Greeting cards need heavy card stock and vivid color; photo inkjets do this best at home. This guide only includes ink tank printers. Here are the 8 we recommend from our catalog, ranked for greeting cards.
What to look for
- Photo inkjet
- Cardstock support
- Borderless
- Duplex for inside text (manual is fine)
Our picks
| Printer | What it is | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer | Inkjet all-in-one, color, print/scan/copy, Wi-Fi, refillable ink tanks | see product |
| HP Smart Tank 7303 Ink Tank Printer | Inkjet all-in-one, color, print/scan/copy, refillable ink tanks | see product |
| HP Smart Tank 6003 Ink Tank Printer | Inkjet all-in-one, color, print/scan/copy, refillable ink tanks | see product |
| HP Smart Tank 7603 Ink Tank Printer | Inkjet all-in-one, color, print/scan/copy, refillable ink tanks | see product |
| Epson EcoTank ET-M1170 Wireless Monochrome Supertank Printer | Inkjet printer, black & white, Wi-Fi, refillable ink tanks | see product |
| HP Smart Tank 5000 Ink Tank Printer | Inkjet all-in-one, color, print/scan/copy, refillable ink tanks | see product |
| HP Smart Tank 5100 Ink Tank Printer | Inkjet all-in-one, color, print/scan/copy, refillable ink tanks | see product |
| Epson EcoTank ET-M2170 Wireless Monochrome All-in-One Supertank Printer | Inkjet all-in-one, black & white, print/scan/copy, Wi-Fi, refillable ink tanks | see product |
1. Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500
Why it fits: color, scans and copies, prints from phones and laptops over Wi-Fi, refillable ink tanks for very cheap pages.
2. HP Smart Tank 7303 Ink Tank Printer
Why it fits: color, scans and copies, refillable ink tanks for very cheap pages, in stock, ships in 1–3 days.
3. HP Smart Tank 6003 Ink Tank Printer
Why it fits: color, scans and copies, refillable ink tanks for very cheap pages, in stock, ships in 1–3 days.
4. HP Smart Tank 7603 Ink Tank Printer
Why it fits: color, scans and copies, refillable ink tanks for very cheap pages, in stock, ships in 1–3 days.
5. Epson EcoTank ET-M1170
Why it fits: prints from phones and laptops over Wi-Fi, refillable ink tanks for very cheap pages, in stock, ships in 1–3 days.
Still deciding?
Compare: laser vs inkjet · toner vs ink · cost per page. Buying several printers? Ask for a volume quote. More: all buying guides.
Related guides
Understanding the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500
What kind of printer this is
An ink tank printer (Epson) is filled from bottles instead of cartridges. It costs more up front, but its cost per page is a fraction of a cartridge printer's, often under a cent for black. A set of bottles prints thousands of pages.
It is an all-in-one: it prints, scans and copies, which saves desk space and a second device.
What the specs mean
- Color
- Prints in color using four cartridges (black, cyan, magenta, yellow), each replaced separately.
- Print · Scan · Copy
- Scanning turns paper into PDFs you can email. Many all-in-ones have an ADF (automatic document feeder) to scan a stack of pages without lifting the lid.
- Wi-Fi
- Print from laptops and phones anywhere on your network, with no cable. USB is there as a backup.
The real cost of a printer
The price tag is only the start. Over 3 years most printers cost more in ink than to buy. Before choosing, compare:
- Cost per page: cartridge price ÷ page yield.
- Recommended monthly volume: the pages per month it handles comfortably. The bigger duty cycle number is a maximum, not a target.
- Starter cartridges: many printers ship with setup cartridges that hold less than a full one. Plan your first order early.
Setting it up
- Unpack it and remove all orange tape and packing pieces, including inside the covers and paper tray.
- Install the ink: fill each tank from its matching bottle and load paper.
- Power on and follow the screen to pick your language and join your Wi-Fi.
- Install the driver or app from Epson's website (Epson Smart Panel). Avoid driver CDs, which are often out of date.
- Print a test page, then register the printer to activate the warranty.
Who it's best for
- Families, schools and offices that print a lot of color
- Anyone tired of buying cartridges
- Anyone who also scans or copies regularly
Keep it running well
- Keep a spare cartridge on hand so a busy day never stops.
- Use good, dry paper and fan the stack before loading to avoid jams.
- Install firmware updates from Epson for fixes and security.
- Faded pages, streaks or jams? Start with our troubleshooting guides.
Printer terms, explained
Laser vs inkjet
Laser printers use toner powder. They are fast, crisp on text, have a low cost per page and never dry out. Inkjets use liquid ink and are best for photos, at a lower purchase price. Full comparison
Mono vs color
Mono (black-and-white) printers use one cartridge and cost less per page. Color printers add cyan, magenta and yellow cartridges for charts, flyers and photos.
All-in-one (MFP)
A printer that also scans and copies, and sometimes faxes. MFP stands for multifunction printer.
ADF
Automatic document feeder: a tray on top that pulls a stack of pages through the scanner, so you don't scan page by page.
Duplex (auto 2-sided)
Prints on both sides of the paper automatically, which saves paper. On many model names, a "d" means duplex and a "w" means wireless.
PPM
Pages per minute on standard text pages. A team of 5–10 people is comfortable from about 30 ppm.
Duty cycle vs monthly volume
Duty cycle is the maximum a printer can survive in a month. The recommended monthly volume, usually much lower, is what it handles comfortably. Choose by the second number.
DPI
Dots per inch: print sharpness. 600 dpi is crisp for text, and 1200 dpi or more matters for fine graphics and photos.
Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Ethernet
Wi-Fi joins your network. Wi-Fi Direct lets a phone connect to the printer without a network. Ethernet (cable) is the most reliable choice for shared office printers.
Starter cartridges
Many new printers include setup cartridges with less toner or ink than a full replacement. Order your first full cartridge early.
Buying for several offices, or reselling? Get a volume quote or apply for wholesale pricing →
