The best paper for printing photocards at home

Published 2 min read

The paper changes everything: the same design looks flat on office paper and like an album card on the right stock. These are the papers mallow suggests for each printer, and why.

Inkjet printers

Paper What it gives you Good for
Glossy photo paper The brightest colors Photos with lots of color, selfies
Matte cardstock (200–300 gsm) Feels like an official card Collecting, trading, writing on the back
Sticker vinyl Water resistant Cards you’ll stick on a case or a journal
Matte sticker paper Easy to cut with scissors Sticker sheets, deco
Holographic vinyl Real holo shine Special cards, birthday cards

Thickness matters. A real photocard is stiff. Office paper (80 gsm) bends in the sleeve; look for 200 gsm or more. Thick glossy photo paper (around 250–280 gsm) is a great balance.

Let it dry. Inkjet ink needs 10–15 minutes before you put the card in a sleeve, especially on glossy paper.

Laser printers

Use laser cardstock (200–250 gsm) or laser sticker paper. Never put inkjet photo paper in a laser printer: the fuser heats the page and can ruin the paper and the printer. Expect colors a little less vivid than on screen; the upside is that you can cut right away and the toner doesn’t smudge.

Portable printers

  • Canon SELPHY uses its own paper and ink ribbon, so there’s nothing to choose: the card comes out dry and water resistant. For edge-to-edge photocards, use the card-size cassette (54 × 86 mm).
  • Zink (HP Sprocket) uses inkless 2 × 3 in paper with a sticky back. Your card is a sticker the moment it comes out.
  • instax mini Link prints on instax mini film, with the classic white frame.

Ask for 300 gsm coated paper with matte or gloss lamination: it’s what official cards feel like. Ask for 3–4 mm rounded corners and a proof before the full run, and measure the proof with a ruler.

What about holo and glitter stickers?

In mallow, holo and glitter are on-screen effects that follow your phone’s tilt. On regular paper they print flat. If you want real shine, print on holographic vinyl: the foil does the work.

Coming soon to iPhone and iPad

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