Whether you’re an artist or graphic designer, choosing the perfect printer for art prints might feel overwhelming. Resolution, color range, brand, model – where do you even begin?
But imagine effortlessly printing stunning art prints and photos that you can proudly sell in your shop, on Etsy, showcase in galleries, or even archive for future generations.
Your ideal printer is out there, and my guide is here to help you find it. It will save you hours of research because I’ve collected my own experiences as a professional artist, combining them with the experiences of other artists and my artist friends.
Have fun exploring!
💡 TL;DR: #1 – #7 are budget options; #8 is the most popular art printer; #9 is trending eco ink tank art printer; #10 – #13 are fine art giclee printers and #14 is professional art printer
| Budget A3 Art Printer #1 | Canon Pixma |
| Budget A3 Printer for Art Prints #2 | Canon Pixma |
| Budget Art Scanner Printer #1 | Epson Expression |
| Budget Art Scanner Printer #2 | Canon Pixma TS |
| Best Value A3 Printer for Art Prints | Epson Photo |
| Best Value Ink Tank Art Printer | Canon MegaTank |
| Best Value Art Scanner Printer | Epson Expression Photo |
| Most Popular Printer for Art Prints | Canon Pixma Pro |
| Ink Tank Art Scanner Printer | Epson EcoTank |
| Fine Art Giclee A3 Printer #1 | Epson SureColor |
| Fine Art Giclee A3 Printer #2 | Canon ImagePrograf |
| Fine Art Giclee A2 Printer #3 | Epson SureColor |
| Fine Art Giclee A2 Printer #4 | Canon ImagePrograf |
| 24″ or 44″ Professional Printer for Art Prints | Canon ImagePrograf |
Overview: 14 Best Printers for Art Prints Used By Artists
This is a quick overview of printers for art prints used by 14 artists categorized into budget, art scanner printer, A3, fine art (giclee), and professional art printers.
Discover more details and insights from artists’ experiences below.
Versatile printer for different media like art paper, canvas, matte, glossy, stickers, iron-ons
· Small/Medium art studios
· Photographers
6 colors alternative to iX6820 above
· Small/Medium art studios
· Photographers
Art scanner printer for different media
· Small/Medium art studios
· Photographers
Versatile printer for different media like art paper, cardstock, matte, glossy, stickers, iron-ons
· Crafters
Versatile art printer for art prints, cardstock, canvas, stickers, vinyl and iron-ons
· Small/Medium art studios
· Photographers
Ink tank art printer for art prints, cardstock, canvas, stickers, vinyl and iron-ons
· Small/Medium art studios
· Photographers
Versatile art scanner printer for art prints, cardstock, canvas, stickers, vinyl and iron-ons
· Small/Medium art studios
· Photographers
Most popular art printer for art prints, canvas, cardstock, stickers, vinyls and transfer paper
*Successor of popular Canon Pixma Pro-100
· Profitable art studios
· Photographers
Eco A3 art printer for art prints, canvas, cardstock, stickers, vinyls, and transfer paper
· Profitable art studios
· Photographers
A3 Fine art printer (giclee printer) for art prints, canvas, and cardstock from Epson
· Professional Artists and Designers
· Profitable art studios
· Photographers
A3 Fine art printer (giclee printer) for art prints, canvas, and cardstock from Canon
· Professional Artists and Designers
· Profitable art studios
· Photographers
A2 Fine art printer (giclee printer) for art prints, canvas, and cardstock from Epson
· Professional Artists and Designers
· Profitable art studios
· Photographers
A2 Fine art printer (giclee printer) for art prints, canvas, and cardstock from Canon
· Professional Artists and Designers
· Profitable art studios
· Photographers
Large format fine art printer (giclee printer) for art prints and canvas
· Professional Artists and Designers
· Profitable art studios
· Photographers
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#1 Budget Art Printer I – A3 – Canon Pixma iX6820/6850
Value Pick for Art Prints, Stickers, Vinyl, Transfer paper, and Transparencies
5-color hybrid dye- and pigment-based ink system :: 9600×2400 DPI :: Borderless prints up to 13″×19″ (A3+) :: Supports transparencies and vinyl stickers :: Max paper thickness: 6mil (0.15mm) :: Early 2014 model :: Wireless & AirPrint
Pros & Cons (Canon Pixma iX6820/iX6850 for printing art)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
➕ Affordable price | ➖ Older technology from 2014 |
➕ 5 color dye-based inks for vibrant and high-quality art prints | ➖ Build quality is not as good as with the higher-end inkjet printers |
➕ High-resolution art prints | |
➕ Up to 13″ x 19″ print size | |
➕ Versatile support of different media | |
➕ Affordable price of inks | |
➕ Quiet, relatively small, and easy to use | |
➕ Good connectivity (WiFi, AirPrint) |
What Do Artists Think?
Artist and illustrator Asia Orlando uses Canon Pixma iX6820/6850 to print her illustrations. She states, “I love it, and I think it’s a perfect match for my artwork.”
Asia cares deeply about the quality of the prints, and printing in-studio allows her to ensure that everything meets her standards. She focuses on the prints retaining color and saturation which are very lovely in her illustrations. She appreciates that the printer can handle up to A3+ size prints.
She seems quite satisfied with the prints she produces with iX6820/6850 when using the right paper. She also shares extensively about her experience in testing and finding the right paper for her prints.
#2 Budget Art Printer II – A3 – Canon Pixma IP8720/8750
Value Pick for Art Prints, Stickers, Vinyl, Cricut, and Transfer paper
6-color dye-based ink system :: 9600×2400 DPI :: Borderless prints up to 13″×19″ (A3+) :: Supports vinyl stickers :: Early 2014 model :: Wireless & AirPrint :: Alternative name IP8750
Pros & Cons (Canon Pixma IP8720/8750 for printing art)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
➕ Relatively affordable price and low running costs | ➖ Older technology from 2014 |
➕ 6 color dye-based inks for intuitive color management and vibrant, high-quality art prints | ➖ Build quality is not as good as with the higher-end inkjet printers |
➕ Up to 13″ x 19″ print size | ➖ Color balance is not perfect (it tends to be a little warm) |
➕ Great art print quality for the price | |
➕ Easy to use | |
➕ WiFi and AirPrint |
What Do Artists Think?
Watercolor artist Patrick Ley-Greaves uses Canon IP8720/8750 to print reproductions of his original watercolor paintings.
He chose this printer because it uses 6 different ink cartridges, including specialty greyscale and black inks, which provide a good color range. Canon also advertises the ink provides longer-lasting prints.
Overall, Patrick seems very happy with the quality of the art prints from the printer. He says the first print matched the on-screen image at about 95% accuracy. He was especially impressed with the reproduction of the stonework, boats, browns, and reds in his artwork. The only slight difference was the blue sky printed a bit lighter than the original. But overall, he felt the print was a near-perfect match.
#3 Budget Art Scanner Printer I – Epson Expression Photo XP-8700
Budget Art Scanner Printer with great color reproduction and print quality
6-color dye-based ink system :: 5760×1440 DPI :: Borderless prints up to 8.5″×14″ (A4) :: Scanner 1200x4800 DPI :: Supports vinyl stickers :: Early 2022 model :: Wireless & AirPrint
Pros & Cons (Epson XP-8700 for printing art)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
➕ Affordable price | ➖ Low capacity ink cartridges means that the printer consumes a lot of ink, especially in high-quality print settings |
➕ New technology from 2022 | ➖ Only up to 8.5″ x 14″ print size |
➕ Comes with a scanner | |
➕ 6 color dye-based inks for vibrant, high-quality art prints | |
➕ Compact size and convenient features | |
➕ Easy to use | |
➕ WiFi and AirPrint |
What Do Artists Think?
The collage artist Sian Lewis uses Epxon XP-8700 to print 4×6 inch photographic postcards of her photographs.
She chose the printer because it was fairly inexpensive, it has 6 ink colors for better print quality, it’s very compact in size, and it has useful features like a scanner, LCD screen, SD card slot, and rear paper feed.
She prints her postcards in a high-quality setting, and she judges the print quality as quite good.
In summary, Sian chose the Epson XP-8700 for its combination of affordability, small size, print quality, and useful features. She is happy with the print results so far but disappointed at the high ink usage when printing on premium settings. Frequent ink costs may be the main downside to this printer choice.
#4 Budget Art Scanner Printer II – Canon TS9521C
Crafters Printer for Stickers, Vinyl, Cricut, Transfer paper and Art Prints
Hybrid 4-color dye-based + pigment-based (BK) ink system :: 4800×1200 DPI :: Scanner 1200x2400 DPI :: Prints up to 11″×17″ (A4++) :: Supports vinyl stickers :: Late 2018 model :: Wireless & AirPrint
Pros & Cons (Canon TS9521C for printing art)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
➕ Comes with a scanner and support for a wide range of media | ➖ Only up to 8.5″ x 14″ print size |
➕ Popular among crafters printing stickers and cardstock | ➖ Older technology from 2018 |
➕ Comes with a scanner and support for wide range of media | |
➕ Good range of print settings to achieve high quality prints | |
➕ Small and compact, it easily fits in a studio | |
➕ Well built for the money | |
➕ WiFi, AirPrint |
What Do Artists Think?
Graphic designer Darja uses Canon Pixma TS9521C (T9551C) to print her digital artwork at home.
She chose the printer because it was readily available, and she has also seen the inks available in any stationery store without the need to order them online. And it comes in white color, which fits in her design studio.
Darja seems to be very satisfied with the art prints she printed using TS9521C. She had a bit of back an forth with increasing the resolution of her Illustrator files, which solved the blurry edges issue. She praised the color quality produced by the printer, and she is looking forward to making more test prints to figure out the right settings for different paper types.
Darja recommends this printer as a solid, budget-friendly option for making art prints.
#5 Value Art Printer – A3 – Epson Expression Photo XP-15000
Budget Pick for Art Prints, Cardstock, Canvas, Stickers, Vinyl, and Transfer paper
6-color dye-based ink system :: 5760×1450 DPI :: Borderless prints up to 13″×19″ (A3+) :: Max paper thickness: rear feed 23mil (0.6mm) manually :: Late 2017 model :: Wireless & AirPrint
Pros & Cons (Epson XP-15000 for printing art)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
➕ Amazing print quality for the price | ➖ Older technology from 2017 |
➕ Relatively small and light design of the printer makes it convenient for small spaces | ➖ Small capacity ink cartridges mean you will have to buy new ones more often |
➕ Excellent color reproduction capabilities, particularly with its 6-color ink system | |
➕ Easy and versatile rear document feed, which allows for thicker paper, canvas, and all kinds of media | |
➕ Setup process is quick, and the printer’s interface is easy to follow | |
➕ WiFi and AirPrint |
What Do Artists Think?
Architectural and commercial photographer Keith Cooper reviewed the Epson XP-15000 by printing color photo prints.
He did test prints of digital artworks and digital reproductions of traditional artworks using different types of paper, including an art paper described as “velvet fine art style paper,” a matte canvas, glossy paper, ultra-glossy paper (titanium gloss paper), smooth art paper, and metallic paper.
Keith highlights that this printer is relatively small and compact, making it a convenient choice for those with limited space. He also mentions that the printer offers a reasonable compromise between price and performance, as it can produce high-quality prints with a six-color ink system (including gray and red inks), despite its affordable price.
Overall, Keith seems very pleased with the art prints produced by the Epson XP 15000. He describes the color reproduction on various types of paper as excellent, particularly noting the “deep intense colors” and “nice depth” produced on glossy papers, art papers, and matte papers. He is impressed with the vivid and impactful prints it produces, suitable for portfolio presentations.
#6 Eco Value Art Printer – Canon Pixma G620/550 Megatank
Value Ink tank/Supertank Printer for Art Prints, Photographers, Graphic Designers, Stickers, Vinyl, Transparencies
6-color dye-based ink system :: 4800×1200 DPI :: Borderless prints up to 8.5″×14″ (A4) :: User definable length up to 47″:: High page yield & low cost per print :: Early 2021 model :: Wireless & AirPrint :: a.k.a G550/G650
Pros & Cons (Canon Pixma G620 for printing art)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
➕ Large ink tanks keep the cost low | ➖ Color management and printer driver issues, especially on Mac |
➕ Reliable paper feeding, even with thicker media | ➖ Black & white prints have color cast issues |
➕ Print quality is quite good considering the price | ➖ Not ideal for fine art printing compared to more advanced printers |
➕ High quality mode provides visible improvement | ➖ Small screen on printer with low contrast |
➕ Well built for the money | |
➕ WiFi and AirPrint |
What Do Artists Think?
Architectural and commercial photographer Keith Cooper reviewed the Canon G620/550/650 by printing photographic artworks, both color and black & white.
He chose to review this printer because he wanted to experiment with the large ink tanks with low operating costs. He tested printing photographs on glossy papers, fine art papers, and greeting cards.
Keith was quite happy with the print quality overall, especially considering the low price of the printer. He mentioned the prints look nice and have received positive reactions. The high-quality print mode provides a noticeable improvement over standard quality.
So, in summary, he found the Canon PIXMA G620/G550/650 to be a good low-cost printer for experimentation and general printing, but it does have some drawbacks, particularly for fine artworks compared to more professional models. The large ink tanks help keep the operating costs low.
#7 Value Art Scanner Printer – A3 – Epson Expression Photo XP-970
Epson Value Pick for Art Prints, Stickers, Vinyl, Cricut, and Transfer paper
6-color dye-based ink system :: 5770×1440 DPI :: Borderless prints up to 11″×17″ (A3+) :: Scanner 1200x4800 DPI :: Supports vinyl stickers :: Late 2019 model :: Wireless & AirPrint
Pros & Cons (Epson XP-970 for printing art)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
➕ Allows for printing up to A3 size, which gives the artists flexibility with print size | ➖ Not the fastest or quietest printer. |
➕ Offers double-sided and borderless printing options | ➖ The cost of the inks with a high price, but that is to be expected with brand cartridges ensuring print quality |
➕ Uses high-quality inks that produce long-lasting prints | ➖ The Epson Easy Photo Print software is old and clunky |
| ➕ Produces prints with accurate and rich colors, sharpness, highlights, and shadows, which meets the artists’ need for high-quality reproductions of their work | |
➕ Compact and easy to handle | |
➕ WiFi and AirPrint |
What Do Artists Think?
A watercolor artist, Minnie Small, uses Epson XP-970 to print her watercolor paintings on watercolor inkjet paper and archival matte paper at home.
She chose this printer as a successor to her previous printer, XP-960 because it prints up to A3 size, it offers double-sided printing, it provides the option for borderless printing, and it uses high-quality links that last up to 300 years without fading.
Minnie praises the printer, particularly regarding the accuracy and richness of colors, highlights, shadows, and the sharpness of the prints it produces.
#8 Most Popular Art Printer – A3 – Canon Pixma PRO-200
My Pick for Art Prints, Canvas, Cardstock, Stickers, Vinyl and Transfer paper
8-color dye-based ink system :: 4800×2400 DPI :: Borderless prints up to 13″×19″ (A3+) :: Max paper thickness: rear feed 11.8mil (0.3mm); manual feed 23.6mil (0.6mm) :: Late 2020 model :: Wireless & AirPrint
Pros & Cons (Canon Pixma PRO-200 for printing art)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
➕ The most popular printer among the artists’ community | ➖ Price |
➕ Produces vibrant, sharp, and accurate colors | ➖ Size and weight |
➕ Large printing size (up to A3+) | |
➕ 8 colors of dye-based ink, which helps in reproducing a wide and accurate range of colors | |
➕ Ease of setup and user-friendly interface | |
➕ Well built for the money | |
➕ WiFi and AirPrint |
What Do Artists Think?
A freelance illustrator, Emily, uses Canon Pixma PRO-200 to print her paintings, photographs, and illustrations at home.
She chose the printer because it will bring a lot of freedom to her shop because she can produce prints immediately after creating an artwork, and she has complete control over how the print looks. She chose this model due to its capabilities for high-quality printing, its user-friendly features, and the flexibility it provides for her business.
Emily seems extremely pleased with the quality of the prints. The prints are clear and look almost indistinguishable from the original artworks. She even stated, “If someone gave this to me and said this is a real painting, I would think, oh yeah, of course it is.” She compliments the fine details that the printer is able to capture, even at small scales and the vibrant and accurate colors. She was particularly impressed with the premium fine arts smooth paper, which is thick (310 GSM) and has a texture similar to watercolor paper.
Emily is excited about the impact this printer will have on her shop!
#9 Eco Art Scanner Printer – A3 – Epson EcoTank ET-8550
Eco All-in-one Pick for Art Prints, Cardstock, Canvas, Stickers, Vinyl, and Transfer paper
6-color hybrid dye-based & pigment-based ink system :: 5760×1440 DPI :: Borderless prints up to 13″×19″ (A3+) :: 4800x1200 scan resolution :: Max paper thickness: rear feed 50mil (1.3mm) manually :: Early 2021 model :: Wireless & AirPrint
Pros & Cons (Epson ET-8550 for printing art)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
➕ The ink lasts for a long time, which helps to keep costs low | ➖ The high initial cost of the printer is a significant investment |
➕ The printer is versatile with regard to paper sizes and types | ➖ The printer may seem cheaply made due to its all-plastic construction, which initially could lead to concerns about its durability |
➕ The printer has a pleasing aesthetic and fits well on a bookshelf | ➖ The printer is slow, especially when printing larger projects |
➕ It has a convenient paper input from the back, which is important for printing on thicker cardstock without bending or jamming the paper | |
➕ Well built for the money | |
➕ WiFi and AirPrint |
What Do Artists Think?
A comic book artist, Blue, uses Epson ET-8550 to print their comic books and stickers at home.
They chose this Epson ecotank printer because they wanted to print on demand while maintaining control over their own work. They were interested in the printer’s ability to print up to 13 by 19 inches paper. And most importantly, previous experiences with outsourced printers became more expensive during the pandemic, and they decided to take printing into their own hands.
Blue is very happy with the prints produced by the Epson ET 8550. The details in the prints are always preserved; there is no fading or pixelation. The colors come out very well. The prints dry quickly after printing, allowing them to be handled immediately. The printer handles various types of paper well, including matte, glossy vinyl, and metallic finishes for stickers.
Blue also appreciates the convenient paper input from the back, which is important for printing on thicker cardstock without bending or jamming the paper.
#10 Fine Art Giclee Printer I – A3 – Epson SureColor P700
My Pick for Art Prints, Canvas, Cardstock, Stickers, Vinyl, and Transfer paper
10-color pigment-based ink system :: 5760×1440 DPI :: Borderless prints up to 13″×19″ (A3+) :: Max paper thickness: 50mil (1.3mm) :: Integrated roll feed :: Early 2020 model :: Wireless & AirPrint
Wider version: SureColor P900 17″ Inkjet Color Printer
Pros & Cons (Epson SureColor P700 for printing art)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
➕ The paper choice flexibility that the printer offers | ➖ Price |
➕ The printer allows custom media type settings, which simplify the printing process if artists use a specific paper a lot | ➖ High running cost |
➕ The high quality of the prints | |
➕ Archival and giclee printing | |
➕ 10-color pigment-based ink system | |
➕ Possibility to install roll feed | |
➕ WiFi and AirPrint |
What Do Artists Think?
Architectural and commercial photographer Keith Cooper reviewed the Epson P700 by printing a high-quality digital photograph on watercolor paper.
Keith appears to be satisfied with the art prints produced by the Epson P700. He mentions that the print came out just as he expected and was satisfied with the color and quality of the print. He states: “There’s nothing I can see obviously wrong with it. It’s printed out; it’s printed out level; there’s no skew on it or anything like that.” He notes that the print has captured pretty much all of the image in the way he wanted to show it, with the right color, a nice deep sky, and the burnt-out look of the wheat fields.
#11 Fine Art Giclee Printer II – A3 – Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300
Great for Art Prints, Canvas, Cardstock, Stickers, Vinyl, and Transfer paper
10-color pigment-based ink system :: 4800×2400 DPI :: Borderless prints up to 13″×19″ (A3+) :: Max paper thickness: rear feed 11.8mil (0.3mm); manual feed 23.6mil (0.6mm) :: Late 2020 model :: Wireless & AirPrint
Pros & Cons (Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 for printing art)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
➕ Highly versatile in terms of media and paper support | ➖ Price |
➕ SUper high quality of the prints | ➖ Super expensive inks |
➕ Archival and giclee printing | ➖ Not possible to install a roll feed |
➕ 10-color pigment-based ink system | |
➕ WiFi and AirPrint |
What Do Artists Think?
An artist and crafter, Hannah Flanagan, uses Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 to print her paintings and drawings in her studio.
Hannah uses the printer to sell art prints to her fans. She seems to be quite pleased with the art prints she produced with the printer. She compares the original artwork with the final printed piece and mentions that she actually prefers the final piece. The prints are of high quality, and they have received positive feedback from the customers. Hannah also points out how she was able to adjust the colors nicely in the printed version.
Overall, Hannah is happy with the quality of the prints produced by the Canon ImagePROGRAF Pro 300 printer and the accompanying Professional Print and Layout software despite the high cost of the ink required for printing.
#12 Fine Art Giclee Printer III – A2 – Epson SureColor P900
Art Studio Pick for Art Prints, Canvas, Cardstock, Stickers, Vinyl, and Transfer paper
10-color pigment-based ink system :: 5760×1440 DPI :: Borderless prints up to 17″×22″ (A2+) :: Max paper thickness: rear feed 11.8mil (0.3mm); manual feed 60mil (1.5mm) :: Late 2020 model :: Wireless & AirPrint
Smaller version: SureColor P700 13″ Inkjet Color Printer
Pros & Cons (Epson SureColor P900 for printing art)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
➕ Gallery and exhibition quality art printing, and true archival / giclee quality | ➖ It comes at a bit higher price, however, when you consider it as an investment in your art business, it’s a no-brainer! |
➕ Great resolution, detail, and depth | ➖ Challenging to setup |
➕ Superb color accuracy and subtlety, as well as superior black-and-white and grayscale inkjet printing | |
| ➖ It comes at a bit higher price. However, when you consider it as an investment in your art business, it’s a no-brainer! | |
➕ 10-color pigment-based ink system | |
➕ Archival and giclee printing |
What Do Artists Think?
A landscape photographer, Christian Irmler, uses the Epson P900 to print his photographic artworsk in his studio.
He chose P900 because he was looking for a smaller printer that could print up to A2 size. He wanted a printer with a good color gamut to match his precise color adjustments, and he was concerned about issues like paper loading, excessive ink consumption, and maintenance costs. Ultimately, Christian wanted a printer that could produce high-quality prints without excessive costs or wasted materials.
Christian uses the process of iterative printing and adjusting to improve the quality of his prints. Ultimately, he is very happy with the prints produced by the Epson SureColor P900. He mentions noticing a difference between prints made with generic profiles and those made with customized profiles, with the latter being more color-accurate. He finds it beneficial to be able to fine-tune his prints, which was not possible when using a printing lab.
#13 Fine Art Giclee Printer IV – A2 – Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000
Canon Art Studio Pick for Art Prints, Canvas and Cardstock
10-color pigment-based ink system :: 4800×2400 DPI :: Borderless prints up to 17″×22″ (A2+) :: Max paper thickness: rear feed 11.8mil (0.3mm); manual feed 60mil (1.5mm) :: Late 2015 model :: Wireless & AirPrint
Pros & Cons (Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 for printing art)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
➕ The artists like the high-quality prints that these printers produce, which are vivid and faithful to the original artwork as it appears on the screen | ➖ Huge size |
➕ The long-lasting nature of the prints that these printers can produce (archival and giclee printing) | ➖ Old technology from 2015 |
| ➕ Size of the ink cartridges. Despite their high upfront cost, they last for a long time and thereby help to lower the overall cost of printing. | ➖ Challenging to setup the first time |
➕ The ability to print large sizes of artworks (up to 17 inches wide), which is a significant advantage for an art business | |
➕ Well built and durable | |
➕ WiFi and AirPrint |
What Do Artists Think?
An artist and illustrator, Sabina Fenn uses Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 to print reproductions of her artwork to sell in her online shop.
She chose this printer because of its ability to produce high-quality prints that she knows will last a very long time. It also comes with large ink cartridges, which, although expensive upfront, last a long time and thereby reduce overall costs due to less frequent replacements. And it prints large sizes of artwork, up to 17 inches wide, which enables Sabina to offer larger prints, such as 16 by 20 and 17 by 22 inches, in her shop.
Sabina also mentioned she has had this printer for a few. years now, she runs them constantly and never had any issues.
She is extremely pleased with the art prints she produces with her Canon Pro 1000 printers. She mentioned that these printers make “amazing quality prints that look just like the pictures on the computer.” She appreciates the longevity of these prints, stating that they will last hundreds of years if taken care of. Sabina clearly trusts the quality of these printers, as she has chosen to purchase two of the same model and has been using them for a few years.
#14 Professional Art Printer – 24″ – Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-2100
Large Format Pick for Art Prints, Photo Prints, and Canvas
11-color pigment-based ink system :: 2400×1200 DPI :: Borderless prints from 6″ to 24″ width; max 59″ (roll) & 63″ (sheet) length :: Max paper thickness: manual/roll feed 31.5mil (0.8mm) :: Integrated roll feed :: Late 2020 model :: Wireless & AirPrint
Pros & Cons (Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-2100 for printing art)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ➖ Due to the quality of prints it provides and other factors, it has high printing costs | ➖ Big and heavy printer (±40″ x 40″ x 40″ (1m x 1m x 1m); 150kg (330lb)), and perhaps more suitable for art and graphic design studios than for home use. However, if your art business is reasonably big and consistent, and you have the space, then this printer proves to be a great investment |
➕ Prints with absolute consistency | ➖ Due to the quality of prints it provides, and other factors, it has high printing costs |
➕ Total flexibility when it comes to media types and sizes | ➖ It is more difficult to set up and use, and you might want to consider having it professionally installed (which, at this price, kind of makes sense…) |
➕ True archival and giclée printing | |
➕ Built to commercial standards and is very durable and reliable |
What Do Artists Think?
A pop artist, M.Falconer, uses Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-2100 24-inch printer to create her vibrant pop art.
She chose this printer because she has long been dreaming of owning a printer to gain control over her printing process. She had been relying on external print services that had inconsistent lead times, which was a problem for her business as her customers had to wait for a significant amount of time before receiving their orders. Owning this printer allows M to make prints faster, with a quicker turnover from the time she completes a painting to when she can sell the prints. Additionally, she chose this printer to maintain the quality of her prints at a price point she could afford and because it is a large-format printer that meets her needs for printing art.
In summary, M is very pleased with the print quality of her Canon ImagePROGRAF PRO-2100 and is excited about the control it will give her over her production process.
Main Criteria for Choosing an Art Printer
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If you are planning on selling your printed art and photos online (on Etsy or in your own online store), at art shows or art conventions, hanging your work in a gallery, assembling a professional portfolio, or printing photos, you will need a printer that offers some basic features and qualities catering the artists, including:
High Resolution
As an artist, you want your prints to look amazing for the art shows and your customers. And the only way you will achieve that is if the printer you use can print in a very high resolution. I only included printers with a minimum resolution of 1,200 DPI.
Print Sizes
Most office printers offer a default print size of A4 (or 8.5 x 11″). In the case of wide-format printers, you get the maximum print size of up to A3 (11 x 17″) or A3+ borderless prints (13 x 19″). As an artist, however, you need the flexibility to print in various sizes, small and large, so the art printers in my guide will allow you to do just that.
Ability to Print on a Variety of Art Papers
As an artist, you may not want to limit yourself to printing just on one type of paper, and it’s important that your art printer supports your work. That’s why the printers in my guide support printing on various media and materials, such as art paper, photo paper, canvas, card stock, textured paper, glossy paper, vinyl sticker sheets, and so on.
Pigment-Based vs. Dye-Based Inks and Colors
While most of the printers in my guide allow you to use different ink cartridges for different purposes (like printing on paper vs. printing on vinyl or glossy paper), I made sure that most of them provide pigment-based ink technology (also known as pigment inks) with min. 6 to 10 colors.
Pigment inks allow you to retain the quality of your art prints for many years, with essentially archival quality so important to artists. And if the printer uses the dye-based ink technology (aka dye inks), I made sure they are long-lasting dye inks.
Print Speed
To take full advantage of the pigment-based inks, which settle for a bit longer, I didn’t look for printers focusing on print speed. Art printers generally print slower, which is OK for artists’ use cases!
Your Budget
Though you can definitely find less expensive basic printers, you should be ready to spend a bit more for a good art printer – anywhere from a couple of hundred to more than a thousand (or even several thousand) dollars.
If you are just beginning to print (and perhaps sell) your artwork, you might want to go for a more affordable printer, and if your art business goes well, you can think about a better and more expensive model.
Which are Better for Art Prints – Inkjet or Laser Printers?
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Is a laser printer good for art prints?
No, a laser printer is not good for art prints. Laser printers won’t offer the quality of color printing you are going to want and need, and they don’t work with a wide enough range of different media – including different thicknesses of paper and different kinds of materials.
For other reasons, a good inkjet printer is almost always the best solution, and all my choices are inkjets.
If I were going to recommend the best laser printer for artists who mainly work in black and white, I would definitely point you to the HP LaserJet Pro MFP M428fdw – a heavy-duty mid-priced printer that has beautiful black and white print quality and, with a scanner, two-sided printing, and other functionality, would make a great office printer to use alongside a fine art inkjet printer.
Who Makes The Best Printers for Art Prints?
You will notice that I only included two brands in my guide for the best art printer – Canon and Epson.
While many manufacturers make printers, like HP, Lexmark, Brother, Zebra, Samsung, Konica Minolta, and Ricoh, Canon, and Epson, offer special features and value for artists, graphic designers, and photographers that other printer companies don’t seem to quite get to.
This may be because Epson is probably the oldest printer company in the world, and Canon has a lot of experience making the best photographic equipment and working with the best photographers.
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FAQs – Best Printer for Art Prints
The best printer for art prints is budget: Canon iX6820/6850; A3: Epson ET-8550; Fine art: Epson SureColor P700 or Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300; and Professional: Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-2100.
Yes, an inkjet printer is better for art prints because, compared to a laser printer, it can blend colors accurately and provide you with a wider color space (if you are using at least a 6-color inkjet photo printer).
An inkjet printer is better for art prints because it can blend colors much better than a laser printer. Inkjet printers for art prints also have a wider range of colors, which means they can also print colors more accurately.
Yes, you need a special printer for art prints. You need an inkjet printer, preferably with either a 6-, 8- or 10-color ink system (the higher, the better). A dye-based ink printer, such as Canon PIXMA PRO-200, is popular among artists. If you need archival, gallery, and long-lasting prints, get a pigment-based ink printer such as Epson SureColor P700 (13-inch) or P900 (17-inch). Remember that to achieve high color accuracy with your chosen art medium (e.g., paper, canvas, vinyl), you will also need printer color profiles!
No, you can’t make art prints with a regular printer. You will need, at minimum, an inkjet printer with a 6-color dye-based ink system.
Yes, Epson EcoTank printers are great for art prints. Thanks to their ink tanks, they have low running costs, and they print high-quality prints. I recommend Epson EcoTank ET-8550.
A good printer resolution for art prints is 300DPI. DPI is “dots per inch,” which means how many ink dots are printed per inch. The higher the DPI, the smoother and more professional the print will look. To ensure your digital canvas size matches the DPI output you want to achieve, you should multiply the 300DPI by the print size. E.g., 8.5″x11″ (A4) at 300DPI needs a digital canvas of 2550 x 3300 px.
Conclusion: Best Printer for Art Prints – Budget, A3, Fine Art, Giclee, Professional
To sum up, here are my choices for the best printers for art prints used by artists in 2023:
- #1 Budget Art Printer I – A3 – Canon Pixma iX6820/6850
- #2 Budget Art Printer II – A3 – Canon Pixma IP8720/8750
- #3 Budget Art Scanner Printer I – Epson Expression Photo XP-8700
- #4 Budget Art Scanner Printer II – Canon TS9521C
- #5 Value Art Printer – A3 – Epson Expression Photo XP-15000
- #6 Eco Value Art Printer – Canon Pixma G620 Megatank
- #7 Value Art Scanner Printer – A3 – Epson Expression Photo XP-970
- #8 Most Popular Art Printer – A3 – Canon Pixma PRO-200
- #9 Eco Art Scanner Printer – A3 – Epson EcoTank ET-8550
- #10 Fine Art Giclee Printer I – A3 – Epson SureColor P700
- #11 Fine Art Giclee Printer II – A3 – Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300
- #12 Fine Art Giclee Printer III – A2 – Epson SureColor P900
- #13 Fine Art Giclee Printer IV – A2 – Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000
- #14 Professional Art Printer – 24″ – Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-2100
I hope my guide has helped you choose your new printer for art prints, and you will have a lot of fun with your creative projects!
Other articles in the Printers and Scanners series:
- Best Canvas Printer
- Best Printer for Graphic Design
- Best Giclée Printer
- Best Budget Art Printer
- Best Art Scanner Printer
- Best A3 Art Printer
- Best Printer for Illustrators
- Best Cardstock Printer
- Best Printer for Stickers
- Best Sticker Maker Machine
- Best Printer for Cricut Print and Cut
- Best Screen Printing Printer
- Best Inkjet Printer for Heat Transfer
- Best Ink Tank Printer
- Best Art Scanner for Artworks
- Best Camera for Artwork Photography
- Artograph Inspire 1200 Digital Art Projector Review
- Artograph Flare 450 Digital Art Projector Review
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Hi, I am Iva (rhymes with “viva”). I am a full-time self-taught artist behind Art Side of Life® and a Top Teacher on Skillshare. I have 15 years of experience in the creative field as a concept designer, illustrator, art director, and now freelance artist, content creator, and art instructor. My goal is to help you get your creative groove on with Procreate and make awesome art through practical classes, tutorials, Procreate brushes, and guides on art tools, supplies and resources. About me »
