Top 10 Printers for Graphic Designers to buy in 2022

People often ask me what’s the best printer for graphic design, so I have gone through the important features to help you choose one that works best.

Graphic designers heavily rely on printers as it’s a vital tool when it comes to showcasing their work to peers and clients.

What’s the best printer for graphic design to buy in 2022?

As a graphic designer who considers high print quality, finding the best printer may be a bit difficult.

There is a variety of printers available on the market, at different price points and with different features to choose from.

However, I tried to make everything easier for you by listing the things to consider and my recommendations for choosing a printer for your graphic design needs.

Please note: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

Best Graphic Design Printers

1. Canon Pixma iP8720 — Best overall inkjet
2. Brother HL-L8360Cdw — Best laser printer
3. HP ENVY 5055 — budget-friendly
4. Epson Photo HD XP-15000 — Best mid-range
5. HP ENVY Photo 7855 — Most convenient
6. Canon imagePROGRAF — Best home office printer
7. Epson SureColor P800 — Most versatile
8. Canon PIXMA PRO-200 — Best wide-format
9. HP DesignJet T210 — Best for business owners
10. Brother HL-L3210C — Best everyday printer

How to choose the best printer for designers

When choosing the best printer, there’s a lot to consider — from choosing between laser or inkjet, ink and toner cartridges, dye-based or pigmented inks, size, and the paper it accepts.

Here’s my quick guide on how to choose the right printer for your graphic design work.‍

When choosing the best printer for your graphic design needs, there are six factors that you should consider:

1. Laser vs. Inkjet Printers
2. Individual Ink Tanks
3. Ink and Toner Cartridges
4. Dye-based vs. Pigmented Inks
5. Size
6. Paper

Now let’s go through each of them to see their importance when choosing a printer.

Laser vs. Inkjet Printers

Due to advancements in technology, choosing between laser and inkjet printers has never been this challenging.

We used to consider things like speed, color, and resolution — but now, it all boils down to pages-per-month capacity as well as sustainable cartridge replacement.‍

To make it simpler for you, inkjet printers are more appealing to graphic designers with their ability to produce vivid and stark images.

However, if you’re the type of designer who is leaning towards quality prints with low cost, then perhaps laser printers are best for you.

After all, it all depends on the type of work you do, your convenience, and of course — the budget that you have.

Individual Ink tanks

You must make sure that it has individual tanks per color — or else, it will make you suffer from clogging.

As a designer, I recommend choosing an inkjet printer with not lower than four-color plots to get the best quality in your photos.

Pro tip: Knowing how pigmented inks react to paper will surely bring you nothing but convenience in the long run.

Ink and Toner Cartridges

Surprisingly, people miss assessing cartridge replacement when buying a printer.

However, this is crucial since this can be a major contributor to your future expenses.

Basically, you can produce more pages with laser toner cartridges making it more efficient though it can be pricey.

But if you are into using inkjet cartridges, then what’s best to do is to look for a compatible ink.

Dye vs. Pigment Ink

Ideally, dye inks tend to fade faster — but since graphic designs are not usually needed in the long term, making use of this more affordable alternative is already a good option.

However, if you consider this an important factor, I suggest going for pigment inks as they last longer than dye-based ones.

Maximum Print Size

Depending on the type of media that you produce, considering the maximum print size of a model is needed.

If you typically work with the most common sizes such as paper or legal size, then going for laser printers will bring you no harm.

On the other hand, if varying and larger prints are what you need, inkjet printers are what you looking for.

Paper Compatibility

Another factor you should consider when buying a printer is the paper it accepts — it must accept both light and heavy, as well as double sided pages.‍

Moreover, you should note that inexpensive models usually are not capable of accepting heavier grade paper making it a bit of a problem — this is also the deal breaker for most laser printers.

With these in mind, I have gathered some of my personal favorites that will surely help you produce spectacular and of high quality photos while staying on the budget.

1. Canon Pixma iP8720

Canon printers are known for their reliable and quality printing, so it’s no surprise that this is on top of my list.

With its value, Canon Pixma iP8720 is the best printer overall for designers.

This model is the best choice for graphic designers who are looking for a budget-friendly printer that offers print-shop quality up to 13 by 19 inches.

This printer produces excellent output ranging from white and black to color photos with its 6 color ink system and 9600 by 2400 dpi resolution.

With its well-built feed system, the Canon Pixma iP8720 accepts up to 150 sheets of a variety of paper weights and finishes.

Moreover, this offers versatility as it prints nice-looking reports — from business, school-type, and professional-grade — pretty much anything a designer would need.

Apart from its features, the Canon Pixma iP8720 lets you print with almost no head clogs and a respectable speed making it more suitable for serious photographers and graphic designers.

Interestingly, this model makes everything even better with its AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, and PIXMA Printing Solutions that allow hassle-free printing of portraits straight from your phone.

‍Canon Pixma iP8720 is a great choice for anyone who is looking for the best overall graphic design printer in 2022.

With its unbelievable performance, it comes as no surprise that this model stands alone, for better or for worse.

So if you’re looking for an affordable printer that offers excellent quality wide-format printing, then look no further.

Specifications:

Printer Output: Color
Color: Black
Printing Technology: Inkjet
Brand: Canon
Print media: Glossy photo paper

Pros

1. Excellent print quality
2. Easy installation
3. Budget-friendly

Cons

1. Single paper tray
2. Unstable wireless connection
3. Desk space-consuming

Buy Canon Pixma iP8720 on Amazon

2. Brother HL-L8360Cdw

If you still haven’t found the right printer, you might consider checking the best laser printer from Brother.

The best laser printer for graphic designers out there.

Brother HL-L8360CDW is an excellent choice for graphic designers who are in need of a reliable, quality, and efficient laser printer.

With its undeniable high performance, this printer elevates your productivity through its 33 pages per minute printing speed.

The Brother HL-L8360CDW produces both excellent color and black prints up to 2400 by 600 dpi class resolution.

Another feature that makes it competitive is its advanced triple layer security feature which helps you ensure restricted document and device access.

It comes with a built-in wireless 802.11 b/g/n and Gigabit Ethernet network which allows both easy sharing and setup.

Apart from those features, this also offer cost-efficient printing with the Brother Genuine high-yield replacement toner cartridges that are built to last.

Moreover, it also lets you enjoy additional functions such as near-field communication (NFC) and a color touch screen.

This printer also has an adjustable paper tray for letter or legal size paper that has a 250-sheet capacity.

The Brother HL-L8360CDW has a 50-sheet multi-purpose tray for letterhead and alternative media printing, and optional multi-layer trays that can hold up to 1,050 sheets.

So if you’re looking for a single-function laser printer with a wide spectrum of features, then I recommend this one to you.

Specifications:

Printer Output: Color
Color: White
Printing Technology: Laser
Brand: Brother
Print media: Envelopes, Paper (plain), Card stock, Label

Pros

1. Flexible paper handling
2. Excellent print quality
3. Expandable paper capacity
4. Triple layer security

Cons

1. Expensive
2. High running cost
3. Space-consuming

Buy Brother HL-L8360Cdw on Amazon

3. HP ENVY 5055

If an all-in-one printer is what you need but you’re on a tighter budget, then this budget-friendly yet improved printer will save you.

A budget-friendly printer for graphic designers.

For designers, new features like Bluetooth Smart, greater Wi-Fi connectivity, and higher printing speed differentiate the HP ENVY 5055 from the HP ENVY 4520.

Originally designed as an entry-level, this budget option surprisingly gets most of the job done.

The HP ENVY 5055 offers professional-quality prints up to 8 by 10 inches, made possible through its 6 color Claria Photo HD Ink feature.

This versatile printer measures 5 by 17.5 by 14.5 inches and weighs 5.5 kg with a monochrome touchscreen display of 2.2 inches.

Like most photo printers, this model does the basics — print, scan, and copy wide and excellent quality photos with the right amount of crispiness.

Surprisingly, the HP ENVY 5055’s borderless printing comes with good details and excellent color accuracy.

But more than being a “budget” option, this model gives you versatile features to support a range of tasks.

Despite its price, this printer exceeds your expectations as it is ENERGY STAR approved for maintaining a small ecological footprint — saving you from your regular power expenses.

In terms of sustainability, you don’t need to worry about handling refills since this is compatible with XL cartridges and HP instant ink through a straightforward subscription service.

For its price, the HP ENVY 5055 is a budget-friendly printer you can get on the market.

Specifications:

Printer Output: Color
Color: Black
Printing Technology: Inkjet
Brand: HP
Print media: Envelopes, Paper (plain), Glossy photo paper

Pros

1. Low running cost with Instant Ink
2. Excellent color accuracy
3. Reasonable price
4. Amazon Alexa compatible

Cons

1. High running cost without Instant Ink
2. Slightly unresponsive touchscreen
3. Ethernet and USB incompatible

Buy HP ENVY 5055 on Amazon

4. Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000

The Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 is a high-quality A3 printer that can print on nearly any common paper weight or finish.

The best mid-range graphic design printer in 2022.

This printer’s XP-15000 model features six separate dye ink tanks for printing photos that are as close to reality as possible.

In order to print 800 pages per color, these cartridges are compatible with high-yield ink cartridges.

This printer is also excellent for printing on heat-transfer media and cardstock.

Looking for a printer that is small, easy to set up and use? Look no further because this is the right graphic design printer for you.

The XP-15000 can output a wide range of file formats and offers excellent image quality.

The Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 is an excellent choice if you’re willing to spend a little extra money on a high-quality printer.

Specifications:

Printer Output: Color
Color: Black
Printing Technology: Injekt
Brand: Epson
Print media: Paper (plain), Card stock

Pros

1. CD print feature
2. Ultra fast printing
3. Wireless versatility

Cons

1. No fax feature
2. High running costs
3. Manual document feeder

Buy Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 on Amazon

5. HP ENVY Photo 7855

The HP ENVY Photo 7855 brings you nothing but excellent quality photos and comes with a scanner, making it the most convenient printer on the list.

The most convenient printer for graphic designers.

This photo-centric all-in-one is best for graphic designers who don’t want to break the bank without compromising their prints’ quality.

This printer comes in a classy matte-black with glossy-black highlights design.

The HP ENVY Photo 7855 measures 7.7 by 17.9 by 19.8 inches and weighs 17 pounds, stepping up its convenience.

Its size is also very compact and doesn’t demand too much area of your workspace.

Interestingly, this printer features a 3.5-inch color touchscreen located in the tilt-up front panel.

Saving your time, this model has a tray that holds up to 125 sheets of plain paper — it can also print your beautiful photos in less than a minute.‍

What makes the HP ENVY Photo 7855 so convenient is its wireless printing through Wi-Fi direct and Ethernet, along with its USB and memory card ports.

Quality-wise, it can produce great quality prints that are well-saturated and vivid, making it suitable for general business use.

For its price and features, you would never regret risking your tight budget on this very convenient printer.

Overall, the HP ENVY Photo 7855 is a great choice if you’re looking for the best all-in-one printer for small businesses.

Specifications:

Printer Output: Color
Color: Black
Printing Technology: Inkjet
Brand: HP
Print media: Labels, Glossy photo paper, High-resolution paper

Pros

1. High scan resolution
2. Decent printing speed
3. Reasonable cartridge price

Cons

1. Inadequate touchscreen sensitivity
2. Single color cartridge
3. Lacks duplex scanning

Buy HP ENVY Photo 7855 on Amazon

6. Canon image PROGRAF TA-20

As a graphic designer, you’ll need an inkjet printer that can produce high-quality color prints in a matter of seconds and this is Canon’s new imagePROGRAF TA-20.

Your best companion in producing terrific-quality art prints.

However, Canon’s XL ink is reasonably priced when you consider the cost of printing each page.

This Canon imagePROGRAF is capable of storing an entire ream of paper between the two trays.

It is also equipped with high-yield ink cartridges that are capable of producing an astounding amount of color and mono pages.

The Canon imagePROGRAF can handle envelopes, photo paper, and duplex printing, but it doesn’t come with a lot of ink.

This printer from Canon is also the best graphic design printer for home and office use.

With its compact design, the 24-inch TA-20 large format printer has a place in every office.

This graphic design printer is great for marketing, design companies, schools, and architectural and engineering firms.

Overall, the Canon imagePROGRAF TA-20 is an excellent choice for graphic designers and business owners.

Specifications:

Printer Output: Color
Color: Grey
Printing Technology: Inkjet
Brand: Canon
Print media: Banner paper, Fabric, Glossy photo paper

Pros

1. Customizable Application Library
2. Low supply costs
3. Two-sided printing
4. Touchscreen display
5. Built-in security

Cons

1. Lacks auto-duplex ADF
2. Big footprint
3. Poor connectivity

Buy Canon imagePROGRAF TA-20 on Amazon

7. Epson SureColor P800

If you’re still not satisfied with the previous printers I have listed, this one might end your search because it is the most versatile on the list.

The most high-end printer perfect for professional graphic designers.

The Epson SureColor P800 is perfect for professional graphic designers who want to step up the game with larger prints on a wide variety of media.

The new and improved model from Epson brings you a 17 inches wide prosumer-level photo and fine art inkjet designed for serious enthusiasts.

The Epson SureColor P800 measures 23.93 by 14.80 by 9.85 inches and weighs 43 lbs, which maybe be a problem but not enough to outweigh its unique features.

Boasting its latest Ultrachrome HD inks, the Epson SureColor P800 makes use of nine cartridges, each with 80 ml of pigment ink.

With this feature, you can switch mechanisms — from matte to photo black ink, depending on the type of media you use.

This printer is powered by the Advanced Micro Piezo AMC technology along with its unique ink-repelling coating technology.

It also comes with a 2.7 inch LCD color touchscreen with three buttons for ON and OFF, Home, and Return options.

‍Epson SureColor P800 is a great choice for creatives who are looking for the most versatile and high-end graphic design printer.‍

Moreover, it proves its overall quality with its undeniable sturdy trays that seem well-built for heavy use.

Outshining other models, this printer has a Top Media Input Tray that can hold up to 120 sheets of plain paper, 30 sheets of premium ones, and 10 presentation-quality photo paper sheets.

So if you’re a professional that is looking for printer that gets most of the job done with quality, then I would say this is the one for you.

Specifications:

Printer Output: Color
Color: Black
Printing Technology: Inkjet
Brand: Epson
Print media: Paper (plain)

Pros

1. Excellent print quality
2. Very compact
3. High-quality ink tanks
4. Supports variety of papers

Cons

1. Paper roll lacks cutter
2. Prone to ink loss
3. Manual feed tray

Buy Epson SureColor P800 on Amazon

8. Canon PIXMA PRO-200

As far as large-format printers go, the Canon Inkjet Printer, PIXMA Pro-200 is one of the best options available.

The best wide-format graphic design printer to buy in 2022.

Besides 8 dye-based color inks, the Pro-200 has 3 dedicated grayscale inks to produce the blackest black you could ever desire.

It’s not an affordable option inkjet printer, but for the money, you can get a lot.

As one of the best A3 printers and the best printer for art prints, this printer is capable of producing results at 4800 x 2400 DPI.

Additionally, Canon PIXMA PRO-200 uses eight ink cartridges and is very fast for an inkjet printer.

‍Canon PIXMA PRO-200 is a great choice for entrepreneurs and artists that are looking for the best graphic design printer today.

In terms of speed and quality, it’s one of the greatest options out there for consumers looking for high-quality printing.‍

There’s no need to look any farther than this printer if you’re searching for a business printer that produces stunningly accurate prints.

Specifications:

Printer Output: Color
Color: Black
Printing Technology: Inkjet
Brand: Canon
Print media: Glossy photo paper

Pros

1. Fast photo printing
2. High quality prints
3. Duplex printing

Cons

1. Above-average ink cost
2. Manual document feeder
3. Limited to small papers

Buy Canon PIXMA PRO-200 on Amazon

9. HP DesignJet T210

If you’re looking for the best graphic design printer that is also ideal for business use, then the HP DesignJet T210 is a must-have.

The best printer for small and medium businesses.

This printer is popular not only for graphic designers, but also for architects, engineers, and construction professionals.

HP DesignJet T210 is ideal for technical line-drawings, renders requiring precise, accurate line-quality and crisp text, posters, and maps.

You can now manage your large format printing and printer virtually anywhere and anytime with the HP Smart app, from your smartphone, tablet, or desktop computer.

‍HP DesignJet T210 is a wise choice for business owners that want to have the best graphic design printer available.

It will allow you to print easily and affordably with the world’s smallest plotter printers with modern office design.

Overall, buying this printer from HP is surely a great investment for both creatives and entrepreneurs.

Specifications:

Printer Output: Color
Color: Black
Printing Technology: Thermal Inkjet
Brand: HP

Pros

1. Duplex printing
2. Compact
3. Durable steel frame

Cons

1. Non-touchscreen display
2. Lacks Wi-Fi direct
3. Manual feed

Buy HP DesignJet T210 on Amazon

10. Brother HL-L3210C

If you need an upgrade from the previous one, this next printer I have reviewed may help you with your medium-size business’ needs.

The best graphic design printer for everyday use.

The Brother HL-L3210C’s large paper capacity of 250 sheets and a large toner box giving you up to 1,000 pages make it perfect for medium-sized businesses.

This model measures 9.9 by 16.1 by 18.1 inches and comes with an antiquated control panel with one-line monochrome LCD display.

With its robust design, the Brother HL-L3210C offers easy use and navigation — paired with its phone and tablet printing options.

Like what I have recommended for small businesses, this printer can reduce your expenses by providing high-yield supplies that are built to last.‍

With its speed of 19 pages per minute with 2,400 dpi print quality, this can help boost your productivity and run your business smoothly.

The Brother HL-L3210C is powered by LED technology, ensuring great-quality professional prints.

Another feature that makes it stand out and perfect for business is its compactness, allowing you to save more space.

‍Brother HL-L3210C is definitely a great choice for designers and business owners that is looking for the best-buy printer.‍

Moreover, this printer is also compatible with Alexa which takes its printing to another level.

Combined together, the features I have mentioned makes this printer a great choice for those designers who have a medium-size business.

Specifications:

Printer Output: Monochrome
Color: White
Printing Technology: Laser
Brand: Brother
Print media: Envelopes, Card stock

Pros

1. Versatile paper handling
2. Affordable
3. High-quality prints
4. Wireless connectivity

Cons

1. High running cost
2. Manual double-sided printing
3. Lacks auto-feed tray

Buy Brother HL-L3210C on Amazon

Conclusions

While it is true that laser printers are much expensive than inkjet ones, designers get the best quality out of them with their ability to produce vivid and sharp graphic prints.

As there is a wide variety of models and brands you can choose from, you can purchase your printer for as low as $149 or as much as $1250, depending on your needs.

Well, the truth is, you can get better quality and vibrant prints if you have a bigger budget.

As a designer, you need to invest in a printer that is built to last — and of course, a printer that will give justice to your works.

If you can’t afford to take the risk, I highly suggest you go for the most expensive printer with the most features you can afford.

Again, the Canon Pixma iP8720 Inkjet Printer remains the no. 1 option for several graphic designers with the quality prints you can get from its price.

Needless to say, versatile and high-quality printers will be your best companion in making your designs come to life.

Which printer for graphic design from the list are you enjoying?

Do you have any recommendations? — Leave a comment below.

Continue reading this article on my blog at: https://www.ebaqdesign.com/blog/graphic-design-printers

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