What is the Best Printer for Art Prints and Artists?

As a digital artist, there’s nothing more frustrating than printing low-quality images with washed-up or fading vibrance. I always want my art print to be exactly as I see it on my computer screen, and anything less usually doesn’t cut it.

Enter art printers.

Whether you want to sell your art professionally on artistic platforms like Etsy or simply want to hang it in your room, you’ll need a tailor-made printer for artists — aka, an art printer.

And while you could outsource to a printing company, it’s not always the most reliable option as you may have to wait a long time for your prints. It’s also expensive to print multiple art prints.

Instead, I recommend having your own printer as it’s more convenient and cheaper in the long run. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of my favourite printers for art prints and different artistic needs.

Product

Strength

Product Details

#1. Epson SureColor P800

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Overall best printer for art prints

• Production-capacity cartridges (80ml) last a long time.
• Uses pigment-based inks for extra durability
• AirPrint and Google Print compatibility allows wirelessly printing from a phone or tablet

#2. Epson Stylus Pro 3880 Inkjet Printer

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Best giclee printer

• AccuPhoto HD2 technology for rich colour gamuts
• Advanced black and white mode for vivid B&W prints

#3. Canon Pixma Pro 9000

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Best compact art printer

• Front feeder allows thick stock papers for print freedom
• Fast printing speed: 83 seconds for larger prints
• High resolution of  4800 x 1200 dpi

#4. Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000

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Best ultra-wide format printer

• Accommodates large prints up to 13 x 19” which is ideal for artists
• Compact and fits on standard size work desks
• Equipped with a 50 sheet rear tray for heavy paper

#5. Canon Pixma Pro 100

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Best printer for graphic design

• Ultrachrome HD ink technology for ample colour variation
• Handles large prints up to 13 x 19” for professional-size prints
• Three dedicated grayscale prints for the most realistic grayscale prints

#6. Epson Expression Premium EcoTank

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Best long-term value printer

• Versatile paper handling for all types of dedicated paper
• The large ink cartridge can last up to 2 years

#7. Brother Business Colour Laser Printer

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Best printer for large print volumes

• Large paper capacity makes this printer suitable for office use
• AirPrint, NFC, Wi-Fi Direct and others provide seamless connectivity with your phone or tablet
• Dash Replenishment automatically detects when ink is running low

#8. HP Envy 7855 Wireless Photo Printer

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Best art printer on a budget

• HP Instant Ink service allows you to replenish ink before it runs out
• HP Smart App offers seamless wireless connectivity with your printer.
• Supports many paper sizes for more print freedom

#9. Canon Selphy CP1300

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Best printer for home use

• Small and lightweight (1.9lbs.) so you can carry it on the road
• Sleek design profile is unique and attractive
• Equipped with a tilting LCD interface for easy user navigation

#10. HP Envy 5055 Photo Printer

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Best printer/scanner for art prints

• Uses dye-based inks which is more affordable
• Can print, scan and copy documents for use in the home or office

1. Epson SureColor P800 InkJet Printer

On paper, the Epson P800 seems like an average printer due to its relatively low printing resolution. However, when I put it to the test, it proved to be one of the best printers for art and artists for several reasons.

Pros

• Sharp and brilliant prints: The Epson P800 produces rich prints despite its relatively low printing resolution of 2880 x 1440 dpi. This is because it uses an advanced AMC MicroPiezo print head for high-tech imaging.
  It also has an UltraChrome HD ink technology—meaning you can have up to 8 different ink colours. The result of this is rich, vivid prints with a lively colour display.
• Ideal for black and white prints: The Epson P800 is among the best printers for black and white photography. With three levels of black and white modes, grayscale and neutral prints are superior in quality and professionally toned.
• Suitable for a variety of paper: I tested the P800 with different types of paper, including photo paper, fine art paper and poster boards. The printer produced lively prints for each type. This feature is great for a graphic designer who may need to mix up their media prints.
• High compatibility: Need to print wirelessly? The Epson P800 supports wireless printing from your phone or tablet via Wi-Fi Direct, Apple AirPrint and Google Cloud Print. For wired connections, USB 2.0 and Ethernet are included.

Cons

• It’s expensive: As a high-end art printer, the Epson P800 is pricey.

However, the printer proved to be worth every penny as it provides superior print quality and is durable—lasting over 7 years, according to this digital artist.

2. Epson Stylus Pro 3880

The Epson Stylus Pro 3880 is a high-performance archival ink printer designed for giclee prints.

Giclee prints are the gold standard of fine art prints. They’re museum-level and therefore need the superior print technology that the Epson Pro 3880 provides.

Pros

• Excellent, photo-realistic prints: This printer is packed with new AccuPhoto HD2 technology. It’s a feature specifically engineered for precision in ink placement on the paper. The result is a professional, fine quality image.
• Optical black density: The printer has a three-level black technology and auto-switches between them to produce deep gorgeous blacks.
• Wide media support: As a giclee artist, you need a printer that works with a wide variety of paper. Epson’s Stylus Pro 3880 is compatible with different media including semi-matte paper, artboards, fibre paper and fine art paper.
• Advanced MicroPiezo printhead: For precision when printing, this printer has an advanced one-inch printhead. It also features an ink repelling coating technology for accurate dot placement.
• Four colour presets: Choose either neutral, warm, sepia or cool preset for your prints. These preset enhance print quality and realism for the most inspired prints.

Cons

• It takes several tries to allow head cleaning: When unused for some time, you need to clean the head for this printer to print. However, it takes about three tries before it allows cleaning.

Overall, this printer is an excellent choice for creative professionals due to its fantastic prints and ability to work with all media types.

3. Canon Pixma Pro 9000 Mark II Photo Inkjet Printer

For me, the Canon Pixma Pro9000 is a wonderful graphic design printer and overall, a great choice for artists due to its perfect balance of performance and budget. The following are some of my favourite features.

Pros

• High resolution: With a resolution of 4800 x 2400 dpi, you’re guaranteed high-quality art prints and photos. This works with Canon’s FINE inkjet printhead technology that injects ink deep into the paper.
• Wide-format printing: The Pixma Pro 9000 handles a maximum paper size of 13 x 19 inches. This can adequately accommodate the needs of any digital painter, graphic designer or photographer.
• Ambient Light Correction feature: This is one of my favourite features of this printer. It allows you to print images in the exact colour tones that they’ll be displayed in to ensure your art is seen how it was intended to be.
• Small and lightweight: The Canon Pro 9000 weighs 32lbs. and measures 26 x 13.9 x 7.6 inches. It’s compact enough for both home and office use.

Cons

• Large footprint: The printer measures a chunky 13.9 x 26 x 7.6 inches and weighs 14.6 kilos, meaning it’s hard to move around when you’re on the go

Overall, the Canon Pixma Pro 9000 is a wonderful fit for photographers due to its Ambient Light Correction feature which automatically corrects colour tones.

4. Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 Wide Format Printer

When it comes to versatility, there aren’t many art printers as versatile as Epson’s Expression XP-15000.

It’s small enough for a home office, produces quality prints and offers fast printing—all at a pocket-friendly price.

Pros

• Six ink cartridges: With six different colours, you have a wide spectrum of colours to work with, including grey for black and white prints. This creates lively and brilliant prints.
  However, this printer only uses Epson cartridges and not third-party inks.
• Accommodates a wide range of paper: Whether it’s heavy grade paper like cardstock or regular paper, the Epson XP-15000 can print on it.
• Wide-format printing: This printer accommodates print sizes between 4 x 6 inches and 13 x 19 inches. It’s suitable for printing out borderless larger versions of images as a poster or banners.
• Amazon Dash Replenishment feature: When this feature is activated, it tracks your ink level and orders more when you’re running low.

Cons

• The ink required is expensive: The major downside of the XP-15000 is the high cost of ink. Nonetheless, it’s high-grade ink that produces undeniably high-quality prints.

The Epson XP-15000 produces higher quality art prints and prints fast. It also prints in wide formats making it suitable for professional projects.

5. Canon Pixma Pro 100

The Canon Pixma Pro 100 is one of the best printers due to its exceptional professional prints and photos.

It is packed with current technology including Optimum Image Generating System (OIG) that analyses images and automatically selects the best ink combination for the most realistic and vivid prints.

Generally speaking, it’s considered the best printer for graphic designers.

Pros

• It can print large prints of up to 19”: This is great for professional artists and designers who work with large prints and other types of media
• It’s completely wireless: Canon Print App and AirPrint (for Apple devices) allow artists to print wirelessly through Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
• Two media trays: Can handle different types of paper including thick stock paper and photo paper
• 8-ink dye-based printer: This provides ample colour variation to make prints exactly as you envisioned them. Dye-based inks are also richer and more vivid

Cons

• You can’t scan or copy documents with this printer

Overall, the Canon Pixma Pro 100 is a powerful printer suitable for personal or professional use at an affordable price.

6. Epson Expression Premium EcoTank

When it comes to high-end printers for art prints, Epson’s Expression EcoTank is a hard one to beat.

It’s one of the best printers for commercial use, equipped with a large tank cartridge that lasts up to 2 years without a refill, or up to 9000 pages. This makes it a great choice for commercial use such as art printing services.

Pros

• Supersized ink cartridges: You won’t need to worry about ink refilling for a long time
• Low maintenance and operation costs: With the ink and cartridges lasting up to 2 years, operation costs for this printer are very low
• Front and rear tray: These handle a range of specialty papers such as photo paper and thick stock papers
• Superb printing resolution: The printer prints at a high resolution of 5760 x 1440 dpi. This means you get rich crisp prints
• Easy connectivity: The printer offers wireless printing making it simple and convenient to print from your phone, PC or iPad.

Cons

• Takes up too much space: The printer is large and may take up too much of your office space

The Epson EcoTank checks all the right boxes. It’s durable and versatile since it also acts as a scanner and copier. Additionally, it’s affordable and offers great value for money.

7. Brother Business Colour Printer

Another excellent choice for commercial use. The Brother Business Colour Printer is a large printer designed for large volumes of prints making it a suitable option for a team of graphic designers.

It also prints fast and is packed with modern technology for easy connectivity such as a touchscreen interface, NFC, direct printing or cloud printing and more. Other features include:

Pros

• Seamless wireless connection: Connect to the printer wirelessly or through Ethernet to print wirelessly from any device, whether Mac, Windows or Android
• Fast and large volume printing: Designed for large volume printing, the Brother Business printer prints fast at 33 pages per minute (ppm)
• Dual paper trays: With a front and rear paper tray of 250 and 500 sheets respectively, this printer is ideal for busy workgroups

Cons

• Expensive: This is one of the more expensive options in the market
• Too large: The Brother Business laser printer is the largest on our list. Therefore, consider floor space before purchasing this printer.

This printer is suitable for commercial use due to its fast and large volume printing. It’s a suitable addition to an art printing company/service.

8. HP Envy Photo 7855 Wireless Printer

When it comes to affordable budget printers for art prints, there aren’t much better than the HP Envy 7855 photo printer. It’s the ideal choice for artists and graphic designers on a small budget.

It also makes for a good home or office printer since it’s all in one printer.

Pros

• All in one printer: You can scan, copy and fax documents. You can also print on both sides. Most printers for art prints do not have these features.
• Wireless printing: This printer offers fast wireless connectivity through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. This allows you to print directly from your phone or tablet with ease. For wired connections, Ethernet is available.
• SD card and USB support: For convenience, this printer supports direct printing from SD cards and USB drives.
• Affordable: Looking for a photo printer for less than a hundred bucks? The HP Envy 7855 is it.

Cons

• Slow printing: The HP Envy 7855 is rated at 12 prints per minute. Compared to other printers on this list, this is quite slow. Generally speaking, it’s not built for huge volumes.

The HP Envy 7855 isn’t winning any ‘best art printer’ awards. However, due to its low price, small size and ability to produce decent print quality, it’s a great printer to have at your home/office.

9. Canon Selphy CP1300

The Canon Selphy CP1300 takes home printing to another level with its small size, six ink cartridges and two feeders—everything required for a great art printer.

Furthermore, it features a sleek attractive design that fits perfectly into a home setup.

Pros

• It can also be battery powered: This printer has the option to print using batteries. This allows you to carry it and print it from anywhere
• Small and compact design: With a length and thickness of 5.4 x 2.5 inches and a weight of 1.9 lbs, the printer is easily portable
• 6-tank toner system: The printer holds six ink colours to produce the most vivid and realistic prints
• Convenient smart features: Easily print using voice commands when using the Canon Selphy CP1300. The output feeder tray also automatically expands to catch prints when you print from another room.

Cons

• Slow to set up: Initial setup of the printer takes a long time

Overall, this is a wonderful printer to have at home for any artist or designer. It’s small, offers great printing quality and is quite striking in design.

10. HP Envy 5055 Wireless Photo Printer

Want to print a handmade drawing or painting?

Last on our list is the HP Envy 5055. It’s a low-budget, all-in-one printer ideal for beginners looking to practice and print out their art.

It’s also compact and produces cost-effective images suitable for home projects.

Although the Envy 5055 is a decent printer, it doesn’t compare to others on this list because its print quality isn’t as professional as the others.

Pros

• Scan and copy documents: Want to print your cool designs? Scan or copy documents, perhaps? The versatile HP Envy 5055 photo printer can do it.
• Ample connectivity options: You can connect the printer to your phone or computer wirelessly through the HP Smart App. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are also available.
• High resolution: With a 4800 x 1200 dpi pixel density, you get some great quality colour prints.
• Quick and easy installation: The Envy 5055 is straightforward to install

Cons

• Only two ink cartridges: With just two different inks, there aren’t enough colours to print out vivid and well-saturated art prints. It’s therefore not the most suitable option for artists that intend to sell their art.

The Envy 5055 printer is an all-around printer that’s affordable and produces decent prints for new artists and designers.

What to Consider When Choosing an Art Printer

Inkjet vs Laser Printer

Overall, inkjet printers are better at printing art since they use liquid ink rather than the powder ink used in laser printers. As a result, images are crisper, and colours are richly saturated for the most lively prints.

Laser printers, on the other hand, offer high printing speed and volume.

Printer Size

Are you printing business cards or large posters?

The size of your printer depends on the type of media you want to print. For prints larger than 8.5 inches wide, an inkjet printer is your best bet. Laser printers haven’t quite got there yet.

Type of Paper

Artists should go for a printer that can handle different types of paper such as photo paper, cardstock and other heavy stock papers.

With these factors in mind, always choose the best option within your budget.

FAQs

What Kind of Printer Do I Need to Print My Art?

Inkjet printers are the best printers for art prints since they use liquid ink resulting in more realistic art.

Is Inkjet or Laser Better for Artists?

Inkjet printers are the best printers for art prints since they handle a wider variety of paper and print sizes. They also produce rich, high-quality prints.

Which Fine Art Printer Is Best for Printing Artwork?

If I had to choose one printer for artists and graphic designers, I’d have to go with the Epson SureColor P800. It’s durable, handles a wide range of paper, and produces rich, high quality, professional-grade prints.

Featured Image from: Unsplash by Joshua Fuller