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Specs are compiled from manufacturer listings and verified buyer reviews and can change over time — please confirm the key details on the product page before buying.
Getting a print to match what you see on your monitor depends on the color gamut — the range of colors the printer can reproduce — and the ink system. Get those wrong, and shadows turn muddy while highlights lose detail., exploring ink costs, paper handling, and real print speeds so you can choose the one that fits how you work.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
You want prints with colors as rich as the edited file on your screen. Finding the right color printer for photographers is what turns a perfect digital image into a beautiful physical print.
Quick Picks
- Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 Wireless Wide-Format Color All-in-One Supertank Printer — Best Overall
- Epson SureColor P700 13-Inch Printer — Pro Grade
- Canon PIXMA PRO-200S Professional 13″ Wireless Inkjet Photo Printer — Vivid 8-Color
- Epson Expression Photo XP-8800 Wireless Printer with 6-Color Claria Photo HD Ink — Compact 6-Color
- Canon PIXMA Pro9000 Mark II Inkjet Photo Printer — Budget Lab
How To Choose The Best Color Printer For Photographers
Photographers need things that standard all-in-one home printers do not offer: wide color gamuts (the total range of colors a printer can produce) for accurate skin tones, deep black density so shadows hold detail, and media handling that works with fine-art papers up to 13 inches wide. Here is what to focus on.
Count the ink channels
A 6-color system (cyan, magenta, yellow, black, plus light cyan and light magenta) gives you smoother transitions in pale areas than a standard 4-color cartridge. An 8-color or 10-color system adds extra shades for specific gaps — like violet in the SureColor P700 — which widens the gamut for deep blues and purples you see in landscape and fashion work. The more independent ink channels, the finer the gradient reproduction without visible banding (streaks in areas of smooth color).
Decide on running costs before you buy
Cartridge-based printers (like the Canon PRO-200S or the older Pro9000 Mark II) often have a lower upfront price but consume ink faster, especially during the initial priming cycle (the process of filling the ink lines for the first time). Factor the number of prints you intend to produce per month and pick your ink architecture accordingly.
Paper size and path flexibility
If you mat your prints (mount them inside a cardboard border), you will want at least 13×19-inch capability so you can trim to standard 11×14-inch or 16×20-inch with a border. Check for a rear or front sheet feeder that supports thick media (material up to 1.5 millimeters thick) — glossy papers, canvas, and fine-art rag (fabric-like) sheets often require a straight path to avoid jamming or curling.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Ink Colors | Max Paper Size | Color Speed | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epson EcoTank ET-8550 | Best Overall | 6 (Claria ET) | 13″ x 19″ | 12 ppm | Amazon |
| Epson SureColor P700 | Pro Quality | 10 (UltraChrome PRO10) | 13″ roll & sheet | 1 ppm | Amazon |
| Canon PIXMA PRO-200S | Vibrant Dye | 8 (Dye-based) | 13″ x 19″ | 2 ppm | Amazon |
| Epson XP-8800 | Compact 6-Color | 6 (Claria HD) | 8.5″ x 11″ | 9 ppm | Amazon |
| Canon Pro9000 Mark II | Budget Lab Prints | 8 (Dye-based) | 13″ x 19″ | 1 ppm | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 Wireless Wide-Format Color All-in-One Supertank Printer
The supertank that prints glossy 13x19s for pennies each.
If you print often, the ET-8550 changes your relationship with ink costs. It uses a 6-color Claria ET ink set with dedicated colors for Photo Black, Gray, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black, which gives you smooth neutral tones in black-and-white prints and rich transitions in color landscapes.
Buyers report the ink tanks still sit above 75% after about 30 prints, so the yield is real. The autoduplex feature prints on both sides automatically, and the 4.3-inch color touchscreen makes navigation simple. The speed advantage is dramatic compared to pro-focused models: at 16 ppm monochrome and 12 ppm color, the ET-8550 is 16 times faster than the Canon Pro9000 Mark II’s 1 ppm black-and-white speed and 12 times faster on color.
The catch is an engineering quirk in cassette tray one — several owners describe a weak-spring issue that triggers false “no paper” or “paper jam” errors. The workaround involves inserting small springs from a G2 gel pen, which is unusual but reportedly fixes it. The scanner is also average, so if high-res document scanning is critical, you might be disappointed.
Why it wins for volume
- Up to 6,200 color pages per ink set — among the lowest per-print costs for a photo printer.
- Handles up to 13×19-inch media, including heavy fine-art paper, via rear and cassette feeds.
- Fast at 16 ppm black-and-white and 12 ppm color — outpaces every other pick here significantly.
The known trade-offs
- Cassette tray one has a weak-spring design that causes false “paper jam” errors for some users.
- Struggles to auto-select the correct paper tray; manual selection is more reliable.
- Dye ink, while vibrant, is projected by the maker to be less archival than pigment alternatives over decades.
Perfect workhorse for: any photographer who prints regularly and wants the lowest cost per sheet for 13-inch wide images without sacrificing print quality.
A better fit elsewhere: if you need the maximum archival permanence rated for 200+ years or you demand perfect thick-paper handling with no tweaks, the SureColor P700 is a stronger, if slower, match.
2. Epson SureColor P700 13-Inch Printer
10 pigment ink channels for the widest gamut at this price.
The P700 is built for photographers who need gallery-level color accuracy and deep, permanent blacks. Its 10-color UltraChrome PRO10 ink set includes violet alongside the usual CMYK + light variants, and the dedicated Photo Black and Matte Black nozzles eliminate the ink-switching waste and waiting time that earlier Epson pro models required. The maker states the Carbon Black Driver mode boosts Dmax (the maximum black density) for glossy papers, which translates into prints that hold shadow detail without taking on a metallic sheen. Print permanence is rated at up to 200 years for color and 400 years for black-and-white, per manufacturer testing.
The printer is also 23 percent smaller than the previous generation, which makes it easier to fit on a desk without sacrificing the 13-inch-wide sheet and roll-media capability. It accepts media up to 1.5 mm thick, so you can run fine-art rag, canvas, and heavier papers through the front feed.
The main real-world friction reported by buyers is thick-paper handling — several owners describe the P700 as requiring near-constant babysitting for fine-art sheets, with frequent “out of paper” and “paper jam” errors that demand manual re-feeding. The model also prints at only 1 ppm, so it is dramatically slower than the ET-8550’s 12 ppm color speed for large batches.
Color purity that lasts
- 10-color pigment ink set including violet for an exceptionally wide gamut — smooth gradients in deep blues and purples.
- Separate Photo Black and Matte Black nozzles eliminate wasteful ink purging when switching media types.
- Rated for 200-year color and 400-year black-and-white permanence (manufacturer test), suitable for archival sales.
The viscosity price
- Ink is very expensive: initial set is mostly consumed during setup, requiring ~ in replacement cartridges soon after purchase.
- Frequent paper-feed errors on thick media mean you cannot walk away during a print run.
- Very slow at 1 ppm color — not viable for high-volume event or school photography without hours of patience.
Invest for archival: if you sell prints labeled “archival grade” or need the widest color gamut available at 13 inches wide, the P700’s 10-channel ink system delivers.
Skip for high volume: the per-cartridge cost and slow speed make it a poor choice if you regularly output more than 20-30 prints per session. Look at the ET-8550 for that workload.
3. Canon PIXMA PRO-200S Professional 13″ Wireless Inkjet Photo Printer
8 dye colors produce punchy, saturated prints straight from the box.
The PRO-200S is an 8-color dye-based printer that prioritizes vibrant output across a wide tonal range. It prints bordered 8x10s in 53 seconds and a full A3+ (13×19 inch) in about 90 seconds, which is faster than the P700 or the Pro9000 Mark II but slower than the ET-8550. The 3.0-inch color LCD monitor provides straightforward ink-level checks and status views, and the printer offers borderless printing (ink goes right to the edge of the paper) from 3.5×3.5 inches all the way up to 13×19 inches — useful for portfolio prints that cover the full sheet.
One real concern that shows up in the reviews: “ink cartridges deplete quickly (black half used after 30 prints).” Several owners mention that although the print quality — “vibrant colors and sharp detail” — is easy to get excited about from the start, ongoing cartridge replacement costs add up faster than expected, especially for volume printing. The printer also omits the 11×14 inch paper size option, which is a specific irritation for anyone who already has mats and frames cut for that dimension. At 32 pounds and with dimensions of 28.7 x 18.6 x 14.04 inches, the PRO-200S is large and heavy, so measure your workspace before buying.
On the positive side, the printer is remarkably quiet during operation, and buyers who are comfortable with wireless networking report it connects reliably after the initial setup. Compared to the Canon Pro9000 Mark II’s 1 ppm speed, the PRO-200S’s 2 ppm is a small improvement, but it falls well short of the ET-8550’s 12 ppm if you batch-print prints for clients.
Immediate color punch
- 8 dye-based ink colors produce vivid, high-saturation prints with subtle mid-tone transitions.
- Borderless printing from 3.5×3.5 to 13×19 inches covers nearly every standard photo size.
- Very quiet operation — you can run a print in a shared workspace without disturbing others.
The running cost reality
- Ink cartridges deplete quickly; black cartridge half-used after 30 prints, and replacements are expensive.
- No built-in automatic duplex (simplex only) — you have to manually flip paper for double-sided prints.
- Does not include a USB cable, and the 11×14 inch paper size is not supported, which limits framing options.
Great for low-volume color: if you produce a dozen vivid 8×10 prints per month for folios or home display and want rich saturation without the black-switching concerns of pigment printers.
Hard to recommend for high output: the cartridge consumption rate makes every print run an expensive proposition. The ET-8550 or Pro9000 Mark II will cost less per sheet if you print more than 50 sheets a month.
4. Epson Expression Photo XP-8800 Wireless Printer with 6-Color Claria Photo HD Ink
A 6-color photo printer that fits on a standard desk without sacrificing quality.
If you do not need 13-inch-wide prints, the XP-8800 gives you the same Claria HD 6-color ink system found in larger Epson photo printers, but in a compact chassis that handles letter-size sheets. It prints a borderless 4×6 in about 10 seconds — the fastest small-print speed in this lineup — and buyers consistently call the output on glossy paper “bright, vibrant, clear.” The printer includes a 4.3-inch color touchscreen for direct control, an automatic duplexer (prints both sides of the page automatically), and a high-resolution flatbed scanner, making it a genuine all-in-one for a home office that also needs occasional document scanning.
The setup experience is generally positive: customers note “easy 10-15 min setup via phone/laptop” using the Epson Smart Panel app, though a small number of users received defective units requiring replacement. The primary concern is the small ink cartridges — the 6-color Claria HD cartridges (T340 series) are standard-sized, so if you print hundreds of 4×6 snapshots per month, you will be replacing them frequently. The printer is capped at 8.5×11 inches borderless, so it cannot handle the 13×19 sheets that serious matting and framing often require. Color speed of 9 ppm and monochrome speed of 9.5 ppm put it miles ahead of the Canon Pro9000 Mark II’s 1 ppm, but it is slower than the ET-8550’s 12 ppm color rate.
On the scanning side, the 48-bit color depth (24-bit output) is capable for basic document and photo archiving, but the scanner is not intended for fine-art reproduction. The XP-8800 is best seen as a daily camera-phone and family-photo printer that handles quick 4×6 and letter-size jobs without consuming the desk space a 13-inch printer demands.
Desk-friendly photo engine
- 6-color Claria Photo HD ink with Light Cyan and Light Magenta gives smooth gradients in sky and skin tones.
- 4×6 borderless in 10 seconds — the fastest small-print speed here; great for instant proof sheets.
- Easy wireless setup and a flush 4.3-inch touchscreen make it approachable for non-tech users.
Size constraints
- Maximum paper size is 8.5×11 inches — no 13×19 prints for professional matting or portfolio folios.
- Small ink cartridges will need frequent replacement if you print more than 50-60 sheets a month.
- Scanning black-and-white documents is mediocre, and the scanner is not archival-grade for artwork.
Ideal for desk-bound snapshooters: if you want lab-quality 4×6 and letter-size prints without the footprint of a 13-inch machine, the XP-8800 delivers for a low upfront cost.
Not for wide-format needs: if you sell 11×14 or 13×19 prints, skip this model and step up to the ET-8550, which has a far lower per-print cost anyway.
5. Canon PIXMA Pro9000 Mark II Inkjet Photo Printer
An 8-color dye printer with surprisingly low ink consumption.
The Pro9000 Mark II is an older workhorse that still earns its place in a budget-minded photographer’s studio. It has an 8-color dye ink system — cyan, magenta, yellow, black, plus photo cyan, photo magenta, red, and green — which provides an unusually wide gamut for models at this price, especially in the red and green regions that landscape photographers will appreciate. One of its strongest assets is the ink consumption: a verified buyer reports “very low ink consumption (~100 8.5×11 prints before replacing two cartridges).” That longevity is exceptional compared to modern cartridge designs and is the main reason some photographers still hunt for this model on the used market.
Other reviewers call the output “lab-quality” and say it rivals wet-process RA4 printing (a traditional chemical photo lab process) when using Canon paper. The FINE printhead technology delivers a maximum 4800×2400 dpi resolution (dots per inch — how many ink dots the printhead can place along one inch), and the Ambient Light Correction feature tweaks color output to match the room’s lighting — a unique tool for previewing how a print will look in a given gallery environment. A second paper path at the front supports heavy fine-art sheets up to 13×19 inches, so you can run thick rag paper without a sharp bend. However, the print speed is glacial by modern standards: 1 ppm monochrome and 1 ppm color. That is one-sixteenth the speed of the ET-8550 on black-and-white and one-twelfth on color.
The downsides are real. The printer does not include a USB cable, it has no automatic duplex, and some reviewers point out that the driver software is cumbersome on Windows 7 and 10 64-bit. One owner reported the unit failed after 23 prints, though a replacement worked reliably. The Pro9000 Mark II also lacks native 11×14 inch paper support, and the ink cartridges can reportedly show as empty even when half full, forcing early replacement if you trust the on-screen alerts.
Ink economy surprise
- 8 independent ink channels including red and green for a broader gamut than most budget 6-color printers.
- Very low ink consumption — around 100 prints before needing a cartridge swap, per buyer reports.
- 13×19-inch support with a straight front paper path for heavy fine-art sheets up to heavyweight.
The speed penalty
- Extremely slow at 1 ppm — a single-page print takes minutes, making batch printing impractical.
- Driver and software issues reported on 64-bit Windows systems, and no USB cable included in the box.
- Ink cartridges sometimes read as empty when half full, forcing premature replacements if you trust the sensor.
Best for patient, low-volume print makers: if you do not care about speed and want an 8-color dye system that produces lab-quality 13×19 prints and uses ink sparingly, this is the budget champion.
The ET-8550 is vastly faster and cheaper per sheet, despite its higher upfront cost.
Understanding the Specs
Ink Architecture: Dye vs Pigment
Dye-based inks are made from colorants dissolved in a liquid, which gives them wider color saturation and more vivid highlights, especially on glossy media. Pigment inks, by contrast, suspend solid particles in the carrier, so each color sits on top of the paper rather than soaking in — this creates higher resistance to fading from UV light, water, and atmospheric pollutants. For a fine-art print meant to sell, archival pigment inks (like the UltraChrome PRO10 used in the P700) are the standard; for a family album or a proof sheet, dye inks are perfectly acceptable and often more striking on the first look.
Color Gamut and Number of Channels
A “channel” is a separate reservoir and nozzle for a specific ink color. More channels generally mean the printer can mix smoother intermediate tones without visible banding. A 6-channel printer (C, M, Y, K, Lc, Lm) covers most photo needs. An 8-channel printer adds Red and Green (Canon Pro9000 Mark II) or an additional gray for better black-and-white prints. A 10-channel printer (P700) adds Violet, widening the gamut for blue-purple tones that appear in skies, flowers, and clothing. The increase from 6 to 10 channels does not guarantee better color in ordinary daylight scenes, but it does matter in gradients that test the extremes of the visible spectrum.
Max Resolution vs Visible Sharpness
You will see numbers like 4800 x 2400 dpi (dots per inch) on many photo printers. The horizontal and vertical numbers refer to how many tiny dots the printhead can place along one inch. The human eye cannot distinguish individual dots beyond roughly 300-600 PPI (pixels per inch) at normal viewing distance, so the real sharpness difference between two printers at similar resolutions is usually due to droplet size (measured in picoliters) and dot placement accuracy, not the headline dpi number. Printhead technology — like Epson’s MicroPiezo AMC or Canon’s FINE — is a better indicator of edge sharpness than the raw dpi figure.
Borderless Printing and Bleed
Borderless printing means the ink extends exactly to the sheet edge so you get a full-bleed image without white margins. Different printers support different size ranges for this — the Canon PRO-200S handles from 3.5×3.5 up to 13×19 inches, while the Epson XP-8800 maxes out at 8.5×11 inches. Not all paper sizes within a printer’s capability are borderless; check the manufacturer’s matrix if you plan to use a specific dimension for a mat or frame. A tiny extra layer of ink (the “bleed”) is sprayed just past the sheet edge and is captured by an internal absorbent pad, so you may need to clean that pad periodically.
FAQ
Can I print on fine art paper with a dye ink photo printer?
What does “Claria” mean in Epson printers?
How many prints can I expect from one set of ink bottles on the ET-8550?
Is 1 ppm speed usable for a busy photographer?
Does the Epson SureColor P700 print roll-fed media?
Can I use third-party or refillable ink in these printers?
What is the difference between Photo Black and Matte Black ink?
Does a larger number of ink colors always mean better prints?
Is the Canon PIXMA Pro9000 Mark II still worth buying today?
Do photo printers need regular use to avoid clogging?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most people, the color printer for photographers winner is the Epson EcoTank ET-8550 because it eliminates the highest ongoing cost (ink) with its high-yield bottle system while printing 13×19 photos at a fast 12 ppm. If you want the absolute widest color gamut and archival-grade output that will last 200+ years, grab the Epson SureColor P700. And for a budget 8-color 13×19 option with excellent ink economy per print, the Canon Pro9000 Mark II remains a compelling choice if you are patient with its 1 ppm speed.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of July 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
As an Amazon Associate, Gardening Beyond earns from qualifying purchases. This does not affect which products we feature.