Imagine this: you’ve just finished that perfect invitation or important letter, and now you need to address the envelopes. But wait, your regular printer just smudges the ink, or worse, jams every single time! It’s a frustrating problem many of us face when trying to make our mail look professional. Choosing the right printer for envelopes can feel like a maze, with so many different types and features to consider.
You want your envelopes to look crisp and clean, not messy and unprofessional. But what printer can actually handle them without causing a headache? It’s a common struggle, and it’s why we’re diving deep into the world of envelope printing. Don’t worry, we’re here to help you cut through the confusion.
By the time you finish reading this post, you’ll understand what makes a printer great for envelopes. We’ll explore the key features to look for and highlight some top choices that will make addressing your mail a breeze. Get ready to say goodbye to smudged addresses and jammed paper, and hello to perfectly printed envelopes every time!
Our Top 5 Printers For Printing Envelopes Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Printers For Printing Envelopes Detailed Reviews
1. Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer
Rating: 9.1/10
The Canon PIXMA TR4720 is a do-it-all wireless printer designed for your home. It can print, copy, scan, and even fax, making it a handy tool for schoolwork, family projects, or even a home office. Its compact black design fits easily on your desk, and wireless printing means you can print from your phone or tablet without a mess of wires.
What We Like:
- It’s a 4-in-1 printer: print, copy, scan, and fax all in one machine.
- The Auto Document Feeder makes copying and scanning multi-page documents a breeze.
- You can print wirelessly from your phone or tablet.
- It automatically prints on both sides of the paper, saving you paper and time.
- It prints borderless photos and documents up to 8.5″ x 11″.
- The printer is ENERGY STAR certified, meaning it’s good for the environment and saves energy.
- You can connect it to Alexa to get notified when ink is low and even have it reorder ink automatically from Amazon.
- Ink cartridges are easy to install and replace.
What Could Be Improved:
- Print speeds of 8.8/4.4 ipm (images per minute) are a bit slower than some other printers.
- The 100-sheet paper capacity might be too small for very busy households.
Overall, the Canon PIXMA TR4720 is a versatile and convenient printer for home use. Its smart features and ease of use make it a solid choice for most families.
2. Canon PIXMA TR7120 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer for Duplex Printing
Rating: 8.7/10
The Canon PIXMA TR7120 is a white wireless color inkjet printer that does more than just print. It’s a fantastic all-in-one machine for your home or even for working from home. It can copy and scan your documents, and it’s designed to be easy to use and fit into your space.
What We Like:
- It’s affordable and offers great value for everything it can do.
- Prints look sharp and colorful, whether it’s for school papers or photos.
- Setting it up is a breeze, so you can start printing, scanning, and copying right away.
- The Wi-Fi connection is strong and reliable, letting you print from anywhere in your home.
- The Auto Document Feeder makes scanning and copying multi-page documents super fast.
- You can save time and paper with its automatic double-sided printing feature.
- It handles different types of paper and prints up to 8.5” x 11” with or without borders.
- The small OLED screen makes it easy to see ink levels and printer status.
- Its compact size means it won’t take up too much room on your desk.
- You can easily print from your phone or tablet using popular apps.
What Could Be Improved:
- The OLED screen is monochrome, which might not be as visually appealing as a color screen.
- While versatile, it might not have the advanced features needed for professional-level printing.
This Canon PIXMA TR7120 is a smart choice for anyone needing a versatile and easy-to-use printer for everyday tasks. It balances features and affordability perfectly for home and hybrid work environments.
3. Canon PIXMA TR7020a All-in-One Wireless Color Inkjet Printer
Rating: 8.5/10
The Canon PIXMA TR7020a All-in-One Wireless Color Inkjet Printer is a versatile and user-friendly device designed to handle all your home and office printing, copying, and scanning needs. Its compact black design fits easily into any workspace, and it offers smart features like wireless connectivity and mobile printing.
What We Like:
- It prints, copies, and scans all in one, making tasks easy.
- You can print from your phone or tablet using Wi-Fi.
- It has a handy Auto Document Feeder for scanning multiple pages.
- Automatic double-sided printing saves paper and time.
- The printer can handle many different types of paper, from photos to cards.
- It’s ENERGY STAR certified, so it’s good for the environment.
- The Canon PIXMA Print Plan offers convenient ink delivery.
- It has a 1-year warranty for your peace of mind.
What Could Be Improved:
- The display screen is small at 1.44 inches, which might make navigating complex settings a bit tricky for some.
- The printer’s ability to automatically ship ink relies on it being connected to the internet.
The Canon PIXMA TR7020a is a solid choice for anyone needing a reliable and feature-rich all-in-one printer. It offers great convenience and quality for everyday printing tasks.
4. Canon PIXMA TS3720 Wireless All-in-One Printer for Basic Home Printing
Rating: 9.2/10
The Canon PIXMA TS3720 Wireless All-in-One Printer in White is a handy helper for all your basic home printing needs. It lets you print, copy, and scan, all from one compact machine. Setting it up is a breeze, and you can get printing in just a few minutes. You can even print from your phone or tablet!
What We Like:
- It’s an all-in-one printer, so you can print, copy, and scan.
- It prints at good speeds, about 7.7 pages per minute in black and white.
- Setup is super easy and quick.
- Ink cartridges are easy to swap out.
- It has a small LCD screen to make things simple.
- Dual Band Wi-Fi makes the connection strong and reliable.
- You can connect it to Wi-Fi without a computer.
- Printing from your phone or tablet is simple with the Canon app.
- It works with Chromebooks for school or home projects.
- You can print on different kinds of paper, including photos and envelopes.
- It comes with a 1-year warranty for peace of mind.
What Could Be Improved:
- It only prints on one side of the paper at a time.
This printer is a great option for anyone needing a simple and reliable way to handle their printing tasks at home. Its easy features make it a user-friendly choice for everyday printing.
5. HP OfficeJet Pro 9135e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
Rating: 9.3/10
Meet the HP OfficeJet Pro 9135e, your office’s new best friend for printing professional-quality color documents. This all-in-one machine handles printing, scanning, copying, and even faxing with ease. It’s designed for busy offices that need to create impressive presentations, eye-catching brochures, and vibrant flyers. Plus, it comes with a 3-month Instant Ink trial to get you started.
What We Like:
- HP AI makes printing web pages and emails perfect, saving you paper and frustration.
- Fast color printing speeds up to 20 pages per minute and black and white up to 25 pages per minute.
- Auto 2-sided printing and scanning, plus an auto document feeder, save you time.
- Two large 250-sheet input trays mean fewer interruptions.
- Reliable dual-band Wi-Fi automatically fixes connection problems.
- Built-in HP Wolf Pro Security keeps your data and network safe from threats.
- The HP app lets you print, scan, copy, and fax from your phone or tablet.
- A large 4.3-inch touchscreen with a simple interface makes it easy to use.
- Made with over 40% recycled plastic, it’s a more sustainable choice.
What Could Be Improved:
- The printer is designed to only work with HP cartridges, blocking others.
- Firmware updates will continue to enforce this, which might be a concern for some users.
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9135e is a powerful and smart office printer that offers great features for professional-quality prints and a smooth user experience. It’s a solid investment for any office looking to boost productivity and print quality.
Your Guide to Printing Perfect Envelopes
Printing envelopes at home can save you time and money. It also gives your mail a professional touch. But not all printers handle envelopes well. This guide helps you choose the right printer for your needs.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for an envelope printer, several features stand out.
- Media Handling: Look for printers that specifically mention envelope printing. Some printers have special trays or feed paths for thicker media like envelopes. A wide paper path is good. It helps the printer grab and move envelopes without jamming.
- Print Quality: You want crisp, clear text and images. Pigment-based inks often last longer and resist fading better than dye-based inks. This is important for important mail.
- Connectivity: Most modern printers offer Wi-Fi or Ethernet. This lets you print from your computer, phone, or tablet easily. USB direct connection is also common.
- Speed: If you print many envelopes, speed matters. Check the pages per minute (PPM) rating, but remember this is usually for plain paper. Envelope printing can be slower.
- Cost of Ink/Toner: Ink or toner is a recurring cost. Look for printers with affordable replacement cartridges or high-yield options.
Important Materials
The type of printer and its ink or toner are crucial.
- Inkjet Printers: These spray tiny ink droplets onto the paper. They are often good for color printing and can handle a variety of paper types. Many inkjet printers work well with envelopes.
- Laser Printers: These use toner powder and a laser to create images. They are known for fast, sharp text printing. Some laser printers can print on envelopes, but check the specifications. Toner is generally more durable than ink.
- Ink Cartridges vs. Toner Cartridges: Inkjet printers use liquid ink. Laser printers use dry toner powder. Consider which is more cost-effective for your printing volume.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Several things affect how good your printed envelopes look.
- Envelope Quality: Use good quality envelopes. Cheap envelopes can be thin and wrinkle easily. This makes printing difficult. Make sure your envelopes are compatible with your printer. Check the printer’s manual.
- Printer Settings: Always use the correct paper type setting in your printer driver. This tells the printer to adjust its ink or toner application. It also adjusts the paper feed for thicker media. For example, choose “Envelope” or “Heavyweight Paper.”
- Ink/Toner Type: Pigment-based inks are generally more water-resistant and fade-resistant. This makes them ideal for addresses that need to last. Dye-based inks can be vibrant but may fade over time.
- Resolution (DPI): Higher dots per inch (DPI) means sharper prints. Most modern printers offer good resolution for text.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the printer affects your choice.
- Home Office Use: If you run a small business from home, you might print many invitations or business correspondence. Look for a reliable printer that can handle volume and offers good print quality. Wireless connectivity is a big plus.
- Personal Use: For occasional use, like sending holiday cards or party invitations, a simpler, more affordable printer might be fine. Ease of use and setup are important here.
- Crafting and Scrapbooking: If you’re into crafting, you might want a printer that can handle various envelope sizes and colors. High-quality photo printing might also be a consideration.
- Ease of Loading: Some printers have easy-to-access envelope feeders. Others require you to load envelopes manually. Think about how often you’ll be printing and if a dedicated tray makes life easier.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can any printer print envelopes?
A: No, not all printers are designed to print envelopes well. Some printers can jam or produce poor-quality prints on envelopes because they are thicker and have different textures than regular paper.
Q: What is the most important feature for envelope printing?
A: The most important feature is good media handling. This means the printer can feed envelopes smoothly without jamming and can print clearly on their surface.
Q: Should I use an inkjet or laser printer for envelopes?
A: Both can work. Inkjet printers are often more versatile with different paper types. Laser printers are great for sharp text and are usually faster for black and white printing. Always check the printer’s specifications for envelope compatibility.
Q: How do I make sure my envelopes don’t jam?
A: Use high-quality envelopes that are compatible with your printer. Make sure you select the correct “Envelope” setting in your printer’s software before printing. Don’t overfill the paper tray.
Q: Will the ink or toner smudge on envelopes?
A: It can, especially with inkjet printers and dye-based inks on glossy or coated envelopes. Pigment-based inks are more resistant to smudging and water. Letting the printed envelopes dry completely is also important.
Q: What kind of envelopes can I print on?
A: Most printers can handle standard business envelopes (like #10 size). Some printers can handle larger or smaller envelopes. Always check the printer’s manual for supported sizes and types.
Q: Is it cheaper to print envelopes at home?
A: Yes, for regular use, it is usually cheaper to print envelopes at home than to buy pre-printed ones or have them professionally printed, especially when considering the cost of ink or toner over time.
Q: How do I get crisp text on my envelopes?
A: Use a printer with good resolution (DPI). Select the “Envelope” or “Heavyweight Paper” setting in your printer driver. Use high-quality envelopes and ensure your printer’s ink or toner cartridges are not low.
Q: Can I print graphics and logos on envelopes?
A: Yes, many printers can print graphics and logos. For best results, use a printer with good color accuracy and resolution, especially if your logo has fine details or specific colors.
Q: What if my printer doesn’t have a specific envelope setting?
A: If your printer lacks an “Envelope” setting, try selecting a “Heavyweight Paper” or “Cardstock” option. You may need to manually adjust the paper thickness setting if your printer allows it. Consult your printer’s manual for guidance.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.