Best solution for printing postcards

[fotofreek]

In the US Red River makes a very nice heavy weight double sided matte paper. The one I've used for very attractive invitations is aurora art natural. For two sided printing with excellent quality photo reproduction this is quite a nice paper. It appears that you are in Europe so I'd check out the various double sided coated papers there if you want to print both sides. I'd say, again, that the gsm weight designation doesn't tell you the stiffness, "snap" quality, or the surface texture (sometimes referred to as the "hand")

 

[CakeHole]

The dirt cheap 200 sheet poundland 6 x 4 photo paper i have here has one side glossy (for the image) and the reverse side is basically just the texture of normal copier type paper. It can be printed on both sides though obviously you print the image on the glossy side. I thought this was standard though its been so long since i had to buy a pack (2+years) things have obviously changed.

 

[PeterBJ]

I bought a package of 100 sheets 4"x6" Sihl glossy photo paper from Aldi. The package is marked "Fotokort" in Danish meaning Photo Cards, so I assumed the back side could be printed and written on. But the back side is polyethylene coated and neither ink from a printer nor from a ball point pen will stick.

 

[CakeHole]

Interesting ive definately printed on both sides of my poundland lot albeit picture on the glossy side and only basic text details off when photo was take etc on the opposide (back) side. Maybe this is another varies paper to paper things, gawd i hope not

 

[Smile]

Choosing correct paper is harder than choosing ink ! I think most of you will agree with me. Too many choices = chaos.

 

[fotofreek]

I just received an email ad from Red River Paper that listed several surfaces that are coated double sided - all the way from matte to glossy. Once you click the link to purchase they show several cut sizes of all these papers. For a short run of postcards I'd use 4x6 precut paper with no trimming.

 

[Smile]

But without a "pagewide" printer the OP will quickly find that he needs to have at least 10 printers to do the job. The inkjets are SLOW.

 

[Smile]

Found this media:

http://shop.photomart.co.uk/kodak-d...-250-sheets-for-kodak-apex-and-g4-models.html

http://shop.photomart.co.uk/kodak-dl2100-5-25-x-7-25-white-greeting-card-envelopes-pack.html

Perhaps OP will be interested.

 

[Andrej]

Dear Loop,

I read whole conversation about selection of printer for postcards printing and as I'm in front of the same dilemma I would appreciate if you could share with me which printer you choose at the end and how does it perform.

Thanks a lot.

Hi,

Since ~3 weeks I'm looking desperately for a printer for my new startup, unfortunately I couldn't find anything yet. That's why I would would like to know if you can help me.

I basically want to build a service where the customers can upload their own photos and write a message then I would like to print this message and picture and make it look like a real postcard (similar to the tourist postcards everywhere) and send it per snail-post.

I'm software engineer so the service is not a problem, but to be honest I have no idea about printers (affordable ~1000€), inks, papers (300 to 600 gm/qm), etc. I don't know what to buy...

I really appreciate if you can help me with this. And please let me know if you need some help with computers (specially with Macs and software

)

Thank you in advance and best regards

 

[The Hat]

I would appreciate if you could share with me which printer you choose at the end and how does it perform.

@Andrej, This is the printer that Loop decided to go with...
https://www.printerknowledge.com/threads/best-solution-for-printing-postcards.9793/page-4#post-80874