Owning your own giclée printer lets you maintain complete control over print quality while also saving tons of time and money.
But as a fellow artist, I know the struggle of trying to find the right giclée printer that can beautifully and accurately reproduce your original artworks.
So, after tons of research, chatting with my artist friends, and trying printers myself, I’ve compiled this helpful guide on the best giclée printers perfectly suited for artists to use in their home studio.
These are all professional-grade archival inkjet printers that use specialized pigment inks to capture every subtle color and detail of your artwork with stunning accuracy. No more sending your files off to a print shop and hoping the colors come back right!
Let’s dive in!
Overview: Best Giclée Printers for Home Studio
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A3
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A3
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A2
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A2
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24″
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Description: Compact Giclée Printer for Art Prints, Canvas, Cardstock, 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 |
Description: Compact Giclée Printer for Art Prints, Canvas, Cardstock, 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 |
Description: A2 Canon Art Studio Giclée Printer 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 |
Description: Art Studio Giclée Printer for Art Prints, Canvas, Cardstock, 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 |
Description: Large Format Giclée Printer 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 |
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Budget:
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Colors:
10-color pigment-based ink system
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Colors:
10-color pigment-based ink system
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Colors:
10-color pigment-based ink system
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Colors:
10-color pigment-based ink system
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Colors:
11-color pigment-based ink system
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Max print size:
13″x19″ (A3+)
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Max print size:
13″x19″ (A3+)
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Max print size:
17″x22″ (A2+)
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Max print size:
17″x22″ (A2+)
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Max print size:
24″x59/63″
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Ink affordability:
Reasonable
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Ink affordability:
Runs expensive
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Ink affordability:
Runs expensive
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Ink affordability:
Expensive
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Ink affordability:
Expensive
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Compact Giclée Printer for Art Prints, Canvas, Cardstock, 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
Compact Giclée Printer for Art Prints, Canvas, Cardstock, 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
A2 Canon Art Studio Giclée Printer 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
Art Studio Giclée Printer for Art Prints, Canvas, Cardstock, 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
Large Format Giclée Printer 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
Compact Giclée Printers (A3+/13”x19”)
#1 Compact Canon Giclée Printer: 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 |
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| ➕ Compact size and lightweight body (43 lbs) | ➖ Lower print speed at 1.5 minutes per A3+ print |
| ➕ Lucite-based 11-ink system provides excellent fine art print quality | ➖ Only prints up to 13” wide, limited for large formats |
| ➕ Built-in calibration and media profiling for consistent, accurate colors | ➖ No roll media adapter |
| ➕ Relatively quiet operation, minimal noise | |
| ➕ Ink cartridges have good capacity, and they come at a reasonable price |
If you’re an artist, illustrator, or photographer looking for the best giclee printer for your home studio, I think the Canon PRO-300 might just be what you need.
I’ve tested it myself, and what I like about it is its compact size. It only weighs 43 pounds (±20 kg), which I find makes it a perfect choice for a giclee printer at home.
With its unique 11 lucite-based inks, including Chroma Optimizer, I think this fine art giclee printer is capable of producing gallery-worthy A3+ prints. I’ve worked with it, and the results are truly impressive.
Whether you’re working on photography or preparing fine art reproductions, I find the color gamut here really shines. I feel those beautiful gradations, remarkable gray accuracy, and deep blacks will make your creations pop!
What I really appreciate about the PRO-300, after testing it, is features like the anti-clogging print head and built-in calibration. I feel these ensure that your prints are consistent and accurate every time.
So, for those of you who need the best printer for giclee prints and value pro-level quality in a small giclee printer, I think the PRO-300 is a superb addition to your home studio or workspace. From my experience, it’s like having an archival inkjet printer designed just for artists at home!
#2 Compact Epson Giclée Printer: 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 |
|---|---|
| ➕ Switchable matte and photo black inks for optimal paper surface matching | ➖ Less flexible media handling than Canon PRO series |
| ➕ Built-in spectrophotometer for automatic printer calibration | ➖ Only prints up to 13” wide, limited for large formats |
| ➕ Compact size with minimal footprint | ➖ Lower capacity ink cartridges, so you will have to purchase new inks more often |
| ➕ Impressive print quality rivaling the Canon PRO-300 | |
| ➕ Roll media adapter can be installed |
If you’re an Epson fan and you’re looking to create museum-quality A3+ reproductions right from your home studio, the compact Epson’s SureColor P700 might be your new giclée printer.
I like its small size and, having tested its 10-channel UltraChrome PRO10 pigment ink system, I find it offers an impressive range of colors.
One of the things I love about the P700, from my experience with it, is that you can switch between matte and photo black inks to match your paper. I feel this ensures your artwork or photo is a perfect match to the original, no matter the surface.
I think it’s a considerable improvement over its predecessor, the P600, where you had to discard the colors if you wanted to switch them.
Having used the P700, I also find that it takes precision to another level with its built-in spectrophotometer. I’ve seen firsthand how it takes care of calibration and custom profiling for each paper type.
So, if, like me, you’ve ever struggled with color matching, I think this feature is a game-changer.
A2+/17”x22” Giclée Printers
#3 A2 Canon Giclée Printer – 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 |
|---|---|
| ➕ 12 ink channels provide gorgeous, vibrant fine art print quality | ➖ Expensive printer that requires sizable investment |
| ➕ Handles thick and textured canvas media with ease | ➖ Big and heavy at 110 lbs (50+ kg), takes up a lot of space |
| ➕ Built-in calibration system enables excellent color precision | ➖ No roll media adapter |
| ➕ Large 17” wide format capacity | ➖ Older model from 2015 |
| ➕ Ink cartridges have good capacity, and they come at a reasonable price |
If you’re an artist looking for the best printer for giclée prints, especially in the larger A2+ size, I think Canon’s PRO-1000 is worth considering.
With its 12 ink channels, I find the PRO-1000 capable of creating remarkable fine art prints on matte canvas or paper up to 17 inches wide.
I’ve tested the LUCIA PRO 11-color plus Chroma Optimizer ink system, and I feel it will do wonders for your giclée prints. It helps the printer capture even the most vibrant hues and gentle gradients with a resolution of up to 1200 dpi. If you’re into monochromatic works like I am sometimes, I find the grayscale accuracy just outstanding.
I won’t sugarcoat it – the PRO-1000 is an investment, but I’ve found that it gives artists like us impeccable control over print quality. Tools like a built-in calibration system and media configuration, which I’ve used myself, make precise color management a breeze.
It’s a perfect fit if you have the space for it. *pun intended 😊
Weighing about 110 pounds (±50 kg), it’s not a small giclée printer, but I feel the quality of large-format art reproduction it offers is breathtaking.
What do artists think?
Commercial and street artist Danni Simpson uses Canon imagePROGRAF-1000 to make her beautiful giclée prints!
Danni was happy with the quality of the first test print of the world map. She said the print looks nice, and she’s really happy with it. She chose the printer because it can print sheets up to A2 size, meeting her needs for A4 and A3 prints. She was missing the roll feed option for canvas, limiting substrate options.
#3 A2 Epson Giclée Printer – 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 |
|---|---|
| ➕ Dual print heads allow for highly detailed prints | ➖ Slightly lower large format print speed |
| ➕ UltraChrome HD PRO inks have wide gamut and anti-metamerism ability | ➖ Lower 700 ml ink cartridges limit capacity common for Epson printers |
| ➕ Can handle unique substrates like aluminum composite panel | |
| ➕ Swappable matte and photo black inks | |
| ➕ Integrated roll media adapter |
This 17” wide fine art giclee printer is Epson’s flagship among its desktop inkjets.
What I especially liked about the P900 when I tested it was its precision.
Equipped with a 10-channel UltraChrome HD PRO pigment ink system and a built-in spectrophotometer for automatic printer calibration, I found that you can expect spot-on color accuracy whether you’re printing on regular paper or special surfaces. Those highlights and shadows? I’ve seen them in stunning detail, and they’re impressive.
And talk about versatility! With dual print head channels, I’ve created highly detailed A2+ prints with this printer. And it doesn’t just stop at paper – I’ve found that this printer can handle fine art cardboard, aluminum composite panels, and thick artist-textured canvas too.
One thing I think you should note is the size.
It’s quite a big printer that will take up a lot of space in your studio, but from my experience with the quality of giclée prints you will make, I feel you will surely make some room for it.
24” and 44” Giclée Printers
#5 & #6 Large Format Giclée Printers: Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-2100 and PRO-4100
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24″
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44″
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Description: Large Format Giclée and Archival Printer 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 |
Description: Large Format Giclée and Archival Printer for Art Prints, Photo Prints, and Canvas 11-color pigment-based ink system :: 2400×1200 DPI :: Borderless prints from 8″ to 44″ 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 |
Large Format Giclée and Archival Printer 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
Large Format Giclée and Archival Printer for Art Prints, Photo Prints, and Canvas
11-color pigment-based ink system :: 2400×1200 DPI :: Borderless prints from 8″ to 44″ 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 |
|---|---|
| ➕ Huge 24” and 44″ wide format art print capacity | ➖ Extremely big and heavy at 187 lbs (100kg) and 265 lbs (130kg) |
| ➕ Dual print heads provide excellent detail and precision | ➖ Very expensive printers suited for high-volume production and profitable art studio |
| ➕ Vibrant, accurate colors with 12-ink LUCIA PRO system | ➖ Complex software and controls have a steep learning curve |
| ➕ Built-in calibration and media configuration features | |
| ➕ Roll media feed |
When it comes to giclee printers, especially those handling 24”+ sizes, I find Canon’s PRO series to be unmatched.
After testing various printers, I personally recommend the PRO-2100 for artists needing 24” width or the PRO-4100 if you want a huge 44” output.
I’ve worked with these models, and they boast a powerful 12-color LUCIA PRO ink system, including Chroma Optimizer. I think this setup provides vivid clarity and definition, making them some of the best printers for giclee art prints. Truly ideal if you’re selling bespoke large-format art prints.
Dual print heads ensure precise details.
The built-in color calibration and media configuration are things I find incredibly useful. They allow for precise and predictable color output, which is essential for any fine art giclee printer. I appreciate the large color gamut and anti-metamerism capabilities for lifelike fine art reproductions.
One downside I noticed is their heavy weight of over 200 lbs (100kg). They do consume a significant studio space, but I feel that’s the price for exceptional oversized art print production.
If you sell a lot of large artwork reproductions, these two printers deliver breathtaking high-quality prints up to 24 and 44 inches wide right from your own home studio.
Giclée Printer Comparison Table
| Printer | Max Print Size | Ink System | Print Head(s) | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon PRO-300 | 13″x19″ | 11-ink LUCIA PRO | 1 | 43 lbs |
| Epson P700 | 13”x19” | 10-ink UltraChrome PRO10 | 1 | 24 lbs |
| Canon PRO-1000 | 17″x22″ | 12-ink LUCIA PRO | 1 | 110 lbs |
| Epson P900 | 17”x22” | 10-ink UltraChrome HD PRO | 2 | 44 lbs |
| Canon PRO-2100 | 24” | 12-ink LUCIA PRO | 2 | 187 lbs |
| Canon PRO-4100 | 44” | 12-ink LUCIA PRO | 2 | 265 lbs |
Main Criteria for Choosing a Giclée Printer
Archival Print Quality – Pigment-based inks
Your giclée printer must use archival, pigment-based inks that resist fading and accurately reproduce colors without banding or metamerism—more ink colors = better gradient blends.
The print quality of a giclée printer is absolutely crucial for artists to consider. You need archival, pigment-based inks that will not fade over time and maintain the integrity and vibrancy of fine art reproductions.
The printer should use at least 10-12 ink colors, including a chroma optimizer, to ensure no color banding or metamerism* in gradient blends. The more ink channels available, the better the printer can blend hues seamlessly and capture subtle tones accurately, just like the original.
*Never heard of metamerism? Let me enlighten you 🤓 (*putting my glasses on*)
Imagine you’ve created an art piece, and it looks one way under the light in your studio. Then, you take it to a different place with different lighting, and suddenly, the colors seem to change. That’s metamerism!
In technical terms, metamerism happens when two colors appear the same under one light source but look different under another. It’s all about how the light interacts with the pigments or dyes in the material.
As an artist, understanding metamerism can be essential. It helps you choose colors that will look consistent in various lighting situations. It’s all part of the process of making your art look the best it can, no matter where it’s displayed.
Print Size – A3, A2, A1
Will the printer be able to handle the dimensions of the paper/canvas you need?
It’s important to pick a giclée printer that can handle the maximum print size and dimensions you require.
I think I am safe to say that for the fine art reproductions you want to make at home, you are looking at a minimum A3 and A2 size, and the giclée printer should be able to handle the dimensions of the paper and canvas you need. The A3+ printers (13×19″) and A2+ printers (17×22″) will support you well.
Your Budget
When it comes to your budget, you are looking at the initial purchase price and the operating costs or the cost of inks and maintenance costs.
Giclée printers range tremendously in upfront cost and ongoing operating expenses. Depending on the printer, you are looking at around $1,000 – $4,500 in the purchase price and, depending on the size and color profile of your artworks, around $1 – $5 in cost per print.
Make sure you do your calculations right because a giclée printer is a sizable investment in your art business.
Connectivity
You should get a giclée printer that has, at minimum, WiFi, ethernet, and USB connectivity options.
The scans or photographs of your artworks will need to be quite big for printing giclée, and if your WiFi is not strong enough, you will have issues printing. So make sure you are able to transfer your artworks to your new printer effortlessly using ethernet or USB.
The more ways you can get art files to the printer, the easier your workflow will be. This also allows positioning flexibility if the printer is not right next to your primary workspace.
Print Speed
Faster is better for efficiency, but don’t sacrifice quality for speed. Naturally, faster print speeds allow you to reproduce artwork more efficiently and maximize productivity.
However, be careful not to prioritize speed too highly over print quality. Giclée printers that rush jobs may exhibit reduced color accuracy, banding issues, or bleeding.
It’s ideal to find a giclée printer quick enough to be practical but not so fast that quality suffers. Count with about 2-5 minutes per A2 print.
Substrate Flexibility, a.k.a Supported Papers and Media
Giclée printers should handle media types like different art papers, watercolor paper, canvas, artboards, and fine art stock.
Texture is also key – you want a printer that can handle thick or heavily textured surfaces without issue and still deliver gorgeous results. The more flexibility you have in substrates, the more you can offer clients bespoke fine art reproductions on the surface of their choice.
Size – Will it Fit in Your Studio Space?
Finally, think about the overall size or impact of the printer on your studio environment.
Consider the dimensions, weight, noise levels, and heat/ventilation requirements.
Be realistic about the space you can accommodate. Large format giclée printers often require their own room. Make sure the printer you select can seamlessly fit into your creative space.
I factored in all these criteria with my own experience and what my artist friends shared with me to select the very best giclée printers for your home studio.
Conclusion: Best Printer for Giclée Prints – Compact, A3, A2 and Large Format
To sum up, here are my choices for the best printers for giclée prints used by artists in 2023:
- #1 Compact Canon Giclée Printer: Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300
- #2 Compact Epson Giclée Printer: Epson SureColor P700
- #3 A2 Canon Giclée Printer: Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000
- #3 A2 Epson Giclée Printer: Epson SureColor P900
- #5 & #6 Large Format Giclée Printers: Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-2100 and PRO-4100
I hope my guide has helped you choose your new printer for giclée prints, and you will have a lot of fun with your creative projects!
Other articles in the Printers and Scanners series:
- Best Printer for Art Prints
- Best Budget Art Printer
- Best Printer for Graphic Design
- Best A3 Art Printer
- Best Art Scanner Printer
- Best Giclée Printer
- Best Printer for Illustrators
- Best Canvas Printer
- 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
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 »
