Best Printer for Fine Art Prints 2024 - Epson SureColor, Canon Pixma, or Plotter Printers??

Summary

The artist discusses the importance of selecting the right printer for fine art prints, emphasizing the need for archival quality, cost-effective ink, and durability. After researching various models, they share their experience with Epson printers, comparing the P and T series, and detailing the challenges with ink costs and print speeds. They ultimately recommend the Epson P900 for its quality, despite its slower speed, and suggest considering a used or refurbished P800 for better durability and efficiency.

Takeaways

• 🎨 The speaker's business heavily relies on selling art prints, which account for about 80% of their income.
• 🖨️ Choosing the right printer is crucial for an artist, especially for producing archival prints that won't fade over time.
• 🌈 Pigment-based ink is essential for longevity and archival quality in art prints, as it doesn't fade compared to other types of inks.
• 💰 Ink cost per print is a significant factor for profitability, as expensive ink can negatively impact the artist's income.
• 📏 The printer should accommodate various paper sizes, including custom sizes, and be capable of large format printing, ideally up to 16 by 20 inches.
• ⏱️ Printing speed is vital for workflow efficiency, particularly during peak seasons when hundreds of prints may be needed daily.
• 📚 Durability is key for a printer that will be used frequently, ensuring it can withstand the demands of high-volume printing.
• 💸 The cost of the printer itself is a critical consideration, with a preference for models under $2000 to balance quality and affordability.
• 🔍 Two types of Epson pigment-based ink printers are discussed: the P-series for fine art and the T-series for broader applications like engineering drawings.
• 🚫 The T-series printers, while more affordable, may not meet the quality standards of a professional artist due to limited ink colors and print clarity.
• 🔄 The speaker's experience with the Epson P700 was negative due to slow printing speed and high ink costs, leading to an upgrade to the P900.
• 🔄 The P900 offers similar print quality to the P800 but has an additional ink cartridge, which doesn't significantly improve print quality but affects printing speed and ink usage.
• 🛡️ Epson provides a one-year warranty, which is beneficial for artists as it offers a safety net in case of printer failure.

Q & A

What is the primary source of income for the artist mentioned in the script?

The primary source of income for the artist is selling art prints, which accounts for about 80% of their revenue.

Why is choosing the right printer important for the artist?

Choosing the right printer is important because it directly impacts the quality, longevity, and cost-effectiveness of the art prints, which are a significant part of the artist's business.

What type of ink is essential for the artist's archival prints?

Pigment-based ink is essential for the artist's archival prints because it does not fade and ensures the longevity of the artwork.

What are some factors the artist considers when evaluating ink costs for printing?

The artist considers the cost per print, the profitability of their art prints, and the availability of ink when evaluating ink costs.

Why is the ability to print on a variety of paper sizes important to the artist?

The ability to print on a variety of paper sizes, including custom sizes, is important because it allows the artist to offer a diverse range of print options and maintain flexibility in their art production.

What is the artist's minimum requirement for the printer's printing speed?

The artist requires a printer that can handle printing 100 to 200 prints a day, especially during peak seasons of art fairs, indicating the need for a fast printing speed.

Why is durability a key factor for the artist when selecting a printer?

Durability is a key factor because the artist prints a high volume of prints daily, and the printer needs to withstand the wear and tear of frequent use without compromising performance.

What is the artist's budget range for purchasing a new printer?

The artist's budget range for a new printer is between $1,000 and $2,000, as they consider prices above $5,000 to be unreasonable for their needs as an independent artist.

What are the two different types of Epson pigment-based ink printers mentioned in the script?

The two different types of Epson pigment-based ink printers mentioned are the P series, which is more professional for fine art printing, and the T series, which are plotter printers used for printing engineering drawings and lower-quality posters.

What was the main issue the artist faced with the Epson P700?

The main issue the artist faced with the Epson P700 was its slow printing speed and high ink cost, which made it unprofitable for their print volume.

Why did the artist decide to switch from the P700 to the P900?

The artist switched from the P700 to the P900 because the P900 has a similar ink cost to the P800, which they were previously using, and offers a wider range of paper sizes and better print quality.

What is the main concern the artist has about the durability of the P900?

The main concern the artist has about the durability of the P900 is that the first unit they received broke after printing only 500 prints, raising questions about its long-term reliability.

What is the difference in DPI settings between the P900 and P800 for 8x10 prints using the artist's preferred paper?

The P900 forces the artist to print at 1440 DPI for 8x10 prints using their preferred paper, while the P800 allows printing at 720 DPI, which is faster and uses less ink.

What is the artist's recommendation for the best printer for fine art prints currently available on the market?

The artist recommends the Epson P900 as the best printer for fine art prints currently available on the market, despite its slower printing speed compared to the P800.

What alternative recommendation does the artist give if a used or refurbished P800 is available?

If a used or refurbished P800 is available, the artist suggests it as a much better machine due to its faster printing speed, durability, and efficient ink usage.

Outlines

00:00

🖼️ Choosing the Right Printer for Art Prints

The speaker, a professional artist, emphasizes the importance of selecting the right printer for their art prints, which constitute 80% of their income. They discuss the complexity of choosing a printer due to the variety of models, inks, and paper types available. The artist prioritizes archival quality prints that won't fade, making pigment-based ink essential. They also consider ink cost, paper size versatility, printing speed, printer durability, and the initial cost of the printer. The artist shares their experience with Epson printers, highlighting the challenges of finding ink for older models and comparing the P-series and T-series Epson printers, ultimately narrowing down their choice to the Epson P700 or P900 based on print width and quality.

05:01

📦 Printer Durability and Ink Cost Considerations

The artist recounts their decision-making process for choosing between the Epson P700 and P900, initially opting for the P700 due to its lower cost and sufficient print width for their needs. However, they found the P700's slow printing speed and high ink cost to be detrimental to their business, leading to a switch to the P900. The P900 offers similar print quality to the P800, which the artist appreciates for continuity in their artwork. Despite the P900's slower printing speed at higher DPI settings, the artist considers it the better choice for fine art prints, especially if a used or refurbished P800 is unavailable. They also mention the importance of warranty support, as evidenced by their experience with a broken P900 that was replaced under warranty. The artist concludes by recommending resources for understanding ink costs and printer capabilities before making a purchase.

Keywords

💡Art Prints

Art prints refer to the physical reproductions of an artist's original work. In the context of the video, they are a significant part of the artist's business, accounting for about 80% of their income. The artist emphasizes the importance of high-quality prints that are archival and long-lasting, which is crucial for selling artwork at a premium price.

💡Pigment-Based Ink

Pigment-based ink is a type of ink used in printing that is known for its longevity and resistance to fading. The artist in the video insists on this type of ink for their printers because it ensures that the art prints will not fade over time, which is essential for creating archival-quality art prints.

💡Ink Cost

Ink cost refers to the expense associated with the ink used in printing. The artist is concerned about the profitability of their art prints and thus is looking for printers with reasonably priced ink to maintain a sustainable business model. The script mentions comparing ink costs to ensure they are not prohibitively expensive.

💡Paper Sizes

The ability to accommodate various paper sizes, including custom sizes, is crucial for an artist who wants flexibility in the types of prints they can produce. The video discusses the importance of a printer that can handle a wide range of paper sizes, from standard to large formats like 16 by 20 inches.

💡Printing Speed

Printing speed is the rate at which a printer can produce prints. The artist requires a printer with a fast printing speed to handle high volumes, especially during peak seasons like art fairs. The script highlights the need for a printer that can efficiently process hundreds of prints without slowing down the workflow.

💡Durability

Durability in this context refers to the printer's ability to withstand frequent use without breaking down. The artist needs a printer that is reliable and can perform at a high level consistently, especially when printing large quantities of art prints daily.

💡Epson P Series

The Epson P series printers are professional-grade printers designed for fine art printing. The video discusses the P series as a preferred choice for artists due to their high-quality prints, wide range of supported paper types, and overall performance. The artist compares different models within this series to find the best fit for their needs.

💡Epson T Series

The Epson T series printers are plotter printers typically used for printing engineering drawings and lower-quality posters. The artist in the video mentions these printers as being more affordable but less suitable for fine art printing due to their limited paper options and lower print quality compared to the P series.

💡Archival Prints

Archival prints are prints that are designed to last for a long time without fading or deteriorating. The artist emphasizes the importance of creating archival prints that will endure for lifetimes, including the lifetimes of their children, which is why the choice of printer and ink is critical.

💡DPI (Dots Per Inch)

DPI stands for dots per inch and is a measure of printing resolution. The video discusses the difference in print quality and speed between 1440 DPI and 720 DPI. The artist finds that while the P900 forces a higher DPI setting, it doesn't significantly improve print quality but does increase ink usage and printing time.

💡Warranty

A warranty is a guarantee provided by a manufacturer to cover repairs or replacements for a product within a specified period. The video mentions the one-year warranty provided by Epson, which the artist utilized when their first P900 printer broke down, illustrating the importance of after-sales support.

Highlights

Prints account for 80% of the artist's income, emphasizing the importance of a reliable printer for fine art prints.

The artist's search for a new printer was confusing due to the variety of models and technical specifications.

Pigment-based ink is essential for archival prints that won't fade over time.

Ink cost per print is a critical factor for profitability in selling art prints.

The printer should support a wide range of paper sizes, including custom sizes, and large formats up to 16 by 20 inches.

Printing speed is vital for handling high volumes of prints, especially during peak seasons.

Durability of the printer is important for long-term use and high print volumes.

The cost of the printer is a significant consideration for an independent artist.

Epson printers are favored for their durability, but they may phase out models, affecting ink availability.

Epson SureColor P-series printers are more professional and suitable for fine art printing compared to T-series.

T-series printers are more affordable but may limit paper types and print quality.

The artist's experience with Canon printers was unsatisfactory in terms of long-term durability.

Epson P700 was initially chosen but proved to be slow and expensive in ink costs.

Epson P900 offers similar print quality to P800 but with an additional ink cartridge.

P900 forces higher DPI printing, which increases ink usage and decreases printing speed.

The artist's first P900 printer broke after 500 prints, raising concerns about its durability.

Epson provides a one-year warranty, which helped in replacing the faulty P900 printer.

The artist recommends the P900 for its print quality but suggests looking for a used or refurbished P800 for better durability and speed.

Transcripts

as a professional artist making art

prints is a huge part of my business I

would say about 80% of my income comes

directly from selling the art prints

that I make and so having a printer to

make my fine art prints is so important

I love all of my current printers but

the thing is a few months ago I came

into a situation where I had to buy a

new one and I was looking through

everything that was available online and

man it was confusing there are so many

different models of printers available

and all of them look pretty good at

first glance but then when you look into

them deeper and figure out the kind of

inks they use and the papers they use

and just everything about them like what

the ink costs how quickly they make

prints it makes it a really confusing

decision so in this video I want to

distill all of the information that I

discovered over my research into a

really easy understandable method to

pick the best printer for you for making

art prints first off what are the most

important qualities that you need to be

looking for in a printer as an artist

who's wanting a print that will last a

long long time I'm talking archival

prints here prints that will not fade

for our entire lifetimes probably our

children's lifetimes as well this is

important to me as an artist making fine

art prints because I want my work to

last it's not just some poster that a

person's buying at Walmart this is

artwork and I'm selling it at a premium

price this means that pigment-based ink

is an absolute must for any printer that

I purchase because pigment-based ink

will not fade it is archival whereas

anything that has D based ink or any

other types of inks they are going to

eventually start to fade next is the ink

cost now if the ink is exorbitantly

expensive per print that's not going to

be profitable for me as an artist so I'm

always on the lookout for how much ink

costs an appr printer also I want to

know that it can take a wide variety of

paper sizes even custom paper sizes I

also want to be able to print large at

least up to 16 by 20 and don't forget

printing speed is also really important

because if it prints really slowly this

is going to be a horrible thing for my

work flow because I print sometimes 100

or 200 prints a day especially during

the peak seasons of art fairs and so I

need a printer that can handle running

that many prints through it they can

take stacks of paper and then I also

need to have something that's durable

because if I'm running that many prints

through it this thing needs to be able

to take a beating it needs to be able to

perform produce at a high level last and

I think also equally important to

everything is the cost of the actual

printer because man there are some

printers that are super expensive like5

$5,000 and I'm sorry but I am an

independent artist here right I don't

have $5,000 to just waste on a printer

now $1,000 is more reasonable maybe even

$2,000 but $5,000 no it's not happening

this is my Epson p800 I love this

printer but it's the one that I'm trying

to upgrade to a new version this printer

has been phased out so sometimes it's

hard to find ink for it and that's why I

want to get a new one but I love this

printer and it still works great I've

had it for eight years it is a Workhorse

but if you can't find Find Ink you got

to get something else and this is one of

the negatives with having an Epson

printer is often times they phase them

out for newer models and then they don't

support the ink as readily as they used

to and I've tried a lot of canons like

canon pixas in the past and I just

haven't been happy with their durability

long term and epsons they are workhorses

they can perform usually now I say this

because I actually discovered some

things with some of the new epsons that

I don't like and I'm about to tell you

about them but first let's talk about

the two different types of Epson

printers that you can get with pigment

based ink they're both Epson surecolor

printers but one is the P series and the

other is the t-s series so the P series

is the more professional series for Fine

Art printers the t- series are plotter

printers these are used for printing

engineering drawings CAD drawing and

even lowquality posters but the thing is

is that there is a difference in the

quality level of the prints and there is

a difference in what papers they can

take and so this is important for me as

a professional artist because I don't

want to have a printer that limits me

and the printers that are the T-Series

are more affordable so that's something

to keep in mind and they can print big

like up to 24 in wide on a roll but when

it comes to the flat pre-cut papers that

they can take they are limited to

certain sizes and I talked to some

salespeople about the quality level of

these prints and they said that they

aren't nearly as good as the P series

they told me that if I was used to using

a pseries printer which I am that's what

I own currently and I have owned

throughout the last 12 years of my art

career is said that I would be

disappointed if I got a T Series because

since they only have four colors of ink

in them the colors are not as vibrant

they're not as varied there's not as

much gamut and color depth and there

also isn't quite as much Clarity in the

prints and these are all things that are

super important to me because I want my

art prints to be perfect just so

beautiful so that narrowed it down to

either an Epson p700 or a p900 and the

thing is the Epson p700 only prints to

13 in wide the p900 prints to 17 in wide

at the time I really just needed to

print 8 by 10 and so I was like well

okay I'll do a 13-in wide one that's

fine it's a little bit cheaper and I

have a bigger printer that still works

that I can get ink for to do my larger

sizes because I also have an Epson p6000

you can see it here in my studio this

printer is awesome it's an older model

of a very large format printer I've had

it for years it works great so I'll just

be keeping this one I won't be upgrading

this much bigger one and it's still very

easy to find ink for this one I think

Epson sold a lot of p 6000s and they

offer great support and their customer

service can come out if anything brakes

on it cuz I had something break on this

they came out they fixed it for me still

works great so I decided to go with the

p700 at first I got it in I tried it out

I quickly realized that it wasn't for me

because it printed slow and the ink cost

was exorbitant it was Triple what I was

paying when I was printing with my p800

and this is no good for me I mean when

you're selling the number of prints that

I do I would have been losing about $500

a month if I would have kept this

printer so I went ahead and swapped it

for a p900 which has an ink cost similar

to the the p800 the reason why I know

the cost of ink is that it's a great

thing there's this company called a Red

River and they have two different lists

that you should totally check out one is

a list of all the current printers that

have pigment-based inks and the other

list is what the ink costs per page of

an 8x10 printed with that printer and so

you can look through there before you

ever purchase the printer and see what

it's going to cost you and links to

these are in the description also links

to the printers that I discuss are in

the description as well so this is the

p900 I got it in but I also want to tell

you this is the second p900 I got

because the first one I printed 500

prints on it and I broke it and so I

don't know that this printer is highly

durable this is the second one I've only

printed about 50 prints on it it seems

to be working properly so far so we'll

see the other one didn't start working

strangely until about 200 prints in the

thing is is that with the other one I

was having paper sheet feed issues the

paper was getting jammed up in there and

then it was printing at an angle it was

just looking really awful and so they

sent me another one on warranty and

that's one good thing to know if you are

buying an Epson you get a year warranty

so if it doesn't work like my first p900

didn't they just sent me another one I

sent it back it was kind of inconvenient

because I had to unpack a second printer

and these things are really heavy but

aside from that it was really a painless

process of getting the new printer in

this printer you turn it on here and I'm

going to show

you see all these inks there's a lot of

them there's actually one more ink

cartridge in the p900 than there is in

the p800 so pros and cons of the p900 I

love the printer from the quality

standpoint it's beautiful it's just like

the p800 now they did add the extra ink

cartridge which doesn't make sense

because the prints look exactly the same

as they did in the p800 and I had an

Epson 3880 prior to this and the Epson

3080 is also phased out as well so you

can't really find them anymore but you

might be able to find one use some but

the thing is is that it also had the

same exact print quality if you look at

all of the prints side by side they will

look the same you cannot tell the

difference and for me that's good

because I want continuity through all my

prints if someone gets one from me this

year and they buy the same print next

year as a gift for someone I want it to

look exactly the same it also takes all

the different sizes of paper that you

could possibly ever want you can make

custom paper sizes it has Roll paper

feed options really anything that you

want to print inner printer the Epsom

p900 will do but the thing is one of the

down signs to the p900 is that it forces

you to print at 1440 DPI on prints that

are 8x10 size using the type of paper

that I like to use and the Epson p800

will let me print at 720 DPI and when

you look at the prints from a 1440 DPI

to 720 DPI side by side to the human eye

you cannot tell a difference and so why

does this matter well it uses more ink

to print at 1440dpi but the worst thing

is is that it's twice as slow and so

this means that if I'm trying to print a

100 prints I can print them in an

afternoon with my p800 it takes an

entire day like 12 hours of me fooling

around with this thing to print them on

the p900 so what should you choose if

you are looking for the best printer for

fine art prints currently available on

the market honestly I think the best one

is the p900 despite the fact that it's

slower than the p800 but if you can find

a used or refurbished p800 it is a much

better machine I can tell just from the

way it feeds the paper in the way it can

produce prints really quickly it has a

lot more durability and staying power

I'm kind of worried about the p900 that

I got the second one and I'm worried

that it's going to break because the

first one I broke in 500 prints if you

want to learn more about making art

prints you can watch this playlist it's

an entire free course they'll teach you

everything you need to know about making

art prints all right thank you so much

for watching see you next time