A printer is an essential part of an artist’s creative life. Every day they print loads of images and documents for various purposes. Having a sub-par printer can affect their professional life greatly.
A professional-grade printer will not only print out high-quality documents, but will also optimize color, contrast, and saturation to produce a better output. Artists can’t afford to get a below-par printer.
But how would you know what printer is best for you? The following questions need to be answered: what size can this printer print at? How many colors of ink cartridges does this printer possess? What is its connectivity options? What are some of its most attractive features?
These are some of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to buying a printer for artists.
But don’t worry! You won’t have to remember all that. In today’s article, we’ll be discussing these while talking about the best printers for artists in 2024! Let’s begin.
The 8 Best Printers for Art Prints in 2024:
- Epson EcoTank Color All-in-One – Best Overall
- Canon Pixma Pro-100 – Best For Home And Office Use
- HP ENVY 7855 – Best For The Budget-Conscious
- Brother MFC-L8610CDW – Best In Multitasking
- Canon Pixma MG3620 – Best In Build Quality
- CANON PIXMA iX6820 – Best For The Aspiring Artist
- Epson Stylus 3800 – Best For Professionals
- Expression Photo HD XP-15000 (Wide Format) – Best In Print Quality
Epson EcoTank Color All-in-One
To kick this list off we’ve got one of the best printers for artists. Aside from it being a pretty tanky printer it also boasts a lot of user-friendly features.
The Epson Eco tank is an auto duplex printer. It has a max resolution of 1200 x 2400 dpi and it can print up to a maximum of 14”. Though it’s a bit bulky, you’ll hardly have to move it around as it can fit anywhere with its compact design.
The performance of the Epson Ecotank is pretty good than most current printers. It prints out at a speed of 15PPM. On top of that, the inks last pretty long too. With the refills provided by Epson, you can print up to 7,500 black pages or 6,000 color pages.
This printer also has a lot of extra useful features. For example, there’s a 30-page ADF, and a 2.4” LCD navigation panel. As for the connectivity options, you can connect to this printer via Wi-Fi direct or a dedicated mobile app. However, it also features wired connections.
On the negative side, this printer is only compatible with Epson branded inks. Using generic brands is a no-no.
Overall, the Epson Ecotank brings a lot more to the table than the paid price. This is why we believe that it’ll be perfect for artists.
Pros
- The max resolution of 1200 x 2400 is standard.
- Prints up to 14” sized papers.
- The ADF can feed up to 30 pages at once.
- A single refill can print up to 7,500 black pages or 6,000 color pages.
- Auto duplex printing is supported
- Wi-Fi connectivity and a dedicated mobile app are supported.
Cons
- Expensive
- Generic ink brands aren’t recommended.
Canon Pixma Pro-100
Even though the Canon Pixma Pro-100 is a bit of an older model, it’s still one of the best printers for artists. It’s ideal for home and office usage.
The Canon Pixma Pro-100 is one of those printers that tend to stay under the radar yet does its work perfectly. It’s mainly an inkJet printer. It comes with a max resolution of 4800 x 2400 dpi (black/color). It comes with 8 individual ink cartridges and is suitable for artists who work with different vibrant colors all the time.
Performance-wise, it is a bit average. With the Canon Pixma Pro-100, you’ll get pages printed at 51 seconds. To be honest, it’s a bit slow compared to most of the printers currently. However, the performance is still solid as you can print up to 19” sized papers.
As for other utilities, you still get a decent chunk of it. You get a 150 sheet ADF, Wi-Fi direct, Ethernet cable connection, and much more. It’s compatible with all versions of Mac and Windows, you won’t have to worry about your printer not being compatible with your computer.
However, if inactive for a longer period, the printer head will clog up.
Overall, the Canon Pixma Pro-100 is an excellent mid-range printer. If you want high performance at a decent price then this printer would be perfect.
Pros
- A super high resolution of 4800 x 2400 dots per inch.
- Strong and Beautiful build quality.
- Prints up to 19” paper size.
- ADF included.
- The 8 individual ink cartridges serve artists greatly.
- Compatible with both wireless and wired connections.
Cons
- Slow printing speed.
- If inactive for a long period, the printer head will clog up.
HP ENVY 7855
We might be a bit late but we’ve finally reached the budget option printer for artists! Though it’s very cheap, you won’t be able to guess that by its price point. We are talking about the HP Envy 7855
The biggest selling point of the HP Envy 7855 is its size. As it weighs a mere 16.72 pounds, you can carry it with you anywhere you go. It’s perfect for those who are always on the go. On top of that, it can also print all sorts of papers and images!
In terms of performance, it outperforms a lot of printers. The HP Envy 7855 has an input rate of 125 sheets and an output rate of 25 sheets at once. Add 15 PPM printing speed with that and you’ll be all set for a busy day of work. It also has an ADF that can feed up to 35 sheets at once.
The HP Envy 7855 doesn’t lag in other areas. The connectivity options on this printer are also pretty good. You can choose both Ethernet cable or Dual-Band WI-Fi to connect from. There’s also an option for external storage via USB storage or SD card.
However, the ink cartridges recommended by HP are pretty costly.
Overall, the HP Envy is a value-for-money printer that provides excellent features at a minimal price. It would be perfect for you as an artist.
Pros
- At just 16.72 pounds, it’s very portable.
- Superfast 15PPM printing speed.
- There’s an ADF that can feed up to 35 sheets at once.
- Supports both Ethernet cable or Dual-band Wi-Fi connection.
- Supports printing from external storage via USB and SD card.
- It can print all sorts of paper sizes.
Cons
- The recommended ink cartridges are costly.
Brother MFC-L8610CDW
We wanted to include all sorts of printers which is why we couldn’t leave out laser printers. The Brother HL-L8610CDW is the perfect laser printer for artists. On top of that, the price is reasonable too!
The Brother MFC-L8610CDW is an all-purpose laser printer aimed at artists. It can print, copy, scan, and fax. Plus, the included toners will last up to 3000 pages!
The performance of this printer is really good too. With a 33 PPM printing speed, you’ll not need to worry about your pages being printed slowly. The replacement toner has pretty good performance too. With up to 4500 pages on a single refill, it’ll save you a lot of extra bucks going forward.
As for the rest of the features, there are quite a few important ones that need to be addressed. For starters, it’s capable of duplex printing. There’s a 3.7″ Color Touchscreen LCD for navigation. You can connect via Wi-Fi, gigabit ethernet, and USB. It also supports downloading from the cloud.
However, the lack of duplex printing is a bummer.
Overall, the Brother MFC-L8610CDW is a cost-friendly laser printer capable of handling a heavy workload. If you’re an artist looking for a laser printer, then this is it.
Pros
- Great at multitasking as it can Print, Copy, Scan, and Fax.
- The included toner in the box lasts up to 3000 pages.
- Prints out at 33 PPM speed.
- The replacement toner lasts for 4,500 pages on a refill.
- There’s a 3.7″ Color Touchscreen LCD for navigation.
- Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet, USB, and cloud support.
Cons
- Lacks duplex printing.
Canon Pixma MG3620
If you don’t want all of the fancy stuff and just want a minimalistic printer for your artistic needs, you should check out Canon Pixma MG3620. It could be a great option for those who are on a tight budget.
The Canon Pixma MG3620 is a cheap and minimalistic printer. It can print, copy, and scan. It’s also compatible with both Windows and Mac. The build quality is pretty solid for the price.
Performance-wise, the Canon Pixma MG3620 performs pretty decently when it comes to printing. It can print out images at 9.9 IPM. This printer also features automatic duplex printing. You can also print at a maximum size of 14” and 4800 x 1200 DPI resolution.
The connectivity section is decent but it is missing out on a few key features. It has a Wi-Fi connection but it’s missing an ethernet connection. However, for a price this low, you really can’t ask for more.
Overall, the Canon Pixma MG3620 is a well-rounded printer aimed at those who are on a tight budget. But if you can increase your budget slightly then you’ll find printers better than this one on our list.
Pros
- Affordable price.
- Has multiple usabilities as it can print, copy, and scan.
- Solid build quality.
- Pretty fast 9.9 IPM printing speed
- Prints at a maximum size of 14” and 4800 x 1200 DPI resolution.
- Wi-Fi connectivity.
Cons
- No ethernet connection.
CANON PIXMA iX6820
Next on our list is another very popular model based on both our editor’s research and our user purchases and feedback. It’s another model from the Canon PIXMA line of printers, but this one has a much lower price point than the PIXMA Pro-100, making it a more attractive option to many aspiring artists out there.
Pros
- With very comparable specs to more expensive models, this is the perfect item for the cost-conscious artist.
- At 9600 x 2400 dpi, printing up 13 x 19, and other fancy features like AirPrint and mobile device compatibility, this comes in as a steal.
Cons
- This model uses 5 individual inks, compared to the 8 of the PIXMA Pro-100.
- It’s not as quiet as the Pro-100, but that can be dismissed as a minor inconvenience, especially considering the price difference.
- It ONLY PRINTS, it does not scan or copy, which is another way it keeps its price competitive.
Epson Stylus 3800
Our next selection jumps up a notch in terms of both quality and price. The Epson Stylus Standard Model line of printers is targeted towards professional photographers and artists that require exceptional quality and don’t mind investing in a quality piece of hardware in order to get it done right.
Pros
- This model incorporates a three-level black along with new color pigments, to dramatically raise the bar for professional color, as well as black and white prints.
- This printer delivers remarkably high-grade performance with a one-inch full printhead, which incorporates a new auto-sharing black ink technology.
- This technology allows both photo and matte black to be installed and switched automatically.
- The extreme precision delivers masterfully printed quality performance without any signs of how it was produced.
- The product is lightweight and affordable. One person can easily carry it, unlike many of its competitors.
- The physical dimensions are also aesthetically pleasing, a perfect fit for your home or office.
Cons
- It requires calibration of your monitor and printer, so it may not be perfect out of the box.
- If you are serious about your art and graphic design prints, it pays to take some time to calibrate the color of both the printer and monitor before you start printing in earnest.
- While this isn’t a great time, DIY printing sometimes requires that we get down into the details and tinker until we have our settings just right.
If you aren’t sure you have a monitor that is up to the task in terms of color gamut or calibration, try our guide to graphic design monitors, which can help you in selecting a proper alternative.
Expression Photo HD XP-15000 (Wide Format)
Last but certainly not least is another entry from Epson, the Expression Photo HD XP-15000. Coming in at about 1/3rd of the price of the Epson Stylus 3800, this is a great opportunity to get Epson quality for a more affordable price point.
Pros
- Using 6 individual inks, this is somewhat middle of the road for our selection (we’ve seen upwards of 8 and as low as 5), but this should be fine for most applications.
- The “Wide Format” in its name refers to 13 x 19inch printing, which is in fact borderless (unlike some other 13×19 models).
- Additionally, this newest model maintains that printing width while cutting down on the overall size of the printer (making it much easier to fit on a desktop.)
- Users report the quality of the prints to be fantastic, which is of course a must for a professional artist.
- All this at a very competitive price point (~$350), makes the Epson a smart grab.
Cons
- Those that are seeking to print screen films will be disappointing. This has been touted by the manufacturer as a replacement to the now-defunct Epson Artisan 14340, which was commonly used for screen film prints, but it does not live up to that accolade. Nonetheless, it is a great printer for art prints and photography.
- The WiFi setup can be a little bit painstaking, but that’s not uncommon (unfortunately) for many wireless printers on the marketplace. Have patience and follow the instructions to get it set up efficiently.
- The user interface is also a bit tiny, unbecoming of a modern piece of professional technology. However, this doesn’t affect the quality of the prints and might not even be an issue for any given individual (this probably comes down to personal preference).
Conclusion
As an artist, you have to take care of a lot of things. Don’t get caught up by which printer you should go for. This article was created while keeping your convenience in mind.
Each of the printers on this list is suitable for artists. But which ones are the best? Our picks would be between HP Envy and Epson Ecotank. But it all depends on you as to which one you want the most.
If you are tired of second-guessing your equipment, we recommend you select one of the products above. If you find that helpful, perhaps come back for one of our guides on picking the best laptops for artists as well. Regardless of which one you buy, we feel you’ll be happy with what you receive. We are confident that once you have one of these products, you’ll be able to produce artwork like magic, all thanks to the highly effective and efficient nature of this technology.