The Best Craft Printer for Junk Journaling

Looking for the best craft printer to bring your junk journal printables to life? In this guide, I’ll walk you through the two printers I use myself — and help you figure out which one is right for you.

If you’re standing in front of a hundred printer options, totally overwhelmed and wondering,

“Wait… which one is actually good for crafting?”

You’re not alone — I’ve been there, too.

Maybe you’re shopping for your first printer, or maybe your old one just doesn’t cut it anymore. Either way, you’re trying to find something that works without needing a degree in tech specs.

Over the years, I’ve owned and used more printers than I can count — from Epson to HP, Brother to Canon — both small home printers and massive office machines. I’ve worked as a professional graphic designer, so I know firsthand that not all printers are created equal (especially when it comes to crafting!).

I’m not here to list a dozen different models or confuse you with complicated jargon. I’ll simply show you what I use, what I love, and how to pick the printer that matches your style of crafting.

You’ve got options. Let’s find the one that’s just right for you. ✨

🖨️ My Favorite Craft Printer

Let’s get straight to it:

My favorite printer for junk journaling is the Epson EcoTank ET-2850.

Depending on where you live, you might see it listed as the ET-2856 — they’re essentially the same printer. The only real difference? The color. I use the white model because it matches my craft space, but functionally, they’re twins.

And honestly? I love this printer. It’s reliable, affordable to run, and prints beautifully on all the papers I use for my junk journal printables — from regular writing paper and cardstock to vellum, sticker paper, and even printable fabric.

💧 Cartridge-Free = Way Less Hassle (and Less Expensive Ink!)

One of the biggest reasons I recommend the EcoTank is that it doesn’t use traditional ink cartridges. Instead, it has refillable ink tanks that you top off with bottles of ink. It’s so much more cost-effective — and less wasteful.

As someone who prints a lot of pages (because I design and test all the printables you see in my shop), I used to go through cartridges constantly. With the EcoTank, I get months of use before needing to refill. And refills cost a fraction of what cartridges do.

So yes, the upfront price of the EcoTank is a little higher than other inkjet printers — but if you print often, you’ll save money in the long run.

🎨 Gorgeous Color, Crisp Lines & Paper Flexibility

The print quality is fantastic — vibrant, clear, and consistent. I use the ET-2850 for everything:

• Junk journal pages and background papers
• Fussy cuts, ephemera, and tags
• Printable stickers
• Printable fabric designs
• Cricut Print & Cut projects

And because it supports a wide range of papers — including cardstock up to 300 gsm — I can create anything from layered collage bits to sturdy folio bases. It’s compatible with photo paper, matte and glossy paper, sticker sheets, printable vinyl, vellum, and more.

🧠 Rear Feed for the Win (Especially with Thick Paper)

Another thing I love? The rear paper feed.

Some printers only have a front-loading tray, which pulls the paper through a bendy U-turn — not ideal if you’re using thicker cardstock. The EcoTank’s rear feed lets the paper go straight through, which makes it perfect for double-sided printing and prevents jams on heavier paper.

It’s also great if you’re printing on textured or specialty papers that don’t love to be curled.

🖨️ Fast Enough, Small Enough, Smart Enough

• Size-wise, it fits nicely on a shelf in my craft space
• Print speed? Fine by me! (It’s not the fastest, but I’m not running a print shop — one page at a time works perfectly.)
• Setup is easy, and connecting to Wi-Fi is a breeze – Need a little help setting yours up? [Here’s my full Epson EcoTank setup guide]
• It supports both Letter (8.5×11) and A4 paper sizes
• The ink doesn’t require heat to print — great for heat-sensitive materials like fabric or vellum

✅ Epson EcoTank ET-2850 Features (a Quick Rundown)

• High-resolution prints (up to 5760 x 1440 dpi)
• No ink cartridges — refillable tanks instead
• Comes with ink (plenty for hundreds of prints)
• Low-cost refills
• Rear paper tray (great for thick materials)
• Prints on cardstock, sticker paper, vellum, photo paper, fabric
• Compact design
• Built-in wireless printing
• Energy efficient + eco-conscious
• Scanner & copier included

💡 What About the Other EcoTank Models?

Epson offers several models in the EcoTank family — from budget-friendly to more professional-level printers. Here’s my take:

• Don’t stress about buying the fanciest one. Even the most affordable model prints beautifully — especially when you select “Best Quality” in your settings.
• If you’re on a budget, start with what you can afford. It’s still going to be a major upgrade from a cartridge-based printer.

⚠️ Things to Keep in Mind

• ❌ Doesn’t Truly Print Borderless
  The ET-2850 says it supports borderless printing, but many users (myself included) find that it still leaves a thin white margin — even when using 8.5 x 11 paper.
  ➤ If you’re printing on A4 paper, this will happen no matter what, since my printables are sized for US Letter.
  ✂️ I simply trim the edges — and once it’s in your journal, you’d never know the difference.
• 🌀 Rear Feed Only
  This model doesn’t have a paper cassette tray — it only feeds from the back. Personally, I love this (especially for printing thicker paper), but some people prefer the convenience of a tray.
• 🧽 Needs Regular Use to Prevent Ink Clogs
  Like all inkjet printers, the EcoTank should be used at least once a week to keep the nozzles clear. If left unused for long periods, the print heads can dry out or clog.
  ➤ If you’re an occasional printer, a laser printer might be a better fit. (More on that in the next section!)

🔥 What About Laser Printers?

…And Why I Use One Alongside My Inkjet

While the Epson EcoTank is my go-to for everyday printables, I also have a color laser printer — and it opens up a whole different world of crafty possibilities.

So why bring up laser printers at all?

Because how you like to craft really matters. It’s not about one printer being “better.” It’s about what you want to do with your printables.

🖌️ Ink vs. Toner — What’s the Real Difference?

Inkjet printers (like the EcoTank) use liquid ink. Laser printers use toner — a dry powder that’s fused to the paper with heat. That one little difference makes a big impact when it comes to junk journaling.

Here’s why I keep both in my craft corner:

✨ What You Can Do With Laser Prints (That Inkjets Struggle With)

• Add Watercolor or Wet Media
  Want to brush over your printables with coffee, tea, watercolors, or ink sprays? Laser prints won’t smudge, even when wet. Inkjet prints will — unless you seal them first.
• Distress, Stain & Layer
  I’ve used avocado dye, diluted acrylic paint, and even stamped over laser prints with wet inks — no smearing, no drama. It’s perfect if you love layering and grunge.
• Pre-alter Your Paper
  You can distress or dye your paper before printing (just be sure it’s flat and not overly textured). Laser printers can handle it — inkjets might cry.
• Add Gold Foil with a Laminator
  Yep, this one’s magical. Print your design with a laser printer, layer on toner-reactive foil, run it through a laminator — and peel back the most gorgeous gold accents. You can’t do this with inkjet prints.
• Laminate Without Smudging
  While both laser and inkjet prints can be laminated, inkjet prints may smear slightly if not completely dry or sealed. Laser prints are dry from the start and stay crisp — even under heat and pressure.

💡 Tip: If you love combining junk journaling with art journaling, or working with lots of tactile materials, a laser printer gives you more freedom to play.

🖨️ My Recommended Laser Printer:

HP Color LaserJet Pro 3202dw

If you’re looking for a solid, reliable color laser printer, this one has been a great companion in my craft room. It’s not the cheapest option, but it’s built to last — and it delivers excellent color quality for toner-based printing.

✨ Features I Love:

• ✅ Water-resistant prints (great for mixed media & sealing)
• ✅ Crisp detail on text, ephemera, and smaller elements
• ✅ Wireless printing from your computer, phone, or tablet
• ✅ Fast print speeds (22 pages per minute)
• ✅ Handles paper weights up to 220 gsm in the main tray — and thicker cardstock (like 300 gsm) via the rear feed
• ✅ Auto duplex (double-sided) printing — handy if you do want to use it!
• ✅ Does NOT use liquid ink, so no drying out between uses

📌 Note: This model does not support true borderless printing. Like most laser printers, it will leave a small white margin around the edges — but you can always trim this off. Just like with inkjets, it’s all about your finishing steps.

🖨️ Inkjet vs. Laser

Which Printer Is Right for Your Junk Journals?

Both of the printers I use — the Epson EcoTank (inkjet) and the HP Color LaserJet (laser) — are great for crafting. But they each have their strengths, and one might fit your needs better depending on how you like to journal.

Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:

✅ So… Which Printer Should You Get?

Here’s the short answer:

If you love full-color, collage-style printables and print often, go with the Epson EcoTank.

If you want crisp, water-safe prints or only print occasionally, a laser printer might be a better fit.

🖨️ The Epson EcoTank (ET-2850 / ET-2856)

This is my go-to recommendation for most junk journalers.

It’s affordable, economical, and incredibly versatile — perfect for printing junk journal pages, fussy cuts, ephemera, stickers, and even fabric elements.

It handles a wide range of papers (from vellum to heavy cardstock), plays nicely with Cricut Print & Cut, and is easy to refill without breaking the bank.

💡 If you want a solid all-around craft printer that’ll grow with you — this is it.

🔥 The HP Color LaserJet (3202dw)

This one’s for you if you love blending junk journaling with mixed media — painting, staining, collaging, layering with watercolors or spray inks, even foiling with a laminator.

Because laser printers use toner instead of ink, the prints are water-resistant and smudge-proof. That makes them ideal for wet techniques and lamination.

💡 If you already know you love wet media and want your prints to hold up under layers of creativity — a laser printer might be your new best friend.

😌 But Wait… Do You Need Both?

Absolutely not.

If you have an inkjet printer that’s working well and giving you good results — keep using it!

There’s zero reason to upgrade unless your current printer isn’t meeting your needs.

And if you’re worried about missing out on those “laser-only” techniques, don’t stress. You can absolutely seal your inkjet prints for added protection — I’ll show you how in this [sealing inkjet printables tutorial].

💡 Quick Tip About Warranties

Most printers (including Epson and HP models) come with a 1-year manufacturer warranty — and often give you the option to extend it for a few more years.

But here’s the fine print:

👉 These warranties typically only stay valid if you use the manufacturer’s original ink or toner. If you use cheaper third-party refills, your warranty could be voided.

So, what should you do?

• If warranty matters to you: Stick with Epson or HP brand ink/toner and consider extending the warranty.
• If you’d rather save money: Use compatible third-party ink — just skip the extended warranty and know the risk.

✨ That said, both the Epson EcoTank and HP LaserJet last a long time between refills — far longer than cartridge printers. So you’re likely saving either way!

Next Steps

Finding the perfect printer can feel a little overwhelming — especially when you're trying to balance features, price, and your own creative style. But now that you know the real differences (and what actually matters for junk journaling), you’ve got everything you need to make a confident choice.

Still not sure? Leave me a comment below — I’m happy to help you decide!

And remember:

✨ If your current printer works, printables look great, and you’re happy — no need to change a thing. Bookmark this post and come back to it later if you ever do decide to upgrade.

📚 More Helpful Resources

• How to Download and Open Printable Files
• Printing Guide: Tips for Perfect Printables
• Paper Guide: The Best Papers for Junk Journal Printables
• How to Print on the Back of a Printable
• Tips for Borderless Printing

Happy crafting,
Cyna xx