9 Best Printer for Giclee Prints & Archival Prints | Reviews & Buying Guide

Want to showcase your creative prowess through giclée prints or start earning money from them? All you need is the best giclée prints printer. 

For artists and art studios, the importance of archival prints and giclée prints can’t be stressed enough. They need to ensure that the quality of their design doesn’t deteriorate over time. But a traditional desktop printer or a LaserJet printer might not do the same job for you. 

So, you need an inkjet printer loaded with features capable of delivering accurate and precise prints that lasts long. But selecting one from a large set of options can often turn out to be a headache. 

Stress no more, as we’ve handpicked some of the best printers for giclée prints that fit all your purposes effectively. Also, we’ve included a buyer’s guide that tells you about the factors to consider while choosing one. 

Without further ado, let’s dig in!

Best Printers for Giclée Prints and Archival Prints

1. Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000

Canon is a well-known name when it comes to manufacturing reliable and versatile printers. Keeping up with its brand image, Canon offers a professional printer that delivers precision printing. It comes with an anti-clogging mechanism that saves cleaning and restarting time and delivers swift prints. 

For one, it’s integrated with a fine print head and an enhanced tube-like ink delivery system, ensuring a smooth ink flow and delivering a clog-free print. Also known as anti-clogging technology, it allows you to print your artwork precisely. And its unique color combination plays a crucial role in fine art prints. 

Besides, the Canon air-feeding system uses a vacuum to maintain a grip on the paper and prints evenly all through the paper. So, it guarantees high-quality art prints every time, regardless of the paper type. 

Furthermore, the art printer uses a Chroma optimizer and Lucia pro ink system, meeting all the needs of graphic artists or critical photographers in terms of precision prints.  Besides, the print quality is enhanced by the use of 11-color combinations to print dense shadow or color portions.  

There’s a saying that every beautiful thing comes at a price, which goes well with the printer. The final prints coming out of it are quite expensive and unaffordable for small businesses. But if quality is your only mantra, there shouldn’t be any hesitation for getting this giclee printer.

2. Epson Expression Photo SureColor P900

Bringing to you next is an inkjet printer by Epson that comes with a 10-channel MicroPiezo AMC printhead. It enables you to print your artwork at exceptional speed along with accuracy and consistency. And its exact color replication ability and fine image quality have made it one of the best photorealistic printers for giclée prints. 

This Epson SureColor P900 printer uses UltraChrome PRO10 ink to deliver outstanding image and color quality. You can expect a rich color vividity with a violet color, which is important for giclée and archival prints. 

Plus, it removes the hassle of ink-switching by coming with dedicated nozzles for both inks. And with a 10-channel MicroPiezo print head, you can print your artwork with precision. 

Besides, this Epson inkjet printer can accommodate rolls and media sheets up to 1.5 mm thick and complete your prints within seconds. These features make it a high-quality and versatile professional printer, suitable for handling large professional projects. 

Lastly, with a 4.3-inch customizable touchscreen and several media connectivity features, you have complete control over the unit and can get your artwork printed quickly and conveniently.  

Although it comes with a detailed instructional manual, setting it up on your own Epson expression photo printer might take hours. So, you might need to call upon a professional to do it for you. But other than that, we couldn’t find any potential drawbacks to crib about. 

3. Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300

This Canon printer can easily handle your heavy-duty tasks and has a large touchscreen display that lets you take complete control of the printer. What’s more, you can customize the designs quickly, so you can be more creative with the design patterns and color choices. 

First and foremost, it uses a 9-color plus Chroma Optimizer ink system, which means you get precision and life-like designs every time. And these high-resolution art prints leave a long-lasting impression on the minds of a client. 

Moreover, the enhanced matte black ink gives a dense black color, which forms the base of any design. And the two different nozzles don’t require you to switch the inks. You can even install the Canon professional print and layout, highly intuitive software to edit intricate photos and artwork on your smartphone or tablet. 

Beyond that, you can easily check the printer status or ink levels and control the other settings with its 3.0-inch color LCD monitor and deliver print quality based on the client’s needs.  Lastly, this giclee printer is capable of boosting your production capacity with its faster image data processing and photo printing speed.  

Each print from this unit costs you a bit more compared to other art printers on the market. As such, it is more suitable for professional artists and designers, for whom quality is the primary requirement. So, if you’re a self-employed artist or a freelancer, this unit might burn through your budget pretty quickly. 

4. HP ENVY Inspire

HP Envy Inspire delivers professional-quality photo prints and is an affordable option for freelancers or artists. With each print costing very less, it’s one of the cheapest inkjet printers on the market. Apart from that, it’s an all-in-one unit that performs multiple functions and doesn’t need a network to print. 

With this inkjet printer by HP, your high-quality photos and artwork will cost less than candy! The features of this photo printer include scan, fax, copy, borderless printing, auto-document feeding, and others. So, you don’t need to invest separately in different devices. 

This unit also offers convenient printing with several connectivity options, including Ethernet, SD card, WiFi, Bluetooth, etc. You can connect your Android or Apple phone with this printer using the HP Smart app and print high-quality photos from anywhere. And besides using the app, you can scan documents using the camera and print from cloud storage or social media. 

Not only that, but you can also register on an HP Instant Ink feature, which monitors the ink level in a cartridge and delivers an original HP ink before it runs out. Hence, it saves the hassle of searching for cartridges and waiting for them to get delivered to you. 

Last but not the least, the printer is compatible with various paper sizes. 

The print quality of this giclee printer is not that high compared to the previous printers on our list. So, when printing giclee prints, the quality and color reproduction may not be satisfactory for professionals. Also, the registration cost of the HP instant ink feature can be exorbitant for some users

5. Brother VC-500W Color Label and Photo Printer

Brother is the brand that comes to mind when looking for a workhorse printer that delivers professional color prints. And the VC-500W comes with exciting features like ZINK zero ink technology, and easy connectivity, making it a versatile and quality option. Plus, this unit allows fun personalization and creating handmade gifts, photo projects, invitations, and others. 

This Brother compact printer is one of the finest printers, even for professional artists and graphic designers. It comes with a ZINK zero ink technology for delivering vivid and rich color and texture without even consuming ink. All the colors required for printing are embedded in the adhesive-based ZINK paper. 

Apart from that, it offers versatile printing options, so you can create and print photos, labels, stickers, and more for customizing gifts. All of this is made easier with several connectivity options, including wireless connectivity- just connect your iPhone or any android phone to get fine art prints. These prints last for a long, so there’s no question in terms of quality. 

Additionally, it comes with a complimentary color label editor app downloadable on your phone. This app is pre-loaded with numerous elements, including art, fonts, background designs, frames, and ready-made designs for increased creativity.

First, this Brother printer is compatible with only a few ink cartridges, so finding the suitable one can sometimes get stressful. Apart from that, it doesn’t have separate nozzles for ink, so you need to switch them every time you want to print different shades. 

6. Epson SureColor P700

More than halfway through the list, we have another superb giclee printer by Epson. It belongs to the Epson SureColor series and has become one of the popular units for printing. The outstanding image quality, automated ink switching, carbon driver technology, and other unique features make it a desirable printer for both professionals and DIYers. 

Similar to its sibling product, the Epson SureColor 700 also delivers faster precision prints for your artwork, thanks to its 10-channel MicroPiezo print head. Hence, can meet your clients’ demands without breaking a sweat and boost your overall revenues. 

With the carbon black driver technology, it’s possible to add a glossy black density to prints. And thanks to its automated ink switching, you won’t have to switch between colors. 

Apart from that, it accommodates any sheet or rolls media up to 1.5mm thick, the Epson signature roll sheets, and other similar mediums. It makes the unit a versatile printer and suitable for both workplaces and homes. 

Talking about its controls, it comes with a 4.3-inch touchscreen, so operating it becomes easy. And with wireless connectivity, you can have a convenient and seamless printing experience.   

The only issue we encountered with this unit while using it is that the replacement inks are not very affordable. Also, the premium cost of its prints can significantly add to your budget. So, people looking for an affordable giclee printing option may have to look for other options. 

7. Canon PIXMA PRO-10

Another quality printer on our list is the Canon PIXMA PRO-10 inkjet printer connected with other printers of the PIXMA PRO series through shared technology. With this unit, it is imminent that you get a replica of a design every time you print. So, let’s have a look at its features in detail. 

To begin with, this art printer is compatible with all other printers in the Canon PIXMA Pro series. So, any professional artist who has worked with older models will love to have this as an upgrade. 

It comes with a chroma optimizer, which uses pigment-based inks to deliver uniform glossiness and dense black color every time. The print resolution can go up to 4800x 2400 dpi, appropriate for giclee prints. 

Talking about its compatibility, this unit is compatible with PGI-72 ink tanks with nine dedicated slots for inks, and you only replace one when it runs out. Also, you’ll find three slots dedicated to monochrome inks, which deliver glossy black-and-white prints when needed. 

Last but not least, it boasts several connectivity options, including wireless, through USB, Ethernet, and WiFi. So, printing has become much more convenient and easy.  

Despite having multiple connectivity options, it’s not compatible with iPhones or Apple computers, which is not viable. So, if you’re using one of the two and want to print using them, this is not an option. Besides, setting up the printer is a bit of a tiring and lengthy process. 

8. HP ENVY photo 7858 All-in-One printer

HP Envy Photo 7858 is an all-in-one printer aptly suitable for professional artists who produce high-quality art prints. Being an affordable printer, and thus an inexpensive giclee printer it’s suitable to use both at home and office. And you can perform a range of tasks, including scan, copying, and others using a single device. 

Printing high-quality photos and designs is the primary task of giclee artists and with a maximum resolution of up to 4800 x 1200 dpi, you can never compromise on the print quality. Your clients are sure not to return disappointed ever. Apart from its quality, its decent printing speed is also an added advantage. With its 14 pages per minute speed, you’re sure never to miss any deadline. 

As the name suggests, it is an all-in-one printer that includes scanning, copying, wireless, and auto-duplex printing features. You can use your HP inkjet printer to print borderless brochures, flyers, invoices, and paper records for the business. 

Weighing nearly 17 pounds, the printer can be easily carried around the home or office to print all your necessary documents easily and swiftly.  

The printing quality of this unit is not of premium quality as it is with many printers on our list. But, due to this, the cost per print also decreases substantially compared to others. However, color ink cartridges depleted more quickly than anticipated, a slight disadvantage. 

9. Canon PIXMA iP2702 Inkjet Photo Printer

Now that we’ve reached the end of our list, presenting you with an affordable option for Giclee prints. With a compact and sophisticated design, this printer delivers lab-quality photo prints at great value. And, it takes less than a minute to print a high-quality borderless photo with a maximum of 4800×122 print resolution.

We recommended having this inkjet printer by Canon for great-looking prints without spending a large chunk of money. It can print colored and black photos to a maximum of 4800 x 122 dpi and 600 x 600 dpi, respectively. Apart from quality, you can have a 4 in. x 6 in. borderless photo in less than 55 seconds. 

The unit integrates FINE technology and the ChromaLife 100+ system, which delivers vivid colored prints that last longer. And it uses pigment black ink for sharp, crisp text while dye ink for natural and smooth photos. 

Apart from that, Canon has included premium Auto Fix technology with this printer. With this software, you can easily correct and adjust photos. 

And lastly, it comes with a one-year warranty, so you can print quality prints without worrying about any damage to them. 

Connectivity is an issue with the printer. Unlike other printers with multiple connectivity options, it only connects via USB. You might get restricted to a single place without any movement. Also, the printing speed is not as fast as with many giclee printers. 

Best Printers for Giclée Prints and Archival Prints Comparison Table

Printers for Giclée Prints and Archival Prints Buying Guide

With a plethora of giclee printers available on the market, each with different features and print quality, it might be challenging to find the best printer for yourself. For high-quality giclee prints, it’s essential to have one that delivers the highest resolution and sharpest detail. 

We hope our in-depth reviews of the top printers have helped you understand what features we look into while determining the effectiveness of a unit. But, it might not be enough with still many options available. 

So, it’s crucial to have a brief understanding of the factors at play while shopping for a printer. We’ve developed this in-depth buyer’s guide that discusses these factors in detail. Without further ado, let’s continue reading. 

1. Quality of Ink in Art Prints

The quality of ink used in a printer is probably a differentiator between a good and an excellent giclee printer. As the primary purpose of a giclee printer is to imprint the artist’s work as it is on paper, ink quality plays a significant role in this respect. 

On our list, you might have observed that many giclee printers use pigment-based inks rather than dye-based inks used by many traditional printers. The former provides accurate color reproduction, and prints last long and even a lifetime. Also, these are resistant to fade in the sun and water-resistant, which is not the case with dye-based inks. Hence, it’s a better option for giclee prints. 

Apart from that, support for matte black and photo black inks are also necessary, both performing varied functions. So, it’s better to have a printer that comes with vivid colors as well as a matte black option to incorporate better details. 

2. Ink Droplet Size

Smaller will be the size of an ink droplet, and greater details will be obtained in your prints. It is useful, especially for artists who want high-quality art prints of their fine art designs. 

The droplet size of a printer goes as tiny as one picoliter and is sure to deliver some detailed prints. Many of you won’t need that much detailing, and therefore it will be optimum to purchase a unit that provides an option to change the size as per your needs. 

3. Print Sizes for an Art Printer

Giclee printing sometimes needs you to print on different paper types, and therefore your printer must support each kind of it. These include legacy papers, photo papers, and many others. So, before purchasing a printer for giclee prints, make sure art printer specifications are compatible with it your specific use case. It goes without saying that maximum paper size is irrelevant if you are only printing stamps, right?

Also, supporting different media types is important in a printer. Many offer support for rolled media which a printer cuts by itself, while you can also insert cut media sheets directly. But for professional printers, who need to print often, support for rolls is important, as it saves you the costs of purchasing cut sheets separately. 

4. Resolution for Fine Art

This is another thing to consider for giclee prints. And, it’s important to have a printer that can print high-resolution images without any slightest blur or cracks. It’s because giclee and archival prints mean reproducing an image exactly as intended. So, the greater the resolution, the better prints you’ll obtain. 

5. Your Use

Along with the four above features, you’ll also find printers that tend to cater to your particular needs. These include chroma optimization, color combination, and many others. Not everyone needs these features, but if you’re one of those who desire these, you can go for them. 

If you’re working as a professional printer whose requirement is not only to print quality photos but also to print them quickly, then you can have some that print 14-18 ppm. These printers will help meet your deadlines quickly and efficiently. 

Apart from that, cost per print can also be a crucial factor when selecting an ideal printer. Most printers deliver high-quality prints and therefore costs incurred are also very high. However, some models that produce decent-quality images at low running costs are available on the market. 

What is a giclée print?

Giclée prints are generally known as spray paint. But in modern days, these prints are produced by large-format inkjet printers through the application of small color spray techniques. They have pin-point nozzles installed for spraying tiny ink droplets at a time for delivering precision prints.

How can you make a giclée print?

Printing giclée prints are not very challenging, and the focus needs to be on document resolution and color combination. You can follow instruction manuals for this purpose.

Which kind of printer should you use for this purpose?

For producing high-quality giclée prints, make sure your printer fulfills all the criteria we mentioned in the buyer’s guide.

Do giclée prints fade?

Giclée prints are known for their unique characteristic of not fading even in bright sunlight and are water-resistant. As mentioned for many printers, high-quality giclée prints last almost a lifetime without fading. That’s why these cost more compared to traditional prints.

Final Verdict

With this, we’d like to wrap up our list of the best art printers you can have in your space. We hope our reviews and buyer’s guide help you get your hands on an ideal unit. But before we leave, we must mention our top favorites. 

Among the list,  Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 is our top favorite. It’s integrated with the latest and top features to deliver precise and top-notch giclée prints that are sure to satisfy your clients. Also, a unique feature named an air feeding system is integrated into it that holds the printing paper evenly all through it. 

The next choice will be Epson SureColor P900 which delivers accurate prints faster than our previous option, note that both Surecolor P900 and P700 models are giclee printers Epson is proud of, it all comes down to your specific use case between the two.

Saying that we’d conclude our review-based guide. Take care and happy giclée printing!

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