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For most artists printing up to 13×19 inches, the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 is the best-balanced choice: it combines pigment inks, fine-art media support, strong monochrome control and a compact footprint. Choose the Epson SureColor P700 for a similar-size Epson workflow and built-in roll handling, the Epson SureColor P5370 when 17-inch output and higher volume matter, or move to the Canon PRO-2600 or Epson P7570 for regular 24-inch exhibition work.
This guide evaluates the things that determine sellable fine-art prints—maximum width, pigment permanence, paper handling, black-and-white performance, ownership cost, volume and availability—not just advertised dpi.
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| Model | Best for | Maximum width | Ink system | Roll support | Current price signal (U.S.) | Main drawback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 | Most home fine-art printers | 13 inches (up to 13×19-inch sheets) | LUCIA PRO II pigment, nine colors plus Chroma Optimizer | Not stated | Not stated on the supplied product page | Compact cartridges can be costly for heavy production |
| Epson SureColor P700 | Compact Epson alternative | 13 inches | Ten-color UltraChrome PRO10 pigment with Violet | Yes | $849 list and $699 promotion shown on Epson’s U.S. page; page showed out of stock when checked | Epson-only cartridges and small desktop tanks |
| Epson SureColor P5370 | 17-inch print sellers | 17 inches; 17×22-inch sheet cassette | Ten-color UltraChrome PRO10 pigment with Violet; 200 mL cartridges | Built-in feeder and cutter | $2,095 estimated U.S. launch MSRP (historical) | Large footprint and unnecessary for small work |
| Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-2600 | Serious 24-inch Canon studio | 24 inches | Eleven-color pigment plus Chroma Optimizer | Configuration should be confirmed | Not responsibly verified from supplied material | High capital, ink, space and maintenance commitment |
| Epson SureColor P7570 | 24-inch Epson photographic fine art | 24 inches | Twelve-color UltraChrome PRO12 pigment | Yes | $3,995 “Brighter Futures”/$4,495 policy prices in a spring 2024 guide; historical | Substantial size and cost for low-volume artists |
Prices, promotions, stock and product status change. Confirm them with the manufacturer or an authorized U.S. retailer before ordering.
Our five recommendations
1. Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 — best overall for most home studios
The PRO-310 is the sensible starting point when your largest regular print is 13×19 inches. Canon specifies a nine-color LUCIA PRO II pigment set with Chroma Optimizer, two paper paths, borderless printing to 13×19 inches and support for Premium Fine Art Smooth and Rough media. Manual feed accepts Canon media up to approximately 380 gsm or 0.6 mm. Canon also positions the Matte Black system for detailed black-and-white work and deeper fine-art blacks. See the official specifications.
#1 Best Overall
- CARTRIDGE-FREE PRINTING — Print lab-quality photos, graphics and creative projects; Get vibrant colors and sharp text with Epson's high-accuracy printhead and Claria ET Premium 6-color inks
- INK BOTTLES — Save on photos1 and creative projects with affordable in-house printing; All-in-one printer allows you to print 4" x 6" photos for about 4 cents each vs. 40 cents with traditional ink cartridges1
- LESS FREQUENT INK REPLACEMENT — Replacement ink bottles don't have to be changed nearly as often as ink cartridges¹; Printer, scanner and copier lets you print up to 6,200 color pages³
- PRINT FOR LONGER — Up to 2 years of ink in the box² (and with every replacement ink set) for fewer out-of-ink frustrations with this wireless printer
- ZERO CARTRIDGE WASTE — Epson EcoTank printer helps reduce the amount of cartridge waste ending up in landfills; Cartridge-free printer uses high-yield ink bottles; Each replacement ink bottle set is equivalent to about 100 individual ink cartridges⁴
Buy it if: you need a professional desktop footprint, textured or cotton-based papers and occasional monochrome editions. Skip it if: you routinely need 17-inch sheets or 24-inch wall art, or sell enough volume that frequent compact-cartridge replacement dominates your budget.
2. Epson SureColor P700 — best compact Epson alternative
The P700 uses ten-color UltraChrome PRO10 pigment ink, including Violet, with separate Photo Black and Matte Black channels. It accepts professional and third-party media up to 1.5 mm, supports roll media and integrates with Epson’s ICC-profile and print-layout workflow. Epson’s product page showed a $849 list price and a $699 promotion, but also showed the printer out of stock when checked; treat those as time-sensitive signals, not a promise of availability. Epson states that the printer is designed for Epson cartridges rather than third-party ink. Details are on the Epson product page.
Independent testing found pigment output better suited to matte and fine-art paper, while dye printers can produce especially vivid glossy color (RTINGS review). The P700 is a strong fit for photographers who value Epson’s color-management tools and occasional rolls; it is less suitable for high monthly volume or anyone who needs immediate shipment.
Rank #2
- 9 COLOR + CHROMA OPTIMIZER pigment-based ink system produces gallery-quality prints.
- EASE OF USE — ultimate productivity with Anti-Clogging System and Skew Correction.
- MATTE BLACK INK offers enhanced black density and wider dark area reproduction range.
- Easily check ink levels, printer status, and other settings with the 3.0-Inch COLOR LCD MONITOR.
- The LUCIA PRO II INK SYSTEM produces enhanced gloss uniformity, and scratch resistance.
3. Epson SureColor P5370 — best 17-inch production-oriented choice
Choose the P5370 when 17-inch exhibition prints are a regular product rather than an occasional exception. Its ten-color UltraChrome PRO10 set adds Violet, cartridges hold 200 mL, and the printer includes a roll feeder, automatic cutter and cassette for sheets up to 17×22 inches. Photo Black and Matte Black are dedicated channels, and connectivity includes Ethernet, USB and Wi‑Fi. Epson lists expected WIR display-permanence ratings that vary with media and display conditions; they are not universal lifetime guarantees. Consult the product specifications.
The larger tanks reduce interruptions, but they do not prove a lower cost per print: coverage, cleaning cycles, paper and failed sheets still determine your actual economics. The $2,095 figure announced at launch was an estimated U.S. MSRP, not a current 2026 street price (launch announcement).
4. Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-2600 — best for a serious 24-inch Canon studio
The PRO-2600 is appropriate when 24-inch work is central to your business—gallery editions, large commissions or wall art. Canon specifies an eleven-color pigment system with Chroma Optimizer and positions it for photographers and fine artists (official page). Expect materially greater printer, ink, paper-storage and workspace requirements than a desktop model. Confirm the current U.S. price, included accessories and feed configuration before purchase.
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Rank #3
- 8 COLOR dye-based ink system produces vibrant, high quality prints.
- BORDERLESS PRINTING from 3.5” x 3.5” up to 13” x 19”.
- HIGH SPEED PRINTING — bordered A3+ print in just 90 seconds or bordered 8" x 10" print in 53 seconds.
- 3.0'' COLOR LCD MONITOR -- Easily check ink levels, printer status, and other settings.
5. Epson SureColor P7570 — best 24-inch Epson option
The P7570 combines 24-inch output, a twelve-color UltraChrome PRO12 system, roll support and professional media handling for photography, fine art and graphic design. Its scale makes sense for a studio producing large work consistently, not for a few annual commissions. Epson’s spring 2024 product guide listed $3,995 “Brighter Futures” and $4,495 policy pricing; those are historical figures, not current quotations (guide).
Choose width before brand
| Maximum width | Typical user | Models to consider |
|---|---|---|
| 13 inches | Home studio; prints through 13×19 inches | Canon PRO-310, Epson P700 |
| 17 inches | Exhibition sheets and moderate production | Epson P5370 |
| 24 inches | Large wall art and studio production | Canon PRO-2600, Epson P7570 |
| 44 inches or more | Commercial print business or gallery-scale output | Consider a specialist wide-format printer or outsource |
A 24-inch machine brings more cost, floor space, ink inventory, paper waste and maintenance. If large prints are infrequent, a professional lab is usually safer financially and operationally.
What makes a printer suitable for fine art?
“Giclée” is a market term for fine-art inkjet printing, not a certification. A credible fine-art workflow normally combines:
Rank #4
- Professional-quality photos and prints — 6-color Claria Photo HD inks and a 5760 x 1440 dpi print resolution produce stunning borderless prints up to 11" x 17"
- Fast photo printing — delivers 4" x 6" borderless photos with astounding detail and accuracy in as fast as 11 seconds¹
- Convenient, easy operation — features 4.3" color touchscreen, plus Easy Mode for enhanced visibility and ease of use
- Versatile paper handling — separate trays for plain and photo paper, plus a rear feed for specialty paper
- Easy wireless printing — print from your laptop, desktop, smartphone or tablet³; use Wi-Fi Direct⁴ for router-free printing
- Pigment ink when long display life is a priority.
- Several dedicated color channels for gamut and smooth gradients.
- Photo Black and Matte Black handling, ideally without repeated manual swaps.
- Reliable feeding for cotton rag, baryta, textured, canvas and other heavyweight media.
- ICC profiles, soft proofing and a color-managed driver or print utility.
- A permanence claim tied to a named ink-and-paper combination.
Canon explains that archival behavior depends on both ink and paper, not ink alone (Canon’s archival-ink explanation).
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPigment versus dye ink
Pigment is generally the safer choice for archival editions, especially on matte and textured papers. Dye ink can deliver saturated glossy color, deep apparent blacks and a lower entry price, making it reasonable for short-lived decor, proofs, greeting cards or glossy photographs. It should not be presented as equivalent to a pigment system when long-term display permanence is the product promise.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Paper can change the print more than another dpi setting
Smooth matte, textured cotton rag, baryta, luster, glossy paper and canvas alter contrast, black density, saturation and visible texture. Matte surfaces usually need careful soft proofing because they appear less contrasty than glossy media. Thick sheets may require a rear or manual path, and a stated thickness limit does not guarantee that every curled, stiff or heavily textured sheet will feed.
Best Value
- OS compatibility: Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 7 , Windows 7 SP1, Windows Vista SP1, Vista SP2, Windows XP SP3 32 bit13; Mac compatibility: Mac OS X v10.6.8 v10.913
- Utilizes Air Print, Google Cloud Print and Pixma Printing Solutions (PPS)
- Fine print head technology (Full photolithography inkjet nozzle engineering)
- High performance 5 individual ink tank system. Auto sheet feeder 150 sheets
- 9600 x 2400 dots per inch maximum print resolution; Print resolution (up to): Black: 600 x 600 dots per inch, number of nozzles: Color: 4,096, black: 1,024, total: 5,120
- Prefer the manufacturer’s ICC profile; use the paper maker’s profile or a custom profile for third-party media.
- Check whether borderless printing is allowed on the chosen stock.
- Follow any platen-gap or paper-thickness setting.
- Buy sampler packs before committing to a full box or roll.
What permanence claims really mean
“Up to 200 years” describes a test result under specified conditions, not a universal guarantee. Light exposure, glazing, humidity, ozone, paper chemistry and handling all matter. Epson describes P700 and P5370 figures as expected WIR display-permanence ratings that vary with media and display conditions. When marketing a print, identify the ink, paper and test basis and use wording such as “tested display permanence of up to…” rather than promising that every print will last a fixed number of years.
Black-and-white priorities
For monochrome editions, look for multiple gray channels, dedicated blacks, an advanced black-and-white mode, smooth highlight transitions and a profile made for the actual paper. Canon’s PRO-310 explicitly targets detailed black-and-white output. The discontinued PRO-1100 illustrates the architecture—multiple black and gray inks plus Chroma Optimizer—but specifications alone do not overcome availability concerns (Canon PRO-1100 page).
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Calculate ownership cost, not just the printer price
- Full replacement ink set and cartridge volume.
- Maintenance cartridges and ink consumed by startup or cleaning.
- Fine-art paper, roll cores, trimming and test-print waste.
- Optional stands, cutters, roll holders or RIP software.
- Failed sheets from incorrect profiles, dust or feeding errors.
- Your usage pattern: long idle periods can increase cleaning and clogging risk.
Larger cartridges can reduce interruptions without guaranteeing a lower cost per print. Do not assume unofficial refills are supported; follow the manufacturer’s stated policy.
Color management is part of the printer
- Calibrate the monitor and work in a consistent color space.
- Install the exact ICC profile for the ink, paper and printer.
- Soft-proof critical images and choose an appropriate rendering intent.
- Make a small pattern print before committing expensive media.
- Judge prints under consistent viewing light; a printer’s advertised resolution cannot correct a profiling or lighting error.
When outsourcing is smarter
Use a professional fine-art lab when you print only a few times per year, need occasional 24-inch-or-larger work, require specialized finishing, or cannot maintain an inkjet regularly. A printer sitting unused for months may consume substantial ink in cleaning before producing a saleable sheet; periodic nozzle checks and small prints are prudent if you own one.
A note on discontinued models
Canon’s U.S. page currently marks the imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 as no longer available. A clearance unit may still work if ink and service remain accessible, but it should not be treated as a default current recommendation. Verify product status, warranty and replacement-ink supply immediately before buying.
Quick Recap
Decision checklist
- What is the largest print you will actually sell?
- Do you need rolls, 17×22 sheets, thick rag or board?
- Is pigment permanence central to the product promise?
- How important are monochrome neutrality and gray-channel control?
- How many prints will you make per month, including tests?
- Can your space support feed clearance, paper storage and drying?
- Will the printer remain supported and supplied with ink?
- Would a lab cost less for your real annual volume?
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.
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