Our Top Picks for Graphic Designers in 2026
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300
13" width, 10-color pigment, museum quality
~$900
Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850
Low ink costs, all-in-one, excellent color
~$750
Epson SureColor P700
13" width, 10-color UltraChrome PRO10
~$850
Canon PIXMA Pro-200
8-color dye, vibrant photos, 13x19"
~$550
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300
The Professional's Choice
The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 represents the gold standard for graphic designers who need museum-quality output. The 10-color LUCIA PRO pigment ink system delivers an incredibly wide color gamut with accurate neutrals and deep blacks that rival gallery prints.
What sets the PRO-300 apart is Canon's reformulated Lucia Pro II inks, which include wax for scratch resistance. Prints are rated to last 200+ years, making this ideal for portfolios, client presentations, and fine art reproduction. The printer handles media up to 13" wide and can print borderless on various paper sizes.
Color Accuracy Note
The PRO-300 ships with ICC profiles for popular fine art papers. For best results, calibrate your monitor and use Canon's Print Studio Pro software for color-managed workflows.
Pros
- 10-color pigment ink system
- Museum-quality 200+ year prints
- Excellent black density
- Borderless printing up to 13x19"
- Built-in color calibration
Cons
- High ink costs
- Print-only (no scanner)
- Large footprint
- Slow printing speed
Best For:
Professional designers, fine art photographers, and anyone creating gallery-quality prints for portfolios or clients who demand archival output.
Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850
Professional Output, Incredible Value
The Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 solves the eternal designer dilemma: great color output without bleeding money on ink. The supertank design holds enough ink to print approximately 7,500 color pages or 5,200 black pages before needing a refill.
While not quite at the archival level of the Canon PRO-300, the ET-5850 produces excellent color output for proofs, mockups, and client presentations. The all-in-one design includes a flatbed scanner (perfect for digitizing sketches) and a 50-sheet ADF for batch scanning.
Pros
- Incredibly low ink costs
- Print, scan, copy, fax
- Excellent color accuracy
- Fast 25 ppm printing
- 50-sheet ADF
Cons
- Dye ink (not as archival)
- Max 8.5x14" paper size
- Higher upfront cost
- Large footprint
Best For:
Designers who print high volumes of proofs and mockups, need scanning capabilities, and want the lowest possible operating costs.
Epson SureColor P700
Epson's Answer to Gallery-Quality
The Epson SureColor P700 competes directly with Canon's PRO-300 and holds its own. The 10-color UltraChrome PRO10 pigment ink set delivers stunning color accuracy with carbon black technology that produces true neutral grays without color casts.
A unique advantage of the P700 is its roll paper support, allowing you to print panoramas and banners without the sheet-size limitations. Epson claims 200+ years of print permanence on select papers, matching Canon's archival claims.
Epson vs. Canon Maintenance
Unlike Canon printers, Epson printers don't perform automatic periodic cleaning. You'll need to run manual head cleanings if the printer sits unused. Canon's auto-maintenance uses more ink but keeps heads in better condition.
Pros
- 10-color pigment ink system
- Roll paper support
- 99% Adobe RGB coverage
- Carbon black technology
- 200+ year print life
Cons
- Requires manual maintenance
- Slow print speeds
- High ink costs
- Print-only (no scanner)
Best For:
Designers who prefer Epson's color science, need roll paper support for banners/panoramas, or want excellent black and white printing capabilities.
Canon PIXMA Pro-200
Vibrant Colors at a Lower Price
The Canon PIXMA Pro-200 uses dye-based inks instead of pigment, which means more vibrant, saturated colors right out of the printer. While dye inks don't have the longevity of pigment (roughly 50-100 years vs. 200+), they produce stunning prints that really pop.
At roughly half the price of the imagePROGRAF PRO-300, the Pro-200 is an excellent entry point for designers who want professional output without the premium price. The 8-color ink system produces an impressive color gamut, and the printer handles media up to 13x19 inches.
Pros
- More affordable than pigment printers
- Vibrant, saturated colors
- 8-color ink system
- Large 13x19" print capability
- Good for photo portfolios
Cons
- Dye inks fade faster than pigment
- Not truly archival
- Prints can smear if wet
- Print-only (no scanner)
Best For:
Designers who prioritize vibrant color over archival longevity, portfolio printing for interviews, and those wanting professional output at a moderate price.
Designer Printer Comparison
| Model | Ink Type | Colors | Max Width | Longevity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 | Pigment | 10 | 13" | 200+ yrs | $900 |
| Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 | Dye (tank) | 4 | 8.5" | ~100 yrs | $750 |
| Epson SureColor P700 | Pigment | 10 | 13" | 200+ yrs | $850 |
| Canon PIXMA Pro-200 | Dye | 8 | 13" | ~100 yrs | $550 |
Color Management Basics for Designers
Getting Accurate Prints
Even the best printer won't produce accurate colors if your workflow isn't color-managed. Here's what you need:
Calibrate Your Monitor
Use a hardware calibrator (Datacolor SpyderX, X-Rite i1Display) to ensure your monitor displays accurate colors. Software-only calibration isn't reliable.
Use ICC Profiles
Every paper/printer combination needs its own ICC profile. Printer manufacturers provide profiles for their papers, or you can create custom profiles.
Soft Proof Before Printing
Use Photoshop's soft proofing feature to preview how colors will look on paper before wasting ink and paper on test prints.
Let the Printer Manage Color
Either let Photoshop/application manage color OR let the printer manage it—never both. Double color management causes unpredictable results.
Pigment vs. Dye Ink: Quick Guide
Pigment Ink
- 200+ year longevity
- Water resistant
- Scratch resistant
- Slightly less vibrant
- More expensive
- Best for: Archival, gallery, fine art
Dye Ink
- 50-100 year longevity
- Can smear if wet
- More saturated colors
- More vibrant initially
- Less expensive
- Best for: Photos, portfolios, proofs
Graphic Designer Printer Buying Guide
Size Considerations
- 8.5x11" (Letter): Standard documents, proofs, mockups
- 11x17" (Tabloid): Spreads, small posters, presentations
- 13x19" (Super B): Portfolio prints, matted photos, larger presentations
- 17" Wide: Posters, gallery prints (Epson P900, Canon PRO-1000)
- 24"+ Wide: Signage, banners, large format (Epson P5000, Canon PRO-2100)
Choose Based on Your Primary Use
Client Presentations & Proofs
Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 - Low cost per page, excellent color, scanning included
Portfolio & Gallery Prints
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 - Archival quality, museum-grade output
Photography Focus
Canon PIXMA Pro-200 - Vibrant dye colors, great for photos
B&W + Color Fine Art
Epson SureColor P700 - Carbon black tech for neutral B&W
Frequently Asked Questions
What printer do professional graphic designers use? ▼
Professional designers typically use Canon imagePROGRAF or Epson SureColor printers with pigment-based inks for archival quality. For standard work, the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 offers excellent color at lower operating costs. Many studios have both: an EcoTank for proofs and a pigment printer for final output.
Is pigment or dye ink better for graphic design prints? ▼
Pigment ink is better for professional work that needs to last. Pigment prints are more durable, fade-resistant (200+ years), and water-resistant. Dye inks produce more vibrant colors initially but fade faster and can smear when wet. Choose pigment for portfolios and client deliverables, dye for internal proofs and personal photos.
What size printer do I need for design work? ▼
13x19 inch capability covers most portfolio and client presentation needs. This size fits nicely in a standard portfolio case when matted. For posters and signage, consider 17-inch or 24-inch wide format printers like the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 or Epson SureColor P900.
Do I need a calibrated monitor? ▼
Yes, absolutely. Without a calibrated monitor, what you see on screen won't match your prints. A hardware calibrator (like Datacolor SpyderX or X-Rite i1Display) is essential for any color-critical work. Budget approximately $150-250 for a quality calibrator—it's as important as the printer itself.
How much do professional printers cost to operate? ▼
Professional pigment printers like the Canon PRO-300 can cost $1-3 per 8x10" print when you factor in ink and paper. Dye-based printers are cheaper at $0.50-1 per print. EcoTank printers like the ET-5850 bring costs down to cents per page for standard prints, making them economical for proofing.
Our Top Recommendation
For most graphic designers, the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 delivers the best combination of color accuracy, archival quality, and reasonable pricing. Need lower operating costs? The Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 is unbeatable for high-volume proofing.