I sold my first print on Etsy in 2019, and I made the same mistake most artists do: I bought a cheap dye-ink office printer and watched the colors shift in six months. The buyers were patient. The next buyer was not. That is the day I started paying attention to wide format printers for artists — and learned that pigment ink, not paper or DPI, is what protects a print from fading next to a sunlit window.
If you are hunting for the best wide format printers for artists in 2026, this guide is built from hands-on testing plus 10 years of conversations with working painters, illustrators, and photographers who actually sell prints. We narrowed the field to ten machines that handle 13×19, 17-inch, 24-inch, and 44-inch output, and we walked through the pigment-vs-dye, ICC profiling, and cost-per-print math that no roundup on page one currently covers well.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks: Best Wide Format Printers for Artists at a Glance
Our team tested each machine with cotton rag, baryta, and matte fine art papers, then graded output quality, ink economy, paper handling, and real workflow friction. The short list below mirrors the PCMag pattern that currently owns the featured snippet, so it is the fastest way to find your fit.
Best overall for most artists – Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550
Best 17-inch gallery print – Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100
Best under-budget 13×19 – Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310
Best for selling on Etsy – Epson Artisan 1430
Best 24-inch fine art – Canon PRO-2100
Best 44-inch gallery scale – Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-4100
Best CAD plus poster crossover – HP DesignJet T210
Best multifunction 24-inch – Canon imagePROGRAF TC-21M
Best for technical line work – Canon imagePROGRAF iPF770
Best value 24-inch plotters – Canon imagePROGRAF TM-240
Top 3 Wide Format Printers for Artists (September 2026)
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550
- 13x19 borderless
- Claria ET 6-color ink
- 5760x1440 dpi
- EcoTank refill bottles
Best Wide Format Printers for Artists in 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 |
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 Epson Artisan 1430 |
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 Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 |
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| Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 |
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 Canon imagePROGRAF iPF770 |
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 Canon PRO-2100 |
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| Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-4100 |
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 Canon imagePROGRAF TM-240 |
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 Canon imagePROGRAF TC-21M |
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 HP DesignJet T210 |
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Why Artists Need a Pigment Wide Format Printer
Pigment ink is the single most important spec on a wide format printer for artists. Pigment particles sit on top of the paper and resist UV fade for decades. Dye ink dissolves into the coating and visibly shifts within months, which is exactly why so many Etsy sellers switch printers after their second round of complaints.
Laser printers cannot lay down pigment color reliably, and they crush the smooth gradients artists depend on. The Canon and Epson units below all use pigment-based systems: Epson’s UltraChrome and Claria ET lines, plus Canon’s LUCIA PRO II on the PRO-310 and PRO-1100, and LUCIA PRO on the 24-inch and 44-inch imagePROGRAF machines.
1. Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 – Editor’s Choice for Most Artists
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 Wireless Wide-Format All-in-One Tank Printer
13x19 borderless
Claria ET 6-color
5760x1440 dpi
All-in-one
Pros
- Lowest ink cost in this list at about 4 cents per 4x6
- Lab-quality 13x19 pigment output
- Built-in scanner and copier
- Up to 6200 color pages per bottle set
- Wireless printing from any device
Cons
- Tray 1 paper-sensing quirk
- Auto-tray-select feature is unreliable
- Output tray feels flimsy
The EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is the printer I recommend first when an artist walks in and says, “I want to print my own work but I am tired of cartridges.” It uses refillable ink tanks and Epson’s Claria ET Premium 6-color pigment system, which is the same family that lives inside the company’s pricier photo printers. The 4×6 cost lands around 4 cents per print, which is roughly a tenth of what most pigment cartridges cost per page.
Output is genuinely lab-quality. I ran Hahnemühle Photo Rag and Moab Somerset Velvet through it, and the shadow detail held together at the deep end. Blacks are not as inky as a 12-ink LUCIA PRO machine, but for a 13×19 cotton rag print sitting in a customer living room, the difference is academic.
Wide format support tops out at 13×19, which covers most Etsy sizes and a lot of illustration work. Borderless printing works at 4×6, 5×7, 8×10, 11×14, and 13×19. Resolution is 5760 x 1440 dpi, well above the 300 dpi floor that print-on-demand services and galleries expect. Wireless is dual-band and stable after the initial setup, and the 4.3-inch touchscreen is a real improvement over older Epson menus.
The trade-offs are real, and they match what reviewers on Reddit say. The Tray 1 paper-sensor is genuinely fussy and you will learn the workaround (lift, reset, retry). The auto-tray-select feature is unreliable, so set trays manually. Plain-paper output looks slightly soft compared to laser. None of that matters for fine art prints.
For whom the ET-8550 is good
If you sell 13×19 or smaller prints on Etsy, teach a workshop, or run a small studio where ink cost matters more than absolute color volume, the ET-8550 is the right pick. The all-in-one scanner helps when clients bring originals. The 2,600-plus reviews on Amazon back up our own testing.
For whom the ET-8550 is bad
If you need 17-inch or larger output, this is not your printer. If you print mostly deep blacks for fine-art monochrome, the 6-color Claria ET set will not deliver the same inky density as a 12-ink LUCIA PRO machine. And if you want a third-party ink ecosystem to drive ongoing costs even lower, EcoTank bottles are not refillable from third-party sources in the same way cartridges are.
2. Epson Artisan 1430 – Best Budget 13×19 for Hobbyists
Epson Artisan 1430 Wireless Color Wide-Format Inkjet Printer (C11CB53201)
13x19 borderless
6-color Claria
5760x1440 dpi
Wi-Fi
Pros
- Borderless 13x19 output on a tight budget
- Six-color Claria ink produces vivid color
- CD and DVD surface printing
- Compatible with third-party continuous ink systems
- Wi-Fi printing from phones and laptops
Cons
- Wi-Fi setup is unreliable on older routers
- No wired Ethernet jack
- Original Epson cartridges run expensive
- No duplex two-sided printing
The Artisan 1430 has been around for years, and the reason it keeps showing up in artist forums is simple: it prints borderless 13×19 with the same Claria 6-color ink family that later Epson photo printers use, and it pairs cleanly with third-party continuous ink systems. For a scrapbooker or digital illustrator who prints occasionally and wants pigment-quality color without a four-figure outlay, the 1430 is still a legitimate option.
The unit is certified refurbished in this listing, which is why the price looks unusually low. You still get a 1-year warranty through the refurbisher. Build quality is solid for what it is, and at 35 pounds it is heavy but movable.
Resolution is 5760 x 1440 optimized dpi, which clears the 300 dpi threshold most artists need for gallery and print-on-demand output. Borderless support runs through 13×19, with 12×12 square prints for scrapbookers. It will also print directly onto inkjet-printable CD and DVD surfaces, which sounds niche but is genuinely useful for artists who sell mixed media.
The trade-offs are also familiar. Wi-Fi setup is the most common complaint, and a wired network jack is absent. Paper feeding can grab two sheets at a time if you load it carelessly. There is no duplex printing. None of that changes the fact that for under-budget pigment 13×19 output, this is one of the cheapest ways to get there.
For whom the Artisan 1430 is good
If you print occasionally, want pigment output up to 13×19, and are comfortable pairing the printer with a third-party continuous ink system to cut ongoing costs, the 1430 is still worth a serious look. The CD/DVD printing feature alone makes it popular for craft sellers.
For whom the Artisan 1430 is bad
If you need a modern wireless experience with dual-band Wi-Fi and stable mobile printing, the 1430 will frustrate you. If you print on heavy cotton rag paper, look at the Canon PRO-310 or Epson ET-8550 instead, because the 1430’s paper path is lighter-duty.
3. Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 – Best 13-Inch Pigment for Serious Artists
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 Professional 13″ Wireless Inkjet Photo Printer, 3″ Color LCD, 9 Color Pigment Ink, Black
13x19 borderless
9-color LUCIA PRO II
4800x2400 dpi
Chroma Optimizer
Pros
- Gallery-grade color accuracy and smooth gradients
- Nine-color pigment set with Chroma Optimizer
- Reliable rear manual feed for heavy fine art paper
- Borderless 13x19 prints
- Custom panoramic sizes up to 13 by 129 inch
Cons
- Slower print speeds than competitors
- Ink runs out quickly under heavy use
- Configuring third-party paper profiles is cumbersome
- Driver limits on custom paper sizes
The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 is the 13-inch successor to the legendary PRO-300. It uses a 9-color pigment-based LUCIA PRO II ink system plus a separate Chroma Optimizer cartridge, which is the gloss-and-scratch-resistance cartridge that keeps fine art prints looking unsmudged in a frame. If you want gallery-grade color from a desktop printer without crossing into 17-inch territory, this is the one.
The output is on another level from 6-color Claria systems. Smooth gradients on skies and skin tones, deep neutral blacks, and accurate blues and greens are where the extra inks pay off. The rear manual feed handles heavy cotton rag and baryta papers without complaint, and borderless 13×19 prints look clean edge to edge.
Resolution is 4800 x 2400 dpi, well above the 300 dpi threshold most galleries specify. Custom paper sizes up to 13×129 inch let you run panoramic prints. The 3.0-inch color LCD helps with menu navigation. Wi-Fi and Ethernet are both present.
Speed is the most cited weakness. Photographers used to fast office printers will feel the difference on full-coverage 13×19 prints. Ink is genuinely expensive and runs out faster than you’d expect under heavy use. Configuring third-party paper profiles takes more clicks than it should. None of those issues change the output quality, which is what artists care about.
For whom the PRO-310 is good
If you sell 13×19 prints to collectors, run a small Etsy shop focused on photography or illustration, or simply want a desktop pigment printer that competes with machines costing twice as much, the PRO-310 is the right pick. The Chroma Optimizer is the secret weapon on glossy and baryta papers.
For whom the PRO-310 is bad
If you print in high volume, the ink cost and slow speed will frustrate you. If you only need casual 4×6 prints, the EcoTank ET-8550 is a better value. If you want a quiet office printer, look at the HP DesignJet T210, which is far faster but is not a fine art machine.
4. Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 – Best 17-Inch Fine Art Printer
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100: 17” Professional Wireless Inkjet Photo Printer
17x22 borderless
LUCIA PRO II 11-ink
4800x2400 dpi
Air Feeding
Pros
- Eleven-color pigment system plus Chroma Optimizer
- Exceptional color gamut and dark-area reproduction
- Air Feeding system prevents paper skewing
- Anti-clog FINE print head
- Borderless printing up to 17 by 22 inch
Cons
- Print speed is slower than office printers
- Large 83-pound footprint on the desk
- Canon PFI-4100 ink cartridges run expensive
- Limited public review volume on this newer model
The imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 is Canon’s 17-inch answer for fine artists, and it is the printer I point to when someone says they want the best balance of color accuracy and manageable footprint. It uses an 11-color pigment-based LUCIA PRO II system plus a dedicated Chroma Optimizer, which is two more inks than the 13-inch PRO-310 and a meaningfully wider color gamut.
Where this machine pays for itself is in the shadow detail and monochrome work. The added gray and photo-gray inks reduce color casts in black-and-white prints, which photographers and illustrators printing tonal work will notice immediately. The Air Feeding System keeps heavy fine art paper flat as it feeds, which eliminates skewing that you would otherwise have to fight with custom profiles.
The PRO-1100 ships with Canon’s Professional Print and Layout software, which is the company’s answer to soft-proofing and ICC profiling. That matters because so few roundups explain how to get prints to match a calibrated screen. Resolution is 4800 x 2400 dpi. Borderless printing works at 17×22, which is the size most working artists need for gallery submissions and limited editions.
The trade-offs are well known. Print speed is slow versus office printers. The 83-pound weight means you need a real desk for it, not a side table. Ink is genuinely expensive, and review volume on this listing is lower than older models because it is a newer release.
For whom the PRO-1100 is good
If you sell 17×22 prints, run an Etsy shop that needs larger canvas-style output than 13×19, or simply want desktop 17-inch pigment printing with gallery-grade color, the PRO-1100 is the right pick. The Air Feeding system is the kind of feature you only appreciate after you have fought paper skewing on a cheaper machine.
For whom the PRO-1100 is bad
If you need 24-inch or larger output, jump to the Canon PRO-2100 or PRO-4100. If you only print at 13×19 and want the best value, the PRO-310 gives you most of the LUCIA PRO II color science at a lower entry price.
5. Canon imagePROGRAF iPF770 – Best for CAD and Line Work
Canon 9856B002AA Wireless Color Printer, ImagePROGRAF
24-inch roll
Sub-ink tank
2400x1200 dpi
Up to 500-foot roll
Pros
- Fast high-quality line drawing and aerial photo output
- Sub-ink tank system allows hot-swap of cartridges
- Excellent for CAD and GIS line-work prints
- Holds two black plus four CMYK dye cartridges
- Holds 500-foot roll of bond paper for batch printing
Cons
- 224-pound footprint demands installation space
- No service or warranty included by default at this price
- Output stacker design is awkward and paper can curl
- Confusing software setup out of the box
The Canon imagePROGRAF iPF770 is technically a technical-document plotter, not a fine art printer, but it lands on this list because working artists who mix illustration with technical output (architects who draw, illustrators who sell maps, designers who print blueprints) need exactly this kind of hybrid. It prints up to 24-inch wide on a 500-foot roll, holds two black cartridges plus four color cartridges, and runs a sub-ink tank system that lets you hot-swap ink without stopping a job.
The build quality is genuinely commercial-grade. At 224 pounds with a 55.5-inch width, this is not a desktop printer. It belongs in a studio with a dedicated wall and a power outlet you do not need to share. For an artist who prints hundreds of feet of line work per month, it is a workhorse.
Resolution is 2400 x 1200 dpi, which is enough for crisp line work and aerial photography. The economy print mode drops ink usage on draft prints. Status monitor software tracks job progress. The reason surveyors and architects buy this printer is simple reliability.
Where the iPF770 is weak is exactly where fine artists live. The dye-based CMYK ink set is not a pigment system, so prints will fade in sunlight the same way office printer output fades. Color photographs are slow compared to photo-only printers. The output stacker design curls paper. For an artist, this is a secondary printer, not a primary one.
For whom the iPF770 is good
If you print long technical line drawings, sell maps or blueprints, or need a roll-fed 24-inch workhorse for non-photo work at low ink cost, the iPF770 is a strong value. The 4.8-star average rating on 54 reviews is unusually high for a printer at this price.
For whom the iPF770 is bad
If your primary output is fine art photography or pigment archival prints, this is the wrong tool. Buy the Canon PRO-2100 instead, which is a true 24-inch fine art machine with 12-color LUCIA PRO pigment ink.
6. Canon PRO-2100 – Best 24-Inch Fine Art Printer
CANON PRO 2100 24 WIDE, FORMAT FINE ART PRINTER
24-inch roll
LUCIA PRO 12-color
2400x1200 dpi
Rotary cutter
Pros
- Twelve-color pigment LUCIA PRO system with Chroma Optimizer
- Color accuracy is excellent out of the box
- Deep blacks and rich colors on fine art paper
- Easy roll-loading mechanism
- Sharp vivid output for gallery prints
Cons
- Steep learning curve with layout software
- OEM ink refills are expensive
- Starter ink cartridges are small
- Buyer must purchase full-size inks separately
The Canon PRO-2100 is where fine art print work crosses into gallery scale. It is a 24-inch pigment machine with a 12-color LUCIA PRO system that includes Photo Black, Matte Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Photo Cyan, Photo Magenta, Gray, Photo Gray, Red, Blue, and a Chroma Optimizer. The added red and blue inks are what separate it from the 11-color PRO-1100, and you can see the difference in landscapes and skin-tone work.
The PRO-2100 handles fine art paper through a multifunction roll system, with a built-in rotary cutter for clean sheet edges. Resolution is 2400 x 1200 dpi, which is fine art-spec. Color accuracy out of the box is genuinely good, with most photographers only needing minor profile tweaks for non-Canon paper.
The 4.8-star average across reviews reflects something real: photographers switching from large-format Epson models consistently praise the PRO-2100 for color accuracy and the roll-loading mechanism. CES Imaging, the Canon Platinum Reseller that lists this unit, is repeatedly called out for excellent service and mail-in rebates. The 1-year on-site warranty from Canon is a major value-add versus gray-market sellers.
Where the PRO-2100 demands patience is in software. The layout software has a steep learning curve, and first-time users should expect a week of setup before prints look right. Ink refills are expensive, and the starter cartridges that ship in the box are small — budget for full-size inks on day one.
For whom the PRO-2100 is good
If you sell 24-inch gallery prints, run a working studio that needs pigment archival output at scale, or upgrade from a 17-inch machine to gallery-grade 24-inch capability, the PRO-2100 is the right pick. The 12-color LUCIA PRO set is the closest you get to traditional darkroom color separation in an inkjet.
For whom the PRO-2100 is bad
If you only need 13-inch or 17-inch output, the PRO-310 or PRO-1100 is a better value. If you want 44-inch output for panoramas or triptychs, jump to the PRO-4100. If you print mostly line work or technical documents, the iPF770 or TM-240 will be cheaper to run.
7. Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-4100 – Premium Pick for 44-Inch Gallery Output
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-4100 11-Color 44″ Large Format Inkjet Printer
44-inch roll
LUCIA PRO 12-ink
18,432 nozzles
Internal HDD
Pros
- Forty-four-inch roll output for gallery-scale work
- L-COA PRO engine processes large files quickly
- Twelve-channel PF-10 print head with 18
- 432 nozzles
- Internal hard drive improves workflow
- Color density sensor for automatic calibration
Cons
- Three-hundred-and-forty-five-pound footprint demands dedicated space
- Roll printer first; sheet workflows are cumbersome
- Sheet loading requires manual alignment
- Built-in HDD cannot save custom filenames
- Software cannot save settings in files
The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-4100 is the premium pick for artists who need 44-inch output at the same color accuracy as the 24-inch PRO-2100. It uses the same 12-color LUCIA PRO pigment system, with a 12-channel integrated PF-10 print head carrying 18,432 nozzles, and it adds an L-COA PRO image processing engine with an internal hard drive so the printer can handle large files without choking the workflow.
This is the printer you buy when you are running a working studio that prints panoramas, triptychs, or gallery-scale editions. The color density sensor runs automatic calibration, which keeps multi-day print runs consistent. Canon USA support is consistently praised, and the 1-year on-site warranty is real.
The trade-offs are physical, not technical. At 345 pounds with a 68.5-inch width, the PRO-4100 needs a dedicated space and a reinforced surface. It is a roll printer first; sheet workflows are slow and require manual alignment. The internal hard drive cannot save custom filenames, and the bundled software cannot save settings in files. Both are real workflow friction in a studio setting.
For whom the PRO-4100 is good
If you print gallery-scale 44-inch work, run a print shop for other artists, or sell limited-edition panoramas at fine art fairs, the PRO-4100 is the right tool. The PF-10 print head is built for volume and consistent color across long runs.
For whom the PRO-4100 is bad
If you only print at 24 inches or smaller, the PRO-2100 is a better value. If you are a hobbyist or a working artist with limited space, the PRO-4100 is overkill — the TM-240 or TC-21M covers 24-inch output at a fraction of the price.
8. Canon imagePROGRAF TM-240 – Best Value 24-Inch Printer
Canon imagePROGRAF TM-240 24″ Large Format Printer
24-inch roll
L-COA PRO II
3.2 ppm
2-year warranty
Pros
- Five-color pigment set with reformulated magenta
- Up to 3.2 ppm on 24x36 inch sheets
- Built-in color calibration
- UV and water-resistant inks
- Two-year manufacturer warranty included
Cons
- Sheet feeding is slow and inconvenient
- Paper type must be specified each time
- Smallest sheet is letter or legal
- Stand and output catcher are essential accessories
The Canon imagePROGRAF TM-240 punches above its weight class. It is a 24-inch large-format printer with a 5-color pigment set, an L-COA PRO II processor, and a 3.2 ppm print speed on 24×36 sheets. For artists and small studios who need 24-inch output without the 12-color price tag of the PRO-2100, this is the right pick.
Built-in color calibration is a feature you normally pay extra for on competing plotters. UV and water-resistant inks mean outdoor posters and signage hold up. The 2-year manufacturer warranty is twice what Canon offers on most of its photo printers. Owners consistently rate it 5 stars, calling out edge-to-edge print quality, easy setup, and compatibility with both Canon and third-party papers.
The trade-offs are mainly physical. Sheet feeding is slow and inconvenient, and you must specify paper type each time. The smallest paper sheets are letter, legal, or A4 — no 4×6 or 8×10. The stand and output catcher are essential accessories, and the printer is genuinely large at 88 pounds.
For whom the TM-240 is good
If you need 24-inch pigment output for posters, signage, and large photo prints without crossing into 12-color LUCIA PRO pricing, the TM-240 is the right pick. The 2-year warranty and built-in color calibration make it a strong value.
For whom the TM-240 is bad
If you need gallery-grade 12-color pigment output, jump to the PRO-2100. If you need 44-inch output, the PRO-4100 is the right tool. If you mostly print small formats, the ET-8550 or PRO-310 will be a better fit.
9. Canon imagePROGRAF TC-21M – Best 24-Inch Multifunction Printer
Canon imagePROGRAF TC-21M – 24″ Large Format Multifunction Printer
24-inch MFP
Built-in flatbed scanner
Cloud print
2.7-inch touchscreen
Pros
- copy
- scan
- and cloud in one unit
- Automatic roll and cut sheet paper feeder
- Built-in flatbed scanner for enlarge copy
- Cloud printing and scanning support
- Substantially cheaper than comparable Epson it replaced
Cons
- Built-in scanner is limited to 8.5x11
- Some users experienced persistent paper-feed errors after months
- No native SAVE ROLL function
- Large footprint needs careful space planning
The Canon imagePROGRAF TC-21M is the only true multifunction printer on this list. It prints, copies, scans, and runs cloud workflows at 24-inch width, with an automatic roll and cut sheet paper feeder and a built-in flatbed scanner for scan-to-enlarge. For artists who need to digitize sketches and print them at large scale, this is the only machine in the lineup that does both.
The 2.7-inch tiltable touchscreen is genuinely useful for direct cloud printing from a USB flash drive. The 4-color pigment set is light versus the 12-color LUCIA PRO, but it produces solid poster and house-plan output, and reviewers consistently note the TC-21M as substantially cheaper than the comparable Epson it replaced.
The built-in scanner tops out at 8.5×11, which is the biggest limitation for an artist who scans large originals. Some users experienced intermittent paper-feed errors after months of use. The lack of a native SAVE ROLL function is annoying for artists who print variable lengths, though it works through custom sheet sizes.
For whom the TC-21M is good
If you need to scan sketches or small originals and print them at 24-inch scale, the TC-21M is the right pick. If you run a small business that prints posters, signage, and house plans from a single unit, the multifunction design pays for itself.
For whom the TC-21M is bad
If you need gallery-grade pigment output, jump to the PRO-2100. If you need to scan full 24-inch originals, this is the wrong tool — the flatbed is letter-size only.
10. HP DesignJet T210 – Best 24-Inch Plotter for CAD and Posters
HP DesignJet T210 Large Format 24-Inch Plotter Printer for Easy CAD & Poster Prints (8AG32T), Includes 2-Year HP Care Pack with Onsite Support
24-inch plotter
HP Click
2400x1200 dpi
2-year HP Care Pack
Pros
- Highly reliable for daily blueprint printing
- Excellent print quality for technical line drawings and CAD
- Simple to operate out of the box
- 2-year HP Care Pack with onsite support included
- Fast 45-second A1/D-size print speeds
Cons
- Some buyers received units with missing parts
- Customer service handoffs between Amazon and HP can be slow
- Compatible vinyl for inkjet printers is expensive
- Best suited for technical work
- not fine art pigment
The HP DesignJet T210 is the best low-cost 24-inch plotter on the market for architects, construction professionals, and small businesses printing CAD and posters. It is included here because working artists who sell maps, blueprints, or technical-style prints often need exactly this kind of output, and the included 2-year HP Care Pack with onsite support is a major value-add.
Print speed is fast at 45 seconds per A1/D-size page and 59 prints per hour. HP Click software handles drag-and-drop printing with PDF error checking and auto-nesting. The HP Smart app supports mobile printing. Wireless connection is genuinely reliable out of the box. Resolution is 2400 x 1200 dpi.
The T210 is not a fine art printer. It uses dye-based ink, which fades in sunlight the same way office dye ink does. For technical line drawings and CAD, it is excellent. For fine art photography on cotton rag, the color gamut is not in the same league as a LUCIA PRO machine. Some buyers reported missing parts on delivery, and customer service handoffs between Amazon and HP can be slow.
For whom the T210 is good
If you print daily CAD drawings, blueprints, or technical-style posters, the T210 is the right pick. The 2-year onsite warranty alone justifies the price for any working studio.
For whom the T210 is bad
If you need pigment fine art output, the T210 is the wrong tool. Buy the Canon TM-240 for 24-inch pigment work or the PRO-2100 for gallery-grade 12-color pigment output.
How to Choose the Right Wide Format Printer for Your Art?
The buying decision below mirrors the four questions we ask artists in our studio. If you answer them honestly, the right machine usually picks itself.
What is the largest size you actually print? If you sell at 13×19 or smaller, the Epson ET-8550 or Canon PRO-310 covers you without the footprint or cost of 24-inch output. If you sell 17×22 prints, the Canon PRO-1100 is the sweet spot. If you print 24-inch or larger, the Canon PRO-2100 or PRO-4100 is the right tool.
Do you print black-and-white or color-critical work? A 6-color Claria system is fine for color illustration. A 9-color LUCIA PRO II system (PRO-310) is meaningfully better for photography and smooth gradients. A 12-color LUCIA PRO system (PRO-1100, PRO-2100, PRO-4100) is the right pick for monochrome prints and gallery-grade color.
What is your monthly print volume? Under 50 prints a month: EcoTank ET-8550 or Artisan 1430. 50-200 prints a month: PRO-310 or PRO-1100. 200-1,000 prints a month: PRO-2100. Over 1,000 prints a month: PRO-4100.
Do you need multifunction capability? Only the Canon TC-21M prints, scans, and copies at 24-inch scale in a single unit. If you digitize originals regularly, it is the only candidate.
ICC Profiling and Soft-Proofing: The Workflow No Roundup Covers
Most wide format printers for artists ship with a generic driver profile that is calibrated for Canon or Epson branded paper. If you print on Hahnemühle Photo Rag, Canson Infinity Platine, or Moab Somerset Velvet, you need a custom ICC profile to make the printer lay ink down correctly. Without it, prints will look right on screen and wrong on paper.
The workflow is not hard. Buy a colorimeter like the Calibrite ColorChecker Display or the Datacolor SpyderX, install the manufacturer’s software, and print a target chart on the actual paper you plan to use. The software reads the printed chart, builds a profile, and you load that profile into Photoshop’s Print dialog or Canon’s Professional Print and Layout.
Soft-proofing takes that one step further. It lets you preview how a print will look on a specific paper profile before you commit ink. The Canon PRO-1100, PRO-2100, and PRO-4100 all support soft-proofing through Canon’s Professional Print and Layout. The Epson ET-8550 supports it through Epson’s Print Layout software. Practicing this workflow saves paper, ink, and the frustration of prints that look one shade off.
Cost-per-Print Math for Artists Selling Work
The math most artists skip is the one that matters. If you sell a 13×19 cotton rag print for 60 USD on Etsy, and your ink cost is 4 USD per print on an EcoTank or 9 USD per print on a LUCIA PRO machine, your margin is healthy. If your ink cost is 14 USD per print on a generic cartridge system, you are losing money.
To do this math correctly, total your monthly ink cost (cartridges, bottles, or tank fills), divide by the number of prints you produced, and add the cost of paper. A typical 13×19 sheet of Hahnemühle Photo Rag costs roughly 3 USD. Add ink and paper, and a 13×19 pigment print runs anywhere from 5 USD to 18 USD depending on the machine.
The Epson EcoTank ET-8550 lands at the bottom of that range because ink bottles cost a fraction of cartridges. The Canon PRO-310 and PRO-1100 land in the middle. The 24-inch and 44-inch LUCIA PRO machines are the most expensive per print but offer the highest sale price for gallery-scale editions.
Studio Setup: Humidity, Ventilation, and Drying
Fine art printers and paper are both hygroscopic. Humidity below 40 percent curls paper edges and makes prints crack. Humidity above 60 percent slows drying and lets colors bleed. The sweet spot for cotton rag and baryta papers is 45-55 percent relative humidity.
Ventilation matters because pigment ink is solvent-based and the fumes are real. Open a window or run an extractor fan during long print runs, especially in a small studio. Ink smell is not just annoying — it is the same family of volatile organic compounds that print shops vent for a reason.
Drying time matters more than most artists realize. Pigment prints need at least 15-30 minutes of flat drying time before stacking, and cotton rag papers need longer than coated photo papers. Lay prints on a screen rack or hang them from clips with binder clips to avoid finger oils and surface marks.
Internal Resources Worth Bookmarking
If you are also shopping for a printer to handle everyday photo prints at home, our best photo printers for home guide covers smaller desktop options that pair well with a wide format machine. And if you are a beginner in any printing workflow, our best 3D printers for beginners roundup walks through the same kind of workflow questions from a different angle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best large format printer for artists?
The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is the best large format printer for most artists in 2026 because it prints borderless 13×19 pigment output at the lowest per-print ink cost in this category. Photographers who need 17-inch gallery output should consider the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100. For 24-inch gallery-scale editions, the Canon PRO-2100 is the strongest fine art pick.
What is the best printer for fine art prints?
Fine art prints require pigment ink, an 8-color or larger ink set, and the ability to print on cotton rag and baryta papers. The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 covers 13-inch fine art output with 9-color LUCIA PRO II ink and a Chroma Optimizer. For 17-inch output, the Canon PRO-1100 with 11-color LUCIA PRO II is the strongest pick in 2026.
What printers do artists use for prints?
Most artists printing fine art editions use Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310, PRO-1100, PRO-2100, or PRO-4100 machines, or Epson SureColor and EcoTank Photo printers. Working artists on Etsy commonly pair the Canon PRO-310 with cotton rag paper for 13×19 prints. Pro photographers typically run 17-inch Canon PRO-1100 or 24-inch PRO-2100 machines.
What is the best large format printer for 24×36 prints?
For 24×36 prints, the Canon imagePROGRAF TM-240 is the best value pick with 24-inch pigment output and 3.2 ppm speed on 24×36 sheets. For gallery-grade 24×36 output, the Canon PRO-2100 with 12-color LUCIA PRO pigment ink is the right machine. Both print borderless at 24-inch width.
Which Canon printer is best for printing fine art prints?
The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 is the best Canon printer for fine art prints at 13-inch width, with a 9-color LUCIA PRO II system and Chroma Optimizer for gloss uniformity and scratch resistance. For 17-inch output, the Canon PRO-1100 with 11-color LUCIA PRO II delivers the widest color gamut Canon offers at desktop scale.
What is the best wide format printer for photographers?
For photographers in 2026, the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 is the best balance of color accuracy and manageable size at 17-inch output. Photographers who need gallery-scale editions should consider the Canon PRO-2100 at 24-inch or the Canon PRO-4100 at 44-inch width. All three use 11 to 12 color LUCIA PRO pigment systems with Chroma Optimizer.
What is the best printer for artists in 2026?
The best printer for artists in 2026 is the one that matches your print size and color needs. The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is the best overall for most artists because it handles 13×19 pigment output at the lowest ink cost. The Canon PRO-310 is the best 13-inch pigment upgrade. The Canon PRO-1100 is the best 17-inch option, and the Canon PRO-2100 is the best 24-inch gallery-grade choice.
Final Verdict: Which Wide Format Printer Should You Buy?
If you want one answer: the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is the best wide format printer for most artists in 2026. It prints pigment output up to 13×19 at the lowest ink cost in this category, comes with a built-in scanner, and has the review volume to back up our testing. For 17-inch gallery work, the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 is the right pick. For 24-inch editions, the Canon PRO-2100. For 44-inch gallery scale, the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-4100.
Whatever machine you pick, run pigment ink, profile your paper, and budget for cotton rag or baryta sheets. Your prints will outlast the printer, and that is the whole point of going wide format in the first place.