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Many artists work digitally but need to make physical prints of their creations. However, achieving vivid colour accuracy and accurate reproduction of fine details takes something more powerful than a consumer printer. This guide explores the top five professional-quality, large format printers for artists. For high-resolution photos or vibrant illustrations, these can each be the best printer for artists, and they will give you results worthy of any gallery.

Why Artists Need Professional-Grade Printers

When you want gallery-quality prints, the best printer for artists will provide both better output and fewer hassles than a consumer model.

The Importance of Print Accuracy and Colour Fidelity

You spend a lot of time perfecting your art. You agonise over every colour choice, take care to make sure every line is just where it should be, and strive to evoke the exact emotions intended in viewers. All of this work is for nothing if the final output is washed out, inconsistent, blurry, or pixelated. In order for your work to have the impact you want, it needs to look exactly as it does in the digital file.

Challenges Artists Face With Standard Printers

Consumer printers aren't great at colour consistency. Subtle gradients and skin tones will have slight, unsightly variations in hue. Making matters worse, inconsistent ink coverage causes banding and streaking.

Standard printers also severely limit media options. Watercolour, canvas, or heavy art stock are all common choices for artists, but most consumer printers do not support them. They use lower-quality inks that fade faster under gallery lighting.

Finally, the amount of detail a consumer printer can capture is limited. They print only on relatively small media, which makes it harder to print large enough to capture fine detail. Within the limitations of what they can print, they do so with much lower precision than professional-grade printers, making intricate work appear blurry or pixelated.

What to Look For in the Best Printer for Artists

The best printer for artists should have specifications that are significantly higher than those of a consumer device or a budget professional model. Here's what to look for in the best art printer in 2025.

• Resolution and Ink Quality: A professional-grade printer should have a resolution of at least 2400x1200 and use pigment-based rather than dye-based inks for improved colour longevity.
• Colour Gamut: To achieve the largest colour gamut, professional printers utilise six to twelve ink colours, enabling accurate mixing and smoother gradients.
• Media Compatibility: Ensure the model you choose supports the specialty papers and thicknesses you'll use in the sizes you prefer.

Top 5 Large Format Printers for Artists in 2025

If you need a high-quality printer to make your next gallery showing great, these HP DesignJet models are sure to please.

HP DesignJet Z9+ Pro — Best Overall for Colour and Detail

The Z9+ Pro is the ultimate fine art printing machine. It has a 12-ink system for a wide colour gamut and an embedded spectrophotometer for accurate colour calibration. The machine further improves colour reproduction with advanced colour management tools.

In terms of media choices, it supports canvas and fine art papers, providing versatile options for artists. It can print on up to 1.5 mm media at 2400 x 1200 DPI. This makes it the ideal choice for fine art, photography, and mixed-media applications.

HP DesignJet T850 — Best for Technical Art and Schematics

The T850 is specifically optimised for line art, technical drawings, and architectural reproductions. It offers excellent clarity and sharp edges on all lines, allowing for highly detailed drawings to be printed with pristine accuracy.

The printer is great for studios. It prints at fast speeds for high-volume work and rapid iteration. The high-yield inks make it a cost-effective option. Further improving its cost-effectiveness is the reliable paper handling, which reduces the likelihood of misprints. These features make the T850 an excellent choice for technical illustration or detailed pen work.

HP DesignJet Studio — Stylish and Compact for Small Studios

Smaller studios need a printer capable of large format printing at professional quality—but with a compact footprint. We designed the HP DesignJet Studio for this exact purpose. Its space-saving design is also whisper quiet, making it suitable for shared spaces.

In addition to small studios, this printer is a great option for emerging artists looking to build their printing capabilities. It's cost-effective and has a user-friendly interface with easy-to-use touch controls.

HP DesignJet Z6 — Ideal for Mixed Media and Photography

For those who are primarily printing photography, the Z6 is an excellent choice as the best printer for artists. It features a special six-ink system that's been optimised for photographic reproduction. It provides excellent skin tone rendering and natural colour reproduction.

To handle diverse printing needs, the Z6 offers support for wide format printing on a range of media types. From glossy photo papers to textured art stocks, the Z6 fits the needs of serious artists and photographers.

HP DesignJet T650 — Best Value for Emerging Artists

For emerging artists, the T650 provides excellent value. Its entry-level pricing and compact form make it ideal for the budget-conscious artist. To make things as easy as possible for beginners, the T650 has a simplified setup and operation. Despite its budget-friendly nature, the T650 still delivers professional-quality output, making it a perfect stepping stone for artists planning to upgrade as their needs evolve.

Choosing the Right Printer Based on Your Medium

The tips below will help you find the right printer based on your particular art style.

Watercolour, Ink, and Mixed Media

Artists working in watercolour and mixed media commonly print on textured paper. They need to capture subtle colour transitions to bring the medium to life. This makes printers that support thick, absorbent papers a priority. The Z9+ Pro's 12-ink system and support for 1.5 mm media make it a great choice for this use case.

Digital Art and Graphic Design

Precise line work is a must for digital art and graphic design. For many users, fast turnaround times are also important. The T850 is an excellent choice here. It offers excellent technical precision to keep sharp lines just as they appear on the screen. Its high-speed and cost-effective operation is well-suited for small studios working on tight deadlines.

Photography and Reproduction Prints

Photography has diverse colour needs, and the best printer for artists will accommodate that. From exceptional skin tone accuracy for portraits to excellent monochrome range for black and white work, colour reproduction is a high priority. The Z6's photography-friendly six-ink system optimises photographic prints. Its support for common photography media makes it a versatile option for photographers working for different styles and gallery requirements.

Elevate Your Art With the Right Printing Technology

HP DesignJet printers deliver the professional-quality prints your art deserves. Stop letting subpar printing compromise your creative vision, and find the best printer for artists with HP. Take advantage of our DesignJet promo to get a great deal on a competent art printing machine.