- Top Pick: Canon PIXMA PRO-200S Professional 13" Wireless Inkjet Photo Printer, 3" Color LCD, 8-Color Dye Ink, Black
- Best Value: Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 Wireless Wide-Format All-in-One Tank Printer | Cartridge-free 6-color wide-format photo print, scan, copy; up to 16 ppm, 13 x 19 in.; ideal for creators and home studios
- Premium Choice: Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 Professional 13" Wireless Inkjet Photo Printer, 3" Color LCD, 9 Color Pigment Ink, Black
For most serious photographers the choice comes down to three printers: the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 if you want 17-inch prints and the maximum quality Canon offers, the Epson SureColor P900 if you want 17-inch prints in a smaller body that also takes thick fine-art media, and the Epson SureColor P700 or Canon PIXMA PRO-200 if 13×19 inches is enough. The first decision is pigment versus dye ink; the second is how wide you need to print.
- Professional Photo Printers at a Glance
- Pigment Versus Dye
- 17 Inch Class: PRO-1100 vs P900
- 13 Inch Class: P700, PRO-200 and ET-8550
- Running Cost Without Numbers
- Fit, Setup and Compatibility
- Pick X If… Decision Table
- Alternatives
- Workflow Tips for Consistent Prints
- Who Should Not Buy a Pro Printer
- Matte and Gloss Black Ink
- Frequently Asked Questions
This guide also covers the related searches photographers use: large format and 13×19 photo printers, fine art and giclee printers, pigment ink printers and Epson photo printers. Specs are attributed to the maker or to the outlets that reported them. No prices are quoted; cost is described in tiers.
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Professional Photo Printers at a Glance
| Model | Ink system | Max width | Notable stated features | Best for | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 | 11-pigment LUCIA PRO II plus Chroma Optimizer (reviewer-reported) | 17 inch | 4800 x 2400 dpi, Chroma Optimizer to raise black density and limit bronzing | Top overall print quality | Large, heavy, premium tier |
| Epson SureColor P900 | 10-color UltraChrome PRO10 pigment (maker) | 17 inch | Media up to 1.5 mm, roll and sheet, 4.3-inch touchscreen, about 30 percent smaller than the previous generation (maker) | Wide gamut, thick art media | Premium tier |
| Epson SureColor P700 | 10-color UltraChrome PRO10 pigment | 13 inch | Roll feeder with 2-inch core for panoramic prints (Propel RC) | Pigment quality at a lower tier | Highest ink cost per print in one guide’s estimate |
| Canon PIXMA PRO-200 / PRO-200S | 8-color dye, CLI-65 cartridges | 13 inch (A3+) | 4800 x 2400 dpi, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB | Vivid color, enthusiast budgets | Dye ink, less archival than pigment |
| Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 | 6-color Claria ET Premium dye, refillable tanks | 13 inch borderless | All-in-one, scans and copies up to A4/legal | Low cost per print, mixed home use | Narrower color range than dedicated photo printers |
Pigment Versus Dye
Pigment inks sit on the paper surface and are the usual choice for archival fine-art work. Epson states a print permanence of up to 200 years for color and 400 years for black and white on the P900 under its test conditions, which are controlled and not a promise for any home display. Dye inks, as on the Canon PRO-200 and the ET-8550, give saturated color and a smooth gloss, and Propel RC positions the PRO-200 for artists who care more about color vibrancy than archival longevity. If you sell prints or hang them in strong light, pigment is the safer choice; for portfolio, client and personal prints, dye is often enough.
17 Inch Class: PRO-1100 vs P900
Several 2026 roundups pick the Canon PRO-1100 as best overall for its 11-pigment ink system and Chroma Optimizer; Printerbase calls it large and expensive but unmatched on print quality. The Epson P900 gets praise for color gamut, a more compact body and an unusual ability to take media up to 1.5 mm thick, which matters for heavy fine-art papers and canvas. Weight figures vary between sources, but reviewers agree the Epson is the lighter of the two, so it is easier to place on a normal desk. Both print on roll and sheet media, so check the maker’s media list for the papers you use.
13 Inch Class: P700, PRO-200 and ET-8550
The P700 is described by Propel RC as the best fine-art photo printer in its class under the premium tier, and it adds a roll feeder for panoramas. Its ink cost per print came out highest in one guide’s estimate, which used Red River Paper’s ink-usage data. The Canon PRO-200 prints up to 13×19 inches with eight dye inks and is a long-time enthusiast favorite. The EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is the economical option because its tanks are refilled from bottles, and reviewers estimate a far lower ink cost per print than cartridge pigment printers, but they also note its color range is narrower than dedicated photo models.
Running Cost Without Numbers
In the one guide that estimated per-print ink cost, the Canon PRO-200S and Epson P900 sat in a lower tier, the PRO-1100 in the middle and the P700 highest, and the ET-8550 was lowest of all. Cartridge prices change often, so use the tier order rather than exact numbers. Add paper cost, which for fine-art and baryta papers often exceeds ink cost, and the cost of keeping a printer active: pigment printers can use ink in cleaning cycles after long idle periods.
Fit, Setup and Compatibility
- Space: 17-inch printers are large. Measure your desk and allow room at the back and front for paper paths.
- Connectivity: the P900 supports wireless, with USB and Ethernet cables sold separately per Epson; the PRO-200 offers Wi-Fi, Ethernet and USB.
- Color management: use manufacturer ICC profiles for the paper you choose and a calibrated monitor. This matters more than the printer for matching screen to print.
- Software: Photoshop and Lightroom both print to these models; makers also offer plug-ins and apps. Epson lists iOS printing on the P900.
- Paper path: thick media on the P900 goes through the rear feed; confirm the maker’s instructions for your paper.
Pick X If… Decision Table
| Pick this | If you want |
|---|---|
| Canon PRO-1100 | Highest-end 17-inch output and have the space |
| Epson P900 | 17-inch prints, thick fine-art media and a more compact body |
| Epson P700 | Pigment quality at 13 inches and occasional panoramas on roll |
| Canon PRO-200 | Vivid dye color at 13 inches on a smaller budget |
| Epson ET-8550 | High volume, low ink cost and a printer that also scans and copies |
Alternatives
- Canon PIXMA PRO-310 and Epson P706 variants: regional or newer variants of the 13-inch class that some comparisons list; check which models are sold in your country.
- Print labs: if you print a few large images a year, a professional lab can be more economical than owning a 17-inch printer.
- Dye-sub 4×6 printers: not a pro tool, but handy for proofing and client handouts.
Workflow Tips for Consistent Prints
- Calibrate the monitor. A hardware calibrator at a modest brightness gets the screen close to the print.
- Use the paper maker’s profile. Choose the ICC profile for your exact paper and printer pairing, and let the editing program manage color rather than the printer driver, never both.
- Soft-proof. Preview the print inside the editing software and adjust for out-of-gamut colors before printing.
- Run a small test. Print a cropped section on cheap paper before a full sheet of expensive media.
- Let prints settle. Pigment prints on some papers need time before stacking or framing; follow the paper maker’s drying guidance.
Who Should Not Buy a Pro Printer
If you print fewer than a handful of large images a year, a print lab may be cheaper once you count ink, paper, maintenance and the ink used in cleaning cycles. A pro printer pays off when you value control: choosing paper, proofing, printing in small runs and selling prints directly. It also demands desk space and regular use. Reviewers also note that very large 17-inch printers are heavy, so plan placement and lifting before delivery.
Matte and Gloss Black Ink
Pigment printers carry two kinds of black. Matte black is for fine-art and matte papers, and photo black is for glossy and luster papers. Some older designs swapped between them, which used ink and time. Epson states that the P900 has dedicated nozzles for both so no switching is needed, which helps anyone who prints on mixed media in one session. Canon’s Chroma Optimizer, reported by reviewers, is a clear coating ink used to even out gloss and limit bronzing on glossy papers. Check each maker’s media chart to see which papers get which treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which professional photo printer is best for a beginner moving up from a home inkjet?
The Canon PIXMA PRO-200 or Epson P700 at 13 inches is usually the easier step. They are smaller and cheaper to buy than 17-inch models. Pick pigment if you plan to sell or exhibit.
Is a 13×19 printer big enough?
For most framed photographs it is. 13×19 inches covers the A3+ size popular for prints and portfolios. Choose 17 inches only if you regularly print larger work.
Do pigment printers clog if left unused?
Any inkjet can clog after long idle periods, and pigment printers can use ink in cleaning cycles. Printing a test page now and then helps. Follow the maker’s care guidance.
What is a giclee print?
Giclee is a marketing term for high-quality inkjet prints on art papers, usually with pigment inks. It does not describe a specific printer. Any of the pigment printers above can produce them with suitable paper.
Are third-party inks safe to use?
Makers advise using their own inks because profiles are built for them. Third-party inks may affect color accuracy and warranty. Check your warranty terms first.
How long will the prints last?
Makers publish permanence ratings measured under controlled lab conditions, such as Epson’s figures for the P900. Real life depends on light, humidity and the paper. Keep prints under UV-protective glass and out of direct sun.
