Hi there 👋 Are you thinking about switching from outsourcing your art prints to printing them yourself at home, in your studio, but not sure which printer to get?
I put this guide together to help you choose the best art printer for your beautiful artwork. It’s based on my own experience as a professional artist, plus insights from other artists and friends who print their art at home.
Your ideal printer is out there, and this guide will help you find it. Let’s dive in!
Overview: 7 Best Printers for Art Prints Used By Artists
Discover more details and insights from artists’ experiences below.
6 colors alternative to iX6820 above
· 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
· Art studios
· Photographers
A2 Fine art printer (giclee printer) for art prints, canvas, and cardstock from Canon
· Professional Artists and Designers
· Art studios
· Photographers
Large format fine art printer (giclee printer) for art prints and canvas
· Professional Artists and Designers
· Art studios
· Photographers
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Budget A3 Art Printer: 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
➕ 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.
Budget Art Scanner Printer: 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
➕ 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.
Best Value A3 Art Scanner Printer: 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
➕ 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.
Most Popular A3 Art Printer: Canon Pixma PRO-200
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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
➕ 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.
Eco A3 Art Scanner Printer: Epson EcoTank ET-8550
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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
➕ 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.
A3 Fine Art Printer: Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310
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 2024 model :: Wireless & AirPrint
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 (the predecessor of PRO-310) to print her paintings and drawings in her studio.
A2 Fine Art Printer: Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100
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Canon Art Studio Pick for Art Prints, Canvas and Cardstock
🌟 Professional Photography, Fine Art Printing, Gallery Photo Printing
11-color LUCIA PRO II Pigment Ink System :: 2400×1200 DPI :: Borderless prints up to 17″×22″ (A2+) :: Max paper thickness: rear feed 11.8mil (0.3mm); manual feed 60mil (1.5mm) :: Late 2024 model :: Wireless & AirPrint
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) | ➖ Challenging to setup the first time |
| ➕ 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. | |
➕ 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 | |
➕ New technology from 2024 |
What Do Artists Think?
An artist and illustrator, Sabina Fenn uses Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 (💡imagePROGRAF Pro-1100 is the successor from 2024) to print reproductions of her artwork to sell in her online shop.
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
| ➖ 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.
Main Criteria for Choosing an Art Printer
Here’s my experience based checklist I use when choosing a printer for fine-art prints, whether it’s a home setup for 13×19″ or a studio printer with rolls:
1) Start with size, media & volume
- Max print size you truly need. A4/Letter, A3+/13×19″, 17″, 24″? Buy for the biggest piece you’ll regularly sell or show, everything else is overkill.
- Paper types you love. Cotton rag, baryta, textured watercolor, canvas, greeting cards? Make sure the printer feeds thick media (≥300 gsm) via a rear/straight path and lists your favorite paper weights in spec.
- Roll support. If you print panoramas or batch runs, get a roll-capable printer (built-in cutter is a plus).
- Realistic monthly volume. If you’ll print weekly or in bursts before launches, choose big cartridges/tanks and a model that tolerates sitting a few days without clog drama.
2) Ink chemistry: pigment vs dye (pick by permanence and paper)
- Pigment = the fine-art printing default. Best longevity, matte papers look gorgeous, baryta looks rich, and blacks on cotton rag are deep. Choose this if you sell prints or care about archival stability.
- Dye = great on glossy/luster and often cheaper to run, but fades faster and can struggle on heavy fine-art papers. Works for cards, zines, photo gifts, or short-term display.
- If you love glossy print but want permanence, look for pigment + gloss optimizer (“chroma/gloss coat”) to tame bronzing and differential gloss.
3) Ink set depth (how many colors, which blacks)
- 8–12 inks > 4–6 inks for fine art. Extra light cyan/light magenta smooth gradients; gray/light gray give neutral B&W; red/orange/green expand gamut for nature/illustration.
- Matte Black and Photo Black on separate lines. Some printers waste ink when switching. Prefer models that don’t purge or have dedicated channels.
- B&W mode/driver. Look for an Advanced Black & White (or similar) path that uses multiple grays for neutral, metamerism-resistant monochrome.
4) Color management & consistency
- ICC profiles for your favorite papers (maker-supplied at minimum). Bonus: ability to install custom ICCs if you profile your own.
- Driver/RIP quality. Clean dithering, 16-bit paths, stable color. If you run editions or big batches, a basic RIP (or at least a solid driver + soft-proofing in LR/PS) pays off.
- Calibration/linearization. Pro units let you recalibrate as heads age/ink lots change. It’s the difference between “close” and “nailed it” across months.
5) Paper handling details
- Rear straight feed for thick fine-art papers; top feed for everyday stocks.
- Adjustable platen gap (or “paper thickness” setting) to prevent head strikes on textured papers.
- Borderless sizes you actually use. Some models only do borderless on photo papers or certain sizes.
- Custom length/panorama support for long landscapes and signage.
- Skew detection & vacuum hold (studio models) to keep heavy sheets perfectly straight.
6) Longevity/archival workflow (beyond the marketing)
- Pair pigment inks + archival papers (cotton rag, alpha-cellulose, quality baryta). Minimize heavy OBAs if you want stable whites in gallery lighting.
- Use soft-proofing, choose the right rendering intent, and keep a light-safe storage routine (sleeves, interleaving tissue). Archival results are the whole chain, not just the printer.
7) Running costs & maintenance (what it really costs to live with)
- Cartridge/tank capacity. Home users: 20–80 ml is fine. Studios: 150–700 ml saves you money and downtime.
- Waste-ink handling. Replaceable maintenance tanks are better than filling an internal pad you can’t service.
- Clog tolerance. Pigment heads like regular exercise. Plan a weekly nozzle check and leave the printer powered on so it can do tiny self-maintenance cycles.
- User-replaceable print heads vs fixed. Replaceable heads = longer lifespan, but they’re a line item later. Fixed heads = usually cheaper upfront, replace the whole unit when it dies.
8) Third-party media & inks (what’s safe, what’s false economy)
- Third-party papers? Yes and some great ones exist. Just use solid ICCs (from the paper maker or your own profiling).
- Third-party inks? For fine art you sell, I don’t recommend them because the color drift and permanence risk isn’t worth the savings.
Quick decision guide
- Selling fine-art prints, matte & baryta, up to 13×19″ at home: Pigment printer with 8–10 inks, separate MK/PK, rear thick-paper feed, ICC support.
- Glossy-heavy photo look (posters, merch), casual longevity: High-gamut dye or pigment with gloss optimizer; borderless capability a must.
- Studio editions, 17″/24″ with rolls: Pigment, 10–12 inks, roll feed + cutter, calibration/linearization, large carts (≥150 ml), Ethernet.
Conclusion: Best Printer for Art Prints and Fine Art Printing
To sum up, here are my choices for the best printers for art prints used by artists in 2026:
- #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!
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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 »
