What printer is best for photos?
To answer that question, we need to look at what your printing needs are. With your printing needs in mind, we need to look out for two things.
First, is the paper size the printer can accommodate. What photo sizes do you plan to print at a constant basis? Are you going to print up to A4 paper size (8.5 x 11 inches)? Or up to A3 and A3+ paper size(13 x 19 inches)?
Second, is the choice of ink between dye-based or pigment-based. Dye-based ink is composed of liquid colorants dissolved in a solution. Pigment-based ink is composed of solid particle colorants suspended in a solution.
Dye-based ink, being liquid that can blend, gives richer colors and softer gradients. Pigment-based ink, however, lasts longer.
Dye-based ink lasts 25-30 years upon printing. Pigment-based ink lasts up to 200 years upon printing.
Some photo printers use both (pigment-based CMYK+ and dye-based black) while others only use pigment-based ink or dye-based ink.
The printers we would recommend all have a full ink set included upon purchase.
What is a Good Photo Printer?
Epson SureColor P400
This printer has an 8-ink system. There are 7 color cartridges for color accuracy. What makes this a good quality photo printer is the 8th cartridge which is a gloss optimizer that enhances the print. All ink cartridges have 14 ml of ink each.
Its maximum paper size is A3 (13 x 19 inches), roll paper included.
This printer only has USB, wireless and Ethernet connection.
Canon PIXMA TSP120
This printer is a good photo printer as well as a good office inkjet printer. It also has a copy and scanner feature.
Canon PIXMA TSP120 has a 6-ink system. Five of the cartridges have dye-based inks for photos. Each of its standard size is 5.6 ml. The fifth one is a pigment-based black ink for text. Its standard size is 11.2 ml.
This printer has a maximum paper size of A4 (8 x 11 inches). But it doesn't support roll paper.
This printer has a USB, Ethernet, Wireless and Bluetooth connection. It even has a Memory Card slot.
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000
This printer is best for photos that are also grayscale. It has a 12-ink tank system, including Chroma Optimizer, Gray and Photo Gray. Each tank contains 80 ml of ink.
It has a maximum paper size of 17 x 22 inches. But it has no roll-paper support.
This printer has USB, Ethernet and Wireless connection. It doesn't have Bluetooth connection.
What is the Best Home Printer for Photos?
Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000
This printer is best for photos in a budget. Its for photo enthusiasts who doesn't want to buy an expensive professional photo printer but still want gallery-quality prints.
This is a good quality photo printer for grayscale photos too. Its 6-ink system (CMYK, Red, Gray) gives better color accuracy than an average photo printer.
Its maximum paper size is A3 (13 x 19 inches). It may not have a roll paper feature but it does have a double-sided printing feature.
It has a USB, Wireless and Ethernet connection. This printer has no Bluetooth connection.
For cheaper cartridges with professional quality, simply visit our store.
Looking for cheap ink cartridges? Feel free to check our brand printer pages for remanufactured HP toner and ink, Epson ink and toner, Brother ink and toner, Canon ink and toner, Lexmark ink and toner or other cheap printer ink cartridges and search for your printer model through the list provided.