greeting cards

[tailcast]

Hello all,

We run a social network for artists and we want to provide a print on demand greeting cards service. The major industrial machines in this area are way too expensive ($100K +).

Can anyone recommend a prosumer level printer in the $400-1500 mark that we might be able to use?

Best wishes

 

[gordo]

Most of the artist greeting cards that I'm familiar with are printed on consumer-level inkjet printers.
Key things to consider would be maximum page size, since you'll likely be using a sheet rather than roll fed device. The larger (or longer) the sheet size the more cards that can be ganged up (or combined) on a single sheet. Also, you'll need to confirm the maximum weight of paper the printer will accept. Some print directly on greeting card stock while others can only print on light weight stock which will then need to be mounted onto the final card stock.

best, gordo

 

[tailcast]

Many thanks Gordo, it looks like Epson and Canon are the best in this field at that level. Canon helpfully responded to my email and suggest I use one of the following: PIXMA iP4600 or PIXMA MP620. Waiting to hear back from Epson but will focus on the loading mechanism, paper weight & sizes (especially ability to load thick card), sheet size and choice of paper and card stock.