If you are intending to buy a printer for arts and crafts as a keen amateur, semi-professional, or professional, the range of choices can be dazzling.
The best printer for arts and crafts starts at around $50, but for a reasonably high-print resolution, however, it may cost just as much to purchase a set of replacement ink cartridges. Running costs, as well as initial investment, have to be weighed up against print quality and speed as well as connectivity.
This article reviews the best printers for arts and crafts and highlights the advantages and disadvantage of each model.
Comparison Table
Product FAQ
1. What Is the Best Printer for Arts and Crafts?
There are several things you need to consider before choosing the best printer for arts and crafts for your personal needs. First of all, do you need a laser printer or an ink-jet?
An ink-jet printer is better for printing on different materials, they are also lighter and easier to transport and can print complex designs at a high resolution. Laser printers are much faster and better for printing larger volumes of printed material. They can also be much more expensive to purchase but cheaper per color print.
The dpi, or dots per inch, indicate the resolution quality of the print, and most professional print quality printers begin at 600 dpi. The best printer for arts and crafts may not need a higher print resolution than 600 dpi, bearing in mind that most professional printers only require 300 dots per inch.
Thirdly, what size of prints do you require? Budget printers normally only print A4 size, and larger printers cost more and require more space, so it is essential to see whether you can comfortably accommodate the best printer for arts and crafts.
Running costs of printers also vary enormously, however directly compare cost per print. The type of media you wish to print on will also affect your choice as not all printers can print on a heavy grade art paper or directly onto the canvas.
Lastly, modern printers come with a range of connectivity options, so if you require Wifi or just a USB port this needs to be considered.
2. What Does a Printer for Arts and Crafts Do?
The best printer for arts and crafts will deliver high-quality prints easily and cost-effectively. Most printers for arts and crafts will have Wi-FI capabilities, and you may also be able to print directly from a Camera Memory Card, CD, DVD, or via USB.
The best printers will take a range of media enabling you to use art paper, glossy photo paper, or thick card when you choose to.
3. How Does the Best Printer for Arts and Crafts Work?
The best printer for arts and crafts will either be a laser printer or an ink-jet printer. Laser printers are normally faster and more cost-efficient whilst ink-jet printers will produce higher quality prints, with a higher resolution or dots per inch.
image source: pixabay
How We Reviewed
The following products were reviewed based on the following parameters: Features, Pros & Cons, Price, Where to Buy, and Warranty. A range of specialist arts and crafts websites were consulted in addition to consumer reviews.
Overall Price Range of This Product (and Similar Products)
The best printer for arts and crafts will cost from around an average to premium price range. Higher priced options may be more cost-effective in the long run as replacement cartridges will be cheaper, and they may also have energy-saving technology which means that they are cheaper to run.
The overall volume of prints needed can be a key factor in choosing the best printer for arts and crafts for your personal needs as well as how you hope to connect to your printer. Only one printer reviewed has direct printing capabilities from CD and DVD, but all have some WIFI connectivity that a lower-priced model might not.
What We Reviewed
Canon PIXMA Pro9000 Mark II Ink-jet Photo Printer (3295B002)
- Maximum 4800x2400 dpi FINE printhead technology
- Photo Lab quality 11-inchx14-inch color photo in approximately 1 minute 23 seconds
- Support for fine art paper up to 13"x19" with two separate paper paths, including front feeder for heavy-weight paper...
Features
Key Features of this product include fast, photo lab quality printing. This ink-jet printer can support fine art paper and heavier weight art paper.
It is a professional printer with Easy-Photo Print Pro plug-in software. It has an Ambient Light correction feature. Five image types are possible: scenery, night scenery, snaps with scenery, and portrait.
PROS
CONS
Where to Buy
Warranty
This product has a one-year warranty.
Epson Expression Home XP-440 Wireless Color Photo Printer
- This printer is designed for use with Epson cartridges only, not third party cartridges or ink. Cartridges described as...
- Simple setup and navigation large, Hi Res 2. 7 inches Color LCD to easily print, copy and scan
- Complete wireless solution easy iPad, iPhone, Android tablet and smartphone printing); Includes WI Fi directly) for...
Features
Key Features of this product include Dura Bright Ink, which is fade resistant and waterproof. This printer is also a scanner and copier and has a great high-resolution 2.7 inch LCD control panel.
It is easy to print directly from your iPad, phone, or tablet as it has Wifi DIrect for instant printing. It can also print from Instagram with a Creative Print mobile application.
PROS
CONS
Where to Buy
Warranty
This printer has a 12-month warranty.
Brother Printer HL3140CW Digital Color Printer
- Upon activation, the Amazon Dash Replenishment service measures the toner level and automatically orders toner from...
- Blazing fast color/black printing - up to 19ppm. Unit Dimensions (WxDxH) : 16.1 x 18.3 x 9.4 inches
- High-impact business printing, at up to 600 x 2400 dpi
Features
Key Features of this product include that it is an affordable color laser printer. This is a very fast printer and can print 19 pages per minute. It has mobile printing enabled via Air Print, Google Cloud Print, and Wi-fi direct. It has an LCD display control panel, and the toner provided will print 1,000 pages before it needs to be replaced.
PROS
CONS
Where to Buy
Warranty
This printer has a 12-month warranty.
Canon PIXMA Pro-100 Wireless Color Professional Inkjet Printer
- 8 Dye based inks for amazing gradients and color, 3 of which are dedicated grayscale inks for beautiful black & white...
- The Optimum Image Generating System reproduces colors as you intend them by logically selecting the optimum ink...
- Compatible with Individual CLI 42 Ink Tanks (Black, Gray, Light Gray, Cyan, Photo Cyan, Magenta, Photo Magenta, Yellow)....
Features
Key Features of this product include high-quality color ink-jet printing with a resolution of 4800 dots per inch. It can also print from a cd, and it can be connected via Wi-Fi, High-speed USB, and Memory card.
Fitted with PIXMA PRO Optimum Image Generating System which analyzes each area of the print and chooses the best possible ink combination to deliver a print that is exactly the color that you want. It also features the new Prit Studio Pro plug-in software.
PROS
CONS
Where to Buy
Warranty
This printer has a 12-month warranty
HP Envy 4520 Wireless All-in-One Photo Printer
- Main functions of this HP color inkjet photo printer: copy, scan, wireless printing, AirPrint, two-sided duplex...
- Mobile printing: print from anywhere using your smartphone or tablet with the free HP ePrint app, easily print from your...
- Borderless photos are printed right to the edge of the paper. You get beautiful photo prints with no trimming!
Features
A key features of this ink-jet printer is that it is also a copier and a scanner. It can print 2 sides, and you can print borderless photos. There is a 5 cm inch touchscreen LCD control panel which is easy to use.
This printer has a 1-year warranty with 7 days a week, round the clock 24-hour web support. It can print 8.5 pages per minute in black and white and just under 7 pages per minute. This wireless printer also offers a high yield print cartridge option, which cuts printing costs in half.
PROS
CONS
Where to Buy
Warranty
This printer has a 1-year warranty.
Dell (C1760NW) Color Laser Printer
- Network Ready; 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet and WiFi (b/g/n), WPA2.0 (Personal), WPS and USB 2.0 High speed connectivity
- Handle high-volume printing jobs with a large duty cycle of up to 30,000 pages a month. Experience excellent print...
- Designed for energy efficiency, the Energy star -qualified C1760nw features innovative LED printing technology
Features
Key Features of this product include that it is Windows 10 compatible and has a 600 dpi resolution quality. It is energy efficient with fast printing possible, and high volumes handled with ease.
It ca print 15 pages per minute in black and white, and prints color pages at 12 ppm. It has a 150 paper sheet capacity tray and a bypass input tray a well. It can be used wirelessly trough Wifi, LAN and also has a USB 2.0 input option.
PROS
CONS
Where to Buy
Warranty
This printer has a 12-month warranty
Expression Photo HD XP-15000 Wireless Color Wide-Format Printer
- This printer is designed for use with Epson cartridges only, not third party cartridges or ink; Cartridges described as...
- Professional ultra HD photo quality get brilliant border less prints upto 13 inches X 19 inches
- Individual 6 color Claria photo HD ink includes red and gray inks for an ultra wide color gamut and enhanced black and...
Features
Key Features of this product include that it is wireless and can print large A3 color photo prints easily.
PROS
CONS
Where to Buy
Warranty
A 1-year warranty is available and can be extended to 3 years depending on where purchased.
Epson Stylus Photo R2880 Wide-Format Color Ink-jet Printer
- Prints up to 13x19 Photos with Epson UltraChrome K3 with Vivid magenta ink
- Advanced Black and White Photo Mode
- Professional 8-Color, pigment ink set with 3-level Black technology
Features
This printer prints exhibition quality prints with an amazing level of control over the exact color levels in your final print. It also has print settings for sepia and black and white regardless of the original image. A color tone wheel is also one of your options, and you can save your settings to achieve perfect prints every time you print.
PROS
CONS
Where to Buy
Warranty
This printer has a 3-year warranty.
Epson WorkForce WF-2660 All-In-One Wireless Color Printer
- This printer is designed for use with Epson cartridges only, not third party cartridges or ink. Cartridges described as...
- Get laser-like performance - The workforce WF-2660, powered by Precision Core
- Wireless, Wi-Fi Direct and NFC - easily print from iPad, iPhone, tablets and smartphones, Plus Touch to print with NFC
Features
Key Features of this product include high-quality ink-jet printing at an affordable price. It is also a scanner and copier with USB input and WIFI connections. It can print 2 sided and up to A4 prints with three loading options.
The Epsom Workforce All in One printer has a 2.7-inch color touchscreen which is easy to use. It can print 13 ISO ppm black copies and 7 color prints per minute.
PROS
CONS
Where to Buy
Warranty
This printer has a 12-month warranty.
HP ENVY Photo 7855 All in One Photo Printer
- Stunning photos for less than 5 cents – Features of this photo printer include print, scan, copy, fax, borderless &...
- The power of your printer in the palm of your hand – Mobile printing from your device such as iPhone with AirPrint, or...
- Ink delivered to your home: get your first 2 months free when you enroll in HP Instant Ink (optional) during printer set...
Features
Key Features of this product include up-to-date technology, and scanning, copying, and fax functions. Wireless printing possible with mobile printing via Air Print, or through Wireless Direct. Dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, plus Ethernet option.
HP Smart App allows you to print form iCloud, Google Drive, and DropBox. You can also print from SD card or USB and view or edit from the 2.7 inch LCD screen, where you can automatically adjust print settings to paper type. It supports various paper sizes and envelopes. It can print 15 ppm in black and white and 10 ppm in color.
PROS
CONS
Where to Buy
Warranty
This printer has a 12-month warranty.
image source: pixabay
The Verdict
The best printer for arts and craft will be completely dependent on your individual needs. If you are only going to print occasional photographs or under 50 prints a year, the low price but high-quality prints of the HP Envy 4520 WIreless All-in-One Photo printer may be perfect for your needs.
However, if you want to print larger prints up to A3 and want a more cost-effective printer, and you would like to produce a higher volume of prints, the Epsom Workforce may be the best printer for arts and crafts for you. It has the speed of a laser comparable with a laser printer and cost per print is low. It also produces a high-resolution print, which is amazing. It also doubles as a scanner, copier, and fax machine.
The best printer for art and crafts for those who want to exhibit their large-format prints professionally is undoubtedly the Epsom Stylus Photo R2880 Wide Format Color Ink-jet Printer, however, it is also the most expensive.
The Canon PIXMA Pro9000 Mark II Inkjet Photo Printer may be the best compromise for the professional or semi-professional artist who requires to high control over the exact color balance of their prints whilst not breaking the bank.
