Thread: Need laser printer to print heavy cardstock 16pt postcards

I currently have the Ricoh C411dn. I know I can run 14pt on it(through the bypass tray), but too sure about 16pt.
It's got excellent color output and runs like a workhorse.
It ranges about $1,000-$1,300.
Good Luck!

My very cheap, small black and white Ricoh AP2100 will run 12pt fast and with ease but won't pull 16pt cards though. Gave it a little test and it will in fact print 16pt but because of the feed angle which requires the paper to take a z course through the printer (in, 90 degrees up, and 90 degrees out vs. straight through) the 16pt is stiff enough that it needs a firm manual nudge to make it past the first bend. Otherwise it jams right off every time on the stiffer 16pt.

My other really cheap HP2600 will also do 12pt cards, maybe 14pt postcards (not sure) with ease. But the 16pt cards feed inconsistently and they're so heavy it throws the registration off which can't be good.

I follow the stock guidlines percisely on my larger machines so I won't even think of trying that though I believe they would likely handle it, it would cost too much in the long run if it threw a part out of order.

So I suspect the adivce above will be as good as you will get. I don't know of a laser under $1,000 that can do this with ease. The Xante illumina would of course be on target for this job if you could get a well-used one or have other uses for it.

Any other thoughts on this post?

I still don't have a great solution. I only run one subscription renewal list as postcards for 120 a month right now so I only think about it once a month when running those through in small stacks. I've used up the last of my 12 pt cards and am now running 14 pt cards which isn't as reliable feeding. Have one big printer's lease coming up so I could use that, but it's still printing so well that I hate to risk scoring the fuser in the middle with the small cards. I could get the C411dn mentioned in the post above for $600 now though so maybe procrastination is good!

Originally Posted by Jeff

I still don't have a great solution. I only run one subscription renewal list as postcards for 120 a month right now so I only think about it once a month when running those through in small stacks. I've used up the last of my 12 pt cards and am now running 14 pt cards which isn't as reliable feeding. Have one big printer's lease coming up so I could use that, but it's still printing so well that I hate to risk scoring the fuser in the middle with the small cards. I could get the C411dn mentioned in the post above for $600 now though so maybe procrastination is good!

hey, I'd love to know where you bought your blank postcard media, i've had great trouble finding anything above 11pt thickness which is far too thin to be considered a proper postcard - imho.

Sorry - when we were printing 14pt and 16pt cards we were just laser printing the backs of offset printed color fronts. I never had a good solution for printing the color photo along with variable data on the back of the 16pt cards - had print issues, feeding issues, etc. I had to constantly babysit those and restart several times with misfeeds or jams.

I ended up changing to 12pt kromekote which I'm running now digital front and back and then cutting to card size. Not quite as nice as the 14pt or 16pt cards but acceptable to me and makes running it a whole lot faster and easier. The 12 pt kromekote is easily obtained in laser-size cut sheets of 11x17 or 12 x 18. Heavier than that and you have to cut yourself or have them cut it down for you.

Originally Posted by Jeff

Sorry - when we were printing 14pt and 16pt cards we were just laser printing the backs of offset printed color fronts. I never had a good solution for printing the color photo along with variable data on the back of the 16pt cards - had print issues, feeding issues, etc. I had to constantly babysit those and restart several times with misfeeds or jams.

I ended up changing to 12pt kromekote which I'm running now digital front and back and then cutting to card size. Not quite as nice as the 14pt or 16pt cards but acceptable to me and makes running it a whole lot faster and easier. The 12 pt kromekote is easily obtained in laser-size cut sheets of 11x17 or 12 x 18. Heavier than that and you have to cut yourself or have them cut it down for you.

thanks, I ordered some sample kromekote, 12pt is better than something thinner. I guess the main stumbling block is the fact the card has to curve round a roller, i never thought it would be so hard to print some proper postcards at home!

I'd try the Xante Ilumina.

It's supposed to be a modified Okidata that can handle really thick stock.

~Patrick

Visit: www.intecprinters.com for the ultimate heavy stock solution.