Your complex graphic design creatives are no match for just any printer. Even top-notch work can lose its impact if not printed with a high-resolution graphic design printer.
Printing high-quality graphics relies mainly on Dots-per-inch DPI, a measurement system that indicates how detailed your results will be, the equivalent of pixels on a screen.
However, before we dive deeper into finding the perfect graphic design printer for your needs, you must understand that there are two main kinds of printers.
Different types of printers for graphic design:
InkJet printers
InkJet printers spray microscopic droplets of ink onto a piece of paper, melting them one by the other to create the overall graphic. InkJets are often cheap upon purchase and cost more when refilling their toner.
The ink cartridge for any InkJet generally runs out faster than any laser printer. Overall, OnkJets are a good option for personal or office use when printing documents with little detail or color.
Laser Printers
Laser printers follow the same concept of melting droplets onto a sheet of paper via a printing head and ink heater, using thousands of microscopic nozzles.
The ink cartridge on laser printers generally lasts longer than InkJets and provides a better result when used for graphic design purposes.
InkJets will usually cost more of an upfront investment but will save you more money long-term when it comes to cartridges and refills.
Here is a list of the best graphic design printers for your detailed high-resolution work in today’s market:
The fastest, most accurate overall printer on this list of the best graphic design printers.
The Brother HL-L8360CDW supports wireless printing for multiple devices simultaneously and can print over 9000 sheets of high-quality rich-color documents.
Up to 31 / 33 ppm in its speed, the Brother HL-L8360CDW is a high-quality laser printer that can print a maximum size of standard A4 and everything below that.
Its paper tray capacity is roughly 300 to 250 sheets and a small 2.7” LED touchscreen that allows users to adjust basic settings and connect to the built-in cloud software or smart devices such as a computer or smartphone.
A six-color InkJet printer that is much more capable than many other InkJets of printing high-quality glossy photos, a feature that not every graphic designer needs but comes in handy.
The Epson Expression Photo XP-970 is an all-in-one printer with a built-in scanner. Despite its compact size, it enjoys a maximum printing capacity of 7,000 sheets per colored cartridge and 3,500 per black ink refill.
The Expression Photo from Epson uses InkJet technology, and a convenient 4.3 inches tilted touchscreen, allowing you to adjust quality, intensity, and much more advanced controls.
Additionally, it offers wireless compatibility for all devices, including tablets and smartphones, making it the perfect office or home printer.
A cost-efficient printer compared to the previously recommended Epson printer, the EcoTank ET-2750 printer is built around the concept of providing more for less.
Although the Epson EcoTank is an InkJet printer, its refill process is much cheaper and more convenient. The toner or ink comes in small liquid bottles squeezed into separate tanks every 4000 – 6000 prints.
It supports wireless connectivity and has a built-in scanner and real-time toner display to help align your consumption with the desired quality.
A photo-optimized compact InkJet printer with wireless printing, two separate ink cartridges, and auto AirPrint paring despite its slightly dated technology.
Expensive to refill and maintain when producing on a large scale, the HP ENVY Photo 7855 is a popular all-in-one option but lacks color accuracy and has a narrow color range due to its two cartridges.
A budget-friendly up-front photo printer that can print up to 250 -300 detailed photos before needing an ink refill. A safe choice when considering its under $200 price and how much detail and color goes into a single photo.
One of the best economical options on this list of the best printers for graphic designers, the Lexmark C3326dw is best compared to the Brother HL-L8360CDW in its speed and accuracy.
The perfect office printer due to its low maintenance and printing capacity of up to 26 detailed colored pages per minute.
The printer uses a laser printing machine that allows users to save more on toner long-term, balanced to be the best medium between commercial and personal desktop printers.
The printer is relatively small for its production capacity, and its only downside is that it lacks WIFI compatibility and USB ports.
An ultra-detailed wide-format printer with exceptional capabilities pressed into a compact machine the size of a standard desktop printer.
The Epson Artisan 1430 Printer is an InkJet printer, but it costs more than any other inkjet on this list and supports WIFI and compatibility with DSLR cameras, computers, and smartphones.
A standard printer among studios and graphic designers, it can operate with many toner types, including sublimation and dye ink.
Its toner will last anywhere from four to six months and comes in a pack of six colors sold together but replaced separately if needed.
The Brother MFC-J497DW is an all-in-one business or personal-use printer known for its exceptionally fast printing capabilities and detailed printing resolution.
Max width per sheet is a standard A4 size, featuring a built-in scanner, fax, and automatic 2-side printing options.
Wirelessly compatible with computers and smart devices using a HotSpot WIFI technology enabled once devices are connected to the same network.
The paper drawer on the Brother MFC-J497DW fits up to 100 standard A4 papers with an auto duplex feature that automatically flips and prints on the other side.
It can print anywhere from 1500 to 3000 colored pages per cartridge refill, making it an excellent investment for large-scale graphic design production.
Conclusion
Every printer in today’s market is limited to specific capabilities to grant manufacturers higher profit margins through toners, drums, and many other moving parts.
The perfect desktop printer for graphic designers is yet to exist, but it is in your hands to determine which options serve you best.
With the two basic options of an InkJet or laser printer, you can pay a hefty fee upfront and save money later or keep spending as you go.
Finally, both systems produce quality results, but from experience, we recommend the Brother HL-L8360CDW and the Epson Artisan 1430 as the single best printers for graphic designers.
Your complex graphic design creatives are no match for just any printer. Even top-notch work can lose its impact if not printed with a high-resolution graphic design printer.
Printing high-quality graphics relies mainly on Dots-per-inch DPI, a measurement system that indicates how detailed your results will be, the equivalent of pixels on a screen.
However, before we dive deeper into finding the perfect graphic design printer for your needs, you must understand that there are two main kinds of printers.
Different types of printers for graphic design:
InkJet printers
InkJet printers spray microscopic droplets of ink onto a piece of paper, melting them one by the other to create the overall graphic. InkJets are often cheap upon purchase and cost more when refilling their toner.
The ink cartridge for any InkJet generally runs out faster than any laser printer. Overall, OnkJets are a good option for personal or office use when printing documents with little detail or color.
Laser Printers
Laser printers follow the same concept of melting droplets onto a sheet of paper via a printing head and ink heater, using thousands of microscopic nozzles.
The ink cartridge on laser printers generally lasts longer than InkJets and provides a better result when used for graphic design purposes.
InkJets will usually cost more of an upfront investment but will save you more money long-term when it comes to cartridges and refills.
Here is a list of the best graphic design printers for your detailed high-resolution work in today’s market:
Brother HL-L8360CDW
The fastest, most accurate overall printer on this list of the best graphic design printers.
The Brother HL-L8360CDW supports wireless printing for multiple devices simultaneously and can print over 9000 sheets of high-quality rich-color documents.
Up to 31 / 33 ppm in its speed, the Brother HL-L8360CDW is a high-quality laser printer that can print a maximum size of standard A4 and everything below that.
Its paper tray capacity is roughly 300 to 250 sheets and a small 2.7” LED touchscreen that allows users to adjust basic settings and connect to the built-in cloud software or smart devices such as a computer or smartphone.
Epson Expression Photo XP-970
A six-color InkJet printer that is much more capable than many other InkJets of printing high-quality glossy photos, a feature that not every graphic designer needs but comes in handy.
The Epson Expression Photo XP-970 is an all-in-one printer with a built-in scanner. Despite its compact size, it enjoys a maximum printing capacity of 7,000 sheets per colored cartridge and 3,500 per black ink refill.
The Expression Photo from Epson uses InkJet technology, and a convenient 4.3 inches tilted touchscreen, allowing you to adjust quality, intensity, and much more advanced controls.
Additionally, it offers wireless compatibility for all devices, including tablets and smartphones, making it the perfect office or home printer.
Epson EcoTank ET-2750
A cost-efficient printer compared to the previously recommended Epson printer, the EcoTank ET-2750 printer is built around the concept of providing more for less.
Although the Epson EcoTank is an InkJet printer, its refill process is much cheaper and more convenient. The toner or ink comes in small liquid bottles squeezed into separate tanks every 4000 – 6000 prints.
It supports wireless connectivity and has a built-in scanner and real-time toner display to help align your consumption with the desired quality.
HP ENVY Photo 7855
A photo-optimized compact InkJet printer with wireless printing, two separate ink cartridges, and auto AirPrint paring despite its slightly dated technology.
Expensive to refill and maintain when producing on a large scale, the HP ENVY Photo 7855 is a popular all-in-one option but lacks color accuracy and has a narrow color range due to its two cartridges.
A budget-friendly up-front photo printer that can print up to 250 -300 detailed photos before needing an ink refill. A safe choice when considering its under $200 price and how much detail and color goes into a single photo.
Lexmark C3326dw
One of the best economical options on this list of the best printers for graphic designers, the Lexmark C3326dw is best compared to the Brother HL-L8360CDW in its speed and accuracy.
The perfect office printer due to its low maintenance and printing capacity of up to 26 detailed colored pages per minute.
The printer uses a laser printing machine that allows users to save more on toner long-term, balanced to be the best medium between commercial and personal desktop printers.
The printer is relatively small for its production capacity, and its only downside is that it lacks WIFI compatibility and USB ports.
Epson Artisan 1430 Printer
An ultra-detailed wide-format printer with exceptional capabilities pressed into a compact machine the size of a standard desktop printer.
The Epson Artisan 1430 Printer is an InkJet printer, but it costs more than any other inkjet on this list and supports WIFI and compatibility with DSLR cameras, computers, and smartphones.
A standard printer among studios and graphic designers, it can operate with many toner types, including sublimation and dye ink.
Its toner will last anywhere from four to six months and comes in a pack of six colors sold together but replaced separately if needed.
Brother MFC-J497DW
The Brother MFC-J497DW is an all-in-one business or personal-use printer known for its exceptionally fast printing capabilities and detailed printing resolution.
Max width per sheet is a standard A4 size, featuring a built-in scanner, fax, and automatic 2-side printing options.
Wirelessly compatible with computers and smart devices using a HotSpot WIFI technology enabled once devices are connected to the same network.
The paper drawer on the Brother MFC-J497DW fits up to 100 standard A4 papers with an auto duplex feature that automatically flips and prints on the other side.
It can print anywhere from 1500 to 3000 colored pages per cartridge refill, making it an excellent investment for large-scale graphic design production.
Conclusion
Every printer in today’s market is limited to specific capabilities to grant manufacturers higher profit margins through toners, drums, and many other moving parts.
The perfect desktop printer for graphic designers is yet to exist, but it is in your hands to determine which options serve you best.
With the two basic options of an InkJet or laser printer, you can pay a hefty fee upfront and save money later or keep spending as you go.
Finally, both systems produce quality results, but from experience, we recommend the Brother HL-L8360CDW and the Epson Artisan 1430 as the single best printers for graphic designers.