8 Best Printers For Art Prints

Ian Mutuli
Updated on
Ian Mutuli

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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Art is no longer limited to the traditional form of paint and canvas. These days, you can create art through photography and on computers which you can later print out.

Unfortunately, not every printer is suitable for handling your artwork, so here's a list of the eight best printers for art prints and the factors to keep in mind when choosing one.

The best printer for art prints that we reviewed is Canon Pixma MG3620. We loved Canon Pixma MG3620, particularly because it can print up to 16 pages and has an easy wireless setup, among other features, which makes this printer the best overall.

Our second best printer for art prints is Epson SureColor P800 Inkjet Printer which only came second because, besides the fact that it is also pocket friendly, the printer is easy to set up and prints quickly and quietly. The third best printer for art prints is the Canon Pixma iX6820 which has unparalleled technology for producing vivid colors and allows for wireless printing.

1. Canon Pixma MG3620

Sale
Canon Pixma MG3620 Wireless All-In-One Color Inkjet...
  • Mobile device printing: Easily print from your iPhone, iPad,...
  • Quick and easy wireless setup
  • Powerful printing options: Airprint, Google Cloud Print, NFC,...
  • Compact and space-saving design
  • Print on both sides of the page with auto 2-sided print

You may have for a couple of times wished you could print right from your mobile device. While it is convenient, unfortunately, it is hard to come by a printer that offers a great feature for printing from your mobile device and is cheap. Well, look no further. The Canon Pixma MG3620 is one such printer for your fine art printer and prints. We reviewed and found that, unlike most artwork printers that offer limited printing options, this has a myriad of printing options and also is easy to set up and print wirelessly.

We could not help but observe that this artwork printer is perfect for budget-minded users searching for convenient and powerful printing options in a printer. It is labelled so that it can print up to 16 pages per minute. We could not just take their word for it, but we went ahead and tried this too. To their word, this printer does 9.9 pages per minute in black and white mode and up to 16 pages per minute in color mode. This feature makes the Canon Pixma MG3620 to be one of the fasted artwork printers on the market today.

Image Credits: Bestbuy.com

The printer can also print on both sides of the pages when you choose an auto 2-sided print mode. This saves not only time but also paper. It has a compact and space-saving design means that the printer takes up minimal space. On the other hand, the wireless setup makes printing wirelessly from your device easy. To say the least, when you choose this printer, you are covered despite what type of printing you are looking for. Compatibility is an important factor when buying printers and many other printers and electronics. This printer is compatible with Canon Print, Google Cloud Print, Mopria, AirPrint, and NFC.

We are certain that this Canon Pixma MG3260 is a great deal if you are operating on a budget. You can set it up, operate it easily, and print out high-quality printouts. We are also certain that you too won't complain when you purchase it.

Pros:

  • Quality print outs
  • Setting up and operating is easy
  • All in one printer is reliable and inexpensive

Cons:

  • Can be noisier and slower compared to more expensive models
  • Its ink cartridge last for so long

2. Epson SureColor P800 Inkjet Printer 

Epson SureColor P800 17" Inkjet Color Printer,Black
  • Unit Dimensions: 26.93"W x 14.80"D x 9.85"H | Weight: 43 lbs
  • Maximum Printable Area: Maximum paper width: 17" | Maximum...
  • Unmatched print quality — Epson UltraChrome HD Inks deliver...
  • Versatile media handling up to 17" wide - create borderless...
  • Superior black-and-white prints - three-level black ink...

If you want to get high-end printouts for your art that are also inexpensive, you should choose Epson SureColor P800 Inkjet Printer. This impressive machine though more expensive compared to Canon Pixma MG3620, uses more than eight types of ink. This means that you will get more vibrant art prints and designs. Designs are more accurate, vibrant, and crispier than their alternatives.

Image Credits: Epson.com

We noticed that this printer is not the best option for newbies. Nonetheless, new users can read and follow a user manual that comes along with the package. Conversely, professionals will find the Epson SureColor P800 Inkjet Printer the best in terms of printing quality.

It comes with a USB, wireless, and Ethernet connectivity, making it accessible and convenient to use. The printer also has high-capacity UltraChrome HD ink cartridges that allow the user to acquire professional-level black-and-white art prints. Therefore, if you are searching for a professional quality printer, you can choose the Epson Surecolor P800.

Pros:

  • Has a responsive touch
  • Easy to replace ink
  • Great color saturation
  • Professional print quality

Cons:

  • It is easy to waste ink when switching ink
  • Cartridges are of small capacity
  • High running cost

3. Canon Pixma iX6820

Canon Ix6820 Wireless Inkjet Printer, 150Sht Cap,...
  • Sold as 1 Each.
  • This single-function printer focuses exclusively on printing, so...
  • Inkjet printer creates documents up to 9600 x 2400 dpi for sharp...
  • Has a printing speed of 14.5 ipm in black/white and 10.4 ipm in...
  • USB 2.0, LAN, and Wi-Fi connectivity enhance productivity.

We understand how expensive it can be to print high-quality art. It can also be time-consuming. When you settle on a standard printer, it is clear you won't get the quality you would with a professional printer like Canon Pixma iX6820. The color accuracy or the resolution is wanting in a standard printer for art printers. That is why you need a good printer for art prints that can do the job faster and do it better.

Image Credits: Rtings.com

The Canon Pixma iX6820 is among the best art printer designed for artists. We tested it, and true to its word, this printer has a print resolution of 9600 x 2400 dots per inch. This means it can produce museum-quality prints that amaze you and those close to you. It has up to five individual ink tanks, which do excellent reproducing color. So. you can acquire indistinguishable prints for the originals.

This printer also has a print speed of 15 papers per minute in color and 14.5 papers per minute while in black-and-white mode. This is enough speed; hence you can immediately print your masterpiece. Suppose you are a hobbyist or an artist who is looking excellent art printer to take your art and printing to the next level. In that case, you need the Canon Pixma iX6820 printer, an excellent option with vivid print quality that rivals most professional-grade art printers.

Pros:

  • Prints high-quality printouts on the normal or adhesive paper
  • Wireless printing enabled
  • Can print a wide range of sizes and types

Cons:

  • Hard to set up without Ethernet or USB
  • Expensive ink

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

Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 Wireless Color...
  • Epson printing system is designed to be used exclusively with...
  • Professional ultra HD photo quality get brilliant border less...
  • Individual 6 color Claria photo HD ink includes red and gray inks...
  • Professional projects: Made easy features a 50 sheet rear tray...
  • Ultra compact wide format A3 plus printer 30 percent smaller than...

The best printer for art prints on the market is the Epson Expression Photo HD XP 15000, which features improved quality, multiple color inks, and Ultra HD border-free prints. This top-tier art printer produces stunning prints with excellent output thanks to its 6-color Claria Photo HD inks, which can reproduce the variation and expression of your art.

Image Credits: Bestbuy.com

With additional Red and Grey inks, you can rest assured that this photo printer provides a complete range of colors suitable for enhanced black and white art prints. Safe to say, the Epson XP is a comprehensive tool that can knock out several processes at once, earning it the top spot in this list of the best printers for art prints.

When we tested it, we realized its front tray could hold 200 sheets, while the rear specialty tray can accommodate up to 50 sheets, making it easier to handle large printing projects, even on cardstock. It also features 2-sided printing, which conveniently prints both sides of the sheet simultaneously, eliminating the need for repeating the process.

This printer has wireless connectivity, meaning we did not have to plug our device in as long as we had a wireless network.

Pros:

  • High-quality photos
  • Two-sided printing
  • Great for enhanced colored and black and white prints
  • Can handle large print stacks at a time
  • Wireless compatibility

Cons:

  • Not compatible with ink cartridges from other brands
  • The cartridges are expensive

5. Canon Pixma Pro 100 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer

Sale
Canon Pixma Pro-100 Wireless Color Professional Inkjet...
  • 8 Dye based inks for amazing gradients and color, 3 of which are...
  • The Optimum Image Generating System reproduces colors as you...
  • Compatible with individual CLI 42 ink tanks (Black, gray, light...
  • 4800 x 2400 dots per inch with fine technology for incredible...
  • Weight: 43.2 in bullet point. Number of nozzles: 6,144. Number of...

There's no better printer for art prints that provides professional results than the Canon Pixma PRO-100. We liked the fact that the printer is packed with current technology. This professional art printer can provide clear, vivid prints that look as good as your captured images. You can thank the 8-ink dye-based system for this since it provides enough color variation to make your art prints as realistic as you envision them.

Image Credits: Bestbuy.com

The Canon Pixma PRO-100 features an Optimum Image Generating System (OIG), which analyses each section of the image and automatically selects the best ink combination to produce the colors you expect. You can even use your favorite photo apps alongside this photo printer using the new Print Studio Pro-2 plug-in software.

Additionally, we appreciated the various connectivity options like Ethernet, USB, and Wi-Fi, which is one reason this Canon model is among the best photo printers you can buy too. The AirPrint function allows the printing of photos and documents on Apple devices directly without using drivers.

Pros:

  • High-quality printer
  • Vivid print quality
  • Eight dye-based inks for colored and colorless photos
  • Color mixing intelligence
  • Suitable for graphic design professionals

Cons:

  • It can be tricky to set up for some users

6. HP ENVY 5055

Sale
HP ENVY 5055 Wireless All-in-One Photo Printer, HP...
  • Replaces the HP ENVY 4520, HP ENVY 5055 comes with Bluetooth,...
  • Step up and create projects at home – Print, scan, and copy...
  • Ink delivered to your home: Get your first 2 months free when you...
  • Our most powerful printing app ever: the HP Smart app allows you...
  • Stay connected, no matter what: Whether connecting to your...

If you are looking for an all-in-one printer designed to meet every photo black art printing need while seamlessly fitting in your home, the HP Envy 5055 is the solution you need. We tested this printer and realized it could produce high-quality photos at a high printing speed, making it an efficient option.

Image Credits: Fings.com

You can easily print anything from all the devices in your family, whether smartphones, tablets, or PCs. The HP Smart app lets you easily set up the printer and scan documents with your phone camera. This app will also enable you to print out media straight from iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, or social media.

HP offers an ink delivery service free for the first 2 months but continues at a rate of 0.99 dollars each month after the trial period. We also think is worth noting that the printer can handle papers of various sizes and has a one-year limited warranty for the hardware. If you encounter any trouble using this color printer, the HP Web Support team is available 24/7 to help you out whenever you're in need.

Pros:

  • High-resolution images
  • Great for graphic designers
  • Versatile connectivity
  • High printing speed

Cons:

  • You need an ink subscription to receive refills.

7. Epson SureColor P800 Inkjet Printer

Epson SureColor P800 17" Inkjet Color Printer,Black
  • Unit Dimensions: 26.93"W x 14.80"D x 9.85"H | Weight: 43 lbs
  • Maximum Printable Area: Maximum paper width: 17" | Maximum...
  • Unmatched print quality — Epson UltraChrome HD Inks deliver...
  • Versatile media handling up to 17" wide - create borderless...
  • Superior black-and-white prints - three-level black ink...

Next up, we have the Epson SureColor P800, which has high-tech imaging that can print beautiful art prints that look exceptionally authentic. With an ink set of eight pigments, the SureColor P800 can print vivid images that look lively enough to spark inspiration in the viewers.

Image Credits: Shopping.mercatos.com

You'll need to store your art prints under glass to ensure maximum longevity since humidity, atmospheric conditions, light intensity, and media can affect the print's lifespan. Nevertheless, with Wi-Fi connectivity allowing easy operation of your tasks, this is one of the best printers for art on the market today.

The prints are wider than those of standard printers since it covers a maximum width of 17" and can produce borderless photos. You can opt for the roll feeder for printing roll-based media, but you can also use photo papers, some fine art paper, papers, and posterboard.

The touchscreen color interface is easy to use without technical expertise and has USB and wired Ethernet compatibility for convenience.

Pros:

  • Realistic image quality
  • Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB compatible
  • Wide color variation for enhanced clarity
  • Larger paper size
  • Great for black-and-white images

Cons:

  • It could be complex for some users

8. HP ENVY 7855 All-In-One Photo Printer

Sale
HP ENVY Photo 7855 All in One Photo Printer with...
  • Stunning photos for less than 5 cents – Features of this photo...
  • The power of your printer in the palm of your hand – Mobile...
  • Wireless connectivity you can count on – Reliable wireless...
  • Our most powerful printing app ever – The HP Smart app allows...
  • HP Instant Ink: Ink delivery service starting at three dollars...

Lastly, we have the HP ENVY 7855, which is among the best printers for art prints and artists. You can easily use this printer from the convenience of your iPhone with the AirPrint function. Plus, you can still print using the Wireless Direct Printing feature if you don't have a network connection.

Image Credits: Rtings.com

Fortunately, this artwork printer is compatible with dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth technology, and Ethernet, making it versatile enough to handle all your tasks. Plus, with the USB and SD card slots, you can print your photos straight from your SD card from the color touchscreen. The paper trays adjust automatically to match your print and paper type settings making this one of the best inkjet printers for graphic designers.

Pros:

  • Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, and USB connectivity
  • Great color quality
  • Suitable for various photo sizes
  • High printing speed

Cons:

  • The ink cartridge has a low capacity.

Factors An Artist Should Consider When Choosing The Best Printer For Art Prints

1. Types Of Printers

The type of printer usually depends on what and how much you are printing.

Image Credits: Gadgetreview.com

1. Inkjet Printers

An inkjet printer uses an ink cartridge that you apply to the paper wet, but it rapidly dries. Color Inkjet printers are the most common in the market and can print a wide variety of items. Modern models are faster and more versatile than laser printers, but the cartridges are less durable.

2. Laser Printers 

A laser printer uses a toner, a type of ink dust that quickly bonds to paper providing fast and efficient results. They are a suitable option if you want to handle monochromatic printing, making them ideal for office work. Nevertheless, a laser printer isn't flexible since it doesn't provide much color variation. These printers also have low running costs.

3. All-In-Ones / Multifunctional Printers

These printers can fax, scan, and print, making them a comprehensive option for graphic designers with diverse projects. It's cheaper to buy a multifunctional printer than to get a scanner and a printer separately.

4. Photo Printers 

There is no better printer for art prints than a photo printer. They are the best printers for art prints because they produce better print quality than other types. Photo printers can handle different paper types and can deliver wider prints.

2. Printing Speed

The measure of how fast the printer can print is stated in Pages Per Minute (PPM). Color prints have different PPMs than black and white, but that isn't a big deal unless you have a large stack to print.

The standard PPM for black and white art prints is bout 15 - 20 pages, while that of color ranges from 10 -15 pages. If you need to handle numerous photo prints within a short time, you should strongly consider the printing speed.

3. Resolution

DPI, which stands for Dots per Inch, refers to the number of dots the printer can make on a square inch of photo paper. You should check out this spec if you want art printers that can create high-resolution images.

DPI is a bit outdated, and newer printers come with software that enhances the resolution without altering the DPI. So, this is not the only function to keep an eye on as you look through the best printers for art.

4. Printer Connectivity

Almost all the printers on the market today offer multiple connection options. As a standard, the best printer should at least have Wi-Fi and cloud printing compatibility, but it could also include;

1. USB 

USB ports are common on printers and can allow you to hook up hard drives and numerous other devices. When you use this connection, you can print media directly off your device without requiring assistance from a computer. Unfortunately, most printers only support USB-A connections and not USB-C.

2. Ethernet 

Printers can also have Ethernet ports to provide wired internet connections. This feature might not be essential for home-use printers; it is more appropriate for studios and office setups.

3. WiFi 

The models in our list of the best printers for art prints have WiFi compatibility. This means that you can connect the printer directly to your WiFi network, which allows you to send your artwork from your phone, computer, or any other device directly to the printer using suitable software. This eliminates the need for any wires or cables, which makes it convenient.

WiFi-direct connections are different from standard network connections since it involves a secure connection between the device and the printer. Apple AirPrint and Google Cloud Print are among these technologies.

4. Cloud Printing 

Some printers can feature internet-based functions that allow you to access images and other media sites like Dropbox, Google Drive, or Flickr. However, this function requires an internet connection to operate.

5. SD Card 

Another slot your printer should have is the SD card port which can allow you to navigate and select files to print from the printer's menu. This is useful for artists like photographers who normally save photos on SD cards.

5. Duplexing Printing

One of the most efficient features arising among printers is duplex printing which refers to a printer's ability to print both sides of the page without manually flipping it. It works by printing one side of the page first and then pulling the page back in the printer, flipping it over, and finishing the other side.

Most all-in-one devices will have this function alongside an automatic document feeder. If you frequently print photos or fine art on both sides of the page, you should ensure you choose a printer with duplex capability.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Is The Best Printer For Art Prints On The Market?

The overall best printer is the Canon Pixma MG3620. It has various printing options, including printing wirelessly from a mobile device. It is easy to set up and budget-friendly.

2. Is Inkjet Or Laser Better For Art Prints?

Inkjet printers are the best for printing photos, but laser printers use toner rather than ink which is more durable. So, it depends on whether longevity or quality is your priority.

3. Which Is Faster, Inkjet, Or Laser?

Laser printers are faster than inkjet types and have more efficient use of resources.

4. What Is The Disadvantage Of A Laser Printer?

Laser printers, especially the colored types, are expensive, plus the cost goes higher since toners are more pricey than ink cartridges. 

5. What Is The Difference Between A Laser Printer And A Cricut Printer?

A printer for Cricut is used for home crafts like printing Scrapbooks, cutting paper, vinyl, fondant, and fabrics, while a laser printer is used to print on various varieties of paper for both official and non-official use. Laser printers do not have cutting capabilities like Cricut printers for craft artists.

6. Is Canon or Epson Better For Art Prints?

First, both Canon and Epson printers are the best printers in the market right now that produce museum-grade quality. Equipment from the two brands is the most used and recommended, especially in digital art printmaking. While all are the best, there are several differences between the two, and when you buy one, ensure you understand and compare those differences.

For example, the print head replacement in the Epson can be costlier and inconvenient. I would instead go with Canon, even though it is imperative to check what their warranties say. A built-in hard drive is another feature that the Epson printer does not have, but Canon has. This is a plus for Canon printers. The hard drive is the printer’s server that manages print jobs, especially when sent from multiple devices or computers. On the other hand, Epson printers offer an internal print server hard drive only as an optional accessory feature.

Automatic firmware updates on Canon printers allow you to connect the printer to the Wi-Fi and search for updates to the firmware if they are available. If available, you can just update them easily using a tap on the LCD screen. For Epson printers, things are different as the firmware updates are only available on the Epson software update program.

The bottom line, therefore, is that each brand is excellent for art printing despite its quirks and idiosyncrasies. Photographers of the highest caliber and galleries and museums alike use both brands to print. The final choice of a good art printer depends on you and what features you want in an art printer.

7. How Do You Print High-Quality Art?

Most artwork requires 300 dpi. When the artwork is set at this resolution, the result is outstanding. Printing large prints at 150 dpi is recommended since the difference in printing quality is unnoticeable when you view it from afar. The output device's resolution, on the other hand, varies depending on the paper and type of press used. When printing on glossy paper or magazine stock, put the output at 150 1pi, and when printing on newspaper stock, set it at 851pi.

 8. Is Inkjet or Laser the Best For Art Prints?

The two most common printing options are laser and inkjet. You will pay more upfront for a laser printer than an inkjet. Nonetheless, it costs less in the long term as it prints faster. On the other hand, Inkjet printers cannot handle the hefty output like laser printers. The color saturation, nonetheless, is better with inkjet than with laser printers.

Ian Mutuli

About the author

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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