A photographer’s gear is one that is selected with extreme precision. A wrong gear choice can lead to issues with the quality and detail of the art. As such, for a photographer, anything from the camera, lighting, stands, and even most importantly, the printer has to be selected with utmost precision to help photographers achieve utmost accuracy in their photos.
Today, even as technology keeps evolving and more people are moving to cloud storage and selling their work digitally, there are still many serious photographers who prefer to print and sell their images. Printed images allow the audience to use their naked eye to appreciate every inch of the artwork instead of viewing it on a mobile device with a screen that renders it differently.
But with a saturated market, choosing the best large format printer for photographers can be a hassle. To ensure that you get the right large format printer for your photographs, we have reviewed some of the best large format printers that photographers can consider.
Canon PIXMA Pro-100 Printer
Canon is a darling to many thanks to their wide range of printers designed for various use. Besides, they are also an industry leader who are known to provide the best professional gear for photographers such as cameras, lenses, etc. This printer comes packed with features to help bring any photographer’s work to life.
Pros
- Features 8 dye-based inks for that beautiful color and gradient when printing any images
- 3 out of the 8 dye-based inks are grayscale which ensures that you get excellent print quality for your black and white prints
- It’s available in two different styles – printer only and printer and ink bundle
- It has an automatic sheet feeder tray capacity of 150 sheets. It can also accommodate other types of paper
- Inbuilt Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity giving you the freedom to print on the go making it convenient
- Multiple users can be connected to this printer for seamless printing from various computers
- Excellent choice for photographers looking for a printer that that can preserve all the sharpness and details of their photos thanks to the printer’s high resolution of 4800 by 2400 dpi
- It’s affordable
Cons
- Replacement inks are costly and setting up this printer takes some time
HP DesignJet T730 Printer
HP has also built a name for itself when it comes to quality printers that support various printing needs. The HP DesignJet T730 is a fast printer that comes with various connectivity options. This printer can work on both Windows and Mac operating systems.
Pros
- Easily and effortlessly print photos of up to 36 inches at a resolution of 2400 by 1200
- It’s extremely easy to use and has a roll printing option
- It has a color touchscreen that allows you to easily navigate the printer and make any adjustments as you deem fit
- It has a sheet feed, input tray, and roll feed for handling various types of print media
- Besides an automatic cutter, it also has a media bin to ensure that your photos don’t fall on the ground
- Has a large capacity ink tank that can handle anywhere between 40 to 300 ml of HP ink to fit your printing demand
- Various connectivity options such as Wi-Fi, Hi-Speed USB 2.0 and Gigabit Ethernet for wireless printing
- Local Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct make it possible to enjoy mobile printing via the Apple AirPrint, HP ePrint and HP All-in-One remote printer App
- Supports both Mac and Windows operating systems
Cons
- It is large and can only accommodate four different types of ink
Epson Artisan 1430 Inkjet Printer
Epson is another excellent brand when you are looking for reliable printers. What makes the Epson Artisan 1430 printer stand out is that it’s Epson’s printer for photographers. This printer has excellent performance.
Pros
- Enjoy printing Hi-Def photos that measure up to 13 by 19 inches
- It’s a good entry-level printer for small photography businesses
- Boast of an amazing dpi of 5760 by 1440 which means that your photos will have excellent color and gradient
- The 6-color Claria ink means that the printer is able to produce prints that are both vibrant, accurate and sharp
- Excellent printer for any photographer looking for a printer that can deliver on sharpness and detail
- The contrast is not only fantastic, but it also has depth to it
- Easily print and share your images from your mobile device without the need for a computer
- It has Wi-Fi connectivity which allows for wireless printing and also means you can print while on the go
- Supports printing on both CD and DVD
- It has individual ink cartridges which means you get to replace the color you need
- Has a simple and nice printer control panel for navigating the printer
Cons
- It has slow printing speeds due to the high resolution
Canon imagePrograf PRO-1000 Printer
Another Canon printer that makes it to our review list is the Canon imagePrograf PRO-1000. The imagePrograf PRO-1000 has a design that resembles Canon’s DSLRs. Just like with most Canon printers, the imagePrograf produces photos that are vibrant and rich in color.
Pros
- Similar to the Canon PIXMA Pr0-100, the imagePrograf PRO-1000 is also available in two different styles
- Features an anti-clogging technology which ensures you enjoy fast printing speeds while at the same time reducing the probability of clogging
- It has an air feeding system that helps stop the pages from skewing allowing for precise ink placement notwithstanding the type of paper used
- The printer has several openings at the top of its platen-vacuum to grip the paper in place as it goes through the printer
- Features the Lucia Pro 11-color and Chroma Optimizer ink system that helps fit the demand of most photographers making them content
- Excellent choice of printer for excellent image clarity, color reproduction, and dark area enhancements
- It has the richest blacks which help to make the photos crisper, deliver the best contrast and provides for precise gradation
- Amazing resolution that helps preserve the details of your photos
Cons
- Although worth it, this printer is quite expensive
Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 Printer
Most large format printers tend to be expensive. If you are looking for a large format printer for your photography business or personal project but are on a budget, consider getting the Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 printer. This printer not only has a compact design, but it’s also good value for your money.
Pros
- Easily print professional photos of up to 13 by 19 inches
- Features the 6 color Claria HD ink system for precise color accuracy
- The inks are accommodated individually on the printer which means you save money by replacing only the color that you need
- Can handle a range of media types such as cardstock thanks to the 50-sheet rear tray
- This printer can also accommodate various borderless sizes and paper finishes
- It has a small size compared to its predecessor and can easily sit on your desk table
- The front sheet tray can accommodate 200 sheets of paper which means less trips to refill the printer
- Easily save money on printing paper thanks to the auto sided printing feature that allows you to print on both sides
- Features the Dash Replenishment feature which means you don’t have to worry about running out of ink
Cons
- It’s not compatible with any third-party ink cartridges as it has been designed to work with Epson original cartridges only
HP DesignJet T125 Printer
The HP DesignJet T125 is another excellent large format printer. Although a lot more suitable for architects, construction workers, and engineers, the HP DesignJet T125 has excellent features that make it a darling to serious photographers who are keen on printing photos of up to 24 inches.
Pros
- It can handle wide media sheets of 8.3 to 24 inches and media rolls of 11 to 24 inches
- Good printer choice for photographers, architects, engineers, etc.
- This printer has a compact design making it suitable for a small home or work office
- It’s affordable and easy to use
- Has various connectivity options such as Wi-Fi, Hi-Speed USB 2.0 and Ethernet giving you the freedom to print wirelessly
- Enjoy mobile printing direct from your smartphone, tablet, iPhone or iPad
- Has fast printing speeds of 45 seconds per page on A1/D
- Comes packed with various printing software for ease of use
- Easy to set up and has a colored touchscreen for ease of navigation
- It has a resolution of 1200 by 1200 dpi which though not excellent, can still get you some decent prints
Cons
- Not the best pick when looking for print longevity and strong detail
Final Thoughts
When looking to buy a large format printer, it’s important that you consider the printing speed, print resolution, functionality, and portability. As always, no one printer is similar, and while the above list has some of the best large format printers that any photographer can consider when shopping for one, it’s important to consider what you want to achieve as this will help you make a wise buying decision. Large format printers are excellent for large graphic files and will go a long way in making your work easier while still delivering the results that you need.