Can I use an inkjet printer for scratch off cards?

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.