Best Printers for Crafting Amazing Projects: Picks by Project Type

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There is no single best printer for every craft. For most paper crafters making cards, stickers, scrapbook pages, transfers, and Cricut print-then-cut projects, the Canon PIXMA TS9521Ca is the strongest all-around fit. Choose the Canon PIXMA G620 for frequent photo-heavy printing, the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 for wide-format art and scrapbook work, or the Epson SureColor F170 only for sublimation.

The right choice depends less on a headline resolution number than on what you print, which media you use, and whether the printer can feed it reliably. A craft-focused inkjet, a wide-format photo printer, a laser printer, and a sublimation printer do different jobs.

#	Preview	Product	Price
1		Pro Grade Paint Brushes, Paint Brush Set for Walls, Trim & Stain, 5-Piece	$7.99	Buy on Amazon
2		Soucolor Acrylic Paint Brushes Set, 20 Pcs Pointed Tip Artist Paintbrushes	$6.49	Buy on Amazon
3		AROIC 10 Pcs Paint Brushes, Acrylic Oil Watercolor Painting Brush Set	$3.99	Buy on Amazon
4		Bates- Paint Brushes, 6 Pack, Treated Wood Handle Brushes for Walls	$7.85	Buy on Amazon
5		Pro Grade Paint Brushes, 2 Inch Angled Paint Brush, Trim & Walls, 3 Pack	$6.79	Buy on Amazon

Choose a printer for the project you actually make

“Crafting” can mean anything from printing a greeting card to transferring a design onto a mug. Use the project—not a broad label like “craft printer”—to narrow the field.

For most home paper crafts, start with an inkjet. If your main goal is sublimation, start with a sublimation printer instead. No general-purpose printer turns every sticker sheet, cardstock, or transfer material into a compatible medium.

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Quick picks

These are project-based editorial picks, not results of comparative laboratory testing. Specifications and availability are attributed to the manufacturers; they do not guarantee that every third-party paper or film will work.

Best all-around craft printer: Canon PIXMA TS9521Ca

The TS9521Ca is the best default for a home crafter whose projects mix cards, stickers, scrapbook pages, labels, and transfers. Canon positions it specifically for crafting. It has a rear tray and front cassette, automatic duplex printing, and borderless printing at sizes including 11×17 and 12×12 inches. Canon lists greeting cards, pattern paper, labels, square media, and T-shirt transfers among its supported media. See Canon’s product page and technical specifications.

Canon specifies rear-tray support for certain of its specialty papers up to approximately 300 g/m². That figure is not a universal promise for every cardstock with the same weight: stiffness, coating, dimensions, and feed path all matter. Load a test sheet before committing a stack. The printer also uses cartridges, so frequent, ink-intensive output may make a refillable-tank model more appealing.

Choose it when you want one flexible printer for ordinary paper crafts and occasional print-then-cut sheets. Do not choose it as a shortcut to sublimation or assume that every vinyl or cardstock brand will feed reliably.

Best for frequent photo crafts: Canon PIXMA G620 MegaTank

The G620 is a better fit when vivid photo output and repeated small prints matter more than office speed or wide-format capacity. Its six dye-based inks are cyan, magenta, yellow, red, gray, and black. Canon claims up to 3,800 4×6 color photos from one full ink set; that is a manufacturer yield claim, not a guarantee for every image, setting, or print size. The model supports borderless photo printing and lists cardstock, greeting cards, restickable paper, magnetic photo paper, and iron-on transfers. Canon also lists custom lengths up to 47 inches. Details are on Canon’s product page and specifications page.

Rank #2

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It includes scanning and copying, but it is more photo-oriented than an office machine: it has no automatic document feeder or office-style paper capacity, and document printing is slower than on business-focused models. Replaceable printheads and a maintenance cartridge are useful service features, but they do not remove the need for occasional use and maintenance. Dye ink is a sensible fit for vivid hobby photos; do not infer archival permanence or outdoor water resistance from that strength.

Pick the G620 if you make photo-rich stickers, scrapbook prints, or cards often enough to value refillable tanks. If your projects need 12×12 layouts or larger art prints, look at the ET-8550 instead.

Best premium wide-format printer: Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550

The ET-8550 is the most capable choice here for large creative output. Epson specifies paper sizes up to 13×19 inches, borderless printing up to 13×19 inches, automatic two-sided printing, and support for cardstock and other media up to 1.3 mm thick. It uses a six-color Claria ET Premium ink system and is an all-in-one model. Thickness and paper weight are different measurements, so the 1.3 mm specification should not be translated into a universal cardstock weight. Check the stock and feed instructions for the specific material you plan to use.

Epson displayed a price of $749.99 on its product page on August 18, 2026. The same page claims that 4×6 photo printing can cost about 4 cents per photo under Epson’s stated comparison assumptions; that is a manufacturer estimate, not an independent cost study. Bottle prices, print coverage, cleaning, and wasted sheets affect real operating cost. See Epson’s ET-8550 page.

Choose it for 12×12 scrapbook projects, large stickers, posters, or art prints where the format earns its cost and footprint. For occasional letter-size cards and stickers, its wide-format capability may be more than you need.

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Best for sublimation: Epson SureColor F170

The F170 is a dedicated dye-sublimation printer, not a general craft inkjet. Epson describes it as using genuine sublimation ink, a 150-sheet auto-feed tray, and a PrecisionCore printhead for soft and rigid transfer applications. Epson lists a $399 MSRP; its official page showed “Out of Stock” when checked on August 18, 2026, and availability can differ through authorized sellers. Check the Epson product page for current status.

Sublimation transfers require more than the printer: use sublimation transfer paper, a compatible heat press, and polyester fabric or a polymer-coated hard substrate. The workflow also depends on correct mirroring, paper orientation, color management, and press settings. The F170 is not a replacement for an ordinary paper-craft printer when you want to print stickers or cardstock. Avoid treating a converted standard inkjet or EcoTank as equivalent: it may introduce ink contamination, profile, clogging, warranty, and support problems.

Office-plus-craft option: Brother MFC-J6955DW is discontinued

The MFC-J6955DW’s feature set suits mixed office and craft work: Brother lists 11×17-inch print, scan, copy, and fax capability, two 250-sheet trays, and a 100-sheet multipurpose tray for cardstock, envelopes, and specialty media. Brother lists print speeds up to 30 pages per minute and displayed $469.99 on its product page. But Brother labels the model discontinued, so it is not a mainstream new-buy recommendation. Remaining stock, replacement options, and support matter if you consider it. Check Brother’s product page before buying.

It may make sense only if its larger-format office features solve a specific need and you have confirmed an acceptable source and support situation. Do not rank it as a normal current alternative to the other picks solely on tray capacity or speed.

Inkjet or laser for crafting?

Choose inkjet for photos and varied media

Inkjet is usually the better starting point for photographs, gradients, illustrations, colorful stickers, photo paper, and borderless craft layouts. Many inkjets also support specialty paper and transfer sheets. Refillable-tank models can lower ink cost for frequent printing, but inkjets can clog if left unused, and incompatible coatings can cause smearing or poor color.

Rank #4

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• These versatile brushes are ready-to-use, easy to clean, and can be reused multiple times, making them economical as well as reliable tools for any painting project.
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Choose laser for laser-rated media and document-heavy work

Toner does not behave like water-based ink, and laser printers can produce crisp text and simple graphics for frequent document batches. But heat from a laser printer’s fuser can damage media that is not explicitly rated for laser use. Never put inkjet-only sticker paper, vinyl, or transfer sheets into a laser printer. “Waterproof” or “laser compatible” on one product does not mean every material is safe in every printer; follow the media maker’s designation and instructions.

For most Cricut print-then-cut projects and photo crafts, inkjet is the more versatile choice. A laser printer can still suit a defined workflow using compatible media, but it is not automatically better because toner resists water.

Features that matter more than maximum DPI

• Paper path: A rear or multipurpose feed is often preferable for stiff cardstock, photo paper, transfer sheets, and specialty stock. The tray and supported media—not the word “cardstock” alone—determine what is practical.
• Weight, thickness, and stiffness: These are not interchangeable. Check the specification for the exact feed path and supported media, then test a single sheet of the stock you intend to use.
• Print size and borderless support: Letter size is enough for many stickers and cards. Twelve-inch-square printing helps with scrapbook layouts; 13×19-inch output is useful for posters and larger art. Confirm borderless support at the size you need.
• Ink system: Dye ink often suits vivid photo output; pigment ink is generally preferable where document permanence and water resistance matter, though media and photo characteristics differ. Sublimation ink and toner are specialized and cannot be substituted casually for ordinary ink.
• Operating cost: Consider printer price, cartridge or bottle cost, yield assumptions, maintenance ink, failed specialty sheets, and finishing materials. Manufacturer savings and yield figures depend on their stated conditions.
• Color controls: Photo-oriented models may offer extra color channels. For advanced workflows, check for driver media settings and color-profile support. Advertised DPI alone does not establish accurate color or reliable feeding.
• Scanning and copying: An all-in-one helps when you scan drawings, digitize photographs, copy patterns, or handle business paperwork. Do not assume every photo printer offers the same scanning features or document capacity.
• Maintenance and frequency: An inkjet that sits unused can develop clogged nozzles and consume ink during cleaning. A refillable tank is most compelling when you print regularly enough to use its capacity.

Match the printer to common craft workflows

Cards, invitations, and cardstock

A craft-focused inkjet with a rear feed and the paper size you need is a sensible starting point; the TS9521Ca is the strongest fit among these picks for mixed paper projects. “Cardstock” covers stock with different weights, stiffness, coatings, and textures. Manufacturer compatibility lists apply to specified media and conditions, not all third-party stock. Use the feed path recommended by the printer maker, confirm the paper supplier’s printer-type guidance, and test one sheet before loading more.

Stickers, labels, and printable vinyl

Ordinary paper sticker sheets, glossy sticker paper, printable vinyl, waterproof printable vinyl, and laminated stickers are distinct products. Confirm whether the sheet is made for inkjet or laser, and follow its instructions for print settings and drying. A waterproof substrate alone does not make a finished sticker waterproof: ink chemistry, coating, laminate, adhesive, sunlight, and water exposure all affect the result. Make a small print and test for smearing, scratches, water exposure, and laminate compatibility before selling or relying on a batch.

Cricut print-then-cut

The printer makes the image; the cutter reads registration marks and cuts around it. A printer’s ability to produce a sheet does not mean the cutter maker endorses it for every material or workflow. Cricut’s machine comparison page explains the cutting-machine side of the setup.

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1. Create the design in Cricut Design Space or your chosen design application, and flatten it where required so the software treats it as a print-then-cut object.
2. Send the design to the printer. Choose the correct media type and quality in the printer driver, and do not change scaling if the cutter relies on registration marks.
3. Load and print the sheet, then let it dry as the media maker recommends. For a first project, use inexpensive paper.
4. Place the sheet on the cutting mat as directed and let the cutter scan its registration marks.
5. Test-cut before using costly sticker paper or specialty media.

Glossy stock can reflect a cutter’s sensor; a crooked sheet, changed scaling, or borderless setting can also interfere with registration. Follow the cutter maker’s recommended sensor workaround, and use matte tape only where the maker says it is appropriate. Test any change on a low-cost sheet.

Iron-on transfers

The TS9521Ca and G620 list T-shirt transfers among supported media, meaning they can print certain transfer sheets; they do not replace a heat press or guarantee compatibility with every fabric or transfer brand. Use transfer paper intended for your printer type, check whether it is for light or dark garments, and follow its directions for mirroring, temperature, pressure, and dwell time. Ordinary inkjet ink is not sublimation ink.

Art prints and small-business batches

For larger art prints, 12×12 layouts, or posters, confirm maximum size and borderless support before buying. A six-color photo system may suit colorful images, while frequent production also demands predictable media feeding, color consistency, available ink and maintenance supplies, service, and an output durable enough for customers. A home printer can work well for prototypes and small batches; hundreds of sheets a week may call for equipment designed for continuous production.

Before selling a product, validate water and scratch resistance, sunlight exposure, adhesive performance, lamination, and color consistency across batches. Do not infer finished-product durability from a printer’s media compatibility statement.

Set up specialty media and troubleshoot common failures

Cardstock misfeeds

1. Remove the stack and replace warped or curled sheets.
2. Try one sheet through the rear or multipurpose feed if the printer supports it.
3. Select the closest correct media type in the driver rather than leaving ordinary paper selected.
4. Reduce the stack size and test a lighter or smoother stock.
5. Check that the sheet’s size, thickness, and printer-type compatibility match the manufacturer’s guidance.

Sticker prints smear or colors look dull

• Confirm that the sheet is made for your printer type and allow more drying time.
• Check the media setting and quality mode; use the paper maker’s recommended profile or setting where available.
• Confirm the coating is intended for that printer, and check color-management settings if colors appear dull.
• Test lamination on a spare print before applying it to a finished batch; some combinations can lift or smear ink.

Inkjet nozzle problems after storage

If an inkjet has sat unused and lines or missing colors appear, use the printer driver’s nozzle-check and head-cleaning tools according to the manufacturer’s instructions. A cleaning cycle consumes ink, so check the nozzle pattern before repeating it; do not keep running cleanings without reassessing the result. Follow the model’s maintenance guidance rather than attempting an unsupported manual cleaning method.

Sublimation colors look wrong

Check that you used sublimation ink and the correct paper side, mirrored the design when required, selected the appropriate color profile, and used a compatible polyester fabric or polymer-coated substrate. Confirm the heat press’s temperature and dwell time against the transfer and substrate instructions.

Which printer should you buy?

For most home paper crafters, choose the Canon PIXMA TS9521Ca: it combines a craft-oriented feature set, useful borderless sizes, and a rear tray for varied projects. Choose the Canon G620 if frequent photo-heavy printing and refillable tanks matter most; choose the Epson ET-8550 if your work needs 12×12 or 13×19 output and thicker media handling; choose the Epson F170 only when you specifically want a sublimation workflow. Treat the discontinued Brother MFC-J6955DW as a remaining-stock possibility, not a default current recommendation.

Quick Recap

SaleBestseller No. 1

Pro Grade Paint Brushes, Paint Brush Set for Walls, Trim & Stain, 5-Piece

$7.99

Bestseller No. 2

Soucolor Acrylic Paint Brushes Set, 20 Pcs Pointed Tip Artist Paintbrushes

$6.49

SaleBestseller No. 3

AROIC 10 Pcs Paint Brushes, Acrylic Oil Watercolor Painting Brush Set

$3.99

Bestseller No. 4

Bates- Paint Brushes, 6 Pack, Treated Wood Handle Brushes for Walls

$7.85

SaleBestseller No. 5

Pro Grade Paint Brushes, 2 Inch Angled Paint Brush, Trim & Walls, 3 Pack

$6.79

ThatPainter Team

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.