"Printer Settings for Paper Models" Topic

When printing paper models on cardstock, Fat Dragon Games recommends not using the "cardstock" printer setting, claiming that you'll get better results with the "plain paper" setting.

Which setting works best for you?

* cardstock
* plain paper

Been using plain paper from the get go, works fine.

I left it at plain paper (the default) too. I've tried cardstock once or twice before and didn't notice any real difference.

Plain paper here. Hadn't actually notice there *was* a "cardstock" setting. The cynical part of me suspects it's a way for users to waste more ink…

Plain paper, high quality. However, this is only true for matte paper, I'm pretty sure that glossy photo paper needs other parameters.

Never even thought of changing settings.

Plain paper setting here.

Plain paper for me as well. Occasionally I spring for photo quality, but that's the only time I change my settings (well, except for when my wife has switched printers and changes settings on me).

Yup. Leave it on the default settings.

I use the 'thick paper' setting, mainly because its set up to feed that thru from the top instead of in the front and back out the front. That way I stock regular paper in the front tray, and just drop card into the top slot when I'm printing models.

Got my own printer only recently. Tried printing on card stock, it came out terribly. Patches of ink were missing from solid areas, track marks ran from one end of the page to the other.

I changed the settings to "110# stock", and the output is much improved. Not perfect, but hey, it's for gaming.

I use the plain paper setting with the cheapest brand of uncoated card stock available and have great results. If you are using high quality paper or coated stock you will probably need to adjust. Photo paper will need to be adjusted to your photo setting. I have tried photo paper, premium card stock, and cheap card stock and found that the image quality was not significantly better to justify the cost of the better paper.

thosmoss

Sounds to me more like your nozzles were dry. Happens on my printer when I have not used it for a while.

Depends on the printer and the paper/card.

Inkjets MAY have a thickness issue when using a 'paper' setting when printing on card and this can cause smearing. Happened with a Cannon and an Epson printer for me and using the thick or card settings solved the problem.

Cheap card tends to have a rougher surface too and that can cause quality issues if you try to use too high a quality setting. You can end up getting worse results with high quality than with the normal setting.

On a laser it is advisable to use the thick or card settings as this usually increases the fusing temperature and makes sure that you don't get unfused toner rubbing off the card surface.

I'd agree that uncoated card is better – coated card tends to crack when folded. You are best getting a good smooth surface though – hot pressed card is worth the extra IMHO.

Yup, definitely a difference with the colour Laser printer.

I usually use 170g/sqm matte photo paper, with the printer set to "high quality", "matte photo paper".Seems to come out fine to me. The paper is certainly sturdy enough, and will even support the weight of miniatures.

Got a MagiColor 2400W here. I use the thick stock setting and it works fine. The thing I have noticed is that the paper feeds more slowly through the printer. This is probably for the reasons GildasFacit states above about Lasers. Same effect for photo paper. Occasionally I forget to set to Thick Stock and still have had no problems. Much of the setting on my printer is probably to ease the wear and tear of the printer.

Whatever the case, the answer clearly depends on the type, make and model of your printer.