To help you bring your projects to life, we’ve narrowed 20 top printers down to the very best printer for art prints. We prioritized models that can produce high-resolution prints with vivid color detail in our research as well as versatility to print on various sizes and weights of paper. We looked at how the ink is applied in the printing process, including the precision of the printer’s nozzles and the quality and detail of the ink used. After considering all these elements, we prepared a list of the best printers for art prints.
Our top pick for the best printer for art prints is the Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 due to its outstanding print resolution and its ability to produce a wide range of colors and details onto the page. It also accommodates thick and heavy paper types. Continue reading to find out about other great printers for making art prints.
Top 9 Best Printers for Art Prints
#1 Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 Printer for Art Prints
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: This is the printer that artists and graphic designers dream about because of the fantastic color detail it achieves from six high definition cartridges and its ability to easily handle wide format media.
- Six-cartridges for great detail
- Dedicated rear tray for specialty media
- High definition 5760 x 1440 dpi (dots per inch) resolution
- Small ink cartridges
Producing 5760 x 1440 dpi resolution prints is no easy task, but this Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 meets the challenge. In addition to the black, cyan, magenta, and yellow ink cartridges typically found in artist printers, the Epson also uses gray and red to add depth and detail. The result is a wide color range for all of your prints, especially when it comes to fulfilling greater detail in grayscale and black and white areas.
The versatility that this Epson has for printing on specialty print media is exceptional. It can produce borderless prints on sizes up to 13 x 19 inches. It can process up to 140 lb of the paperweight. The machine also has a convenient dedicated rear tray specifically for specialty media with a 50-page capacity. This printer is a powerful tool for color prints. And of course, you will need the best printer ink for quality pictures.
#2 Epson WF7710 Workforce Wireless Printer for Art Prints
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: This Epson printer prints at up to a marvelous 4800 x 2400 dpi resolution and provides excellent color detail from its four-color drop-on-demand inkjet technology. It’s truly a printer designed with artists in mind.
- PrecisionCore heatless printhead
- Fade-resistant ink up to 84 years
- Wide-format and borderless printing
- Must buy high capacity cartridges or replace often
There is a good reason this Epson is called the “WorkForce,” because it produces print shop quality prints. Epson’s patented PrecisionCore Printhead technology simplifies the process of inkjet printing and does so without the application of heat. Instead, the printer uses an application of pressure, which saves energy, time, and, most importantly, avoids ink bleeding.
Speaking of ink, this machine utilizes four cartridges of DURAbrite Ultra pigment ink, which is smudge, fade, and water-resistant. In fact, Epson guarantees the ink from fading for up to 84 years. The four-color technology ensures you get the detail you need from your prints and helps achieve up to 4800 x 2400 dpi resolution on your prints, which is at the top range on our list. Compare this with the best photo printer on this review.
#3 Canon Pixma MG3620 Printer for Art Prints
Award: BEST ON A BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: Though this Canon is not designed for professional use, our research shows that it does the best imitation with an excellent price tag. It manages crisp color quality with smudge-resistant ink.
- Integrates with mobile devices
- Impressive 4800 x 1200 dpi color resolution
- Option to use XL ink cartridges
- Uses only one color cartridge
- Maximum 8.5 x 11-inch print size
The Canon Pixma MG3620 is an efficient do-it-all printer that produces great color quality for its class. Its Hybrid Ink System combines dye ink that manages to attain up to 4800 x 1200 color dpi from just two cartridges. Canon’s proprietary Full-photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering printhead has super precise ink nozzles that help it achieve great color detail.
You can print borderless photos on this printer. It’s especially good when working with 4 x 6 and 8x 10-inch prints. One downside is it’s limited in size to a maximum of 8.5 x 11 inches and you won’t be able to print on very heavy paper or card stock, just medium weight. Overall, this printer is a great choice for color prints at its price point. For print, copy, scan, and fax functionality try the best all-in-one printer.
#4 Epson Artisan 1430 Printer for Art Prints
Award: BEST FOR LARGE COPIES
WHY WE LIKE IT: For work that’s better in large format, this Epson delivers with borderless printing up to 13 x 19 inches and excellent color detail from six high definition cartridges.
- Precision ink nozzles for detail
- Versatile printing for large sizes
- Fast and easy WiFi and mobile device printing
- Struggles with thick paper
Large-format prints require even greater detail. The Epson Artisan achieves a high definition image quality of up to 5760 x 1440 dpi resolution. Six individual ink cartridges that go through impressively precise ink nozzles ensure that you don’t have to worry about graininess on your prints. Epson’s ink is smudge, scratch, and water-resistant.
What’s especially nice about this model is that you don’t have to sacrifice ease-of-use with the extraordinary quality you get. You can print via a wireless network which is really handy for printing from multiple sources. In addition to large prints, our research found that the printer is very proficient in screen printing. While it struggles with heavier-weight print media, its versatility otherwise is definitely impressive. Make sure you have the best printer paper for the best quality prints.
#5 Canon TS9120 Printer for Art Prints
Award: BEST CONNECTIVITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: Print from your phone, tablet, laptop, and desktop with this Canon printer that excels with its connectivity options. No matter what the source, you get incredible color detail from six individual ink cartridges.
- Intuitive 5-inch LCD touch screen
- Wireless, Bluetooth, and Cloud connection options
- Directly print from SD card
- Paper tray only holds 100 sheets
- No large format printing
For a machine that weighs less than 15 pounds and is less than 6-inches tall, this Canon TS9120 is a powerful color printer. It has the profile of the run-fo-the-mill home printer, yet it prints with six highly detailed ink cartridges, including a dedicated Photo Blue ink tank.
It’s hard to beat this Canon when it comes to wireless printing. This model is the most connected one we researched, with the option to print via WiFi, Bluetooth, AirPrint, Google Cloud, Mopria, PictBridge, and more. You can also print directly from your camera’s media cards. The ease and versatility of connection make it a fabulous option for those who frequently print from different devices. This is one of the best printers, especially for connectivity options. If you want a printer that you can carry on your business trip, then go for the best portable printer.
#6 Epson SureColor P400 Printer for Art Prints
Award: BEST FOR PROFESSIONAL USE
WHY WE LIKE IT: With patented UltraChrome HG2 Ink and eight color pigment printing technology, this Epson produces incredible, vibrant color depth. Custom settings for media type make this Epson the best printer for professional prints.
- Dedicated channels for matte and gloss texture
- Realistic color production for photographs
- Print from roll paper up to 129 inches
- Takes more time to print on unusual sizes
The Epson SureColor P400 gives you outstanding control over detailed printing with an advanced printhead and eight different ink types. Each individual toner cartridge is dispelled through 180 precision nozzles with Variable Droplet Technology. In other words, your prints come out incredibly smooth with vibrant color depth. The red and orange cartridges are especially good at producing true-to-life color in your photos.
Two of the printer’s cartridges are dedicated to matte black and a gloss optimizer, which is very unique. Your gloss prints will look better than anyone else’s. This Epson is also very versatile when it comes to media type. You can use cut-sheet paper or print from roll paper up to 129-inches long. Epson made this model for pros who desire just as much control of their printing process as they have for their creative one. On another note, if you are searching for a printer that can print greeting cards, photos, and invitation cards, check out our best printer cardstock.
#7 Epson Stylus C88+ Printer for Art Prints
Award: BEST FOR ARTS AND CRAFTS
WHY WE LIKE IT: If you need a printer to take your crafts to the next level, this Epson has versatile features that will allow you to tackle most at-home projects. Its ability to handle a wide range of media types is particularly appealing.
- Smudge, fade, and water-resistant ink
- Durable build can withstand heavy use
- Incredible high definition color resolution
- Lack of wide-format could be limiting
Your arts and crafts will thrive with this versatile and durable printer. It may look like a standard home printer, but its top-notch 5760 x 1440 dpi is part of what makes it the best printer for arts and crafts. Four DURABrite Ultra pigment ink cartridges produce impressively vibrant colors and the quality of ink stands the test of time on your projects.
This printer is fantastic for screen printing, collage, mixed media applications, and much more. Even though it only has one input tray, it can process a wide range of media types, including heavier card stocks. If you’re into creating photo projects like calendars and albums, Epson includes software that allows you to organize and print those projects quickly.
#8 Canon SELPHY CP1300 Printer for Art Prints
Award: BEST FOR PICTURES
WHY WE LIKE IT: Take a picture and it will most definitely last longer when you print it out on this Canon machine designed specifically for 4 x 6-inch photos. Excellent connectivity options make it easy to print from your smartphone.
- Ultra-portable design
- Tilting LCD screen is great for previewing your prints
- Battery power option allows printing anywhere
- Limited to three print size options
This Canon printer is fantastic for digital photographers who want to produce prints quickly and easily. You can print from nearly anything — your wireless device, the cloud, USB stick, and even a memory card. The built-in LCD screen is useful for when you’re printing directly from a memory card or sending a job over from a device. It allows you to preview the print first and even make simple edits.
Unlike other printers, the Canon SELPHY CP1300 uses dye-sublimation technology to print instead of inkjet ink. This is a process of transferring color from polyester ribbons with the application of heat. The dye sublimation printing with this printer creates smooth looking photos and long-lasting prints.
#9 Canon Pixma TS8320 Printer for Art Prints
Award: BEST FOR HOME USE
WHY WE LIKE IT: This Canon takes home printing to the next level with six ink cartridges and two different feeding trays. A plethora of other features make this a powerful art printer.
- Sleek, attractive design profile
- Supports a wide range of media type
- Auto expandable tray will always catch your prints
- Initial setup takes a long time
The versatile Canon Pixma TS8320 printer is great for everyday use while also excelling at color printing on a variety of media. Whether you’re printing photos or graphic design work, the six tank toner cartridge system produces detailed and vibrant color depth. Front and rear feeding options give you flexibility with the type and size of paper you use.
This model has convenient smart features, like voice-activated printing and an output tray that will automatically expand to catch your prints if you wirelessly print something from another room. Its sleek look and availability in three different colors are a bonus for those who appreciate aesthetics.
#10 Brother All in One Laser Color Printer for Art Prints
Award: FASTEST SPEED
WHY WE LIKE IT: Brother has created a printer that handles high print volumes at a speedy 33 page per minute output, making it the best printer for printing quickly. Feeding from four ink cartridges, it achieves a nice balance of quality and quickness.
- Multiple tray options with up to 1,300 sheet capacity
- Color printing is just as fast as black-and-white
- High yield ink cartridges lower print costs
- Low 2400 x 600 dpi resolution image quality
If volume and production speed are a priority then the Brother All in One Laser Color Printer is a fantastic solution. It has all the features you want in an office printer with the added benefit of being able to produce good quality color prints. You can yield up to 1,800 color prints before replacing the cartridges.
The printer’s built-in display is more useful than most, as you can use it to print directly from major cloud services like Google Drive, OneDrive, and DropBox. Printing from your mobile device is fast and easy, as well as copying. Because it’s a laser printer, it won’t yield the most vibrant color prints at max 2400 x 600 dpi resolution, but the quality for high-volume jobs is excellent. The printing speed is too, at up to 33 pages per minute.
How We Decided
Finding the best printer for art prints is all about color quality and resolution. When it comes to color quality, most of the top options utilize at least four ink cartridges, as that is crucial in achieving a wide color range and detail in prints. In terms of resolution, only models that print at a minimum of 4800 x 2400 dpi resolution made the cut, with the exception of one laser printer to accommodate volume jobs.
The media type is also a strong consideration for artistic printing. Machines must be able to handle printing on a variety of media, such as photo paper, matte paper, card stock, semi-gloss paper, and other variable media types used for artistic purposes. We looked for printers that had adaptable feeding trays that could accommodate different, and sometimes unusual, page sizes. We also prioritized a printer that could handle a thicker paperweight.
Additionally, printers needed to have the option for borderless printing, as this is an important factor when producing all types of prints, from fine art to graphic design. Printers that could not do so were not considered.
Best Printer for Art Prints Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Resolution
Just like when you’re buying a TV, resolution matters significantly in the quality of the image you receive. High-quality art printers should be able to achieve up to 4800 x 2400 dpi resolution photo printing. If it can produce higher than that it’s even better, especially if you’re planning to use it for very detailed work or print on large format media. - Printhead and Ink
A great resolution is achieved through printhead technology and ink. The printhead is the mechanism that administers the ink to produce your print. One of the first things you can look for here is simply the number of cartridges a printer has. Generally, the more cartridges a printer has the more deep, vibrant, and smooth its color detail will be. The application of the ink also matters. Inkjet printers use tiny nozzles to apply the ink to the page. Printers with more precise ink nozzles can achieve far greater detail. - Media Versatility
While a printer may be able to produce high-resolution prints with great detail, it may only be designed to do so for standard size photographs, for example. It’s important to consider what media you wish to be printing on when shopping for a printer. If you plan on using it for all different types of projects, then make sure the printer you buy can handle a wide range of paper types. If you’re mainly using it for photo prints, then the versatility won’t matter to you and you may be better off going with a model that is specifically designed to print on photo media.
