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.