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As a professional artist or photographer, selecting the right printer for your artwork is crucial to maintaining the highest quality and detail. A large photo printer allows for high-resolution prints, accurate colours, and stunning visual results. In this guide, we will take a closer look at the top five large photo printers available, perfect for artists and photographers who want to make sure their prints stand out in both quality and precision.

Why Large Format Printing Matters for Artists and Photographers

For professional artists and photographers, presentation is everything. Small documents aren't suitable for presentation to groups of people. Large format printing offers the ability to take your work from something that fits on an end table to something worthy of a gallery wall. With the extra space, all of the details of your work can show through.

Large format printers offer more than just increased size, however. These are precision-designed machines, suitable for professional use. They offer exceptional colour accuracy and resolution compared to desktop printers. This means that every subtle gradient, delicate shadow, and vibrant highlight will be faithfully preserved.

More importantly, having a large format option opens up more chances to sell your work. Galleries, exhibitions, and commercial clients often require larger prints. Consumers also enjoy poster-sized prints for hanging in their homes. Investing in your own large format printer allows you to control the entire creative process, save on third-party printing costs, and greatly expand your market reach.

Key Features to Look For in a Large Photo Printer

Large format printers are worthwhile but a relatively large investment. To get the most out of your investment, it's important to think about what you want out of it. Take into account each of the features below, deciding how important each is to your usage:

• Print Size Capability: Large format printers typically range from 610 to 1626 mm in width. Think of which sizes you'll print, making sure to include future needs.
• Print Resolution: The resolution for printers is measured in dots per inch (dpi), so it's universal across media sizes. Look for at least 2400 x 1200 dpi to clearly capture fine details.
• Colour Accuracy: Professional-grade printers have more than three colours. The number of bottles increases the colour gamut that the printer is able to reproduce.
• Media Versatility: The best printer for artwork can handle multiple media types. This includes standard photo paper, canvas, and specialty materials. Consider what you'll be printing on when choosing.
• Print Speed: While you shouldn't sacrifice quality for speed, faster printers allow for more efficient production. Your expected print volume will determine how important this is.
• Connectivity Options: Modern printers should have multiple connection options, such as USB, Ethernet, and wireless capabilities. This ensures seamless integration with your workflows.
• Software and Colour Management: Advanced colour management tools and other software help make the most of your printer across different media types.
• Long-Term Operating Costs: The initial investment isn't the only cost to consider when looking for the best printer for artwork. Ink efficiency, maintenance requirements, and warranty coverage all define long-term costs.

Top 5 Large Photo Printers for Professional Artists and Photographers

1. HP DesignJet Z9+

The HP DesignJet Z9+ delivers gallery-quality prints. It has an advanced 9-colour ink system. This includes chromatic red, green, and blue for exceptional colour accuracy. With 2400 x 1200 dpi resolution and print speeds up to 76 sq. ft/hr, it balances quality with efficiency. It's available in 610 and 1118 mm models. A built-in spectrophotometer improves colour accuracy, and the vertical trimmer reduces post-processing time.

2. HP DesignJet Z6

The HP DesignJet Z6 offers a great balance between precision line work and vivid colour reproduction. It offers a 6-colour ink system. With advanced features like dual-roll capability for quick media changing and enhanced features like Secure Boot and PIN printing, this option is perfect for studio environments where multiple people share print resources. It's available in 610 mm.

3. HP DesignJet T850 Multifunction Printer

The HP DesignJet T850 combines printing, scanning, and copying in one device. This multi-functional option is perfect for artists working with mixed media. It prints in sizes up to 914mm and features a 4-colour ink system. The integrated 600 dpi scanner efficiently digitises artwork. It has a compact footprint, Wi-Fi connectivity, and intuitive controls, making it a nice option for smaller studios.

4. HP DesignJet Z6810 Production Printer

The HP DesignJet Z6810 is HP's fastest high-quality production large photo printer. It's a 1067 mm model with an 8-colour ink system. The HP Vivid Photo Inks deliver exceptional colour and black-and-white prints that work with various media. Print speeds up to 548 sq. ft/hr and an embedded spectrophotometer make it perfect for high-volume professional environments.

5. HP DesignJet Z6 Pro 64-in Printer

The HP DesignJet Z6 Pro offers extremely high precision for those professionals who require meticulous detail. It features enhanced security, dual-roll capabilities, and faster speeds compared to previous generations. The water-resistant inks and advanced colour management deliver remarkably durable gallery-quality prints. Its robust design is perfect for studios with high production demands requiring maximum print width.

Choosing the Right Large Photo Printer for Your Needs

To select a large photo printer from these top contenders, consider the features discussed above. Balancing the specifications of each printer with your unique needs will help you determine which best meets those needs. Remember that needs change. If you want to grow your business, consider a more capable option than what you currently need.

The HP DesignJet series has a model to match any needs. Below are some recommendations for common use cases:

• Photographers: The HP DesignJet Z9+ offers excellent colour management and exceptional photographic reproduction, making it perfect for printing photographs.
• Artists: For those who work with both detailed line art and colour photography, the HP DesignJet Z6 provides a nice versatility for such diverse projects.
• Studios: Often, scanning and copying are useful features for a studio. For those needs, the HP DesignJet T850 provides the best value.

Consider your typical project sizes, production volume, available space, and budget when considering which printer best aligns with your needs.

Get the Best Results for Your Artwork and Photography

Purchasing large format printers is a big step towards granting yourself more creative freedom and greater quality control. Each printer we've discussed is a great option, but each one fits specific needs. The secret to making the best investment is matching the right printer in a diverse field to your specific requirements.

While the initial investment may seem high, the ability to produce prints on demand, experiment with different media types, and maintain complete control over your work provides a value that goes far beyond the initial purchase price.

As long as you take the time to evaluate your needs, visit showrooms to see print samples, and consider future growth needs, the investment will be one that pays off significantly in the long run. If you act now, you can get a great deal on your large photo printer with HP's DesignJet Promo.