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The best printer for crafting depends on what you make. For most crafters, the Canon PIXMA TS9521Ca is the strongest all-purpose choice because it supports 12×12-inch borderless printing, specialty media, rear feeding, greeting cards, labels, patterns, and individual ink cartridges. If you print frequently and want lower long-term ink costs, choose the Epson EcoTank ET-2800. For premium photos, stickers, art prints, and 13×19-inch work, the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is the better upgrade. Sublimation is a separate category and requires compatible sublimation ink, paper, blanks, and a heat press.
Quick comparison
| Printer | Best for | Ink system | Largest relevant size | Main strength | Main drawback | Price signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon PIXMA TS9521Ca | General crafting, cards, stickers, scrapbook layouts | Five individual cartridges | 12×12-inch borderless; also supports 11×17-inch media | Craft-specific features and flexible media handling | Higher running cost than a tank printer | $229.99 sale price shown by Canon on August 18, 2026; prices change |
| Epson EcoTank ET-2800 | Frequent sticker and everyday craft printing | Refillable ink tanks | Standard letter-size class output | Low ink cost and included high-yield ink | Basic paper handling and limited craft features | $239.99 shown by Epson on August 18, 2026; prices change |
| Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 | Premium stickers, photos, art prints, and large work | Six-color photographic dye ink | 13×19-inch borderless | Photo quality, tank economics, and wide format | Expensive and oversized for casual use | $749.99 shown by Epson on August 18, 2026; prices change |
There is no formal “crafting printer” category. In practice, the term usually means a color inkjet with flexible paper handling, strong color output, specialty-media support, and manageable ink costs.
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Choose by the project you actually make
| Main project | What matters most | Best fit from this guide |
|---|---|---|
| Cricut stickers and printable vinyl | Accurate color, supported media, rear feeding, clear registration marks, and reliable sheet alignment | TS9521Ca for flexibility; ET-2800 for frequent batches |
| Cardstock and greeting cards | Rear or manual feeding, paper-weight limits, a less-curved path, and correct media settings | TS9521Ca |
| Scrapbooking | 12×12 support, borderless printing, patterns, and color quality | TS9521Ca |
| Photo and art prints | Color gamut, ink configuration, paper profiles, and maximum print size | ET-8550 |
| Iron-on transfers | Transfer-media compatibility and mirror-print controls | TS9521Ca or ET-2800, after testing the exact transfer paper |
| Sublimation | Correct sublimation ink, transfer paper, polyester or coated blanks, and a heat press | A dedicated sublimation system or properly supported conversion |
| Etsy or small-business production | Ink cost, repeatability, sheet handling, maintenance, and drying time | ET-2800 for economy; ET-8550 for premium large output |
| Occasional crafting | Purchase price, setup, footprint, and cartridge replacement cost | TS9521Ca if discounted; avoid paying for wide format you will not use |
Best overall: Canon PIXMA TS9521Ca
The Canon PIXMA TS9521Ca is the best general-purpose crafting choice when you want one printer for cards, stickers, scrapbook pages, patterns, labels, occasional photos, and Cricut or Silhouette print-and-cut projects.
Why it works well for crafts
- Supports borderless 12×12-inch printing.
- Accepts 11×17-inch and square media sizes.
- Includes a rear tray and a front cassette.
- Uses five individual ink cartridges, including pigment black and dye-based color inks.
- Includes greeting-card, label, pattern-printing, and memory-card features.
- Offers wireless printing, AirPrint, Mopria, and a 4.3-inch touchscreen.
- Canon lists resolution up to 4,800×1,200 dpi, approximately 15 ipm black document speed, and 10 ipm color document speed.
Canon’s current support information specifically lists 12×12 borderless printing, greeting cards, labels, T-shirt transfers, pattern paper, square media, and multiple feed paths. That makes it more directly aligned with crafting than a basic office inkjet.
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- Package Including: 30 sheets, 300 labels 2" x 4" shipping label stickers, sheet size: 8-1/2" x 11" , 10 labels per sheet
- Jam Free:Strong self-adhesive labels that sticks firmly to cardboard, envelope paper, carton, glass ,metal and more
- High Quality: White matte 10up label stickers clear printing,easy to read . with markings on the back, easy to distinguish front or the back
- Easy to Use:Compatible with laser and ink jet printers,only need to print or write what information,bend the corner of the paper ,easy to peel off the label
- Multipurpose Label:Can be printed and handwritten,great use as shipping labels, address labels, product labels, food labels, barcode labels,name labels,bottles labels, christmas gift greeting labels, box labels, fba labels etc
Important limitations
This is still a cartridge printer. If you print hundreds of full-color sheets, an EcoTank may cost less to operate. Also, “supports 12×12” does not guarantee that every brand of 12×12 cardstock, sticker sheet, or coated vinyl will feed reliably.
Canon lists media-weight limits that vary by paper path and material. Its approximately 300 g/m² figure applies to specified Canon photo media, not every 300-gsm cardstock. Test thick stock one sheet at a time rather than forcing it through the printer.
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The older craft-oriented model name, TS9521C, appears in Canon’s 2018 launch documentation. The current U.S. listing uses TS9521Ca. Do not treat the older 2018 launch price of $249.99 as a current price. Canon’s deal page showed the TS9521Ca at $229.99 sale price versus $323.99 regular price when checked on August 18, 2026.
Best for lower ink costs: Epson EcoTank ET-2800
The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is the better choice for crafters who print often and would rather fill tanks than repeatedly replace cartridges.
Why consider it
- Refillable tanks reduce dependence on small cartridges.
- Epson advertises up to 90% savings versus cartridges under its stated comparison method.
- Epson lists up to 4,500 black and 7,500 color pages from the included ink under its stated test conditions.
- It prints, scans, and copies.
- It supports wireless and voice-activated printing.
The page-yield and savings figures are manufacturer estimates, not a guarantee of household cost. Actual expense depends on coverage, media, cleaning cycles, replacement ink, and how often you print.
Trade-offs for crafters
The ET-2800 is not a purpose-built craft printer. Its paper handling is more basic than the TS9521Ca, and it lacks conveniences found on higher-end models, including automatic duplex printing, an automatic document feeder, Ethernet, and a larger paper tray. Verify that your exact cardstock, printable vinyl, or sticker paper feeds properly before buying in bulk.
Epson recommends genuine ink and warns that non-genuine ink can affect performance and warranty coverage. The model was listed at $239.99 on Epson’s site when checked on August 18, 2026.
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- Compatible with Laser/Inkjet Printing. Matte Surface Prevents Ink Smudges for Hassle-free Printing.
- Print Templates Available for Download in PDF and Microsoft Word Formats
- Great for bulk shipping and mailing, organizing boxes, bin labels, classroom organization & stickers, filing & organizing, and bottle labels.
- Surface(including the top is Similar to Writing Paper, You Can Write on It with a Pencil, Pen, Sharpie, etc.
- Label Size: 1" x 2-5/8", Sheet Size: 8.5" x 11". 30 sheets, 900 labels
Best for premium stickers and large art prints: Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550
The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is the upgrade for polished stickers, photo-integrated crafts, scrapbook pages with smooth gradients, art prints, and wide-format work.
- Uses six-color Claria ET photographic dye inks.
- Supports borderless printing up to 13×19 inches.
- Epson lists resolution up to 5,760×1,440 dpi.
- Uses refillable ink tanks rather than conventional cartridges.
- Epson advertises low-cost replacement bottles and up to two years of printing with included and replacement ink under stated conditions.
Epson described the ET-8550 using “lab-quality” marketing language; that claim should not be treated as an independent test result. Its six-color dye system can produce attractive photos and smooth decorative gradients, but dye ink is not automatically the best option for every archival, outdoor, or water-resistance requirement.
The ET-8550 costs substantially more, occupies more space, and is excessive for occasional documents, labels, and cards. Epson listed it at $749.99 when checked on August 18, 2026.
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Other models worth considering
Canon PIXMA G620
The Canon PIXMA G620 is relevant when photo and illustration quality matter more than scanning, copying, or large-format output. Its six-color tank-style system is potentially attractive for vivid stickers and art prints. However, verify current U.S. availability, official pricing, supported media thickness, and printable-vinyl compatibility before treating it as a buying recommendation. It should not be called the definitive best sticker printer without current first-party comparisons or documented independent testing.
Epson EcoTank ET-15000
The ET-15000 is a wide-format, lower-running-cost multifunction option often considered by crafters who need larger sheets and office features. It is better described as a wide-format tank printer than as a universal photo-quality winner or an out-of-the-box sublimation printer. Confirm current availability and specifications on Epson’s official site before purchasing.
Why paper handling matters more than headline DPI
Resolution numbers look impressive, but craft success often depends more on the paper path and the exact media. Before buying, check:
- Whether the printer has rear or manual feeding.
- Whether the path is straight enough for rigid stock.
- The maximum paper weight for the specific tray and media type.
- Support for custom sizes, 12×12, 11×17, or 13×19 sheets.
- Whether borderless printing works at the size and paper setting you need.
- Whether the manufacturer officially supports the media.
- Whether one expensive sheet can be fed without repeatedly misaligning.
A manufacturer’s statement that a printer can print on a particular paper type does not mean every brand, coating, thickness, or construction will feed reliably. Buy a small pack first.
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- Laser/Inkjet Printing. Matte surface prevents ink smudges for hassle-free printing.
- Easy to write. Surface is similar to writing paper. Write on it with pens, pencils or markers.
- Self Adhesive. Just peel and paste! Sticks great on cardboard, plastic, paper and almost any flat surface.
- Print templates available for download in PDF and Microsoft Word formats.
- Label Size: 4" x 5", Sheet Size: 8.5" x 11". 30 sheets, 120 labels.
Inkjet versus laser for crafting
Why inkjet is usually the better choice
Inkjet printers are generally better for photos, illustrations, gradients, stickers, printable vinyl, and specialty inkjet media. They are also more common in Cricut print-and-cut workflows.
The drawbacks are equally practical: liquid ink can smear before drying, printheads can clog after long periods of non-use, coated media may feed poorly, and cartridge costs can become high.
When laser makes sense
Laser printers produce sharp text and graphics, do not dry out in the same way as liquid ink, and can be efficient for high-volume documents. They may also suit certain toner-transfer techniques.
They are not automatically better for crafts. Heat can damage unsuitable media, many specialty papers are inkjet-only, and photo or printable-vinyl workflows may be a poor fit. “Handles cardstock” is not enough; the exact stock must be rated for laser heat.
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Your printer does not need to be made by Cricut. It must print the artwork and registration marks clearly on a sheet size supported by the cutting machine. The sheet must remain flat and aligned, and the material must be compatible with both devices.
Glossy, reflective, laminated, and heavily textured surfaces can interfere with optical registration. The printer controls paper size, media settings, scaling, and print quality; the cutting machine controls sensor recognition, mat alignment, blade pressure, and material settings. No printer can eliminate every Cricut registration error.
For a first test, print at 100% scale, disable “fit to page,” use the correct paper size, and try unlaminated matte media. Calibrate the cutting machine if the marks are detected but cuts are consistently offset.
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- Laser/Inkjet Printing. Matte surface prevents ink smudges for hassle-free printing.
- Easy to write. Surface is similar to writing paper. Write on it with pens, pencils or markers.
- Self Adhesive. Just peel and paste! Sticks great on cardboard, plastic, paper and almost any flat surface.
- Print templates available for download in PDF and Microsoft Word formats.
- Label Size: 2" x 4", Sheet Size: 8.5" x 11". 30 sheets, 300 labels.
Sticker printing: paper, vinyl, and durability
These are different outputs:
- Paper stickers: inexpensive and easy, but often need sealing for better durability.
- Printable vinyl: usually more durable, with water resistance depending on the specific product and finish.
- Professional labels: may require a dedicated label printer or commercial workflow.
Let inkjet prints dry fully before laminating or cutting. Select the correct matte, photo, or glossy media setting. Test whether the laminate affects registration marks. “Waterproof sticker paper” does not automatically make the ink waterproof, and vivid color does not mean dishwasher-safe or outdoor-safe performance.
Cardstock, envelopes, and greeting cards
Nominal compatibility is not the same as reliable handling. Check the stock’s thickness, basis weight, coating, texture, and inkjet or laser rating. Also check whether the printer bends the sheet sharply, disables duplexing on thick media, requires manual feeding, or limits borderless printing on that size.
The TS9521Ca is particularly attractive for cardmaking because Canon lists greeting-card support, 12×12 printing, a rear tray, and multiple specialty-media features. Even so, test the exact cardstock before committing to a production run.
Color quality and ink configuration
Four-color CMYK systems can be perfectly adequate for many projects. Five-color systems may add a pigment black for sharper text while retaining dye color inks. Six-color photo systems can produce smoother photographic gradients, but more inks do not automatically make a printer best for every craft.
The TS9521Ca uses five individual inks with pigment black and dye-based color inks. The ET-8550 uses six-color photographic dye ink. Dye systems are often strong on bright photos and glossy media; pigment systems can be advantageous for text, line art, and some archival uses. Neither “dye” nor “pigment” alone guarantees waterproof or fade-proof results.
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Cartridge versus tank printers
Choose cartridges when
- You print only occasionally.
- The lowest purchase price matters most.
- You want a smaller or simpler printer.
- You find a substantial discount.
Choose a tank when
- You print batches of stickers, cards, or art.
- Replacement-ink cost matters more than the lowest upfront price.
- You accept a larger initial investment.
- You will use the printer regularly enough to reduce long idle periods.
A tank printer is not automatically cheaper for someone who prints once every few months. Infrequent use can still lead to maintenance cycles and clogged heads.
Sublimation is a separate buying path
A normal craft inkjet is not automatically a sublimation printer. The basic workflow is:
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- Package Including: 50 sheets, 300 labels 3-1/3" x 4" shipping address labels, sheet size: 8-1/2" x 11" , 6 labels per sheet,
- Jam Free:Strong self-adhesive labels that sticks firmly to cardboard, envelope paper, carton, glass ,metal and more....
- High Quality: White matte 6up label stickers clear printing，easy to read . with markings on the back, easy to distinguish front or the back.
- Easy to Use:Compatible with laser and ink jet printers,only need to print or write what information,bend the corner of the paper ,easy to peel off the label.
- Multipurpose Label:Can be printed and handwritten,great use as shipping labels, address labels, product labels, food labels, bottles labels, christmas gift greeting labels, box labels, fba labels etc.
- Prepare the artwork.
- Print it with sublimation ink onto sublimation transfer paper.
- Place the transfer on a compatible polyester or specially coated blank.
- Apply heat with a heat press.
- Remove the transfer and allow the item to cool.
Sublimation is not ordinary printing onto standard paper or arbitrary fabric. A printer filled with conventional ink cannot simply be switched to sublimation ink without a proper conversion process. Mixing ink types can cause poor color, clogs, and unreliable output.
A converted EcoTank may have a lower entry price, but conversion introduces troubleshooting, color-profile, maintenance, and warranty considerations. A purpose-built sublimation system is usually simpler to support but may have higher consumable costs. The general-purpose printers in this guide should not be treated as sublimation recommendations unless the specific printer and configuration are explicitly supported for that workflow.
Common problems and fixes
Paper jams or crooked feeding
Thick, curled, rigid, coated, or incorrectly loaded stock is a common cause. Cancel the job, remove the sheet using the manufacturer’s procedure, inspect the rollers and path, flatten or replace the stock, feed one sheet at a time, and select the correct media setting. Test with plain paper before retrying expensive material. Do not repeatedly force thick cardstock through the printer.
Smearing
Smearing can result from wet dye ink, an incorrect paper setting, incompatible coating, stacking sheets too soon, or laminating before the print has cured. Increase drying time, use the manufacturer’s recommended media profile, and test a different quality setting if the printer is depositing too much ink.
Cricut registration errors
Check for glossy laminate, poor lighting, low-contrast or distorted marks, page scaling, an incorrect paper size, and material shifted on the mat. Print at 100%, confirm the page size, print from supported design software, test matte media, and calibrate the cutting machine.
Colors do not match the screen
Screen brightness, color profiles, paper settings, third-party media, source artwork, and printhead condition can all affect the result. Use the correct paper profile, keep your color-management choices consistent, print a small proof, and perform nozzle checks or alignment when needed.
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Inkjet owners should print a small color page periodically, keep the printer in a low-dust environment, and avoid leaving tanks or cartridges empty. Use cleaning cycles sparingly because repeated cleaning consumes ink.
Buying checklist
- Confirm the largest paper size you need.
- Check the media thickness limit for the actual feed path.
- Look for a rear or manual feed if you use cardstock or specialty sheets.
- Verify borderless support on your chosen size and paper type.
- Identify whether the ink is dye, pigment, or a combination.
- Compare replacement ink cost, not just printer price.
- Confirm operating-system, wireless, and mobile-printing support.
- Check current availability and return policy.
- Buy a small test pack of your intended sticker paper or cardstock.
- For sublimation, verify the complete printer, ink, paper, blank, heat-press, and support ecosystem.
The Bottom Line
Choose the Canon PIXMA TS9521Ca for the broadest mix of craft features, 12×12 layouts, cards, stickers, and specialty media. Choose the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 if you print often and prioritize refillable-ink economics. Choose the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 for premium photos, stickers, art prints, and 13×19 output. For sublimation, buy for the complete sublimation workflow rather than treating an ordinary craft inkjet as a drop-in solution.
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