For photographers
The Best Photo Printers for Photographers (2027)
The best photo printers for photographers in 2027: A3-plus inkjets with pro colour, plus dye-sub proofing for client work.
The short answer
For photographers in 2027, buy the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 for volume and black-and-white, or the Canon PIXMA PRO-200 for saturated colour.
Our top picks at a glance
- Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550A 13-inch EcoTank photo printer with six inks and bottle-cheap colour.Best overall
- Canon PIXMA PRO-200An 8-colour A3-plus dye inkjet for vibrant gallery and illustration prints.Best for colour work
- Canon SELPHY CP1500The dye-sub benchmark: borderless 4x6 lab prints with a protective coat.Best for client 4x6 proofs
- Epson SureColor P700Ten-colour pigment printing up to 13 x 19 with no black-ink switching.Best pigment gamut at 13 inches
What owners report
Synthesized from recurring themes in long-term owner feedback.
Most praised
- Printing proofs at home lets photographers check colour and cropping the same day as a shoot
- Pigment and multi ink models reward careful files with prints that hold up on a portfolio wall
Common complaints
- Matching screen to print still takes paper profiles and test prints, even on the capable models here
- Large format ownership means storing several paper types and keeping a clear desk area for output
The picks, ranked
Every product in this lineup was picked for this use case, ranked with our strongest choices first. If a product from the wider category does not genuinely fit this scenario, it is not listed here.
| # | Product | Award | Technology | Max print size | Ink system | Connectivity | Functions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 | Best overall | 6-colour inkjet, Micro Piezo, 5760 x 1440 dpi optimised | 13 x 19 in borderless (A3-plus) | EcoTank refill bottles, Claria ET Premium | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB, AirPrint, Epson Smart Panel | Print, scan, copy with 4.3-inch colour touchscreen |
| 2 | Canon PIXMA PRO-200 | Best for colour work | 8-colour dye inkjet, FINE head, 4800 x 2400 dpi | 13 x 19 in (A3-plus), custom to 13 x 39 in | - | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB, AirPrint | - |
| 3 | Canon SELPHY CP1500 | Best for client 4x6 proofs | Dye-sublimation thermal transfer, 300 x 300 dpi, 256 levels per colour | Postcard 100 x 148 mm (4x6), plus card and sticker sizes | - | Wi-Fi, AirPrint, USB, SD card slot, SELPHY Photo Layout app | - |
| 4 | Epson SureColor P700 | Best pigment gamut at 13 inches | 10-colour pigment inkjet, MicroPiezo AMC head | 13 x 19 in borderless, roll media supported | - | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB | - |
Best overall
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550
A 13-inch EcoTank photo printer with six inks and bottle-cheap colour.
A3-plus borderless, six inks with a dedicated grey, and bottle ink economics that make test prints painless. The photographer's home lab anchor.
Strengths
- Six-colour Claria ET Premium ink with a grey for superior black-and-white
- Prints borderless up to 13 x 19 in plus scanning and copying
- Refill bottles deliver thousands of 4x6-equivalent pages per set
- Multiple paper paths handle fine-art and thick media
Limitations
- Large, premium-priced machine that needs desk space and regular use
- Dye-based photo inks trail pigment for ultimate archival ratings
- Like all inkjets, long idle periods invite head maintenance cycles
| Technology | 6-colour inkjet, Micro Piezo, 5760 x 1440 dpi optimised |
|---|---|
| Max print size | 13 x 19 in borderless (A3-plus) |
| Ink system | EcoTank refill bottles, Claria ET Premium |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB, AirPrint, Epson Smart Panel |
| Functions | Print, scan, copy with 4.3-inch colour touchscreen |
Best for: Photographers who print A3-plus at home and want the lowest ink cost per print.
Skip if: You print a handful of 4x6s a month; a SELPHY is simpler and cheaper overall.
Best for colour work
Canon PIXMA PRO-200
An 8-colour A3-plus dye inkjet for vibrant gallery and illustration prints.
Eight dye colours for saturated glossy output and Canon's Professional Print and Layout pipeline. Illustrators and travel photographers will love its palette.
Strengths
- ChromaLife100+ 8-colour dye system produces vivid, glossy colour
- Borderless A3-plus up to 13 x 19 in and panoramic custom lengths
- 3-inch LCD with skew correction and paper feed diagnostics
- Canon Professional Print and Layout software streamlines pro workflows
Limitations
- Dye inks trail pigment for archival life on some fine-art papers
- Cartridge ink cost per print exceeds EcoTank bottle economics
- Large footprint for a single-function printer
| Technology | 8-colour dye inkjet, FINE head, 4800 x 2400 dpi |
|---|---|
| Max print size | 13 x 19 in (A3-plus), custom to 13 x 39 in |
| Inks | CLI-65 cartridges, 8 colours |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB, AirPrint |
| Display | 3.0-inch colour LCD |
Best for: Photographers and illustrators who want saturated colour up to 13 x 19 in.
Skip if: You print mostly matte black-and-white fine art; pigment rivals handle it better.
Best for client 4x6 proofs
Canon SELPHY CP1500
The dye-sub benchmark: borderless 4x6 lab prints with a protective coat.
Same-day 4x6 gifts and proof prints at events, with lab-like durability clients can take home in a pocket.
Strengths
- Dye-sublimation prints are water-resistant and rated for long album life
- Wi-Fi, AirPrint, USB and SD card printing cover every source
- SELPHY app adds layouts, collages and QR-code prints
- Optional battery pack makes it a genuinely portable party printer
Limitations
- Maximum print is postcard 4x6 plus smaller sticker and square formats
- Print speed is about 41 seconds per 4x6, steady, not instant
- Paper and ink come in matched packs, so partial-pack waste is possible
| Technology | Dye-sublimation thermal transfer, 300 x 300 dpi, 256 levels per colour |
|---|---|
| Max print size | Postcard 100 x 148 mm (4x6), plus card and sticker sizes |
| Speed | Approx. 41 sec per postcard print |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, AirPrint, USB, SD card slot, SELPHY Photo Layout app |
| Size / weight | 182 x 133 x 58 mm, approx. 850 g |
Best for: Families and phone shooters who want durable 4x6 prints at a known cost.
Skip if: You want prints larger than 4x6; this is a dedicated small-format printer.
Best pigment gamut at 13 inches
Epson SureColor P700
Ten-colour pigment printing up to 13 x 19 with no black-ink switching.
The P700 adds what this lineup lacked: a ten-colour pigment set with violet for wider gamut, dedicated black channels that end switching waste, and permanence ratings up to 200 years for work clients keep.
Strengths
- 10-colour UltraChrome PRO10 pigment ink including a violet channel for wider gamut
- Dedicated Photo Black and Matte Black channels end ink-wasting black switching
- Borderless printing up to 13 x 19 in plus roll media support
- Pigment prints carry colour permanence ratings up to 200 years on rated media
Limitations
- Cartridge ink costs more per print than EcoTank refill models
- Large desktop footprint for a 13-inch printer
- No scanner or copier functions; this is a dedicated photo printer
| Technology | 10-colour pigment inkjet, MicroPiezo AMC head |
|---|---|
| Max print size | 13 x 19 in borderless, roll media supported |
| Resolution | 5760 x 1440 dpi |
| Media thickness | Up to 1.5 mm via manual feed |
| Display | 4.3-inch colour touchscreen |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB |
Sources: Amazon, Printmin, Desertcart, CamelCamelCamel
Best for: Photographers printing exhibition and portfolio work at A3-plus sizes.
Skip if: You print mostly 4x6 snapshots; a dye-sub unit is faster and cheaper per print.
Questions, answered
Do I need to calibrate for home printing?
A calibrated monitor and the paper maker's ICC profiles get you 95 percent of the way. Soft-proof in your editor with the exact profile before blaming the printer for a mismatch.
Dye or pigment for selling prints?
Pigment leads on matte fine-art and archival ratings; modern dye systems like the PRO-200 excel on glossy colour. Match the ink to the paper and product you sell, and state longevity honestly.
Is home printing cheaper than a lab?
At A3-plus sizes with EcoTank ink, yes per print, before your time. At 4x6, labs win on pure price; home dye-sub wins on immediacy, privacy and iteration.
How do I avoid clogged inkjet heads?
Print something small weekly, keep the printer powered for its own maintenance routines, and never let cartridges sit empty. Inkjets are happiest as working tools, not ornaments.