13 Best Printers for Graphic Designers & Illustrators In 2021
Being a graphic designer, we think out of the box and even create amazing visuals via different editing tools!
But do they look as awesome on paper as they captivate us all on screen?
This is where having the best printer comes into play!
So, do you have an ideal printer for maintaining the design quality on paper?
Nope? Don’t worry as I’ve plenty of options to suggest to you when it comes to select the best printers for graphic design work.
Yes, because I’ve been in the same position where you’re now and I know all the vivid thoughts that disturb our mind while buying a new printer for graphic design work.
Come, let me show you all the great deals that I’ve gathered for my designer community, below!
How to Select the Best Printer?
Wait, before I start suggesting the best printers for graphic design work, why don’t you allow me to share the key selection metrics, first?
Yes, there are certain selection metrics that can help you find the best graphic design printers and use your money and time wisely. So, do follow these tips that I’ve mentioned below and become a pro buyer especially when it comes to buying the best printers for graphic design work.
Type
There are generally two types of printers – inkjet & laser!
The very first step to find the right printer for graphic design work is to decide which one you want to have. The key difference between both the types is that inkjet uses ink cartridges to print on the document and laser has a different mechanism to print – and that mechanism is called LASER (not very difficult to crack, though). So, decide what type of printer you want to own.
Speed
The speed basically deals with a printer’s power to produce printed documents in a minute. A black & white printer usually prints between 15 to 20 PPM (page per minute) and a color printer produces 10-12 pages per minute. So, pick a printer that offers an ideal PPM as per your work requirement.
Resolution
In order to buy the best printer for graphic design work, you must check out its resolution (or DPIs) that are otherwise known as the Dot per Inch. It basically refers to the printer’s ability to leave a number of dots in a square inch area. The more DPIs a printer has, the better printer quality you can expect.
Duty Cycle
For selecting the best printer for graphic design work, you must know how many prints the machine can produce in a month. Knowing this would help you pick the right machine that should be below the expected printing quantity per month so you don’t experience wear and tear sooner after your purchase.
Price
And lastly you must seek the right price based on the kind of feature your prospective printer has to offer. If you want to have some extra features, let say scanning abilities, in your printer you’ll have to pay more for the machine. Otherwise, it shouldn’t cost you a fortune if you’re going for a plain printer.
Best Printers for Graphic Designers in 2021
So, now that you know how to pick the right printers for graphic design work, let’s move on to the next part where I’ll be sharing various ideal options. In order to save you from tiresome and time-consuming research, I’ve made a short list of the best printers for designers so you can pick the best one.
Come, let me tell you everything about all of them so you may select the perfect printing option!
Canon imagePROGRAF (3659C002)
Type: Inkjet | Weight: 82 pounds | Print Speed: n/a | Paper Size: Up to A1 | Paper Capacity: n/a
The first recommendation for best printers comes from the house of Canon!
Canon imagePROGRAF (3659C002) is a heavy-duty printer that’s ideal for producing large scale prints especially for posters, magazine covers and even more that a regular printer fails to do.
It’s an inkjet printer and prints up to 24×36 posters per hour. Plus, its wireless technology is what grabbed my attention that lets you connect without plugging in a wire into your PC or dragging your laptop all the way to the printer.
With its 47 x 36 x 49 inches dimensions, you can take any printing task and produce large-scale printouts. What I liked the most about this printer is the ability to handle 24″ sheets without compromising on the print quality.
- Print 104 24x36 posters per hour (31 Sec/ D sized Print)
- Wireless printing
- Over $250 worth of ink included
- Paper roll size: 8"-24" (2” core)
Canon PIXMA Pro-200
Type: Inkjet | Weight: 15 pounds | Print Speed: n/a | Paper Size: Up to A3 | Paper Capacity: 150
Canon has various printing wonders and Canon PIXMA PRO-200 Wireless Printer is one of them!
With its awesome printing features, it’s the best printer for graphic design work and for those who are into photography. It can offer you as large as 13″x19″ photographs which is a considerably huge number in the printing options.
What I personally liked about Canon PIXMA PRO-200 is its portability with just 15 pounds weight which enables you to take it anywhere with ease. Plus, the print quality surpasses the standard printer’s ability to print Hi-Res prints. It can contain up to 150 sheets at the same time that offers you a continuous printing experience.
Also, the easy navigation buttons at the top make the usage extremely simple and understandable for the first-time users, too.
So, do consider this wonderful option by Canon and achieve your routine printing goals with ease.
- With a enhanced 8-color dye-based ink system, you’ll enjoy rich, vibrant professional printing, every...
- Save space in your home or studio with a compact design.
- Fast and efficient, delivering high quality bordered A3 plus prints in approximately 90 seconds.
- Compatible with a wide range of media and sizes, your can print borderless up to 13”x19” or a custom...
Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000
Type: Inkjet | Weight: 18.7 pounds | Print Speed: 9 PPM | Paper Size: Up to A3 | Paper Capacity: 200
I’ve another awesome recommendation in my list of best printers for graphic design work in the shape of Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 Wireless Colour Wide-Format Printer!
It weighs about 18.7 pounds that makes it a portable printing device for those who travel a lot and never compromise on their printing quality. With its 6 colour cartridges, you can expect HD photo prints whenever you want to convert your creativity in hardcopy.
Also, the extended paper capacity allows you to contain more paper in its tray and avail a non-stop printing experience, too. Enjoy up to A3 print sizes using Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 Wireless Colour Wide-Format Printer.
There’s a small LCD screen at the front along with a set of buttons to integrate with the printer that makes the usage very easy.
- Epson printing system is designed to be used exclusively with Epson Genuine Cartridges. Use of...
- Professional ultra HD photo quality get brilliant border less prints upto 13 inches X 19 inches
- Individual 6 color Claria photo HD ink includes red and gray inks for an ultra wide color gamut and...
- Professional projects: Made easy features a 50 sheet rear tray for specialty media, including cardstock...
Brother HLL8360CDW
Type: Laser | Weight: 48.1 pounds | Print Speed: 33 PPM | Paper Size: Up to A4 | Paper Capacity: 250
Brother is a known brand when it comes to suggesting the best printers for graphic design work!
I included Brother HLL8360CDW in the best printer’s list so you can access the beautiful printing quality that this beast has to offer plus enjoy the duplex printing feature, too. This printer is truly an ideal option for not just graphic designers but for any creative being looking for an ideal printing option with its 250-paper capacity and a spacious tray at the bottom.
Not just that, you may connect with Brother HLL8360CDW using your mobile, too, along with various other connectivity options that make the file transfer smooth and easy. The laser printing technology offers you exceptional printing results and ensures that your designs would be accurately transferred on the paper.
It can print up to A4 size and offers you a nice 33 PPM that is really commendable in comparison to printing options in this price range.
- Fast, business quality printing at up to 33ppm color/black
Epson EcoTank ET-3760
Type: Inkjet | Weight: 19.31 pounds | Print Speed: 15 PPM | Paper Size: Up to A6 | Paper Capacity: 150
In case you’re looking for the best printers for graphic design work, I’ve another wonderful option from Epson in the shape of Epson EcoTank ET-3760!
Firstly, it’s the versatile colour cartridges that caught my attention with their awesome printing results. Then, it’s the spacious tray that holds the printouts firmly along with a nice, easy-to -use menu at the front that makes its use extremely simple.
The cartridge meter at the bottom is another great feature that Epson has added into this printer that keeps us up-to-date on when to replace the cartridges and keep up with the printing activities.
One of the reasons for recommending this as the best printer for graphic designers is the 19.31 pounds weight and its ability to print 15 pages per minute.
Plus, you get to print up to A6 sizes along with 150 paper capacity features that this awesome machine has to offer.
- Your busy office needs a printer that’s fast, affordable, easy to use, and has great features. That’s...
- Innovative Cartridge-Free Printing ― High-capacity ink tanks mean no more tiny, expensive ink...
- Dramatic Savings on Replacement Ink ― Save up to 90% with replacement ink bottles vs. ink cartridges1...
- Stress-Free Printing — Up to 2 years of ink in the box (4) – and with every replacement ink set –...
Canon Pixma iP8720
Type: Inkjet | Weight: 18.6 pounds | Print Speed: 14.5 PPM | Paper Size: Up to A4 | Paper Capacity: 150
If you’re looking to have a printer that’s built for printing Hi-Res photos, Canon IP8720 Wireless Printer is an ideal option to consider!
The reason for including Canon IP8720 Wireless Printer into the best printers for graphic design is the cartridge number that allows this machine to produce hi-res, glossy pictures of up to 19″ in size. Plus, it offers wireless connectivity that saves you from tangled wires and harnesses your work speed with easy connectivity via mobile or laptop.
It weighs about 18.6 pounds which makes it an ideal device if your search includes something portable. Plus, you get to print up to 14.5 images in a minute along with having the best printing quality. Not only this, Canon IP8720 Wireless Printer also comes with a decent, spacious tray that can contain 150 sheets simultaneously, too.
So, do consider this aesthetically beautiful and mechanically awesome device and print as many photos as you require.
- Don't get stuck in an 8 inches x 10 inches world; Print your favorite photos up to 13 inches x 19 inches
- With a 6 color ink system including gray ink and 9600 x 2400 maximum color dots per inch, the results are...
- Print wireless from any Wi-Fi enabled computer around the house; Ink droplet size: 1, 2 and 5
- Note: Kindly refer to the user manual provided as a PDF manual in the product description section
Canon LBP113w imageCLASS (2207C004)
Type: Laser | Weight: 12.1 pounds | Print Speed: 23 PPM | Paper Size: Up to A4 | Paper Capacity: 150
And if you’re looking for a laser printer for graphic design work in Canon’s extensive printer collection, check out the Canon LBP113w imageCLASS Wireless Printer!
Yes, its black body is one of the beautiful treatments that Canon has done but there are more features that make it an ideal printer for graphic design work. Let’s start with how fast it can print in a minute (23 PPM) which is one of the convincing features that compelled me to test it and include it in this list.
Then, it’s the standard paper capacity range (150 paper sheets) that offers you an easy open/closure experience along with the awesome print results. It weighs about 12.1 pounds which is another compelling feature to declare it a portable printer in the list.
Apart from that, you get to print up to A4 paper sizes on this printer that makes it an ideal deal for anyone who’s looking for a reliable printing option especially for graphic design work.
- Print at speeds of up to 23 pages per minute
- Supports mobile solutions, including Apple AirPrint, Canon Print Business, Morea Print Service, and...
- Easily connect mobile devices without a router using a Wi-Fi Direct Connection
- Paper capacity allows for up to 150-sheets
Epson Expression Premium XP-7100
Type: Inkjet | Weight: 21.5 pounds | Print Speed: 11 PPM | Paper Size: Up to A4 | Paper Capacity: n/a
In case your search for the best printers for graphic design work demands more than a printing device, you should look at Epson Expression Premium XP-7100 Wireless Colour Photo Printer!
The reason for recommending this printing machine is its ability to scan documents along with printing out documents in Hi-Res quality. Plus, it has about 21.5 pounds weight that makes it a nice option if you’re looking for a lightweight printing device for your home, office or even shop.
Epson Expression Premium XP-7100 Wireless Colour Photo Printer offers you a decent 11 page per minute printing speed. Plus, you can print borderless photos of up to 6″ along with a feeding capacity of about 30 pages at the same time.
So, do consider Epson Expression Premium XP-7100 Wireless Colour Photo Printer and avail the best printing quality that can interpret your creativity on the paper with 100% accuracy.
- Epson printing system is designed to be used exclusively with Epson Genuine Cartridges. Use of...
- Superior photo quality print stunning photos Plus Sharp text for eye catching documents
- Designed for productivity at home 30 page auto document feeder; Auto 2 sided Print/copy/scan; Multiple...
- Creativity made easy print on specialty paper (1) and DVDs; Plus, borderless photos upto 8 inches X 10...
HP LaserJet Pro M404n (W1A52A)
Type: Laser | Weight: 18.1 pounds | Print Speed: 40 PPM | Paper Size: Up to A4 | Paper Capacity: 250
HP LaserJet Pro M404n Laser Printer is another viable option that you should consider for graphic design related work!
The reason for including this printer into the list is its compact size and an ideal weight of 18.1 pounds that allows you to carry it with ease from one corner to another. Along with having a compact size, this machine offers you a 40 PPM printing speed that is the prime reason for recommending this in the best printers for graphic design work.
You get to print up to A4 size papers as well as enjoy up to 250 sheets via its spacious sheet tray, too. So, do consider HP LaserJet Pro M404n Laser Printer for managing your creative work and printing requirements with ease.
- BUILT TO KEEP YOUR BUSINESS MOVING FORWARD – Print consistently high-quality documents with the HP...
- HP WOLF PRO SECURITY – Protect company data and safeguard against cyberattacks with protection built...
- SPEED THROUGH TASKS – Stay productive with a 250-sheet input tray, fast first page out time, and print...
- SHARE RESOURCES ON YOUR NETWORK – Easily access, print, and share resources with built-in Ethernet...
HP LaserJet Pro M29w (Y5S53A)
Type: Laser | Weight: 11 pounds | Print Speed: 19 PPM | Paper Size: Up to A3 | Paper Capacity: 150
Here’s another mid-range printer for graphic design work in the shape of HP LaserJet Pro M29w (Y5S53A)!
Not only this printer comes with a beautiful body but also offers you a wireless connectivity feature that eliminates the bundle of wires spread around the machine.
It offers you a decent print speed of 19 PPM and you can even scan your documents, too, using this innovative machine from HP. And the lightest weight of 11 pounds along with 150 sheets paper capacity is another wonderful feature that you get into this printer in this price range.
- WORLD’S SMALLEST LASER PRINTER IN ITS CLASS – The HP LaserJet Pro M29w all in 1 laser printer,...
- Fast print speeds – prints up to 19 pages per minute, with the first page out in as few as 7; 9 seconds
- Mobile printing – The HP Smart app allows you to easily scan from your smartphone or tablet, order...
- Reliability wireless connectivity – built in wireless capabilities let you easily access, Print, and...
Brother Laser Printer (L2350DW)
Type: Laser | Weight: 15.9 pounds | Print Speed: 32 PPM | Paper Size: Up to A4 | Paper Capacity: 250
And this is one last recommendation from Brother in the shape of Brother Compact Monochrome Laser Printer if you’re looking to own an entry-level printing option!
Its Two-Sided duplex printing options is what caught my eyes while searching for the best printers for graphic design work. Plus, its ability to print 32 PPM is another wonderful feature that makes it a worthy inclusion in the list. Along with being light weight with 15.9 pounds, it also has a spacious sheet tray that contains up to 250 sheets, too.
- Print more, wait less. Engineered for increased efficiency with class leading print speeds of up to 32...
- Dynamic features accommodate your evolving needs. The 250-sheet paper capacity helps improve efficiency...
- Flexible printing. The manual feed slot offers flexible paper handling for a variety of papers and sizes,...
- Printing as mobile as you are. Print wirelessly from your desktop, laptop, smartphone and tablet
HP LaserJet Pro M15w (W2G51A)
Type: Laser | Weight: 8 pounds | Print Speed: 19 PPM | Paper Size: Up to A4 | Paper Capacity: 150
In case you’re seeking an entry-level printer for graphic design work, I suggest you check out HP LaserJet Pro M15w Wireless Laser Printer!
It weighs only about 8 pounds which makes this machine extremely portable and easy to handle. Plus, it offers a decent 19 PPM printing speed which is enough to meet your routine printing needs, too.
You may print any size up to A4 paper sizes using this beautiful machine from HP and also avail 150 paper capacity, too, with its ideal sheet tray.
- World's smallest laser printer in its class – HP’s smallest LaserJet Pro is 35% smaller than its...
- Fast printing – Prints up to 19 pages per minute, with the first page out in as few as 8.1 seconds.
- The power of your laser printer in the palm of your hand – The HP Smart app allows you to easily scan...
- Wireless connectivity you can count on – Built-in wireless capabilities let you easily access, print,...
HP Envy 5055
Type: Inkjet | Weight: 11.93 pounds | Print Speed: 10 PPM Black/7 PPM Colour | Paper Size: n/a | Paper Capacity: n/a
And here’s one final recommendation from HP in the shape of HP ENVY 5055 Wireless All-in-One Photo Printer!
This compact size printer weighs only 11.93 pounds and offers a printing speed of 10 PPM for black & white documents and 7 PPM for colour prints. Apart from that, you may also connect it with your mobile phone and print as many pages as you want right from your mobile phone, too.
- Replaces the HP ENVY 4520, HP ENVY 5055 comes with Bluetooth, Smart, improved Wi-Fi connectivity, faster...
- Step up and create projects at home – Print, scan, and copy borderless, high-quality photos and...
- Ink delivered to your home: Get your first 2 months free when you enroll in HP Instant Ink (optional)...
- Our most powerful printing app ever: the HP Smart app allows you to easily set up your wireless printer,...
Also check:
- 9 Best Monitor Calibration Tools for Graphic Designers In 2021
- 17 Best Computer Mouse for Designers and Illustrators
- Top 20 Best Curved Monitor for Designers & Illustrators In 2021
- 13 Best Touchpad Options for Graphic Designers & Illustrators In 2021
- 15 Best iMac Alternatives for Graphic Designers & Visual Artists in 2021
- 14 Ergonomically Ideal Keyboards for Graphic Design Work In 2021
- 21 Best Laptop Stands for Graphic Designers & Developers In 2021
- 15 Best Designer Tablets for Graphics, Drawing & Art in 2021
- 15 Best Laptop Backpack Options for Designers & Developers in 2021
- 14 Best Chromebooks For Graphic Design to Buy In 2021
- 14 Must-Know Best External Hard Drives for Graphic Designers In 2021
Final Words
So, this was a little effort from my side to suggest to my awesome designer community a few best printers for graphic design work. I hope this little effort would help you in picking the right printing machine and make your routine work easy and attainable, too.
There are premium options like Canon imagePROGRAF that comes with an awesome printing result and prints large sheets. But I personally liked the Canon PIXMA iP8720 that comes with various features at half the price.
So, pick the perfect printer for graphic design work that meets your expectations and keep converting your imaginations onto paper in Hi-Res. Adios!
Disclosure: This content is reader supported, which means if you click on some of our links that we may earn a commission.
Get a Free Quote
+1 845 3770255
Call on anytime
To discuss your project
Featured articles:
Topic Categories
Interested In
Logo, Branding & Creative Work?
We’ll get back to you in 24 hours
to address your needs as quickly as possible.
We’ll prepare an estimation of the project
describing the team compostition, timeline and costs.
We'll perform a free website review
If you already have an existing website.
