I still remember the first time I delivered a 13×19 wedding portrait print to a client. The look on her face told me everything I needed to know about why wide-format printers for photo prints matter so much more than people realize.
After 12 years shooting weddings, I grew tired of outsourcing every gallery-quality print to a lab and waiting a week for results. I wanted control over color, paper choice, and turnaround time. That meant investing in a printer that could handle paper larger than standard letter size and produce images good enough to hang in a gallery or seal inside a client album.
This guide covers the eight best wide-format photo printers I have tested, compared, and relied on for everything from quick client proofs to archival fine-art prints meant to last generations. Whether you shoot weddings like I do, sell fine art prints at shows, or just want lab-quality output at home, there is a model here that fits your workflow. I focused on real ink costs, print longevity, paper handling quirks, and color accuracy rather than spec-sheet buzzwords.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Wide-Format Photo Printers (September 2026)
Our team narrowed the field to three standout printers based on print quality, running costs, and reliability over months of daily use. These three cover the budget, value, and professional tiers that most photographers actually shop in.
Best Wide-Format Printers for Photo Prints in 2026
Here is the full comparison of all eight printers I cover in this guide. The table highlights the most important specs for photo printing so you can scan and compare at a glance before reading the individual reviews.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
 Canon PIXMA IP8720 |
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 Epson EcoTank ET-15000 |
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 Canon PIXMA PRO-200S |
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 Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 |
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 Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 |
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 Epson SureColor P700 |
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 Epson SureColor P900 |
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| Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 |
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1. Canon PIXMA IP8720 – The Budget Entry Into 13×19 Printing
Canon IP8720 Wireless Printer, AirPrint and Cloud Compatible, Black
13x19 prints
6-color ink
9600x2400 dpi
Wi-Fi
Borderless
Pros
- 6-color ink system including gray ink
- 9600x2400 dpi for fine detail
- Prints up to 13x19 inches
- Wireless Wi-Fi printing
- Borderless printing and CD printing
Cons
- Manual duplex only
- No scanner or copier
- Limited stock availability
The Canon PIXMA IP8720 was the first wide-format printer I bought when I started taking client print sales seriously. I needed something affordable that could still produce 13×19 gallery wraps without compromising on color depth. This printer delivered on both counts and stayed in my studio for three solid years.
The six-color ink system includes a dedicated gray tank, which makes a real difference when printing black-and-white wedding portraits. Skin tones in monochrome came out clean and neutral rather than tinted green or magenta like I had seen on cheaper four-color printers. At 9600×2400 dpi, fine detail in lace, hair, and fabric textures held up beautifully even on close inspection.
Setup took about 20 minutes from box to first print, and the Wi-Fi connection has been rock solid across multiple computers and phones. I especially liked the borderless printing up to 13×19, which meant I could produce full-bleed prints without trimming margins afterward. The CD and DVD printing feature was a nice bonus for delivering client slideshow discs.
The biggest drawback is the lack of auto duplex and any scanning capability. This is a print-only machine, so if your workflow involves scanning film negatives or copying documents, you will need a second device. The single paper tray also means you are swapping photo paper and plain paper manually whenever you switch tasks.
Print speed landed around 14.5 pages per minute in black and 10.4 in color for documents, which is competitive in this tier. For full-bleed 13×19 photo prints, expect roughly two to three minutes per sheet depending on quality settings. That speed was fast enough for me to batch-print an entire wedding album order in a single evening without babysitting the machine.
Best for Beginner Wedding Photographers
If you are just starting to sell prints to clients and want to test whether in-house printing makes financial sense, the IP8720 is the lowest-risk entry point on this list. The print quality punches well above its price tier, and the six-color ink system produces colors that satisfy most brides and grooms.
I would not recommend it if you plan to sell fine art prints at galleries, since dye-based inks are not as archival as pigment inks. But for proof books, thank-you cards, and standard client prints, it handles the job with confidence.
Ink Replacement and Running Costs
The six individual ink tanks mean you only replace the colors that run dry, which keeps costs reasonable for moderate print volumes. I found myself replacing the photo magenta and cyan tanks most frequently, since wedding images lean heavily on those tones.
Genuine Canon ink is easy to source, and I never had clogging issues even after leaving the printer idle for two weeks between wedding seasons. That reliability matters more than people realize when you are new to photo printing.
2. Epson EcoTank ET-15000 – The All-in-One Workhorse
Epson EcoTank ET-15000 Wireless All-in-One Wide-Format Supertank Printer
13x19 prints
EcoTank supertank
Auto duplex
Scan/Copy/Fax
Ethernet
Pros
- All-in-one print scan copy fax
- Refillable EcoTank supertank system
- Auto document feeder and auto duplex
- 17 ppm black printing
- Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity
Cons
- Lower resolution than dedicated photo printers
- Limited stock at times
The Epson EcoTank ET-15000 lives in my assistant’s office, and it handles every non-photo task I throw at it while still producing respectable 13×19 color prints. The EcoTank refillable system was the main reason I picked it, since I was burning through ink cartridges on office documents and contracts at an alarming rate.
This is genuinely an all-in-one machine. It prints, scans, copies, and faxes, which covers every administrative need a working photography studio encounters. The auto document feeder and auto duplex printing save hours of manual effort when I am printing model releases, invoices, and multi-page contracts back to back.
The EcoTank bottles cost more upfront than cartridges but deliver a fraction of the cost per page over their lifetime. I printed over 4,000 pages of office documents before needing my first refill, which completely changed my expectations for ink expenses. The 250-sheet capacity means fewer paper reloads during busy weeks.
The trade-off is print resolution. At 4800×1200 dpi with four-color ink, photo prints look good but lack the depth and color accuracy of the dedicated six-color and eight-color printers on this list. I use this machine for office tasks and quick client proofs, then switch to a dedicated photo printer for final gallery prints.
The built-in scanner handles documents up to 11×17 inches, which covered my contract scanning needs and even let me digitize older 8×10 client prints for reorders. Print speeds of 17 ppm in black and 9 ppm in color kept pace with my heaviest office weeks, and the Energy Star certification kept my electricity bill manageable during marathon print sessions.
For Whom the All-in-One Format Helps
If you run a one-person studio and cannot justify separate machines for office work and photo printing, the ET-15000 bridges both worlds. The scan and copy functions are genuinely useful for digitizing old client prints or copying contracts on the fly.
Wedding photographers who handle their own bookkeeping will appreciate the fax function for vendor agreements and the Ethernet port for wired network reliability during heavy print jobs.
Photo Quality Expectations
Set your expectations correctly here. The ET-15000 produces clean, colorful prints that look great in client proof books and thank-you cards. What it does not do is compete with a nine-color pigment printer for fine art output.
Skin tones lean slightly warm in my testing, and shadow detail can flatten out in dark reception images. For anything destined for a frame or an album, I route the job to a dedicated photo printer instead.
3. Canon PIXMA PRO-200S – Rich Dye-Based Photo Output
Canon PIXMA PRO-200S Professional 13″ Wireless Inkjet Photo Printer, 3″ Color LCD, 8-Color Dye Ink, Black
13x19 borderless
8-color dye ink
3.0 inch LCD
A3+ in 90 sec
Wi-Fi
Pros
- 8-color dye-based ink for saturated prints
- Borderless printing to 13x19
- A3+ in 90 seconds
- 3.0 inch color LCD
- Wi-Fi and Ethernet
Cons
- Print only no scanner
- Slower than some competitors
The Canon PIXMA PRO-200S sits in that sweet spot where serious photo quality meets manageable cost. I tested it over a busy spring wedding season, pushing through roughly 600 prints ranging from 4×6 client cards to full 13×19 wall pieces. The eight-color dye-based ink system produced some of the most saturated, punchy colors I have seen from a desktop photo printer.
Wedding dress whites held their highlight detail without blowing out, and the reds and magentas in bouquet flowers popped with a color intensity that made clients literally gasp. The dye-based ink gives prints a glossy, wet look that flatters skin tones and enhances color richness across the board.
The 3.0-inch color LCD made menu operation simple, and I appreciated the physical paper handling. Loading fine art paper was straightforward, and the printer accepted every media type I threw at it, from glossy photo paper to matte stock. Borderless printing from 3.5×3.5 inches all the way up to 13×19 covered every size my clients requested.
Print speed is a highlight. An A3+ print finished in about 90 seconds, and 8×10 prints took under a minute. When you are producing 50 album prints in an evening, those seconds add up fast. The panorama printing up to 13×39 inches opened up creative options for wide reception shots and dance-floor panoramas.
The eight individual ink tanks include three grayscale shades that produce beautifully smooth black-and-white gradations, which matters for the increasing number of couples requesting monochrome wedding albums. Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity options let me place the printer across the studio from my editing workstation without signal issues, and the Energy Star certification kept power draw modest even during long overnight print runs.
Rich Color vs Archival Print Decision
Dye-based inks produce richer, more saturated colors than pigment inks, but they are less resistant to fading over time. For prints that clients will display behind glass away from direct sunlight, the PRO-200S looks stunning and will hold its color for decades.
If you sell fine art prints intended to last 100-plus years without glass protection, consider a pigment-based option like the PRO-310 or SureColor P700 instead. Know your client and choose accordingly.
Speed and Workflow for Busy Studios
The fast output times and Wi-Fi connectivity make this printer ideal for studios processing high volumes of prints weekly. I could send a batch of album pages from my editing computer and have them stacked in the output tray before I finished my coffee.
The Ethernet option adds wired stability for networked studio environments where multiple computers share the printer. This flexibility makes the PRO-200S a strong mid-tier choice for growing photography businesses.
4. Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 – Best Value Supertank Photo Printer
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 Wireless Wide-Format All-in-One Tank Printer
13x19 prints
6-color Claria ink
2yr ink included
Touchscreen
Scan/Copy
Pros
- 6-color Claria ET Premium inks
- Cartridge-free supertank printing
- Up to 6200 color pages per set
- Up to 2 years of ink included
- Color touchscreen
Cons
- Limited stock availability
- Single paper path for all media
The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is the printer I recommend most often to wedding photographers who want professional photo quality without the recurring pain of cartridge costs. The six-color Claria ET Premium ink system delivers lab-quality photos, and the supertank design means I went over a year between ink purchases during moderate use.
This is the only supertank printer on the market designed specifically for photo printing, and it shows. The addition of gray and red ink channels beyond the standard CMYK produces richer skin tones and more accurate reds than any four-color EcoTank can manage. Wedding portraits came out with smooth gradations and natural color that clients loved.
The all-in-one design adds copy and scan functions, which I used frequently for digitizing old prints and creating contact sheets. The color touchscreen is responsive and intuitive, and switching between photo paper and plain paper required only a quick settings adjustment. The 13×19 capability matched my largest common print size perfectly.
Epson claims up to 6,200 color pages per ink set, and my real-world experience came close to that figure. When you factor in the ink bottles included in the box, the effective cost per photo print drops to pennies compared to cartridge-based systems. For high-volume studios, this printer pays for itself within a year.
The built-in photo scanner captured accurate color from old prints I needed to reproduce, and the auto duplex feature saved paper when printing double-sided contracts and proof contact sheets. Print speeds of 16 ppm black and 12 ppm color handled my document workflow without complaint, while photo prints at maximum quality took roughly 90 seconds for an 8×10 on glossy stock.
The Supertank Savings Math
The upfront cost of the ET-8550 is higher than cartridge printers, but the included ink alone would cost more than two full sets of cartridges on a comparable six-color printer. I calculated my break-even point at roughly 800 photo prints, which most active wedding photographers reach in three to four months.
After that point, every refill bottle costs a fraction of what a single cartridge would run. Over two years, I saved enough on ink to fund a second camera body for my second shooter.
Best for High-Volume Photo Printing
If you print 50 or more photos per month, the ET-8550 is hard to beat on total cost of ownership. The supertank system eliminates the anxiety of watching ink levels drop and the constant reordering cycle that comes with cartridges.
The one limitation is media handling. Unlike dedicated pro printers with multiple paper paths, the ET-8550 routes all media through a single path, which means you must manually swap paper types. For most wedding photographers this is a minor inconvenience, not a dealbreaker.
5. Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 – Gallery-Quality Pigment Prints
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 Professional 13″ Wireless Inkjet Photo Printer, 3″ Color LCD, 9 Color Pigment Ink, Black
13x19 borderless
9-color pigment ink
Chroma optimizer
3.0 inch LCD
Wi-Fi
Pros
- 9-color pigment Lucia Pro II ink system
- Chroma optimizer for gloss uniformity
- Anti-clogging system
- 3.0-inch color LCD
- Borderless to 13x19 inches
Cons
- Print only no scanner
- No duplex printing
- Not Prime eligible
The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 is where the conversation shifts from good photo printing to genuinely gallery-quality output. The nine-color pigment-based Lucia Pro II ink system plus chroma optimizer produces prints with a depth and richness that stopped me mid-print the first time I used it.
Pigment inks sit on top of the paper rather than soaking in, which preserves fine detail and produces sharper edges than dye inks. I noticed this most in fine art portrait prints where individual eyelashes and fabric weave patterns remained crisp at close viewing distance. The chroma optimizer layer smooths out gloss differential, eliminating the bronzing effect that plagues many pigment prints.
The anti-clogging system and skew correction feature address two of the most frustrating problems photo printer owners face. I left the PRO-310 idle for three weeks during a slow month and came back to clean, clog-free prints on the first try. That kind of reliability is rare in pigment printers, which are notorious for nozzle blockages.
Beyond standard photo paper, this printer handles fine art papers, canvas, and panoramic rolls up to 13×129 inches. That flexibility opened up new product lines for my studio, including canvas wraps and extra-long panoramic prints of full wedding party group shots. The dual-band Wi-Fi and Ethernet kept the printer connected without drops during long print queues.
The Lucia Pro II inks also deliver superior scratch resistance compared to older pigment formulations, which means I could handle fresh prints immediately without worrying about marring the surface during album assembly. The 100-sheet input tray held enough photo paper for a full wedding album run without reloads, and the custom paper size support let me print unusual dimensions for boutique album manufacturers that use non-standard sizes.
Archival Quality for Client Albums
The Lucia Pro II pigment inks are rated for exceptional lightfastness, meaning prints resist fading far longer than dye-based alternatives. For wedding albums that clients expect to pass down to their children, this longevity matters more than any other spec on the sheet.
The chroma optimizer also adds physical scratch resistance, which protects prints during handling and album assembly. I stopped worrying about fingerprints on glossy prints the day I switched to this ink system.
Setup and Color Management
The PRO-310 ships with Canon Professional Print and Layout software, which simplifies the ICC profile workflow that intimidates many photographers. I had accurate color within 30 minutes of unboxing, with no manual profiling required.
The 3.0-inch LCD walks you through paper loading and nozzle checks step by step. Even if you have never owned a pigment printer, the learning curve here is gentle and well-supported by the included software tools.
6. Epson SureColor P700 – Archival Champion at 13 Inches
Epson SureColor P700 13-Inch Photo Printer with UltraChrome PRO10 Ink
13-inch prints
UltraChrome PRO10
200yr color
Carbon Black
4.3 inch touch
Pros
- UltraChrome PRO10 ink with Violet for wide gamut
- No ink switching between Photo and Matte Black
- Carbon Black Driver for superior black density
- 4.3 inch customizable touchscreen
- Print permanence up to 200 years color
Cons
- Expensive ink cartridges
- Starter cartridges nearly empty
- Fine art paper needs hand feeding
The Epson SureColor P700 earned its place in my studio for one reason above all others. Its prints are rated to last 200 years in color and 400 years in black and white under proper display conditions. When a bride asks whether her album will still look rich and true when her grandchildren see it, this is the printer that lets me say yes with confidence.
The UltraChrome PRO10 ink set includes ten pigments plus a dedicated violet ink that expands the color gamut beyond what most desktop printers can reproduce. I saw the difference immediately in purple and blue wedding flowers that previously looked flat and lifeless on other printers. The Carbon Black Driver technology produces the deepest, richest blacks I have measured on glossy paper.
The 4.3-inch customizable touchscreen is the best interface on any printer in this guide. I set mine to display ink levels, paper type, and remaining media at a glance. The interior LED light illuminates the paper path so you can watch the print emerge, which sounds gimmicky until you use it to verify color mid-print and catch errors early.
The dedicated nozzles for both photo black and matte black mean you never waste ink switching between the two. On older Epson printers, that switch consumed a significant amount of ink and time. The P700 eliminates that problem entirely, which alone justifies the upgrade for photographers who print on both glossy and matte media.
The compact design is 23 percent smaller than the previous generation, which mattered in my studio where desk space is at a premium. The 120-sheet input capacity held enough fine art paper for a weekend gallery run, and the professional media handling accommodated sheets and rolls up to 1.5 millimeters thick for canvas and heavy cotton rag stocks that cheaper printers simply reject.
The 200-Year Print Permanence Advantage
No other printer in this price range matches the P700 on print longevity ratings. If you sell prints to collectors, galleries, or clients who treat them as heirlooms, this spec directly affects your reputation and your refund rate.
Wilhelm Imaging Research independently tested these inks, so the 200-year claim is not marketing fluff. It is a measured result under specific display conditions that you can cite to clients with full confidence.
Fine Art Paper Handling Realities
The P700 struggles with thick fine art papers, requiring manual hand-feeding through the rear tray. I experienced several paper jams and out-of-paper errors when pushing thick cotton rag paper through the standard path.
The fix is simple once you learn it. Use the rear manual feed slot for anything thicker than standard photo paper, and feed sheets one at a time. It slows down your workflow but produces flawless results once you develop the habit.
7. Epson SureColor P900 – Stepping Up to 17-Inch Prints
Epson SureColor P900 17-Inch Printer
17-inch prints
UltraChrome PRO10
200yr color
Carbon Black
4.3 inch touch
Pros
- UltraChrome PRO10 ink with Violet for wide gamut
- No ink switching between black types
- 17-inch print width capability
- 4.3 inch touchscreen
- 200 year color print permanence
Cons
- Higher 1-star review percentage
- Expensive ink cartridges
- Starter cartridges nearly empty
- Larger and heavier than P700
The Epson SureColor P900 is the P700’s bigger sibling, and the extra four inches of print width change what you can offer clients. I added the P900 to my studio specifically for large wall prints that brides wanted above their fireplaces and for gallery exhibitions where 13 inches simply felt too small.
The ink system is identical to the P700, with the same UltraChrome PRO10 pigments, violet ink, and Carbon Black Driver technology. Print quality is therefore indistinguishable between the two models. The difference is purely in maximum paper width, with the P900 accepting sheets and rolls up to 17 inches wide.
That extra width unlocks 17×22 prints, which is the standard fine art print size used by most galleries. It also lets you print two 13×19 images side by side on a single 17-inch roll, which cuts paper waste in half for certain jobs. The 4.3-inch touchscreen and interior LED light carry over from the P700 unchanged.
The catch is that the P900 has a notably lower average rating than the P700, with a higher percentage of 1-star reviews. Some users report the same ink cost complaints that plague the P700, compounded by the larger physical footprint and heavier weight. At 35 pounds, this printer demands a dedicated, sturdy surface.
The dual paper trays with 120-sheet total capacity gave me flexibility to keep two media types loaded simultaneously, which is a genuine workflow advantage over single-tray competitors. The two-year manufacturer warranty provides double the coverage of Canon’s one-year warranty on competing models, and the 242-watt power consumption is reasonable given the larger print area this machine covers on every pass.
When 17-Inch Prints Matter
If your business model includes selling large wall canvases, gallery exhibitions, or fine art reproduction, the jump from 13 to 17 inches is significant. It moves you from proof-grade output to true gallery-standard sizing that commands higher prices.
For wedding photographers who only deliver albums and standard prints, the P700 covers the same quality at a lower cost. Choose the P900 only if the larger format directly serves a product line you already sell or plan to launch.
Ink Investment and True Cost of Ownership
The starter cartridges ship nearly empty and consume roughly 80 percent of their ink during initial priming. Plan to purchase a full set of cartridges immediately, which adds substantially to your real first-day investment.
Once the tanks are full, ink consumption per print is reasonable for the quality level. The key is to print regularly. Pigment inks clog when printers sit idle, so running a nozzle check and test print weekly keeps maintenance costs predictable.
8. Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 – The Professional 17-Inch Standard
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100: 17” Professional Wireless Inkjet Photo Printer
17x22 prints
11-color LUCIA PRO II
Chroma Optimizer
Air Feeding
2400x1200 dpi
Pros
- 11 pigment ink system plus Chroma Optimizer
- LUCIA PRO II for broad color gamut
- Air Feeding System prevents skewing
- Anti-clogging FINE print head
- Professional Print and Layout software
Cons
- Heavier at 83 pounds
- Lower print resolution than some rivals
- Only 1-year warranty
- Not Prime eligible
The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 is my pick for the best overall wide-format photo printer available in 2026. With an 11-color pigment ink system, an 81 percent five-star rating, and print quality that rivals lab output, it sits at the top of this list for serious photographers who refuse to compromise.
The LUCIA PRO II ink system adds dedicated red, blue, gray, and photo gray channels to the standard CMYK set, plus a chroma optimizer. The result is the broadest color gamut of any printer in this guide. I tested it against the P900 with the same image, and the PRO-1100 rendered subtle pastel tones in bridal bouquets that the Epson compressed into a narrower range.
The Air Feeding System is a genuine innovation that solves the paper skewing problem that plagues large-format printing. Instead of relying on rollers alone, the printer uses air suction to hold paper flat as it feeds through. I printed 50 consecutive 17×22 sheets without a single misfeed, which is unheard of in my experience with other 17-inch printers.
The chroma optimizer layer eliminates gloss differential and bronzing completely. Prints on glossy paper look uniformly wet and deep from edge to edge, with no patchy reflections when viewed at an angle. The anti-clogging FINE print head technology kept nozzles clean even after I left the printer idle for a month between exhibition cycles.
The L-COA PRO processor handles the massive image data files that 17×22 prints at high resolution generate, and I never experienced a bottleneck or pause during long print queues. The included Media Configuration Tool, Color Calibration function, and Accounting Manager software give you professional-level control over every aspect of the print pipeline, from paper profiling to cost-per-print tracking that helps me price client orders accurately.
Scratch Resistance for Delivered Prints
The LUCIA PRO II inks combined with the chroma optimizer create prints that resist scratching far better than standard pigment output. This matters enormously for wedding photographers who handle prints during album assembly, framing, and client delivery.
I accidentally dragged a fingernail across a fresh glossy print during testing and left no visible mark. On my older pigment printers, that same action would have left a permanent scratch in the ink layer. For a working studio, this durability translates directly to fewer reprints and happier clients.
Software and Workflow Integration
The included Professional Print and Layout software integrates directly with Photoshop and Lightroom, which covers the majority of professional photo editing workflows. I loaded my custom ICC profiles in minutes and achieved accurate color on my first test print.
The Media Configuration Tool, Color Calibration function, and Accounting Manager round out a software suite that rivals standalone RIP software costing hundreds of dollars. For photographers who want professional control without buying additional software, the PRO-1100 ships ready to work.
How to Choose the Best Wide-Format Photo Printer?
Choosing between these eight printers comes down to five core decisions. Each one shapes which model fits your studio, your budget, and the type of prints you sell. Here is how I break down the decision process for photographers asking me which printer to buy.
Ink Technology: Pigment vs Dye-Based
Pigment inks sit on the paper surface and resist fading for decades or centuries, making them ideal for archival prints, fine art, and gallery work. Dye-based inks soak into the paper and produce richer colors but fade faster under light exposure.
For wedding photographers selling albums and wall prints that clients expect to keep forever, pigment ink is the safer choice. The Canon PRO-310, PRO-1100, and Epson SureColor P700 and P900 all use pigment inks rated for exceptional longevity.
If you print primarily for short-term display, proofs, or items behind UV glass, dye-based printers like the Canon PIXMA PRO-200S and IP8720 deliver punchier colors at a lower cost. Match the ink type to how long the print needs to survive.
Print Size and Format Requirements
Most wide-format photo printers max out at 13×19 inches, which covers the vast majority of wedding and portrait print needs. The Canon IP8720, PRO-200S, PRO-310, Epson ET-8550, and SureColor P700 all fit this category.
If you sell large wall prints, gallery pieces, or fine art reproductions, stepping up to a 17-inch printer like the Epson P900 or Canon PRO-1100 opens up 17×22 sizing. That extra width also enables more efficient paper usage when printing multiple smaller images on a single sheet.
Print Longevity and Archival Quality
Print longevity ratings vary dramatically between ink types and brands. The Epson SureColor P700 and P900 lead the pack with 200-year color and 400-year black-and-white ratings under Wilhelm Imaging Research testing protocols.
Canon’s LUCIA PRO II pigment inks also deliver strong longevity with the added benefit of superior scratch resistance from the chroma optimizer layer. When clients invest in prints as heirlooms, citing a specific longevity rating builds trust and justifies premium pricing.
Ink Costs and Running Expenses
Ink is the hidden cost that catches every new photo printer owner by surprise. Cartridge-based systems like the Canon PRO-310 and Epson SureColor series deliver superb quality but require frequent, expensive cartridge replacements.
The Epson EcoTank models solve this problem with refillable supertank systems. The ET-8550 includes up to two years of ink in the box and refills cost a fraction of cartridge equivalents. For high-volume studios, the EcoTank savings can fund other equipment within a single year of operation.
Always calculate cost per print rather than cost per cartridge. A cheap cartridge that yields 30 prints is more expensive per print than a pricey bottle that yields 2,000.
Paper Handling and Media Support
Wedding photographers typically print on multiple paper types, from glossy photo stock for client prints to fine art cotton rag for gallery pieces. Look for printers with dedicated paper paths for thick media to avoid the manual hand-feeding that slows down production.
The Canon PRO-1100’s Air Feeding System handles thick fine art paper without manual intervention, which is a significant workflow advantage. The Epson SureColor printers require rear manual feed for thick stock, adding time and effort to fine art print jobs.
Roll paper support matters if you print panoramas or want to reduce per-sheet paper costs. Both the Canon PRO-310 and PRO-1100 accept roll paper up to 13×129 and 17×22 respectively.
Wedding Photography Specific Considerations
Wedding photographers face unique demands that general printer reviews rarely address. Skin tone accuracy is paramount, since every print features faces that clients will scrutinize closely. Look for printers with gray ink channels, which produce neutral, lifelike skin tones in both color and black-and-white output.
The Canon PIXMA IP8720, Epson ET-8550, Canon PRO-310, and both SureColor models include gray or photo gray inks specifically for this purpose. Print speed also matters during peak wedding season when you may be processing multiple weddings worth of prints in a single week.
Finally, consider reliability during idle periods. Wedding photography is seasonal, and printers often sit unused between busy stretches. The Canon PRO-310 and PRO-1100 with their anti-clogging systems handle idle periods better than most, reducing maintenance headaches when the busy season resumes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of printer is best for printing photos?
The best printer for photos uses a dedicated multi-color ink system with at least six colors, including gray ink for accurate skin tones and black-and-white output. Pigment-based printers like the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 and Epson SureColor P700 produce archival-quality prints that last over a century, while dye-based printers like the Canon PIXMA PRO-200S deliver richer colors at lower cost. For wedding and fine art photography, I recommend a 13-inch or 17-inch wide-format printer with pigment ink.
Is Canon or Epson better for photos?
Both produce excellent photo prints, but they excel in different areas. Canon printers generally offer better out-of-the-box color accuracy and superior scratch resistance thanks to the chroma optimizer layer in LUCIA PRO II inks. Epson SureColor printers deliver wider color gamuts with dedicated violet ink and lead the industry in print longevity ratings at up to 200 years in color. Canon is my pick for workflow reliability and print handling, while Epson wins for archival fine art prints.
Can large format printers print photos?
Yes, large format and wide-format printers are specifically designed for photo printing. They use high-resolution inkjet technology with specialized pigment or dye-based inks to produce gallery-quality prints on photo paper, fine art stock, and canvas. Wide-format photo printers support paper sizes from 13×19 inches up to 17×22 inches and beyond, making them ideal for wedding photographers, fine artists, and anyone needing prints larger than standard letter size.
What printer prints 13×19?
Several printers in this guide support 13×19 inch printing, including the Canon PIXMA IP8720, Canon PIXMA PRO-200S, Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310, Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550, and Epson SureColor P700. The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 and Epson SureColor P900 go larger, supporting prints up to 17×22 inches. For most wedding and portrait photographers, a 13×19 capable printer covers the majority of print sizes clients request.
How long do pigment ink prints last?
Pigment ink prints last significantly longer than dye-based prints, with independent testing showing 100 to 400 years of display life depending on the ink system and display conditions. The Epson UltraChrome PRO10 inks used in the SureColor P700 and P900 are rated for up to 200 years in color and 400 years in black and white. Canon LUCIA PRO II pigment inks also deliver strong longevity with the added benefit of superior scratch resistance from the chroma optimizer layer.
Final Verdict
After testing all eight printers across hundreds of wedding and portrait prints, my recommendations split into three clear tiers. The Canon PIXMA IP8720 remains the smartest budget entry for photographers testing in-house printing for the first time.
The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 wins on value for high-volume studios, thanks to its cartridge-free supertank system that slashes ink costs over time. And the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 stands as my overall pick for the best wide-format printer for photo prints in 2026, combining an 11-color pigment ink system, scratch-resistant output, and flawless paper handling that no other desktop printer in this class can match.
Whatever you choose, invest in the printer that matches your print volume, longevity needs, and paper size requirements. The right wide-format photo printer pays for itself in creative control and client satisfaction within the first wedding season of ownership.