How to print more durable targets — plus 3 popular designs

The majority of us have a printer in our homes or offices. You can now print your own targets. You can find hundreds of free targets online, including dozens that you can download on our AccurateShooter.com target page. You can create your own target using a computer drawing software such as MS Paint if you’re feeling particularly creative. Paper Stock Is ImportantUse quality paper if you want your targets to be clean (and not tear when it’s windy). Card stock is the thick paper used to make business cards. Card stock comes in 65-lb, 110-lb, and a variety colors. We print on white with black ink. You can also experiment with bright yellow or orange sheets. ShootDots, a forum member, reports: “They sell cardstock in Fed-Ex Kinko!” I use either Orange, or Yellow. It is easier to see bullet holes. On some printers with the heavier card stock (110-lb), you may need to exit the paper through the back for a more straight run. Here are some Target Printing Tips from members of our Forum: “Staples has a 67 lb heavy stock I’ve settled on. I use either the light grey or the light blue. Both are easy to see on bright days. I have also used the 110-lb stock and it works well. It’s easier to print lighter paper.” (JBarnwell). “Cardstock is great for showing bullets holes because it doesn’t tear like thin, lightweight 20-lb papers. I’ve never experienced a problem with the cardstock feeding into the printer. Just don’t put too many sheets in. If I want to print three targets, I only load three sheets of cardstock. (MEMilanuk). “I’ve used Staples Sticker Paper. This works great and no staples are needed (joke). It is helpful to apply a little tension when mounting the lighter weight paper on the target frame.” Here are some tips on how to use lighter weight paper if you want to save cash or your printer will not work with heavier stock: “20-lb Bond works well for me when I use a spray glue and stick the entire back surface of the paper to the backerboard.” (Lapua40X). “I use regular 20-lb but it only tears when there isn’t a backer to support the paper. This can be a problem when you go to a range where the backer is all shot. I use a large paper backing that I clip on the stands.” (CPorter). Here are three of our favorite targets. Click to Download PDFs.