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The best printer for giclée prints depends on the largest size you need and how much you print. For a compact studio, consider the Epson SureColor P700; for 17-inch output, compare the Epson SureColor P900 and Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100. For larger professional production, Epson’s P9370 and P20570 serve 44-inch and 64-inch workflows, respectively.
These recommendations are based on the manufacturers’ published specifications and intended uses, not hands-on testing or a side-by-side lab comparison. Check current availability, model-specific ink and maintenance costs, and paper compatibility before buying.
#1 Best Overall
- 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.
Quick comparison
| Printer | Best fit | Maximum width class | Key consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epson SureColor P700 | Compact studio printing | 13 inches | Limited print width |
| Epson SureColor P900 | Desktop printing of wider fine-art work | 17 inches | Optional roll-media handling |
| Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 | 17-inch Canon workflow | 17 inches | Compare media handling and consumables with alternatives |
| Epson SureColor P9370 | Wide-format professional studio work | 44 inches | Large production-oriented footprint |
| Epson SureColor P20570 | High-volume fine-art production | 64 inches | Specialized scale and operating needs |
The five printers
1. Epson SureColor P700: best compact option
Epson describes the SureColor P700 as using UltraChrome Pro10 pigment ink, with fine-art paper feeding and an integrated roll-paper unit. Its 13-inch class makes it a logical choice when you want fine-art capability in a compact format and do not need wider prints.
Its width is the main constraint: it cannot serve buyers whose regular work requires 17-inch or larger output. Confirm the exact paper, feed path, and profile support for your intended media.
Choose it if: you make smaller prints in a compact studio and do not need a wider format.
2. Epson SureColor P900: best desktop choice for wider prints
The P900 prints up to 17 inches and uses Epson UltraChrome PRO10 pigment ink. Epson lists support for fine-art media up to 1.5 mm thick and optional roll-media handling. The manufacturer also describes dedicated Photo and Matte Black nozzles, with no switching required.
Recommended Free Tools
Epson reports display-permanence ratings of up to 200 years for color prints and 400 years for black-and-white prints, citing Wilhelm Imaging Research. These are test-based upper ratings, not guarantees for every paper or display environment.
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.
Choose it if: you want desktop-scale printing but need more width than a 13-inch model offers.
3. Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100: best 17-inch Canon alternative
Canon describes the PRO-1100 as a 17-inch professional photo printer with 11 pigment inks plus Chroma Optimizer. Canon lists fine-art and gallery printing among its intended applications.
Compare it with the P900 based on your preferred workflow, media feed, paper compatibility, and ongoing consumables. The available research does not establish a comparative winner for image quality, reliability, or total cost.
Choose it if: you want a 17-inch printer and prefer Canon’s imaging workflow.
4. Epson SureColor P9370: best wide-format studio option
The P9370 is a 44-inch printer for professional photography and fine art. Epson specifies UltraChrome PRO10 pigment ink, dedicated Photo and Matte Black channels, and support for fine-art rolls, sheets, and rigid boards up to 1.5 mm thick.
Rank #3
- 11 PIGMENT-BASED INK SYSTEM PLUS CHROMA OPTIMIZER: The 11 pigment-based ink system provides a broad color gamut and improved gloss uniformity for superb glossiness and anti-bronzing. The included Chroma Optimizer ink enhances glossiness, flattens the print surface and expands color range.
- WIDE COLOR GAMUT FOR EXCEPTIONAL IMAGE CLARITY: The LUCIA PRO II ink system helps you achieve an improvement in color-reproduction, image clarity, and enhanced darker areas. It faithfully reproduces colors and dark areas crucial for printing works of art.
- PROFESSIONAL PRINT & LAYOUT SOFTWARE: This powerful software provides professional photographers with intuitive printing solutions. A standalone application that also can be used as a plug-in from Digital Photo Professional or Adobe software to support seamless output.
- PRINTER MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS: Every detail in your print must be perfect, why not have the same obsession for your workflow? The PRO-1100 is precisely managed with powerful management tools such as the Media Configuration, Color Calibration, and Accounting Manager tools.
- ANTI-CLOGGING TECHNOLOGY: Via a FINE print head that controls precise ink ejection.
Its wide format and production orientation make it a studio purchase rather than a default home-printer choice. Confirm that your print sizes and volume justify the space and operating requirements.
Choose it if: your work regularly needs output wider than desktop printers can handle.
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5. Epson SureColor P20570: best high-volume production option
Epson announced the 64-inch P20570 for high-volume fine-art printing. The announcement describes a 12-channel printhead, UltraChrome PRO12 inks, high-capacity ink packs, and support for photographic and fine-art media.
Epson’s announcement reports up to 200 years for color prints and 400 years for black-and-white prints based on Wilhelm Imaging Research testing across a range of papers and canvas. Treat these as conditional test results, not a promise for every print.
Choose it if: you operate a production workflow that needs 64-inch output and high-volume capabilities. Smaller studios should weigh its scale and running costs against their actual needs.
Rank #4
- 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
How to choose a giclée printer
“Giclée” is commonly used to describe fine-art inkjet printing; it is not a certification established by the product specifications discussed here. Assess the printer, paper, color workflow, and ongoing costs together rather than relying on the label alone.
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Match the printer to print size and volume
Start with the largest print you expect to make or sell. The models in this guide span 13-, 17-, 44-, and 64-inch width classes. A wider printer is suited to larger output, but width alone does not determine print quality.
Desktop devices suit lower-volume studio use, while wide-format systems are intended for larger output and production workflows. Epson specifically positions the P20570 for high-volume fine-art printing.
Check ink and permanence claims
All five shortlisted models use pigment ink according to their manufacturers. Compare the ink system, replacement costs, and maintenance supplies for the exact model. Permanent-print claims depend on the ink-and-paper combination and display or storage conditions; they are not universal lifespan guarantees.
Confirm paper compatibility and feed path
Before buying, check the maximum sheet thickness, feed path, roll support, and availability of a profile for the exact paper stock. Epson lists the P900 for fine-art media up to 1.5 mm thick and optional roll handling; Epson lists the P9370 for fine-art rolls and sheets and rigid boards up to 1.5 mm. Canon identifies fine-art printing as an intended use for the PRO-1100, but you should still verify compatibility for your chosen paper.
Best Value
- CES Imaging is a Canon Platinum Reseller
- 1 year on-site warranty by Canon
Budget for the whole workflow
Compare the printer and its ongoing needs, not just its purchase price. Include model-specific replacement inks or packs, maintenance supplies, paper, and any color-management equipment or workflow software you need. The available research does not support a consistent current total-cost or per-print comparison.
Color workflow basics
- Calibrate and, where appropriate, profile your monitor.
- Use a color-managed application for your artwork.
- Select the ICC profile for the exact printer-and-paper combination.
- Choose whether the application or printer manages color; do not enable both.
- Select the correct media type, feed path, and print settings.
- Proof important work and print a small test before committing an expensive sheet.
Paper, source file, profile, settings, and viewing conditions all affect the finished print. A pigment ink system is useful for fine-art work, but it cannot compensate for a poor file or incorrect color management.
FAQ
What is the best printer for giclée art prints?
There is no universal winner in the available research. Match the printer to your required width and volume: the P700 is a compact 13-inch option, the P900 and PRO-1100 are 17-inch choices, and the P9370 and P20570 serve much wider production needs.
Are pigment inks necessary for giclée printing?
All five models in this guide use pigment ink according to their manufacturers, and pigment systems are relevant to fine-art printing. The finished print’s performance also depends on the paper, color workflow, and display or storage conditions.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
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 glitchesDo Epson permanence ratings guarantee a print will last 200 or 400 years?
No. Epson reports those figures as test-based display-permanence ratings, citing Wilhelm Imaging Research. They are upper results under specified testing, not guarantees that every print will last that long in every environment.
What should I check before buying fine-art paper?
Confirm that the printer supports the paper’s thickness and feed path, whether it handles the format you need, and whether a profile is available for that exact paper and printer combination.
Should I buy a wide-format printer for occasional large prints?
Not automatically. Compare the space and ongoing costs of ownership with your actual print volume and the availability of a professional lab. A wide-format production printer is most appropriate when its larger output and workflow capabilities meet a regular need.
Quick Recap
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.
