Planner stickers are all the rage right now. As someone who uses planners religiously and loves decorating them with stickers, I often get asked: “What kind of printer should I use for planner stickers?”.
Well, as a professional custom planer printing manufacturer, today I’m going to walk you through the pros and cons of different types of printers so you can make an informed decision on the best printer for your sticker-making needs.
Inkjet vs Laser: Which is better for planner stickers?
When it comes to printing planner stickers at home, you have two main options – inkjet or laser printers. Let’s take a look at the key differences:
Inkjet Printers
Inkjet printers are the most popular type of home/small office printer. Here are some pros and cons when it comes to using them for stickers:
Pros:
- Tend to be more affordable than laser printers
- Offer excellent print quality, which is great for printing colorful graphics and images
- Wide range of compatible materials including sticker paper, cardstock, etc.
- Individual ink cartridges allow you to replace only the color that runs out
Cons:
- Ink can be expensive over time
- Prints are less durable and may smear if wet
- Ink may smudge when cutting stickers after printing
So if affordability and print quality are important factors for your sticker-making, an inkjet printer is a solid choice.
Laser Printers
Laser printers use toner instead of liquid ink to print. Here are the main pros and cons of using one for your planner stickers:
Pros:
- Prints are more durable – won’t smudge when cutting out stickers
- Toner lasts longer than ink cartridges
- Fast print speeds
Cons:
- Tend to be more expensive printers
- Limited media options – some may not work well with sticker paper
- Print quality not as vibrant for graphics/photos
If durability and print speed are higher priorities, a laser printer may suit your needs better. But expect to pay more upfront.
Key factors to consider
Beyond the basic inkjet vs. laser decision, here are some other things to evaluate when choosing a printer for stickers:
Media Handling
Your printer needs to be able to easily feed and print on sticker paper without jamming. Many printers specifically mention “compatibility with sticker paper” so look out for that.
You’ll also want a paper tray that can accommodate the thicker material without misfeeding. An automatic document feeder (ADF) allows you to print multiple pages hands-free so can be handy for batch printing stickers.
Print Quality
For planner stickers, you’ll want vibrant graphics and crisp text. Look for print resolution of at least 4800 x 1200 DPI for best quality. The number of ink cartridges also makes a difference – more cartridges allow for wider color range.
Connectivity
Consider wireless connectivity for printing from mobile devices or the ability to plug into your cutting machine (Cricut, Silhouette etc) with a USB cable.
Printer Size
Will it fit nicely on your desk or crafting station? Measure the footprint to make sure.
Ink Costs
Work out cost per page based on the price of replacement ink/toner. Third-party or refillable cartridges can save money here.
Software
Easy-to-use printer software with intuitive controls will make your life easier. Bonus if it has built-in tools for printing stickers and labels.
Recommended Printers for Planner Stickers
With all those factors in mind, here are my top picks for sticker printing:
Epson EcoTank ET-2850
This clever inkjet printer has refillable ink tanks instead of cartridges. The included ink bottles give you up to 2 years of ink! After that, ink is very affordable as bottles cost just $13.
It prints up 4800 x 1200 DPI for vibrant graphics and has a handy ADF for batch printing. The EcoTank prints faster than others in its class at 10 pages per minute. Overall a great value choice!
Canon PIXMA G620 MegaTank
Another tank-style printer, the MegaTank G620 can print thousands of color pages from a single ink refill. Five individual ink tanks give amazing quality and accuracy.
It handles a variety of media well, prints borderless stickers, and even comes with some matte photo paper to get you started. Fast print mode churns out 18 ipm in black and white.
The G620 fits easily into a craft room or small workspace so is ideal for makers/Etsy sellers.
Brother MFC-J805DW XL
If speed is important, the Brother MFC-J805DW prints much quicker than other inkjet – up to 19 pages per minute. An ADF means continuous printing is a breeze.
It has a two-tray system that lets you manually feed specialty media like sticker sheets without swapping out paper. Print quality is excellent at up to 4800 x 1200 DPI enhanced thanks to 5 individual ink cartridges.
Brother printers have a reputation for reliability and this one will serve your sticker printing needs for years before needing maintenance.
Start Making Planner Stickers!
I hope this overview has helped you decide what kind of printer to use for planner stickers – whether an affordable inkjet or a fast laser suits your crafting style.
Whichever route you choose, look for printers made specifically for printing graphics-rich projects. They’ll ensure your custom planner stickers come out picture-perfect every time!