson EcoTank ET-2850 | 256gsm | 8.5" x 14" | Budget DIY | $279 |
| Brother HL-L8360CDW | 163gsm | 8.5" x 14" | Business | $399 |
| Canon PRO-1000 | 350gsm | 17" x 22" | Pro/Large | $1,199 |
| Canon TS9120 | 300gsm | 8.5" x 11" | Casual DIY | $149 |
Best for Wedding Invitations
Wedding invitations demand the highest quality - heavy cardstock, rich colors, and flawless print quality. Here's our recommendation:
Our Pick: Canon PIXMA PRO-200
Why It's Best for Weddings:
- Heavy Cardstock: Handles 300gsm with ease
- Color Accuracy: 8-color ChromaLife 100+ inks
- Large Sizes: Print up to 13" x 19"
- Paper Path: Straight-through for thick stock
- Borderless: Edge-to-edge printing
Pro tip: Always print a test batch on the actual cardstock you'll use before printing all invitations. Colors can look different on textured papers.
Best for Party Invitations
Birthday parties, baby showers, and casual events don't require the same premium paper - but you still want great colors and easy printing.
Best Value: Epson EcoTank ET-2850
Print 100+ invitations for pennies each. Great for parties, showers, and casual events.
- + $0.003 per page cost
- + 2 years of ink included
- + Handles light cardstock
Budget Pick: Canon PIXMA TS9120
Affordable with excellent color quality. Rear feed handles heavier papers well.
- + Under $150 price
- + 6-color ink system
- + Up to 300gsm paper
Cardstock & Paper Guide
Choosing the right paper is just as important as choosing the right printer. Here's what you need to know:
| Paper Weight | GSM | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 65 lb Cover | 176gsm | Postcards, casual invites |
| 80 lb Cover | 216gsm | Party invitations, menus |
| 100 lb Cover | 270gsm | Wedding invitations (popular choice) |
| 110 lb Cover | 300gsm | Premium wedding invitations |
| 130 lb Cover | 350gsm | Luxury invitations (specialty printers only) |
Popular Paper Types
- Smooth: Best for detailed graphics
- Linen: Classic textured look
- Cotton: Soft, luxurious feel
- Vellum: Translucent overlay
- Metallic: Shimmer effect
Paper Tips
- + Always test print before full run
- + Use rear-feed for heavy cardstock
- + Set printer to "thick paper" mode
- + Let prints dry 2-3 minutes before stacking
- + Store cardstock flat, away from humidity
DIY Invitation Printing Tips
1. Design for Print, Not Screen
Colors look different on paper than on screen. Print test copies and adjust colors as needed. Use CMYK color mode if your software supports it.
2. Add Bleed for Edge-to-Edge Printing
Extend your design 1/8" beyond the trim line. This prevents white edges if the paper shifts slightly during printing.
3. Print 10% Extra
Always print 10-15% more invitations than you need. Some will have minor imperfections, and you'll need extras for your keepsake album and last-minute additions.
4. Use Genuine Inks for Best Results
Third-party inks may save money but often produce inferior colors and can cause clogging. For important invitations, use manufacturer inks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I print wedding invitations at home?
Yes! With the right printer and cardstock, you can create professional-quality wedding invitations at home. Inkjet printers like the Canon PIXMA PRO-200 produce stunning results on heavy cardstock up to 300gsm. You'll save $300-1,000 compared to professional printing.
What paper weight can invitation printers handle?
Most standard printers handle up to 72 lb (120gsm) paper. For heavy cardstock invitations, you need printers with rear-feed or straight-through paper paths that handle 110 lb (300gsm) or heavier. The Canon PIXMA PRO-200 handles up to 300gsm.
Inkjet or laser for invitations?
Inkjet printers are better for invitations because they produce richer colors, handle thicker papers better, and work with specialty papers like vellum and textured cardstock that laser toner doesn't adhere to well. Laser is only better for high-volume business use.
How do I prevent paper jams with cardstock?
Use the rear feed tray (if available), set printer to "thick paper" or "cardstock" mode, feed paper with the grain direction, and don't stack more than 10-15 sheets at once. Fan the paper before loading to prevent static cling.
Can I print on both sides of invitations?
Yes, but manually. Print one side, let it dry completely (5-10 minutes), then flip and print the other side. Auto-duplex typically doesn't work well with cardstock due to the weight and ink saturation.
Ready to Create Beautiful Invitations?
The Canon PIXMA PRO-200 delivers stunning results on cardstock up to 300gsm.
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