The ink sits on top of gloss paper. If you dampen it, it bleeds off.

Im trying to make some brochures with my hp photosmart c309. I used a gloss card stock (not photo paper) but the ink seems to sit on top and not absorb and can just be rubbed off when it gets damp. Is it the card sock I'm using or is it the ink jet printer that's not making this work?

It's the card stock. Photo paper, even though it looks glossy has lots and lots of microscopic holes which lets the ink go through and soak into the coating. Regular glossy paper just has a solid barrier coating on it and you need to use special alcohol based inks which bond chemically to the coating or laser printing which will thermally bond to the coating.

tyronia1 said:

Im trying to make some brochures with my hp photosmart c309. I used a gloss card stock (not photo paper) but the ink seems to sit on top and not absorb and can just be rubbed off when it gets damp. Is it the card sock I'm using or is it the ink jet printer that's not making this work?

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The card stock you are attempting to use is the wrong type and wont work.

No matter which card stock you use inkjet ink is not water proof
so it will have a tendency to rub or wash off the surface, unless you use pigment inks.

The only other alternative you have is to switch to using a laser printer as recommend by qwertydude..

If you need smudge proof and waterproof, I would start with a very good glossy photo paper like the Costco Kirkland brand that many of us use. It is about the best and I find it far better than some printer-brand papers. It is also one of the most, if not the most, economical of the glossy inkjet photo papers.

WAIT, YOU ARE NOT THROUGH ! Water proofing comes next.

After printing, and perhaps a 30 minute wait for complete drying, spray coat the print completely with a glossy clear acrylic paint. Even cheaper Krylon will do a decent job if you spray properly and evenly. Be sure to coat completely if you need a waterproof print side. Coat the back side too if you need protection as in outdoor posting or handling.

Finally, if the Kirkland paper or other inkjet compatible paper is not heavy enough for your application, consider bonding a card stock to the the finished print.