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The right inkjet printer for art depends on what you make and sell. For a 13-inch pigment printer suited to fine-art paper, compare the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 with the Epson SureColor P700. For prints wider than 13 inches, look at the Canon PRO-1100 or Epson SureColor P900. If you print frequently and want lower ink costs plus a scanner, the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is a more practical fit. These are different tools, not interchangeable versions of one universal “best” printer.
Choose by print size, paper, ink type, volume and how long the work is expected to be displayed—not by maximum DPI alone.
#1 Best Overall
Best inkjet printers for artists at a glance
| Printer | Best for | Ink and size class | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 | 13-inch fine-art and photographic prints | Pigment; borderless prints up to 13 × 19 inches | Cartridge costs; Canon’s U.S. pages have shown conflicting availability information |
| Epson SureColor P700 | 13-inch pigment printing, including matte media and monochrome work | UltraChrome PRO10 pigment; 13-inch class | Cartridge running costs |
| Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 | Frequent colorful printing, proofs and scanning | Six-color Claria ET tank system; A3+/13-inch class | Not the conservative choice for archival-pigment editions |
| Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 | Large professional prints | Pigment; 17-inch class | Space, purchase and ink costs |
| Epson SureColor P900 | 17-inch photography and fine-art output | UltraChrome PRO10 pigment; 17 inches | Size and cartridge costs |
| Canon PIXMA PRO-200S | Vivid glossy color at a lower entry price | Dye-based photo printing | Less suited to formal archival fine-art editions |
| Epson Expression Photo XP-15000 | Budget-conscious wide-format color printing | Cartridge-based; 13-inch class | Cartridge economics and less professional archival positioning |
For current U.S. pricing, check the manufacturer or retailer before buying: prices and stock change, and the PRO-310’s Canon product page has displayed inconsistent status signals. Canon announced the PRO-310 at a U.S. MSRP of $899.99 in January 2025; that is a launch price, not a current quote (Canon’s announcement; Canon product page).
Choose a printer by the art you make
Fine-art reproductions and prints for sale
If you sell prints as fine art, or intend them for long-term display, start with a pigment printer and paper specifically supported by its manufacturer. The PRO-310, P700, PRO-1100 and P900 are the relevant choices here. Pigment ink is a sensible starting point for matte, cotton-rag and textured papers, but pigment alone does not guarantee a particular lifespan. Paper, framing, light, humidity and display conditions matter, and a fixed longevity promise should be tied to a named test and its conditions.
Digital paintings, illustrations and colorful graphics
For vivid illustrations, proofs, cards and small merchandise, the ET-8550 can make more financial sense if you print regularly. The PRO-200S is worth considering if glossy color is the priority and your output volume is modest. Neither use case automatically requires the most expensive fine-art model. Conversely, glossy photo quality is not proof that a printer will suit textured paper or a premium archival edition.
Black-and-white work and difficult colors
For monochrome work, compare the P700 with the P900 or PRO-310 by testing your own files and paper. Epson identifies an Advanced Black and White mode on the P900; Canon positions the PRO-310’s Matte Black for fine-art media and tonal gradation (Epson P900 specifications; Canon PRO-310). For saturated reds, oranges, greens and blues, results depend on the printer and paper’s color gamut as well as the source file, driver and color-management settings. More inks do not guarantee a better match for every image.
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Do not assume a fine-art printer is ready for waterproof stickers, vinyl, outdoor signage or heat-transfer products. Check media compatibility, coatings, drying behavior and whether the workflow also needs a laminator or cutter. If you need roll printing or production beyond cut sheets, verify that the specific model supports it; the printer choices here are not a substitute for commercial roll equipment.
Rank #2
- THE LAST PRINTER YOU'LL EVER NEED – Set it up once and print with confidence; no complicated maintenance, just easy, reliable printing you can count on
- FULLY LOADED WITH SAVINGS – Best for low-cost, high-volume printing—up to 3 years of HP Ink included; get up to 6,000 color or black pages right out of the box
- KEY FEATURES – Print, copy and scan, plus borderless prints, mobile and wireless printing
- MESS-FREE REFILL – Replenish ink with HP's easy-access, mess-free refill system; simply plug the ink bottles into this cartridge-free ink tank and let them drain—no squeezing, no spilling
- BEST PRINT QUALITY, PERIOD – Sharper text, richer colors, only with HP Smart Tank
Pigment or dye: which ink suits your prints?
| Ink type | Often a better fit for | Trade-off to weigh |
|---|---|---|
| Pigment | Fine-art paper, matte and rag media, long-term display goals, monochrome work and prints sold at premium prices | Dedicated cartridge printers can have substantial ink costs and maintenance waste |
| Dye | Bright glossy color, personal prints and vivid illustrations | Less conservative than pigment for formal archival fine-art editions |
| Refillable tank | Frequent printing, proofs and mixed studio output where low ongoing ink costs matter | Higher initial outlay may not pay off for occasional use; verify ink type and archival suitability for the exact model |
Dye ink is not inherently poor quality: it can produce excellent, saturated glossy prints. The distinction is about the job and the longevity standard, not whether one technology is universally good and the other bad. Avoid describing a print as archival solely because it looks impressive, or because the printer uses pigment. The term needs a clearly attributed claim and the relevant paper and display conditions.
Choose a print size you will actually use
- Letter or A4: Useful for studies, small prints, cards and proofs.
- 13 × 19 inches / A3+: A practical home-studio size for many art prints and portfolios.
- 17-inch wide: Consider it for gallery presentation, larger editions and exhibition work.
- 24 inches and wider: Usually a move toward studio or production equipment, with different space and workflow needs.
The PRO-310 supports borderless printing up to 13 × 19 inches. The P900 is a 17-inch professional printer. For detailed media and workflow limits, consult the model documentation rather than assuming every sheet size works with every feed path (Canon PRO-310 specifications; Epson P900; Epson P700/P900 support documentation).
Recommended printers in detail
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310: best 13-inch professional option
The PRO-310 is a strong shortlist choice for an artist seeking a pigment-based 13-inch printer for illustrations, photographs and fine-art paper. Canon specifies a LUCIA PRO II pigment system with nine color inks plus Chroma Optimizer. Its Matte Black is intended for fine-art media; the product information also lists a Nozzle Recovery System and Skew Correction. Chroma Optimizer is intended to improve the appearance of glossy and semi-gloss output by reducing uneven reflection and bronzing (Canon product details).
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Its limitations are practical: it is a dedicated printer, cartridge costs can add up, and it is not designed to be the fastest choice for repeated low-margin runs. Most importantly, Canon’s U.S. product page has shown both in-stock/pricing language and wording suggesting the model is discontinued or unavailable. Confirm stock and status before planning a purchase.
Epson SureColor P700: best Epson 13-inch alternative
The P700 is a direct comparison for buyers who want pigment output, fine-art media support and a strong monochrome workflow in the 13-inch class. Epson’s P700/P900 documentation covers supported media and handling; comparative testing by RTINGS describes the P700 as an excellent professional photo printer, while also noting the higher ongoing costs relative to a tank model (Epson support documentation; RTINGS P700 review). It is a poor match if low-cost frequent merchandise printing or scanning is central to your workflow.
Rank #3
- Affordable Versatility - A budget-friendly all-in-one printer perfect for both home users and hybrid workers, offering exceptional value
- Crisp, Vibrant Prints - Experience impressive print quality for both documents and photos, thanks to its 2-cartridge hybrid ink system that delivers sharp text and vivid colors
- Effortless Setup & Use - Get started quickly with easy setup for your smartphone or computer, so you can print, scan, and copy without delay
- Reliable Wireless Connectivity - Enjoy stable and consistent connections with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz or 5GHz), ensuring smooth printing from anywhere in your home or office
- Seamless Multi-Page Handling - Tackle multi-page documents with ease using the Auto Document Feeder (ADF) for quick scanning and copying
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550: best for frequent colorful production
The ET-8550 combines six-color Claria ET inks, A3+/13-inch-class output, and print, scan and copy functions. Its refillable tanks make it an appealing choice for regular proofs, colorful artwork and mixed studio tasks. TechRadar reports Epson’s estimate of up to 6,200 color pages per replacement bottle set; treat that as a manufacturer yield estimate, not a promise for art prints. Coverage, image size and print settings change actual yield (TechRadar’s printer coverage).
The scanner is useful for digitizing traditional art, signatures or source material, but it does not replace a calibrated art-reproduction workflow. The ET-8550 is also a large machine, and a tank’s lower per-print ink cost does not automatically make it the best buy for someone who prints only occasionally. It is not the first choice when a formal pigment-based archival workflow is the primary requirement.
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100: best for 17-inch professional work
Choose the PRO-1100 if 17-inch output is central to your practice and you can support a larger printer and premium print costs. It is a professional pigment model intended for larger photographic and fine-art output. Canon’s U.S. large-format category has listed the PRO-1100 alongside other models; its prices and promotions are time-sensitive, so check the live listing rather than relying on an old sale figure (Canon imagePROGRAF category).
It is excessive for a desk-bound studio making only occasional small prints, or for low-priced products whose margins cannot absorb premium ink and paper.
Epson SureColor P900: best Epson 17-inch alternative
The P900 prints up to 17 inches wide and uses UltraChrome PRO10 pigment inks. Epson specifies dedicated photo-black and matte-black channels, Carbon Black mode for increased black density on glossy paper, and an Advanced Black and White mode (Epson P900 product information). It is a compelling large-format option for gallery prints and photography, but its footprint and cartridge costs make little sense if you do not need the width.
Rank #4
- Affordable Versatility - A budget-friendly all-in-one printer perfect for both home users and hybrid workers, offering exceptional value
- Crisp, Vibrant Prints - Experience impressive print quality for both documents and photos, thanks to its 2-cartridge hybrid ink system that delivers sharp text and vivid colors
- Effortless Setup & Use - Get started quickly with easy setup for your smartphone or computer, so you can print, scan, and copy without delay
- Reliable Wireless Connectivity - Enjoy stable and consistent connections with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz or 5GHz), ensuring smooth printing from anywhere in your home or office
- Scan & Copy Handling - Utilize the device’s integrated scanner for efficient scanning and copying operations
Canon PIXMA PRO-200S: best for vivid glossy color
The PRO-200S is a dedicated dye-based photo printer for buyers who value vivid glossy color and want a lower entry point than a professional 17-inch pigment machine. Canon’s category page has displayed a regular price of $647.99 and promotional price of $549.99 in the U.S.; those are dated, changeable price signals, not guaranteed current prices (Canon category listing). Its dye-based positioning makes it less suitable than pigment models for artists explicitly selling formal archival editions, and its cartridge costs can be difficult at high volume.
Epson Expression Photo XP-15000: budget wide-format candidate
The XP-15000 is worth considering when you want wide-format, vivid photo and illustration printing without stepping straight into a professional pigment model. It is a less compelling choice for archival work or frequent output if cartridge costs dominate. Verify the current model status, media handling and regional availability before buying; a low purchase price does not establish low cost per finished print.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Paper choice can change the result
Glossy and luster papers
Glossy and luster surfaces tend to give color a more saturated, sharp-looking appearance. They can suit photography and bright illustrations, but the surface reflects light and may be a poor presentation choice for artwork meant to resemble a traditional print.
Matte, cotton rag and textured papers
Matte and textured papers offer a different art-paper character and reduce reflections, but they can change apparent contrast and color. Thick fine-art sheets may require rear or manual feeding, one sheet at a time, and larger margins. Borderless mode may not be available on every paper type. Check the printer’s supported thickness, feed instructions and margin rules before purchasing paper in bulk.
As a reference point, Canon’s PRO-300 brochure specifies fine-art paper recommendations with larger margins and media up to approximately 380 g/m² on compatible feeds. That is a PRO-300 specification, not a limit that should be assumed for other printers (Canon PRO-300 brochure).
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- Affordable Versatility - A budget-friendly all-in-one printer perfect for both home users and hybrid workers, offering exceptional value
- Crisp, Vibrant Prints - Experience impressive print quality for both documents and photos, thanks to its 2-cartridge hybrid ink system that delivers sharp text and vivid colors
- Effortless Setup & Use - Get started quickly with easy setup for your smartphone or computer, so you can print, scan, and copy without delay
- Reliable Wireless Connectivity - Enjoy stable and consistent connections with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz or 5GHz), ensuring smooth printing from anywhere in your home or office
- Scan & Copy Handling - Utilize the device’s integrated scanner for efficient scanning and copying operations
Match the driver setting to the actual paper
Using the wrong paper type can cause washed-out color, excessive ink, slow drying, smearing, bronzing, weak shadow detail or feed errors. Select the correct media setting and paper profile; a premium printer cannot rescue unsuitable paper or an incorrect setting.
Color management for predictable prints
- Start with a sound file. Keep the artwork in a color space and file format supported by your editing and printing workflow.
- Use the paper maker’s ICC profile. Install the profile for the exact printer-and-paper combination when one is available.
- Soft-proof before printing. In compatible editing software, preview how the chosen paper and printer profile may limit colors or shadow detail.
- Calibrate the display. A bright, uncalibrated screen can make prints seem unexpectedly dark or dull.
- Print a test strip or small proof. Check difficult hues, gradients, highlights and deep shadows before committing to a full-size sheet.
- Keep the application and driver from both managing color unintentionally. Use the color-management approach specified for your software and printer so you do not apply conflicting corrections.
Some colors visible on a monitor cannot be reproduced by a particular printer-and-paper combination. A test print is often more useful than trying to force every screen color into the final result.
Ink costs, maintenance and print volume
Dedicated pigment printers generally suit occasional high-value work better than low-margin, high-volume production. Cartridge replacement can be expensive, and cleaning or ink-channel maintenance consumes ink without producing a saleable print. Tank systems are designed to reduce ongoing ink costs at regular volume, but they require a larger initial commitment and may not be economical for a sporadic printer.
- Estimate both ink and paper for the print sizes you actually sell.
- Include test sheets, misprints and maintenance in your per-sale calculation.
- Compare the printer’s ink type and media compatibility with the claims you intend to make about the finished print.
- If you print only a few large pieces each year, compare local print-service quotes before buying a large-format machine.
There is no reliable universal cost-per-print figure here: coverage, size, settings, cleaning and paper vary too much. The relevant question is whether the printer’s total cost fits your real production volume and selling price.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesWorkflow and practical setup
For professionals, reliable profiles and controlled color output matter more than a touchscreen or mobile-printing feature. Check that the model supports your computer’s operating system and that the manufacturer provides the driver and workflow options you need. Confirm whether you can print directly from your editing software and whether your chosen workflow uses ICC profiles.
Most models in this comparison are print-focused rather than all-in-one machines; the ET-8550 is the standout here because it also scans and copies. If scanning original art for reproduction, the scan itself still needs appropriate resolution, even lighting and color management. Verify connectivity, including USB or Wi-Fi and any mobile-printing support you require, on the current regional product page.
Do not leave an inkjet unused for months and assume it will be ready for an important edition. Follow the maker’s maintenance instructions and make occasional test prints to catch nozzle or color problems before a deadline. Some professional printers also maintain separate photo-black and matte-black ink channels; switching often between glossy and matte work can consume ink and time.
Quick Recap
Which printer should you choose?
- For 13-inch pigment fine-art prints: Compare the Canon PRO-310 and Epson P700. Check current availability and running costs as carefully as print quality.
- For frequent colorful output, proofs and scanning: Choose the Epson ET-8550 if its ink and paper workflow meets your needs.
- For gallery-scale 17-inch prints: Compare the Canon PRO-1100 with the Epson P900 and make sure you have room and a realistic print volume.
- For vivid glossy color at a lower dedicated-photo-printer price: Consider the Canon PRO-200S, understanding its dye-based trade-off.
- For a lower-cost start with wide-format color: Consider the Epson XP-15000, but calculate cartridge costs before committing to production.
