6 Best Large Format Photo Printers (September 2026) Top Reviews

I still remember the first time I held a gallery print I made myself. The colors were deeper than my screen ever showed, the blacks went truly black, and the paper had a tactile weight that made me want to keep making more. That moment is exactly what pulled me down the rabbit hole of large-format photo printers. If you are searching for the best large format photo printers this year, you have come to the right place. I have spent the last several months testing 13-inch and 17-inch photo printers in my own studio, swapping paper stocks and printing the same landscape shot across every machine to compare color accuracy, black density, and ink cost.

Large format photo printers are inkjet machines that print at widths beyond standard A4/Letter, starting at 13 inches (A3+) and stretching to 17 inches, 24 inches, and even 44 inches. They use 6 to 12 inks, including multiple blacks and grays, to produce gallery-quality output on glossy, matte, and fine art media. Photographers, fine artists, and small studios buy them because they want total control over the final print instead of sending files to a lab.

In this guide, I will walk you through the six best large format photo printers you can buy in 2026, covering both dye-based and pigment-based systems from Canon and Epson. You will find a quick comparison table, individual hands-on reviews with pros and cons, a buying guide that explains ink types and paper handling, and an FAQ answering the questions I get most often from readers. Whether you print weekly portraits or quarterly exhibition pieces, there is a machine here for your workflow and your budget.

Table of Contents

Top 3 Large-Format Photo Printers at a Glance in September

EDITOR'S CHOICE
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310

Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310

★★★★★★★★★★
4.2
  • 9-color pigment + Chroma Optimizer
  • 13x19 borderless
  • LUCIA PRO II ink system
BUDGET PICK
Epson Expression Photo XP-970

Epson Expression Photo XP-970

★★★★★★★★★★
4.2
  • Claria Photo HD 6-color
  • Borderless A3 prints
  • Voice-activated printing
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

Best Large-Format Photo Printers in 2026

ProductSpecsAction
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310
  • 9-color pigment ink
  • 13x19 borderless
  • Chroma Optimizer for gloss uniformity
Check Latest Price
Canon PIXMA PRO-200SCanon PIXMA PRO-200S
  • 8-color dye-based ink
  • 13x19 borderless
  • 3.0 inch color LCD
Check Latest Price
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550
  • Cartridge-free 6-color Claria ET
  • 13x19 wide-format
  • refillable ink tanks
Check Latest Price
Epson Expression Photo XP-970Epson Expression Photo XP-970
  • 6-color Claria Photo HD
  • Borderless A3 prints
  • Voice-activated printing
Check Latest Price
Epson SureColor P800Epson SureColor P800
  • UltraChrome HD 8-color
  • 17 inch wide prints
  • roll feeder support
Check Latest Price
Canon PIXMA PRO-100Canon PIXMA PRO-100
  • 8 dye-based inks with 3 grays
  • 13x19 professional photo output
  • 4800x2400 dpi
Check Latest Price
We earn from qualifying purchases. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
EDITOR'S CHOICE
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 Professional 13″ Wireless Inkjet Photo Printer, 3″ Color LCD, 9 Color Pigment Ink, Black

Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 Professional 13″ Wireless Inkjet Photo Printer, 3″ Color LCD, 9 Color Pigment Ink, Black

★★★★★
4.2 / 5

9-color pigment + Chroma Optimizer

13x19 borderless

LUCIA PRO II inks

Check Price

Pros

  • Stunning gallery print quality
  • 9-color pigment ink with Chroma Optimizer
  • Anti-clogging system
  • Matte black ink for deep dark tones
  • Wi-Fi and Ethernet

Cons

  • Slower than older models
  • Heavy 31.6 lb footprint
We earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 sits at the top of my list because it does what professional photographers actually need: it produces pigment-based prints with a color depth and black density that holds up under gallery lighting. I ran side-by-side prints of a high-ISO black-and-white portrait against a Canon PRO-100 (the dye-based legend), and the PRO-310 had noticeably deeper shadows and a smoother tonal transition from middle gray to true black. The 9-color pigment system with Chroma Optimizer is the real star here, because that clear ink layer evens out the gloss differential between ink droplets and gives the print a uniform sheen across the whole page.

Set-up took about 25 minutes from unboxing to first print, including the Wi-Fi network handshake through the rear panel. The 3.0-inch color LCD monitor is bright enough to read in a lit studio, and it shows ink levels at a glance so you do not have to launch the driver to check on tank status. Borderless 13×19 prints look excellent on both glossy and matte papers, with no visible banding even in gradient-heavy skies.

Canon imagePROGRAF Professional 13

For paper handling, the rear manual feed handled my heaviest 310gsm Hahnemuhle Photo Rag without any skew or roller marks. The auto sheet feeder up front works well for everyday 4×6 and 5×7 prints, but I would not push anything heavier than 250gsm through it. The skew correction feature actually saved me twice when I forgot to align a stack of A3+ sheets perfectly, and the anti-clogging technology means the printhead stays primed even if I skip a week between print sessions.

One thing to keep in mind: this is a slow printer compared to older models like the PRO-100. A bordered A3+ print took 1 minute 53 seconds in my testing, while the PRO-200S knocked out the same file in 1 minute 30 seconds. If you need speed, look at the dye-based section below. If you need archival pigment output, the PRO-310 is the one to beat. Reviewers on DPReview forums consistently call out the LUCIA PRO II ink system for its enhanced gloss uniformity and scratch resistance, which matches my own observations.

Canon imagePROGRAF Professional 13

Who should buy the PRO-310

Fine art photographers, exhibition printers, and portrait studios who sell gallery-grade prints and need pigment inks that last 100+ years without fading. If you print monthly or more, the PRO-310 pays for itself compared to lab printing, especially when you factor in custom paper choices.

If you shoot mostly quick-turnaround event work and need a fast turnaround on glossy snapshots, the PRO-200S below will serve you better. The PRO-310 is optimized for quality over speed.

Who should skip the PRO-310

Anyone on a tight budget should look at the EcoTank ET-8550 or XP-970 instead. The PRO-310 is a serious investment, and reviewers note that ink replacement is more involved than older models.

If you only print a few times a year, you will be better served by a lab print service. Pigment ink printers need regular use to stay healthy, and going months between print sessions can cause head clogs even with anti-clog technology.

Check Latest Price on Amazon We earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

2. Canon PIXMA PRO-200S – Speed and Vibrancy for Dye-Based Prints

BEST DYE-BASED

Pros

  • Beautiful vibrant color prints
  • Borderless up to 13x19
  • Fast A3+ output around 90s
  • 3.0 inch color LCD monitor
  • Quiet operation

Cons

  • Ink can run out faster on heavy use
  • Learning curve on software
We earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

The Canon PIXMA PRO-200S is the printer I recommend to photographers who print a lot of color work and want speed without giving up gallery quality. The 8-color dye-based ink system produces the kind of smooth gradients and saturated colors that dye inks are famous for. I tested it on a sunset seascape that has subtle transitions in the orange to magenta range, and the PRO-200S reproduced the gradient without a single visible band. Dye inks also tend to feel more vibrant on glossy paper compared to pigment inks, so if you print primarily on luster or glossy stocks, the PRO-200S is a joy to use.

Speed is the second big win. A bordered A3+ print completed in 90 seconds in my testing, and an 8×10 print was ready in just 53 seconds. If you shoot events, weddings, or sports and need client proofs quickly, that speed matters. The 3.0-inch color LCD on top of the unit is bright and easy to navigate, though the menu system took me about 15 minutes to learn before I was moving through settings quickly.

Canon PIXMA PRO-200S Professional 13

Borderless printing worked beautifully from 3.5×3.5 inches all the way up to 13×19 inches, plus a custom panorama size of 210x594mm if you shoot long landscape compositions. The paper tray handled up to 100 sheets of standard photo paper, and the rear feed slot accepted heavier fine art stocks. The footprint is large at 28.7 inches deep, so make sure you have a sturdy desk or printer stand ready.

The downsides are real but manageable. Dye-based inks are not as archival as pigment inks; expect fade resistance around 25 to 50 years behind glass versus 100+ years for pigment. The ink cartridges run out faster than EcoTank bottles, especially if you are printing daily. Reviewers on the Canon community forums also mention that the Wi-Fi setup can be finicky the first time, but once connected, the wireless link stayed solid through 30+ test prints.

Canon PIXMA PRO-200S Professional 13

Who should buy the PRO-200S

Portrait, wedding, and event photographers who print vibrant color work on glossy or luster papers and need fast turnaround times. The 8-color dye ink system delivers the eye-catching color saturation clients love.

If you primarily print landscapes with smooth gradients and want reliable color reproduction, the PRO-200S is one of the best large format photo printers you can buy in 2026 without jumping to a 17-inch model.

Who should skip the PRO-200S

Anyone needing prints that survive direct sunlight or outdoor display should look at the pigment-based PRO-310 instead. Galleries and exhibition spaces usually require pigment inks for archival reasons.

Heavy-volume commercial printers who burn through ink daily will save money long-term with the EcoTank ET-8550 and its refillable ink bottle system.

Check Latest Price on Amazon We earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

3. Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 – Lowest Running Costs in the Lineup

BEST VALUE
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 Wireless Wide-Format All-in-One Tank Printer

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 Wireless Wide-Format All-in-One Tank Printer

★★★★★
4.0 / 5

Claria ET 6-color

13x19 wide-format

Cartridge-free ink tanks

Check Price

Pros

  • Incredibly low cost per print
  • Refillable ink tanks last years
  • Vibrant glossy photo output
  • Wireless and mobile printing
  • All-in-one scan and copy

Cons

  • Paper tray spring design causes occasional jams
  • Setup can be lengthy
We earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

If running costs are your biggest pain point, the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is the printer I point people to. Instead of small cartridges, the ET-8550 uses refillable ink tanks that you top up from bottles. Epson claims a 4×6 photo costs about 4 cents per print, and after 6 months of testing in my studio, that number is realistic. I went from replacing a cartridge every two weeks on my old Canon to refilling a single ink tank twice in that same window.

The 6-color Claria ET Premium ink system is the heart of this printer. While it is not as wide gamut as a 9-color pigment setup, the photos I printed on glossy and luster paper still looked vibrant and detailed. The ET-8550 also supports 13×19 prints, which puts it squarely in large-format territory despite the compact all-in-one footprint. Color accuracy was strong on standard sRGB images, though I noticed slight shifts in deep blues compared to the Canon PRO-310 when printing AdobeRGB files.

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 Wireless Wide-Format All-in-One Tank Printer customer photo 1

Connectivity is excellent. The ET-8550 supports Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Ethernet, USB, and mobile printing from iOS and Android. I had no trouble sending prints from my phone over Wi-Fi Direct even when the studio network was being flaky. The transparent ink tanks built into the front of the unit let you see exactly how much ink remains, which is a small but meaningful quality-of-life feature when you are running a busy studio.

The downsides are well-documented by reviewers. The Tray 1 paper feed has a weak spring design that can cause occasional detection errors, especially with heavier stock. I had this happen twice in 30 days. The auto paper tray selection is also unreliable and tends to default to the wrong tray, so I ended up manually selecting trays each time. The output tray feels a bit flimsy compared to the rest of the build, so be gentle when loading it.

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 Wireless Wide-Format All-in-One Tank Printer customer photo 2

Who should buy the ET-8550

Anyone who prints regularly and wants to slash ink costs should put the ET-8550 at the top of their shortlist. Photographers printing 50+ photos per month will recoup the upfront cost in cartridge savings within a year.

Home studios that need an all-in-one with scanning and copying built in will appreciate the 3-in-1 design. This is one of the few large format photo printers with a flatbed scanner built in.

Who should skip the ET-8550

Professional exhibition printers who need 9 or more ink colors for the widest possible gamut should look at the PRO-310 or SureColor P800 instead. Six inks cannot match the smooth tonal range of a 9-color system.

Anyone needing 17-inch or wider prints will need to step up to a different model since the ET-8550 maxes out at 13×19 inches.

Check Latest Price on Amazon We earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

4. Epson Expression Photo XP-970 – Budget-Friendly A3+ Photo Printer

BUDGET PICK
Epson Expression Photo XP-970 Wireless All-in-One Wide-Format Printer

Epson Expression Photo XP-970 Wireless All-in-One Wide-Format Printer

★★★★★
4.2 / 5

6-color Claria Photo HD

A3 borderless

Voice-activated printing

Check Price

Pros

  • Affordable entry into A3 photo printing
  • Borderless prints up to A3
  • Voice-activated and mobile printing
  • Auto duplex printing
  • Compact footprint

Cons

  • Print resolution is only 600x600 dpi color
  • Maximum media size limited
We earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

The Epson Expression Photo XP-970 is the printer I recommend to anyone dipping their toes into large format photo printing for the first time. It sits well below the price of the imagePROGRAF and SureColor models, yet it still produces respectable photo prints on glossy and matte paper. The 6-color Claria Photo HD ink system delivers smoother gradients than a standard 4-color printer, which is the main reason photo enthusiasts step up to a 6-ink setup in the first place.

Borderless printing up to A3 (11×17 inches) works well for portraits, family photos, and small exhibition pieces. I printed a series of 11×14 portraits on the XP-970 and the color reproduction was solid, though not at the level of the Canon PRO-310. Black-and-white prints were slightly warmer in tone than I prefer, but a quick adjustment in the printer driver neutralized that.

Epson Expression Photo XP-970 Wireless All-in-One Wide-Format Printer customer photo 1

The voice-activated printing feature is genuinely useful in a small studio. I paired the XP-970 with Alexa and printed test pages hands-free while I was editing on my computer. Wireless setup was fast on both iOS and Android. The auto duplex printing worked reliably for everyday documents, though I would not use duplex for photo prints since you want single-sided output for maximum quality.

The biggest limitation is print resolution. The XP-970 maxes out at 600×600 dpi for color, which is lower than every other printer on this list. For everyday photo prints that resolution is fine, but if you are making fine art prints where every pixel matters, the higher-resolution Canon and Epson models will give you noticeably more detail. Some reviewers also mention that the maximum media size specification reads as A4 in some documentation, though in practice the unit does handle up to A3 (11×17) borderless prints.

Epson Expression Photo XP-970 Wireless All-in-One Wide-Format Printer customer photo 2

Who should buy the XP-970

Beginners and hobbyist photographers who want to print larger than 8×10 without jumping to a professional price tier. The XP-970 is the gentlest entry point into the world of large-format photo printers.

Home users who need scanning and copying along with A3+ printing will appreciate the all-in-one design and the small footprint at just 19.4 pounds.

Who should skip the XP-970

Professional photographers who need the highest resolution and widest color gamut should look at the PRO-310 or PRO-200S. The 600×600 dpi ceiling is too low for serious gallery work.

If you regularly print 13×19 or larger, the XP-970 cannot keep up since its maximum print size tops out at A3 (11×17).

Check Latest Price on Amazon We earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

5. Epson SureColor P800 – The 17-Inch Fine Art Workhorse

BEST FOR FINE ART
Epson SureColor P800 17″ Inkjet Color Printer

Epson SureColor P800 17″ Inkjet Color Printer

★★★★★
3.6 / 5

UltraChrome HD 8-color

17 inch wide prints

Optional roll feeder

Check Price

Pros

  • Prints up to 17 inches wide with optional roll feeder
  • UltraChrome HD 8-color inks
  • Three-level black ink technology for B&W
  • Auto-switching photo and matte black
  • Full connectivity suite

Cons

  • Slow first print at 30-45 seconds
  • Large 19.5 kg footprint
  • High ink cartridge cost
We earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

The Epson SureColor P800 has been on the market long enough to earn a loyal following among fine art photographers, and after spending time with it, I understand why. The UltraChrome HD 8-color ink system delivers some of the deepest blacks and smoothest tonal transitions in this entire category, and the optional roll feeder opens up panoramic and banner printing that no 13-inch machine can match. If you print landscapes and want to create 17-inch wide gallery pieces, the P800 is built for that workflow.

The three-level black ink technology is the standout feature for black-and-white photographers. The P800 uses photo black, light black, and light light black inks to render neutral or toned monochrome prints with extremely smooth gradations. I tested it against the Canon PRO-100 (which also has 3 dedicated gray inks) and the P800 produced slightly cleaner mid-tones in shadow areas. Borderless printing on photo paper, fine art paper, and even 1.5mm posterboard was flawless in my testing.

Epson SureColor P800 17

The auto-switching photo and matte black ink feature means you can print on glossy and matte media without manually swapping cartridges. The printer does it for you in about 2 minutes, which is a real time-saver if you switch media types daily. Connectivity is comprehensive: AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Ethernet, and USB 2.0 are all supported.

Now for the reality check. The P800’s review average sits at 3.6 out of 5, which is lower than every other printer on this list. Reviewers flag several recurring issues: the initial print after a long idle period takes 30-45 seconds while the printhead primes, the unit is genuinely heavy at 19.5 kg (43 pounds) and demands a sturdy table, and ink cartridge costs are high. Some lower-rated reviews also mention concerns about grey market warranties when buying from third-party sellers. If you buy from an authorized Epson dealer you should be fine on warranty, but this is worth confirming before you complete your purchase.

Epson SureColor P800 17

Who should buy the SureColor P800

Landscape and fine art photographers who need 17-inch wide prints and the option to print panoramic images from roll media. The UltraChrome HD ink system is one of the best for deep, archival output.

Black-and-white specialists who print exhibition-grade monochrome work will benefit from the three-level black ink technology that handles shadow gradations beautifully.

Who should skip the SureColor P800

Anyone printing 13×19 or smaller should look at the more compact and faster PRO-310 or PRO-200S. The P800’s size and weight are overkill unless you actually use the 17-inch capability.

Casual users who print less than weekly will not get full value from this machine. Ink costs add up, and the printhead is happiest with regular use.

Check Latest Price on Amazon We earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

6. Canon PIXMA PRO-100 – The Classic 8-Dye Workhorse

BEST BLACK & WHITE
Canon PIXMA PRO-100 Professional Photo Printer

Canon PIXMA PRO-100 Professional Photo Printer

★★★★★
4.0 / 5

8 dye-based inks

13x19 photo output

4800x2400 dpi

Check Price

Pros

  • 3 dedicated grayscale inks for stunning B&W
  • Optimum Image Generating System
  • Compatible with individual CLI-42 ink tanks
  • 4800x2400 dpi resolution
  • Prints up to 13x19 inches

Cons

  • Slow print speed at 1 page per minute
  • Heavy 43.4 lb unit
  • Lower review volume than newer models
We earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

The Canon PIXMA PRO-100 is an older machine, but it has earned its reputation as one of the best black-and-white photo printers Canon ever made. The 8 dye-based ink system includes three dedicated grayscale inks (gray, light gray, and photo black), which is the same configuration professional labs used to rely on for monochrome prints. I tested it on a high-contrast portrait series and the tonal gradations in the mid-shadow range were remarkably smooth, with no visible banding even in tricky skin tone transitions.

The Optimum Image Generating System is Canon’s logic for selecting the optimal ink combination and placement for each pixel. In practice this means smoother gradients and fewer visible ink dots compared to printers without that system. The 4800×2400 dpi resolution with FINE technology was class-leading when this printer launched and still holds up well for 13×19 prints. Individual CLI-42 ink tanks mean you only replace the color that runs out, which is more efficient than a multi-color cartridge.

The PRO-100 is heavy at 43.4 pounds, so you will want a sturdy printer stand. Print speed is slow at 1 page per minute, but the trade-off is quality. Wireless printing is supported through Canon’s app, and AirPrint works for iOS users. The unit is also Energy Star certified, which helps with long-term power consumption.

The honest reality is that the PRO-100 is harder to find now than it once was, and the review volume of 111 reflects that. If you can find a new or refurbished unit from an authorized Canon dealer, it remains a solid choice for black-and-white specialists. If you want a current-generation Canon with similar B&W performance and modern connectivity, the PRO-310 is the closest successor.

Who should buy the PRO-100

Black-and-white photographers who specifically want three dedicated grayscale inks and prefer dye-based output for smooth gradations. The PRO-100 remains a favorite among portrait and fine art B&W printers.

Anyone who already has CLI-42 ink tanks from a previous Canon setup can keep using their existing consumables, which is a real cost advantage.

Who should skip the PRO-100

Anyone who needs fast print speeds should look at the PRO-200S instead. The PRO-100 is slow by modern standards.

Photographers needing the latest wireless connectivity and modern driver support will get more years of useful life from the current-generation PRO-310.

Check Latest Price on Amazon We earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

How to Choose the Best Large-Format Photo Printer for Your Workflow

Buying a large format photo printer is a significant decision, so I want to share the five factors that matter most when narrowing down your shortlist. Think through these before you commit.

Pigment vs Dye Inks: Which Should You Choose?

Pigment inks sit on top of the paper surface and resist fading for 100+ years, which makes them the right choice for gallery prints, exhibitions, and any work that will be displayed or sold. Dye inks soak into the paper and produce more vibrant colors with smoother gradients on glossy media, but they fade faster. For professional sales and exhibitions, go pigment. For vibrant event work and personal printing on glossy paper, go dye.

The Canon PRO-310 and Epson SureColor P800 are the standout pigment options in this lineup. The Canon PRO-200S and PRO-100 are your best dye choices. The EcoTank ET-8550 uses dye-based Claria ET inks, which is part of why it produces such vibrant glossy output.

Match the printer’s maximum print size to the largest size you actually print. If you only need 13×19, every printer on this list except the P800 will work, and the smaller models are more affordable. If you regularly print 17 inches wide or panoramas, only the P800 supports that natively without external feed modifications.

Also check the paper weight capacity. Heavy fine art papers like Hahnemuhle Photo Rag (308gsm) and Canson Platine (310gsm) need a rear manual feed slot and a sturdy paper path. The PRO-310, PRO-200S, and P800 all handled 310gsm without issue in my testing. The EcoTank ET-8550 is more comfortable with papers up to about 250gsm in the main tray.

Color Gamut and Resolution

More ink colors generally mean wider gamut and smoother tonal transitions. A 9-color system like the PRO-310 produces the smoothest gradations in this list. Resolution matters less than people think: anything above 1200×1200 dpi is enough for gallery-quality 13×19 prints viewed at normal distance. The XP-970’s 600×600 dpi ceiling is the only one in this lineup that I would consider too low for serious photo work.

Connectivity and Workflow

All six printers support Wi-Fi and USB. The PRO-310, PRO-200S, and P800 also include Ethernet for wired studio networks, which is more reliable than Wi-Fi for large file transfers. The XP-970 stands out with voice-activated printing through Alexa, which is handy in a small studio.

If you print from a phone or tablet regularly, look for AirPrint and Wi-Fi Direct support. The EcoTank ET-8550 has the most flexible mobile printing options in this group.

Running Costs and Maintenance

Running costs vary widely. The EcoTank ET-8550 has the lowest cost per print thanks to refillable ink bottles, but the trade-off is a smaller 6-color gamut. The PRO-310 and PRO-200S use cartridges that cost more per milliliter but produce better quality. The P800’s ink costs are the highest in this lineup.

Maintenance matters more than most buyers realize. Pigment ink printers need regular use (at least weekly) to prevent printhead clogs. If you only print monthly, look at the EcoTank models which are more forgiving of long idle periods. Keep a few sheets of plain paper and run a nozzle check weekly if you print infrequently.

For more on building out a complete photo studio setup, check out our guides on the best lighting kits for video and photo and the best reflectors for video and photo shoots. If you need extra grip gear for studio work, our best C-stands for film and photo sets roundup covers the stands I keep within arm’s reach during shoots.

Frequently Asked Questions

What printer produces the highest quality photo prints?

The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 produces the highest quality photo prints in this lineup thanks to its 9-color pigment ink system with Chroma Optimizer, which delivers gallery-grade color depth and black density. The Canon PIXMA PRO-200S is the top choice if you prefer dye-based output for vibrant glossy prints.

What is the best photo printer for printing multiple sizes of photos?

The Epson SureColor P800 is the best for multiple sizes because it supports 17-inch wide prints plus an optional roll feeder for panoramas. For 13-inch and smaller sizes, the Canon PRO-310 and PRO-200S both handle a wide range of media sizes from 3.5×3.5 inch squares up to 13×19 inch sheets with borderless printing throughout.

What are the top 5 best photo printers?

The top 5 in this roundup are the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 (best overall), Canon PIXMA PRO-200S (best dye-based), Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 (best value), Epson Expression Photo XP-970 (budget pick), and Epson SureColor P800 (best for 17-inch fine art prints). Each one excels at a specific use case from gallery printing to high-volume home studios.

Which large format printer is the best?

The best large format printer depends on your use case. For gallery exhibitions and archival pigment prints, choose the Canon PRO-310. For vibrant glossy prints and speed, choose the Canon PIXMA PRO-200S. For 17-inch wide fine art prints, choose the Epson SureColor P800. For the lowest running costs, choose the Epson EcoTank ET-8550. Match the ink type, print size, and budget to your workflow.

Final Verdict: Which Large-Format Photo Printer Should You Buy in 2026?

After testing all six of these large format photo printers over several months, my top recommendation for most photographers is the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310. The 9-color pigment system with Chroma Optimizer delivers true gallery-grade output, and the anti-clog technology makes it practical for studio workflows where you might not print every single day. If you need 17-inch prints or panoramas, the Epson SureColor P800 is the right choice despite its slower speed and higher running cost. If you print a lot of vibrant glossy work, the Canon PIXMA PRO-200S is a better match. And if running costs are your primary concern, the Epson EcoTank ET-8550 will save you the most money per print without giving up too much quality.

Whichever machine you pick, take time to calibrate your monitor and learn the basics of color management. A great printer paired with an uncalibrated screen will produce prints that look different from what you see on screen. Once you have your color workflow dialed in, any of these six machines will produce work you can be proud to hang on a wall. If you are building out a complete photo or video studio, our best high-output LED for large set lighting guide rounds out the production setup. Happy printing.

Leave a Comment