Emma Davis Print Production Specialist at 4OVER4.COM
Emma is our prepress and print production voice, built from the knowledge of our production team, with over 20 years in printing.
Question
Can I use an inkjet printer for scratch off cards?
Answer
You can use an inkjet printer, but the ink needs time to cure before you seal it. Water-based inkjet ink stays vulnerable to smearing far longer than toner does.
- Dry time: let inkjet prints sit for 24 hours before adding any clear adhesive or contact paper.
- Why it smears: inkjet ink is water-based, so pressing tape onto it while damp drags the ink.
- Laser advantage: toner bonds to paper instantly and will not bleed under contact paper.
- Paper choice: heavier cardstock resists warping and holds the coating better than thin paper.
If you would rather skip the drying wait entirely, professionally printed scratch-off cards seal the artwork and the panel in one production run.
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