Key takeaways
The Epson SureColor P700 is the best photo printer for most artists and photographers, with 10 pigment inks, a roll feed in the box and support for thick fine-art paper at 13 inches wide.
The Canon PIXMA PRO-200S makes vivid glossy prints up to 13 by 19 inches for the least money, but its dye inks won't last as long on display as pigment.
For 17-inch prints, the Epson SureColor P900 carries the P700's ink set to a wider carriage, while the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 adds 12 pigment inks and sheets up to 17 by 25 inches.
The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 has the cheapest prints here, refilled from bottles, and doubles as a scanner.
Pigment ink is the safer choice for prints you plan to sell or frame, especially on matte and cotton rag papers.
How we chose
A photo printer for an artist has to reproduce color and tone faithfully, take the papers people actually sell work on and produce prints that hold up on a wall. We ranked on ink type and number of inks, maximum print width, fine-art and thick media support, roll paper, running costs and price. Specs come from Epson and Canon, and prices from the makers and US retailers on November 3, 2026. Printer prices move with frequent sales, so check before you buy.
Photo printers at a glance
Printer | Max print width | Ink | Roll paper | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Epson SureColor P700 | 13 in | 10 pigment | Yes, included | $849 list, often $699 |
Canon PIXMA PRO-200S | 13 x 19 in | 8 dye | No | About $550 to $700 |
Epson SureColor P900 | 17 in | 10 pigment | Optional adapter | $1,349 list, often about $1,145 |
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 | 17 x 25 in | 12 pigment | No | About $1,300 to $1,600 |
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 | 13 x 19 in | 6 dye, refillable | No | $749.99 list, often $599.99 |
1. Epson SureColor P700: Best overall photo printer for artists
The P700 is Epson's 13-inch pro photo printer, built around its UltraChrome PRO10 pigment inks.
What works: Ten pigment inks give smooth gradients and deep, neutral blacks on both glossy and matte papers, and separate photo black and matte black nozzles mean the printer never wastes ink swapping between them. A roll paper holder comes in the box for panoramas and long runs, and the rear path takes sheets up to 1.5 mm thick, enough for heavy cotton rag and thin board. Wi-Fi, Ethernet and USB are all built in.
What doesn't: Prints stop at 13 inches wide, and the small cartridges make ink the main running cost.
Best for: Photographers and artists printing for sale, portfolios and exhibitions at up to 13 inches.
2. Canon PIXMA PRO-200S: Best value for glossy prints
The PRO-200S is the current version of Canon's dye-based PRO-200, a 13 by 19 inch printer for photo enthusiasts.
What works: Eight dye inks produce saturated color and a deep gloss on luster and glossy papers, and borderless prints go up to 13 by 19 inches. It's quick, it handles a wide range of papers through its manual feed and it connects over Wi-Fi, Ethernet or USB. Street prices run about $550 to $700.
What doesn't: Dye prints are more vulnerable to fading and humidity than pigment ones, and there's no roll paper support.
Best for: Photographers who mostly print glossy and want large prints for less.
3. Epson SureColor P900: Best for 17-inch prints
The P900 is the 17-inch sibling of the P700, with the same 10-ink pigment set.
What works: You get the P700's tonal range, dual blacks and 1.5 mm media path on a carriage 4 inches wider, which turns 17 by 22 inch prints into a home job. Wireless, USB and Ethernet connections are standard, and Epson's list price is $1,349, with sales around $1,145.
What doesn't: Roll paper requires an adapter sold separately, and Epson's own store showed it out of stock on November 3.
Best for: Artists who want larger fine-art prints without moving to a wide-format machine.
4. Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100: Best for the largest sheets
The PRO-1100 is Canon's flagship desktop photo printer, using 12 LUCIA PRO II pigment inks and a Chroma Optimizer coat.
What works: Twelve pigment inks give the widest set of colors here, and the Chroma Optimizer evens out gloss on glossy and luster papers. It prints sheets up to 17 by 25 inches, takes heavy fine-art stock through a manual feed and connects over Wi-Fi, Ethernet or USB. US retailers list it at about $1,300 to $1,600.
What doesn't: It's large, heavy and the most expensive printer here, and it does not take roll paper.
Best for: Studios that print large on fine-art and glossy papers.
5. Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550: Best for low running costs
The ET-8550 is a six-ink photo printer that fills from bottles instead of cartridges.
What works: Bottled inks cut the cost per print well below cartridge printers, and it prints borderless up to 13 by 19 inches on media up to 1.3 mm thick. It also scans, copies and prints on discs, with Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB and an SD card slot. The list price is $749.99, often on sale for $599.99.
What doesn't: Its six dye inks give fewer tones than the 10- and 12-ink machines and fade sooner on display, and it has no roll feed.
Best for: Photographers who print a lot of proofs and casual prints at home.
The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 is another 13-inch pigment option, with 10 inks and street prices from about $800.
How to choose a photo printer
Choose pigment ink for prints you sell or frame, since it resists fading and works well on matte and cotton papers. Dye suits glossy prints that won't hang in sunlight.
More inks give smoother gradients and a wider range of colors, but there are more cartridges to replace.
Check the stated media thickness and whether there's a straight rear feed if you print on heavy fine-art paper or board.
Get roll paper support if you want panoramas or long prints.
Use the paper maker's ICC profile and a calibrated monitor. A good printer can't fix an uncalibrated workflow.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best photo printer for artists and photographers?
The Epson SureColor P700 is the best photo printer for most artists and photographers, with 10 pigment inks, a roll paper holder and support for thick fine-art paper. The Canon PIXMA PRO-200S costs less for glossy prints, and the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 prints up to 17 by 25 inches.
Is pigment or dye ink better for photo prints?
Pigment ink lasts longer on display and suits matte and fine-art papers. Dye ink looks rich on glossy paper and costs less but fades sooner, so it's better for prints kept in albums or out of direct light.
Can I sell prints made on a home photo printer?
Yes. Pigment printers such as the Epson SureColor P700 and P900 and the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 print on the matte and cotton rag papers most fine-art buyers expect, and pigment prints hold their color longer on display.
What size photo printer do I need?
A 13-inch printer handles prints up to 13 by 19 inches, enough for most portfolios and small editions. Step up to a 17-inch model such as the Epson SureColor P900 or Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 for 16 by 20 inch prints and larger.
Is an EcoTank printer good for photos?
The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 makes good glossy prints with very low ink costs. Its dye inks don't last as long on display as pigment, so it's better for proofs and personal prints than for sale prints.