Laser printing on "metallic" style paper?

Question

I am trying to print on some paper that I bought from hobbylobby which is a metallic type textured paper. I had problems with it smearing when I printed on it with an inkjet printer. I work at a retail store with a printing department that uses Xerox laser printers. Since the paper seems to be non-porous would a laser printer be more suitable for the paper or is it impossible to print on this type of paper?

Answer 1

DO NOT use this metalic paper in a laser printer until you CHECK IT'S PACKET, to ensure it is laser compatable.
If it is not it is likely the "metalic" look is a plastic layer, that will MELT in the fuser (last stage of a laser that heats the paper and in effect "melts" the toner onto it)

If you do use it and it melts NO MANUFACTURER will repair this under warranty free of charge, and there will be enough stuck to the fuser that they will know.

Read the instructions the paper came with, I used to use metalic foil, but only 1 side in coated for inkjet use. Wrong side printer, ink smears.
Right side, pretty refrective pictures.

Enjoy

Answer 2

To print in a Laser printer the paper need to be bad conductor of electricity. If your metallic paper is a conductor it would not print. If it is bad conductor ot\r insulator it would print perfectly. You need to try practically.

Also you may try with inkjet of different make. The inkjets using oil based ink may produce good result. However you need to allow quite long drying time before touching it.

Answer 3

As you found out, inkjet printers have a difficult time printing on some metallic and glossy paper stocks. A laserjet should have no problem with it assuming that the paper stock isn't too heavy. In the past, the only problems I've experienced with such printing is that you may occasionally get print that is lighter than what you would expect from pure black ink.