The printers , although less common today than a few years ago, can still be one of the best tools for graphics and creative. Admitted, it is obvious, that you are very clear about your goals and know how to choose the Best Printer For Graphic Design that best suits your needs.
Since we are dealing with graphic design and visual creativity in general, we therefore decided to explore what the market offers from the point of view of professional printers .
The assumption is that what you need is a printer with a ‘ high quality in color reproduction and detail that might allow you to operate on alternative formats, the standard, but at the same time with an eye to economic sustainability.
Instead, we exclude those printers designed mainly for the office , which have as their main quality that of being able to produce a lot of A4s per minute, in black and white at low definition.
Warning: if you have a small agency, a printer that can perform both functions well could still be useful – in this case report it to us in the comments, we can think of a second dedicated article;) .
Also read: Best Printer For Book Printing
Best Printer For Graphic Design | 2022
Table of Contents
So let’s see what are the features you should take into account to choose the product that allows you to professionally transfer your graphic projects to paper from the best printers on the market.
Best Printer For Graphic Design | 2022 Comparison Table
Image | Title | Buy | |
---|---|---|---|
HP OfficeJet Pro 8025e Wireless Color All-in-One Printer with bonus 6 free months Instant Ink with HP+ (1K7K3A) | HP | Check Price | |
Canon ImageCLASS LBP6030w (8468B003) Monochrome Wireless Laser Printer, Compact Design , White | Canon | Check Price | |
Epson Workforce Pro WF-4830 Wireless All-in-One Printer with Auto 2-Sided Print, Copy, Scan and Fax, 50-Page ADF, 500-sheet Paper Capacity, and 4.3" Color Touchscreen, Works with Alexa, Black, Large | Epson | Check Price | |
HP DesignJet T210 Large Format Compact Wireless Plotter Printer - 24", with Modern Office Design (8AG32A), T200 Series | HP | Check Price | |
Brother HL-L2300D Monochrome Laser Printer with Duplex Printing | Brother | Check Price | |
Canon PIXMA TS Series Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer - Print, Scan, Copy for Home Office - 1.5 Segment LCD Display, 4800 x 1200 dpi, Borderless Printing, BROAGE Printer Cable | Canon | Check Price | |
HP DesignJet T230 Large Format Compact Wireless Plotter Printer - 24", with Modern Office Design (5HB07A) | HP | Check Price | |
Canon PIXMA TS Series Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer, Black - Print, Scan, Copy for Home Office - 1.5 Segment LCD Display, 4800 x 1200 dpi, USB and WiFi Connection - BROAGE Printer Cable | Canon | Check Price | |
Epson PictureMate PM-400 Wireless Compact Color Photo Printer | Epson | Check Price |
Prices and images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Best Printer For Graphic Design | 2022 Products Overview
1. HP OfficeJet Pro 8025e
- BEST FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND HOME OFFICES – Print professional-quality color documents like forms, reports, brochures and presentations
- KEY FEATURES – Fast color print, copy, scan and fax, plus 2-sided printing, mobile and wireless printing, and an auto document feeder
- HP+ SMART PRINTING SYSTEM – The optional HP+ system enables your printer to think ahead so its more secure, more productive and ready when you are. Requires an HP account, internet connection and use of only Original HP Ink for the life of the printer.
- 6 FREE MONTHS OF INSTANT INK & AN EXTRA YEAR OF HP WARRANTY – when you activate optional HP+ and Instant Ink when setting up your printer
- FAST PRINT SPEEDS – Print up to 20 pages per minute in black and 10 pages per minute in color
- DUAL BAND WI-FI – Self-healing Wi-FiTM automatically detects and resolves connection issues
- HP SMART APP – Print, scan and copy from your phone—from anywhere. Get advanced features for 24 months with HP+
- SECURITY ESSENTIALS – Protect sensitive data with basic encryption, password protection, Wi-Fi security and document protection. Get enhanced cloud-based security features with HP+
- INK DELIVERED BEFORE YOU RUN OUT – Never run out of ink with an optional Instant Ink subscription. Try free for 6 months with HP+. Credit card required; change or cancel anytime
- BEST FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND HOME OFFICES – Print professional-quality color documents like forms, reports, brochures and presentations
- KEY FEATURES – Fast color print, copy, scan and fax, plus 2-sided printing, mobile and wireless printing, and an auto document feeder
- HP+ SMART PRINTING SYSTEM – The optional HP+ system enables your printer to think ahead so its more secure, more productive and ready when you are. Requires an HP account, internet connection and use of only Original HP Ink for the life of the printer.
- 6 FREE MONTHS OF INSTANT INK & AN EXTRA YEAR OF HP WARRANTY – when you activate optional HP+ and Instant Ink when setting up your printer
- FAST PRINT SPEEDS – Print up to 20 pages per minute in black and 10 pages per minute in color
- DUAL BAND WI-FI – Self-healing Wi-FiTM automatically detects and resolves connection issues
- HP SMART APP – Print, scan and copy from your phone—from anywhere. Get advanced features for 24 months with HP+
- SECURITY ESSENTIALS – Protect sensitive data with basic encryption, password protection, Wi-Fi security and document protection. Get enhanced cloud-based security features with HP+
- INK DELIVERED BEFORE YOU RUN OUT – Never run out of ink with an optional Instant Ink subscription. Try free for 6 months with HP+. Credit card required; change or cancel anytime
Also read: Best Printers For College Students
2. Canon ImageCLASS LBP6030w
- FAST PRINT SPEEDS: Print up to 19 pages per minute
- COMPACT DESIGN: Space-saving, compact design fits anywhere in your home, school or small office
- WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY: Print from almost anywhere in your workspace. Compatible with iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C, iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPad Air, iPad 4, iPad 3, iPad 2, Original iPad, iPad mini, and iPad mini Retina running OS 5.1 - 7.1.1. Supports Android Tablets and Phones running OS 3.0 - 4.4
- GENEROUS PAPER CAPACITY: Paper capacity of up to 150 sheets
- SUSTAINABILITY: Uses less than 2 watts in Energy Saver mode
- TONER: Uses Canon Genuine Toner 125 (1,600 page yield)
Also read: Best Printers For Art Prints
3. Epson Workforce Pro WF-4830 Printers for graphic design professionals
- Epson printing system is designed to be used exclusively with Epson Genuine Cartridges. Use of non-genuine ink could cause damage not covered under the printer’s ltd. wnty.
- High-speed printing — PrecisionCore Heat-Free Technology delivers high-speed, high-volume printing with 25 black/12 color ISO ppm () and fast first-page-out.
- High-precision printing — accurate dot placement and DURABrite Ultra instant-dry pigment inks for professional-quality prints.
- High-volume reliability for heavy workloads — innovative heat-free technology designed for reliability and reduced downtime.
- Complete duplex solution — auto 2-sided print, copy, scan and fax; plus 50-sheet ADF.
- Maximize productivity — with 500-sheet paper capacity; includes two 250-sheet trays for added convenience.
- Easy to use — 4.3 color touchscreen for quick navigation and control, plus all-new Epson Smart Panel App (1) for enhanced connectivity and productivity from your mobile device.
- Convenient, wireless setup — using a smartphone or mobile device (2) with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE); also includes built-in wireless, Wi-Fi Direct (3) and Ethernet networking.
- Seamless scanning — Epson ScanSmart supports easy scanning and editing with a user-friendly interface.
Also read: Best Printer For Home Use With Cheap Ink
4. HP DesignJet T210 Large Format Printers for graphic design
- Ideal for: Technical line-drawings, renders requiring precise, accurate line-quality and crisp text, posters, and maps. This printer is popular among architects, engineers, and construction professionals.
- Media Sizes: Up to 24-inch wide media rolls (large format), and up to 13-inch by 19-inch sheets (wide format) using the optional automatic sheet feeder accessory.
- Media Handling: Sheet feed, roll feed, automatic horizontal cutter.
- 1-Click Printing from Anywhere: Save time with the worlds easiest job submission tool - HP Click. Print multiple files in as little as one click. Manage your large format printing and printer virtually anywhere and anytime with the HP Smart app, from your smartphone, tablet, or desktop computer.
- Connectivity: Gigabit Ethernet (1000Base-T), Hi-Speed USB 2.0, Wi-Fi 802.11.
- Print Speeds & RAM: Up to 45 seconds per page on A1/D size, 59 A1/D size prints per hour. 500MB memory.
- Simple & Cost Efficient: Print easily and affordably with the worlds smallest plotter printers with modern office design. Impressive simplicity helps you save time and reduces waste. Use up to 95% less ink for routine maintenance vs. some competitor plotter printers. Be efficient and productive from job prep to final print.
- Software: HP Click, HP Smart app, HP Print Preview for Windows, HP Easy Start, HP DesignJet Utility for Windows, HP Support Assistant.
- HP DesignJet Ink Cartridges that fit with this printer: HP 712 2-pack 80-ml Black (3WW89A), HP 712 29-ml Cyan (3ED67A), HP 712 29-ml Magenta (3ED68A), HP 712 29-ml Yellow (3ED69A), HP 712 3-pack 29-ml Cyan (3ED77A), HP 712 3-pack 29-ml Magenta (3ED78A), HP 712 3-pack 29-ml Yellow (3ED79A), HP 712 38-ml Black (3ED70A), HP 712 80-ml Black (3ED71A), HP 712B 38-ml Black (3ED28A), HP 712B 80-ml Black (3ED29A). HP 713 DesignJet Printhead (3ED58A).
- Support: One-year limited hardware warranty included. Friendly large format printing experts are only a phone call away to help with product setup and support questions.
Also read: Best Printers for Occasional Use
5. Brother HL-L2300D Monochrome Laser Printer
- Prints up To 27 ppm, automatic duplex printing
- 250 Sheet Capacity Paper Tray. A4 2-sided print speed-13. A4 standard print speed-26. Automatic 2 sided print. Recommended monthly volume-250 to 2,000 pages
- Windows 10 Compatibility: If you upgrade from Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 to Windows 10, some features of the installed drivers and software may not work correctly. Please uninstall all drivers and software in Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 before upgrading to Windows 10
- This machine uses a USB connection ensuring your office runs smoothly with no complications. High Speed USB 2.0 Interface. Does not come with USB cable. Maximum Monthly Duty Cycle: 10,000 pages. Output Paper Capacity (sheets):100
- Refer the specification sheet below for contents of package and refer to the user manual for trouble shooting steps.
- Printer doesnt have Wi-Fi capability
- It prints sharp, professional black and white pages at up to 2400 x 600dpi resolution
Also read: Best Canon Printers For Home
6. Canon PIXMA TS Series Wireless
- 1.5 segment LCD screen and straightforward buttons: Use the intuitive screen for printing, copying, and scanning directly from the printer
- 4800 x 1200 dpi print resolution for rich and bright photos up to 8.5 x 14. Print Speed up to 7.7 ipm in black and up to 4 ipm in color.
- Number of Nozzles - Color: 960 / Pigment Black: 320/ Total: 1,280. Standard paper handling Features a 60-sheet input capacity.
- Hi-Speed USB; Wireless PictBridge; Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n wireless networking, 2.4 GHz); Wireless Direct Connection (Access Point Mode Only). Smart assistant & automation support: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant.
- Whats in the Box: PIXMA TS Series Wireless All-In-One Printer; 4 x 6 Photo Paper Sample Pack (3 Sheets PP-301); Manual, and Other Documentation; Set of Starter (PG-275/CL-276) Ink Cartridges; Power Cord.
7. HP DesignJet T230
- Ideal for: Technical line drawings, renders requiring precise, accurate line-quality and crisp text, posters, and maps. This printer is popular among architects, engineers, and construction professionals.
- Media sizes: Up to 24-inch wide media rolls (large format), and up to 13-inch by 19-inch sheets (wide format) using the optional automatic sheet feeder accessory.
- Media Handling: Sheet feed, roll feed, automatic horizontal cutter.
- 1-Click Printing from Anywhere: Save time with the worlds easiest job submission tool - HP Click. Print multiple files in as little as one click. Manage your large format printing and printer virtually anywhere and anytime with the HP Smart app, from your smartphone, tablet, or desktop computer.
- Connectivity: Gigabit Ethernet (1000Base-T), Hi-Speed USB 2.0, Wi-Fi 802.11.
- Print Speeds & RAM: Up to 35 seconds per page on A1/D size, 68 A1/D size prints per hour. 500MB memory.
- Simple & Cost Efficient: Print easily and affordably with the worlds smallest plotter printers with the modern office design. Impressive simplicity helps you save time and reduces waste. Use up to 95% less ink for routine maintenance vs. competitor plotter printers. Be efficient and productive from job prep to final print.
- Software: HP Click, HP Smart app (for printing from tablets & smartphones), HP Print Preview for Windows, HP Easy Start, HP DesignJet Utility for Windows, HP Support Assistant.
- HP DesignJet Ink Cartridges that work with this Printer: HP 712 2-pack 80-ml Black (3WW89A), HP 712 29-ml Cyan (3ED67A), HP 712 29-ml Magenta (3ED68A), HP 712 29-ml Yellow (3ED69A), HP 712 3-pack 29-ml Cyan (3ED77A), HP 712 3-pack 29-ml Magenta (3ED78A), HP 712 3-pack 29-ml Yellow (3ED79A), HP 712 38-ml Black (3ED70A), HP 712 80-ml Black (3ED71A), HP 712B 38-ml Black (3ED28A), HP 712B 80-ml Black (3ED29A). HP 713 DesignJet Printhead (3ED58A).
- Support: One-year limited hardware warranty included. Friendly large format printing experts are only a phone call away to help with product setup and support questions.
Also read: Home Printer With Lowest Ink Cost
8. Canon PIXMA TS Series Wireless Printers for graphic design
- 1.5 segment LCD screen and straightforward buttons: Use the intuitive screen for printing, copying, and scanning directly from the printer.
- 4800 x 1200 dpi print resolution for rich and bright photos up to 8.5 x 14. Print Speed up to 7.7 ipm in black and up to 4 ipm in color.
- Number of Nozzles - Color: 960 / Pigment Black: 320/ Total: 1,280. Standard paper handling Features a 60-sheet input capacity.
- Hi-Speed USB; Wireless PictBridge; Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n wireless networking, 2.4 GHz); Wireless Direct Connection (Access Point Mode Only). Smart assistant & automation support: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant.
- Whats in the Box: PIXMA TS Series Wireless All-In-One Printer; 4 x 6 Photo Paper Sample Pack (3 Sheets PP-301); Manual, and Other Documentation; Set of Starter (PG-275/CL-276) Ink Cartridges; Power Cord.
9. Epson PictureMate PM-400 best all-in-one printer for graphic design
- This printer is designed for use with Epson cartridges only, not third party cartridges or ink. Cartridges described as Compatible, Remanufactured, refilled or refillable may not work properly or at all. See product description for more details
- Beautiful borderless photos - easily print high-quality 4x6 & 5x7 Photos
- Ultra compact design - lightweight, portable printer saves space
- Total Wireless solution - Print from iPad, iPhone, tablets and smartphones
- Photo Print speed: 4 X 6 Borderless photo in as fast as 36 Sec (default mode: Color photo in default mode on Premium photo paper glossy measured from start of paper feed. Actual Print times will vary based on system configuration, software, and page complexity)
Also read: Best Printers For Posters
Best Printer For Graphic Design | 2022 Guide
The characteristics of graphic and creative printers
As I anticipated, even if the market is as always very rich in proposals, there are some characteristics that you must take into account in particular if you want to choose among the best printers those most suitable for producing graphic projects.
One of the most common mistakes could be to rely only on the quality of the rendering , the definition and the richness of the inks, for example.
Certainly they are important parameters , but likewise you should try to evaluate better the printing cost also , depending on the type of cartridge, as well as having a ‘ very precise on the specific idea you want to do the printer.
This way you will be able to find what you need even while staying within the confines of a reasonable budget .
The alternative is obviously to turn to professional printing services . If you need more information on how to prepare a file for printing, or on printing techniques in general, you can find it here andhere.
So let’s go now to see together in more detail what are the characteristics to pay attention to in order to guide you in choosing among the best graphic and creative printers.
Laser or inkjet
Choosing between these two types today, thanks to the enormous progress of recent years, is less obvious than some time ago. In fact, the gap between laser and inkjet has increasingly narrowed in terms of quality and definition of results.
But some differences remain, and it is good to know them to make the right choice. The printers inkjet ensure fuller and vivid colors , and also the professional ranges provide more than four color tanks, from six to twelve. This obviously allows you to obtain greater chromatic fidelity .
On the other hand, laser printers offer you greater speed and flexibility . They adapt well to all types of use. Also, depending on the type of paper you want to print on, in some cases the results may be better than what you would get with inkjet.
When choosing between these two technologies, don’t forget to consider the cost . Inkjet printer cartridges are usually less expensive, but last less. On the other hand, toners are quite expensive, but they guarantee you a greater number of prints.
So if you plan to print a few copies, inkjets are for you, on the contrary you should evaluate lasers.
Still speaking of inks, keep in mind that jet printers can work with two very different types of ink and choosing the right one allows you to obtain better graphic results depending on the media. I’ll explain better.
Pigment inks or dye inks
The dye inks are the more traditional ones, based on water-soluble dyes .
On the contrary, pigmented inks are made by incorporating the pigments , then the colored molecules, in synthetic resin ; everything is then suspended in a liquid.
This solution is by far the most expensive and guarantees almost unchanged results over time , unlike dye inks which are very sensitive to light.
But pigmented inks do not disperse as easily as dye inks, so they are less suitable for example on coated papers. Not only that: the dye inks immediately give a more saturated and lively result .
Also in this case, therefore, the right choice is the one that best suits the use you will make of the printer.
Format
Standard printers, especially those designed for the home, typically print in sizes up to A4.
But obviously there is no shortage of options on the market. If you have different needs, you can choose printers that go up to A2 and even plotters that print in A1 format .
As performance levels up, so does the price of the printer. I therefore advise you to carefully consider what your real professional needs are before making a choice
Paper
The types of paper you need to work on are another element to be carefully evaluated. In fact, not all printers are able to operate with all weights or finishes; for example, laser printers frequently do not accept thicker papers .
Or you may need to work with “double-sided” photo papers. Therefore, always make sure which types of paper are supported by the device you are interested in.
Cartridge format
I have already partially anticipated the importance, when buying a printer, to take into account not only the cost of the peripheral itself, but also the printing costs , which are mainly linked to the inks and their duration.
Also in this case there are many solutions proposed by the market. However, I advise you to always prefer, and this applies to both laser and inkjet, the proposals with the tanks of the various colors separated .
So you can not only change the ink only when really needed, but also avoid errors or unwanted smudges during printing.
We have clarified what are the parameters that help you make the choice that best suits your needs. So let’s go and discover the most interesting models among the best printers that the market offers us for graphic designers and creatives.
Budget and price matching
Make a list of the things you want in your Printer and the price you are willing to pay for it. So try to look for a product in that price range and choose the one that appeals to you the most. One tip we would like to give you is: don’t settle for a cheaper product if it doesn’t even have a function you need.
Warranty Matters!
When you buy a Printer from a well-known brand, you will get a guarantee. Low-cost products also come with warranties, but the claim process could be tougher. That’s why I always suggest you buy the product from a reputed brand and the one that comes under warranty. It will save you from repair costs in the future. On average, around 21% of people end up paying 40% of the product price for the service! You can save on service costs if the product is under warranty!
Check out our website
On our website we have experts in all categories and no matter what the product is, we have a better review or list about it. The products on our list are based on expert picks, advice and hours of research. That’s why when you buy something that’s listed on our best list, you won’t regret it. However, there is a possibility that we may not have covered the product you might be interested in, but if you come across something like this, please let us know via comments or contact us.
Conclusion
We have seen together some very different options , in terms of price, performance and vocations of use. However, they all have in common the ability to offer you considerable help when it comes to taking your graphic and creative projects from digital to paper.
What kind of experience do you have with printers? Do you think you would like any of these models? Maybe you have used any of them? In this case you can report your considerations in the comments. Or do you think it is more useful or convenient to contact printers?
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