Professional photographers use high-quality inkjet printers that can produce stunning prints on various media sizes and types. These printers have advanced features such as multiple ink cartridges, high resolution, wide color gamut, and roll paper support. Some of the best printers for photographers are made by Canon, Epson, and HP.
In this article, we will review some of the top printers for photographers in 2024, and explain what factors you should consider when choosing a printer for your photography needs.
If you are a professional photographer, you know the importance of having a printer that can deliver the best results for your work. A professional printer can help you:
Showcase your portfolio and impress your clients with high-quality prints that match your vision and style.
Create prints for exhibitions, galleries, or competitions that stand out from the crowd and attract attention.
Sell your prints online or offline and generate income from your photography.
Print your own photo books, albums, or calendars and preserve your memories in a tangible form.
Experiment with different media types, sizes, and finishes and expand your creative possibilities.
A professional printer can also save you time and money in the long run, as you can print your photos at home or in your studio, without relying on external labs or services that may charge more or compromise on quality.
What Factors Should You Consider When Choosing a Professional Printer?
There are many factors that you should consider when choosing a professional printer for your photography needs. Here are some of the most important ones:
Print quality: This is the most obvious and essential factor, as you want your prints to look as good as possible. Print quality depends on several aspects, such as the printer’s resolution, ink type, color accuracy, and consistency. Generally, you want a printer that has a high resolution (at least 2400 x 1200 dpi), uses pigment-based ink (which is more durable and fade-resistant than dye-based ink), and has a wide color gamut (which means it can reproduce a large range of colors).
Print size: This factor depends on your personal preference and the purpose of your prints. If you only print small photos (up to 8 x 10 inches), you can choose a compact printer that fits on your desk and is easy to carry around. If you want to print larger photos (up to 13 x 19 inches), you need a wide-format printer that can handle bigger media. If you want to print extra-large photos (up to 44 inches wide), you need a large-format printer that can support roll paper and panoramic prints.
Media type: This factor also depends on your personal preference and the purpose of your prints. Different media types have different effects on the appearance and feel of your prints. For example, glossy paper gives a shiny and smooth finish, while matte paper gives a dull and textured finish. You can also choose from other media types, such as canvas, fine art paper, metallic paper, or even CDs and DVDs. You want a printer that can handle the media type that you prefer and that suits your style.
Speed and capacity: This factor depends on how often and how much you print. If you print frequently and in large quantities, you want a printer that can print fast and has a large paper capacity. This way, you can save time and avoid interruptions or delays. If you print occasionally and in small quantities, you can choose a printer that has a lower speed and capacity, but may have other advantages, such as lower cost or higher quality.
Cost and maintenance: This factor depends on your budget and how much you are willing to spend on your printer. The cost of a printer includes not only the initial purchase price, but also the ongoing costs of ink, paper, and maintenance. Generally, professional printers are more expensive than consumer printers, but they also offer better quality and performance. You want a printer that has a reasonable cost per print and that does not require frequent or complicated maintenance.
What Are Some of the Best Printers for Photographers in 2024?
Based on the factors mentioned above, we have selected some of the best printers for photographers in 2024. These printers have received positive reviews from experts and users, and have proven to be reliable and versatile. Here are our top picks, in no particular order:
Canon PIXMA Pro 200 Professional Wireless Inkjet Photo Printer: This printer is a great choice for photographers who want to print high-quality photos up to 13 x 19 inches. It has eight ink cartridges, including three dedicated to black and gray tones, which ensure accurate and consistent colors and smooth gradations. It also has a chroma optimizer, which enhances the glossiness and reduces bronzing and metamerism. It supports various media types, including glossy, matte, fine art, and canvas paper. It has a wireless connectivity, which allows you to print from your smartphone, tablet, or computer. It also has a 3-inch LCD screen, which lets you monitor the printer’s status and settings.
Epson PictureMate PM-400 Wireless Compact Color Personal Photo Lab Inkjet Photo Printer: This printer is a great choice for photographers who want to print small photos (up to 5 x 7 inches) quickly and easily. It has a compact and lightweight design, which makes it ideal for traveling or carrying around. It uses a single ink cartridge, which contains four colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black), and produces vibrant and long-lasting prints. It supports various media types, including glossy and matte paper, as well as borderless and custom-sized prints. It has a wireless connectivity, which allows you to print from your smartphone, tablet, or computer. It also has a 2.7-inch LCD screen, which lets you preview and edit your photos before printing.
Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 Wireless Wide-Format Inkjet Printer: This printer is a great choice for photographers who want to print large photos (up to 13 x 44 inches) with stunning quality. It has six ink cartridges, including two dedicated to black and gray tones, which deliver rich and accurate colors and smooth gradations. It also has a red and a gray ink, which enhance the vibrancy and depth of your prints. It supports various media types, including glossy, matte, fine art, and canvas paper, as well as CDs and DVDs. It has a wireless connectivity, which allows you to print from your smartphone, tablet, or computer. It also has a 2.4-inch LCD screen, which lets you monitor the printer’s status and settings.
Canon imagePROGRAF TA-30 5-Color 36″ Large-Format Inkjet Printer: This printer is a great choice for photographers who want to print extra-large photos (up to 36 inches wide) with professional quality. It has five ink cartridges, including a pigment-based matte black ink, which produce sharp and detailed prints with a wide color gamut. It also has a high-precision print head, which ensures consistent and accurate ink placement. It supports roll paper and cut sheets, as well as various media types, including glossy, matte, fine art, and canvas paper. It has a wired connectivity, which allows you to print from your computer or a USB drive. It also has a 3-inch LCD screen, which lets you monitor the printer’s status and settings.
Epson SureColor P700 13″ Photo Printer: This printer is a great choice for photographers who want to print high-quality photos (up to 13 x 19 inches) with advanced features. It has 10 ink cartridges, including four dedicated to black and gray tones, which deliver outstanding colors and smooth gradations. It also has a violet ink, which expands the color gamut and reproduces difficult colors such as blue and purple. It supports roll paper and cut sheets, as well as various media types, including glossy, matte, fine art, and canvas paper. It has a wireless connectivity, which allows you to print from your smartphone, tablet, or computer. It also has a 4.3-inch LCD touchscreen, which lets you preview and edit your photos before printing.
DNP DS620A Dye Sub Professional Photo Printer: This printer is a great choice for photographers who want to print fast and durable photos (up to 6 x 8 inches) with a dye sublimation technology. This technology uses heat to transfer the ink from a ribbon to the paper, creating prints that are waterproof, fingerprint-resistant, and UV-resistant. It can print a 4 x 6 inch photo in 8.3 seconds, and up to 400 prints per hour. It supports various media types, including glossy, matte, and luster paper, as well as stickers and ID cards. It has a wired connectivity, which allows you to print from your computer or a USB drive. It also has a compact and robust design, which makes it suitable for event photography or photo booths.
Professional photographers use high-quality inkjet printers that can produce stunning prints on various media sizes and types. These printers have advanced features such as multiple ink cartridges, high resolution, wide color gamut, and roll paper support. Some of the best printers for photographers are made by Canon, Epson, and HP.
When choosing a printer for your photography needs, you should consider factors such as print quality, print size, media type, speed and capacity, and cost and maintenance. You should also compare different models and read reviews from experts and users to find the best printer for you.
We hope this article has helped you learn more about what printers do professional photographers use, and how to choose the best one for your needs. Whether you want to print small or large photos, glossy or matte paper, or fast or slow prints, there is a printer that can suit your style and budget. Printing your own photos can be a rewarding and satisfying experience, as you can showcase your work and share your memories with others. Happy printing!
