How to Print on Magnetic Paper (Inkjet and Laser)
Last Updated:Quick answer: To print on magnetic paper, use sheets made for your printer type (most are inkjet-only), print a test on plain paper first, then load one magnetic sheet at a time with the white printable side facing the side your printer prints on. Choose a matte or glossy photo paper type to match the sheet, set quality to Best, and feed from the rear or manual tray if you have one. Let the ink dry completely before cutting.
Published November 1, 2026 · By Lauren Elward, Castle Ink
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Key Takeaways
- Most magnetic paper is inkjet-only. Staples and Uline both warn against using their inkjet sheets in laser printers or copiers.
- Print on the white side. The brown or black side is the magnet. Load it so the white side faces the print head.
- Feed one sheet at a time, from a rear tray or manual feed slot where possible.
- Match the paper type to the finish (matte or glossy) and use the highest quality setting.
- Thickness matters. Thin sheets (around 8 to 12 mil) suit most home printers; thicker magnets may not feed.
- Dry before you cut or stack, and seal or laminate magnets that will be handled a lot.
What Is Magnetic Printer Paper?
Magnetic printer paper is a thin, flexible magnet sheet with a printable coating on one side. The back is usually brown or black and sticks to steel surfaces like a refrigerator door, filing cabinet or whiteboard. The front is white, with a matte, glossy or satin finish that holds inkjet ink.
Sheets come in different magnet thicknesses, measured in mil (thousandths of an inch). Magnum Magnetics' DigiMag paper spec sheet, for example, lists magnets from 8 to 20 mil, with the paper layer adding about 3 mil, and rates the thicker sheets for a stronger hold. Thinner sheets feed more easily but hold less weight.
You'll find letter-size packs at office supply stores and online. Browse inkjet magnetic paper on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Can You Print Magnetic Paper on a Laser Printer?
Not with standard inkjet magnet sheets. A laser printer's fuser heats the page to melt toner onto it, and that heat can soften the magnet layer and the inkjet coating. Uline's instructions warn that using its inkjet sheets in a laser printer or copier can permanently damage the machine, and the Staples instructions say the same.
Laser-compatible magnetic media does exist, but it's a specialty product. UniNet's IColor magnetic media, a 15-mil sheet, is made for its transfer printers and OKI models, and its instructions say it works with many other toner-based printers but to confirm compatibility with your printer's maker first. Commercial print shops run similar stock on production machines. For a home laser, the safer route is to print on laser label or sticker paper and apply it to a plain adhesive-backed magnet sheet. Not sure what a fuser is? See our printer parts glossary.
Which Side of Magnetic Paper Do You Print On?
Print on the white, coated side, never the brown or black magnetic side. The trick is loading it so that side faces the print head, which depends on your printer's paper path.
- Rear or top-loading trays (most HP DeskJet models, Canon PIXMA rear trays and many Epson models): load the white side facing up, toward you.
- Front cassettes and bottom drawers that flip the page: load the white side facing down.
- Not sure? Draw an X on one side of a plain sheet, print on it, and see which side the ink lands on.
Staples' instructions put it simply: top-feed printers take the glossy or white side up, bottom-feed printers take it down.
How Do I Print on Magnetic Paper Step by Step?
Set up your design, test it on plain paper, then print one magnetic sheet at a time with heavy-media settings.
- Design the page. Use Word, Canva or your photo app. Leave about a half-inch margin and space between pieces so you can cut them apart. Uline suggests starting with 0.5-inch top and bottom and 0.75-inch side margins.
- Print a test on plain paper. Hold it against the magnet sheet to check placement.
- Clear the input tray and load a single magnetic sheet, white side toward the print side. Use the rear tray, manual feed or bypass slot if your printer has one.
- Open printer properties (Printer Properties or Preferences in Windows, or the Media & Quality section of the macOS print dialog) and choose the paper type and quality from the table below.
- Print and catch the sheet as it comes out so it doesn't curl or rub against the output tray.
- Let it dry flat, printed side up, before touching the surface.
| Setting | What to choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Paper type | A matte photo or heavyweight matte type for matte sheets; a glossy photo type for glossy sheets. Names vary: Canon's Matte Photo Paper, Epson's Premium Presentation Paper Matte, or HP's brochure or photo paper types | Controls how much ink goes down and how the printer handles thick media |
| Print quality | Best or High | Magnet sheets are mostly used for photos and art |
| Paper size | Letter (8.5 x 11 in) for most sheets, or the size on the package | A size mismatch shifts or crops the layout |
| Paper source | Rear tray, manual feed or bypass slot, one sheet at a time | Stack feeding thick sheets causes misfeeds and jams |
| Borderless | Off, unless the package says it's supported | You'll trim the edges anyway, and borderless overspray wastes ink |
Handle sheets by the edges. Fingerprints on the coating show up as blotches in the print. Designing in Canva? See how to print from Canva for the export settings.
Will Magnetic Paper Fit Through My Printer?
Thin sheets usually do; thick ones may not. Most home inkjets list a maximum paper weight or thickness in the specifications, and magnet sheets push that limit more than any other craft paper.
- Look up your printer's specs. Search the model number plus "media weight" or "paper thickness" on the maker's support site.
- Compare the overall thickness, not just the magnet. The package may list magnet thickness only.
- Prefer a straight paper path. A rear slot that feeds paper nearly straight through handles stiff sheets far better than a front cassette that bends paper in a U-turn.
- Buy a small pack first to test before committing to a big box.
If thick sheets won't feed at all, see printer won't pick up paper. The same thickness limits apply to printing on cardstock, which is a good test for whether your printer can handle stiff media.
How Do I Cut, Seal and Finish Printed Magnets?
Let the ink dry completely, then cut with sharp scissors, a craft knife and metal ruler, or a paper trimmer. Dry times vary with ink, coverage and humidity: give matte sheets at least 15 to 30 minutes and glossy sheets or heavy photo coverage several hours or overnight before stacking.
- Cutting: regular household scissors work on most sheets. For straight edges and rounded corners, a rotary trimmer and corner punch give a store-bought look.
- Sealing: a light coat of clear acrylic spray sealer protects magnets from fingerprints and kitchen splashes. Test on a scrap first, since some sprays can make dye ink run.
- Laminating: cold (self-adhesive) laminating sheets are the safest choice. Check the magnet package before running sheets through a hot laminator, since heat can warp some magnets.
- Keep them indoors. Most inkjet magnet sheets are rated for indoor use, and inkjet ink fades and runs outdoors.
What Can I Make With Magnetic Printer Paper?
Anything flat and light that you want on a fridge, locker or whiteboard:
- Photo magnets of kids, pets and trips. Our tips on printing photos that look like a lab print apply here too.
- Save-the-date and holiday magnets, often printed several to a sheet.
- Calendars, chore charts and shopping lists for the fridge.
- Business card magnets for contractors and service businesses. See how to print business cards at home for layout templates.
- Classroom labels and whiteboard name tags.
- Party favors and planner decorations.
What about car signs? Vehicle magnets are usually around 30 mil thick and made for outdoor use, which is far beyond what a home inkjet sheet can do. Thin inkjet magnets can fly off at highway speed and fade in the sun. For a car door sign, order from a sign shop or online printer. For other sticky projects, see how to print stickers at home.
Why Is My Magnetic Paper Jamming or Smudging?
Most problems come from loading too many sheets, the wrong paper type setting, or not enough drying time.
- Won't feed or jams: load one sheet, use the rear or manual slot, make sure the sheet is flat, and push it in until it stops. Clean the pickup rollers if they're dusty. If a sheet gets stuck, follow how to fix a printer paper jam and pull it out slowly in the direction of the paper path.
- Printer says paper mismatch or out of paper: the sensor may not detect the dark back. Reload it squarely, or try a different paper source setting.
- Smudging or wet ink: switch to a matte or photo paper type so the printer lays down the right amount of ink, and let it dry longer. More causes in why is my printer ink smudging.
- Print head scuffs the sheet: look for a thick-paper or "prevent paper abrasion" option in your driver, often under maintenance or advanced settings.
- Sheets curl: store them flat in the original package, away from heat and humidity. See how to store printer paper.
- Colors look dull: make sure you chose a photo paper type and Best quality, not plain paper.
How Much Ink Does Printing Magnets Use?
More than a text page. A full sheet of photo magnets is close to edge-to-edge color, similar to a full-page photo, so expect to use a noticeable share of a standard color cartridge on a big batch. Two easy savings: lay out several small designs on one sheet so you're not wasting magnet material or ink, and always proof on plain paper in draft mode first.
High-yield cartridges keep the cost per magnet down. Castle Ink's HP 67XL black and tri-color 2-pack fits HP DeskJet 2700/4100 and ENVY 6000/6400 printers, Canon PIXMA MG3620 and other 240/241-series owners can use the Canon PG-240XL and CL-241XL 2-pack, and Epson WorkForce Pro WF-3720 and WF-3730 owners can use the Epson 702XL 4-pack. For any other printer, use Find Ink by Printer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put magnetic paper in a regular printer?
Yes, in most home inkjet printers, as long as the sheet isn't thicker than the printer's media limit. Load one sheet at a time, preferably from a rear or manual feed tray, and print on the white side. Don't use inkjet magnet sheets in a laser printer.
Why can't magnetic paper go in a laser printer?
Laser printers use a heated fuser to bond toner to the page. That heat can soften inkjet magnet sheets and their coating, which can damage the fuser. Only use magnetic media that is specifically labeled as laser or toner compatible, and confirm it with your printer's maker.
Which side of magnetic paper do I print on?
Print on the white coated side. The brown or black side is the magnet. In printers that load paper from the top or rear, the white side usually faces up; in printers with a front drawer that flips the page, it usually faces down.
What printer setting should I use for magnetic paper?
Choose a matte photo or heavyweight matte paper type for matte sheets, or a glossy photo type for glossy sheets, and set quality to Best. Follow the magnet package if it names a specific setting.
How long should magnetic paper dry before cutting?
Let it dry completely. Matte sheets with light coverage are often ready in 15 to 30 minutes, while glossy sheets and full-color photos may need several hours. Drying them flat and printed side up prevents smudges.
Can I make car magnets with a home printer?
Not reliably. Vehicle magnets are usually around 30 mil thick and outdoor rated, while printable inkjet sheets are thinner, meant for indoor use and can blow off at speed. Use a sign shop or an online printer for car door signs.
Keep Your Printer Stocked
Photo magnets and craft projects go through color ink quickly. Castle Ink has supplied remanufactured ink cartridges and compatible toner since 2005, with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Order by 4 PM ET Monday through Friday and it ships the same day, with free shipping over $50.
Choosing a finish for your next project? See glossy vs. matte vs. luster photo paper.
Sources
- Staples: Inkjet magnet sheets printing instructions (PDF)
- Uline: S-7706 inkjet printable magnetic sheets instructions (PDF)
- Magnum Magnetics via Polymershapes: DigiMag PAPER specification sheet (PDF)
- UniNet IColor: Magnetic media instructions (PDF)
About the author: Lauren Elward writes Castle Ink's printer help guides, drawing on more than 20 years of family experience in printers, ink and toner.
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