Can inkjet printers print envelopes?

I occasionally need to print about a hundred envelopes (a couple of times per year).

I have a laser printer which bends the envelopes as it prints them, rendering them almost unusable, and an inkjet printer which leaves random blotches of ink around the edges of the envelopes.

The inkjet printer is dying and needs to be replaced.
Are there any inkjet printers that can print bulk envelopes well?

I'd prefer not to get a second laser printer.

SLaks

Posted 2010-11-12T15:29:18.820

Reputation: 7 596

3Christmas letter season? – jjnguy – 2010-11-12T15:34:02.737

1@jjnguy: Not at all. Statements & fundraisers for a non-profit. – SLaks – 2010-11-12T15:34:32.697

2dam. Bad guess. – jjnguy – 2010-11-12T15:35:58.803

The alternative is Avery 5160/8160 mailing labels; acceptable for a non-profit I'd think. – hyperslug – 2010-11-15T02:52:43.703

@hyperslug: We print our logo and mailing type in the corner. Also, printed envelopes look much better than labels. – SLaks – 2010-11-15T03:06:19.880

Answers

After reading online it looks like most can but only certain ones do it without constantly jamming. Here are some printers others have had good luck printing on envelopes with.

Edit: If you want a real envelope printer try Here.

Supercereal

Posted 2010-11-12T15:29:18.820

Reputation: 8 643

However, that's five years old. – SLaks – 2010-11-12T16:32:14.293

Was just about to post that. It is a bit old, printer models are out of date, but technology hasn't changed much since then. What it boils down to is that most inkjets will handle mild envelope printing, most these days will even have tray adjustments to allow it, but none will be ideal for the task. – MaQleod – 2010-11-12T16:32:42.857

@SLaks, not much has changed with ink jets in 5 years. Wifi connectivity? Thats about it. – Supercereal – 2010-11-12T16:35:09.943

1A printer with a the option of a straight paper path would be a plus for printing envelopes. – RSMoser – 2010-11-12T16:49:16.433

@RSMoser, good point. – Supercereal – 2010-11-12T16:55:46.067

I ended up getting a Canon MX870 (the sequel of the one recommended in that link), and it worked very well. – SLaks – 2011-01-06T16:13:10.980

If the problem with the laser printer is just that it's bending the envelopes, can you just open the back tray of the printer so that it has a straighter paper path?

Alex

Posted 2010-11-12T15:29:18.820

Reputation: 1 848

1+1 great idea if possible on the printer. – Supercereal – 2010-11-12T16:56:21.527

Many HP Laser printer pick up from the front when using the paper tray, causing the paper to make a 180 deg turn to go over the fuser, then another 180 deg turn to exit the printer on the top. Using the Manual feed tray, eliminates the first 180 turn, and opening the back eliminates the second. So the paper goes straight through. You may see a bit of curl due to heat, but you may be able to adjust the temps on the printer itself. – BillN – 2010-11-12T17:26:37.603

I have a Borther HL4040CN. I wasn't aware of this option; I'll try it. Thanks. – SLaks – 2010-11-12T17:36:21.907

Unfortunately, my printer can't do this. http://welcome.solutions.brother.com/bsc/public_s/id/eu/eu_ot/en/colorlaserpri/hl4040cn_all/spec/index.html No face-up tray (no straight paper path).

– SLaks – 2010-11-12T17:41:30.947

In the past I have had inkjet printers that let me adjust the input tray for envelopes or even had a separate slot to put them in to make sure they were guided properly through the works of the computer.

chrispt

Posted 2010-11-12T15:29:18.820

Reputation: 223