Giclee printing is a high-quality digital printing technology that is commonly used to reproduce fine art prints. The term “giclee” is derived from the French word “gicler,” which means “to squirt” or “to spray.” Giclee printing employs high-resolution printers that use minute droplets of ink to generate highly detailed and exact replicas of original artwork.

Artists, photographers, and printmakers frequently employ giclee printing to create limited edition prints of their work. The original artwork is scanned or photographed before being printed on high-quality archival paper or canvas using fade-resistant and long-lasting pigment-based inks. In terms of color, texture, and detail, the final reproductions are frequently indistinguishable from the original artwork.

Giclee printing has grown in popularity in the art world as this technology enables artists to create high-quality reproductions of their work that are both economical and accessible to a wider audience. Furthermore, giclee printing provides greater control over the printing process, allowing for the production of images in short runs that can be modified to match the specific needs of individual consumers.

To produce high-quality Giclee prints with outstanding image quality is easy, all you’ll need is archival quality inks and a professional art printer. How to choose the best printer for your needs, on the other hand, is a different matter.

To help you make an informed decision, we produced the following guide with issues to consider, such as the overall ink quality and droplet sizes you should aim for, the resolution of your printer, the type and weight of the media you print on, and the pace at which your printer will function. You can look at our best printers’ suggestions for wide format and exhibition-level prints, as well as options for fast, low-cost, and all-in-one printers.

Selection Criteria for the Best Printer for Giclee Art Prints 2023—Buying Guide

Quality of Art Prints

Try to choose a printer that can replicate your work faithfully in terms of color, detail, and tonal range. The combination of high-resolution printing, as well as high-quality inks and materials, can accomplish this.

What separates a good giclee printer from a great one is usually the caliber of the ink used. The quality of the ink used in a giclee printer is crucial since it replicates the original artwork exactly on paper.

Several of the giclee printers on our list employ pigment-based inks, as opposed to the dye-based inks used by many conventional printers. The former allows for true color reproduction and print copies that can last for decades. Unlike dye-based inks, these won’t fade in the sun and can withstand changes in temperature and humidity without wilting.

Printing Ink Droplet Size

You’ll be able to print finer details as the ink droplets become smaller, which is especially important for professional-grade reproductions of artwork. The ideal would be to find a printer with heads that allow one picoliter of ink to pass through, however, this would be excessive if you aren’t interested in exhibition-level work.

 Fine Art Paper Sizes

It’s also crucial for a printer to work with a variety of media and sizes. The media can be inserted in either its cut or rolled form, and many printers can do the cutting for you.

Support for rolls, however, is vital for professional printers who need to print frequently because it eliminates the need to buy cut sheets separately. Also, if you want to create maps or other wide format sizes, you need to be mindful of the limitations of the art printer you are looking into.

Resolution of the Art Printer

Giclée prints guarantee a true-to-original copy of the original work. So the resolution of the printers is something else to think about, as the production of sharp, crack-free prints of high-resolution images is essential. Thus, higher resolution means better quality printouts.

Printing Speed

The printing speed might not be of paramount importance when it comes to this type of printing, but if you have a business to consider and clients that are waiting to receive their art prints, then you might want to keep the printing speed in mind, as well.

 

Top Product Recommendations for the Best Printer for Giclee 2023

1. Overall Best Giclee Printers: Canon Imageprograf PRO 1000
2. Best Art Printers for Fast Giclee Reproduction: Epson Expression Surecolor P900
3. Best Art Printers for Giclee Exhibitions: Epson Surecolor SC-P5000
4. Best Wide Format Printing for Giclee: Epson Ecotank ET-8550
5. Best Art Printer for All in One Giclee Prints: Expression Photo XP-970
6. Best Art Printers for Affordable Giclee Printing: HP Envy 7858

1. Overall Best Giclee Printers—Canon Imageprograf PRO 1000

Selection Criteria

• Print Quality – 10/10
• Printing Ink Droplet Size – 10/10
• Fine Art Paper Sizes – 9/10
• Resolution of Art Printer – 10/10
• Printing Speed – 9/10

About Canon Imageprograf PRO 1000

TheCanon Imageprograf PRO-1000 was developed with high-quality giclee prints in mind, and it includes a number of characteristics that make it ideal for producing high-quality prints of fine art.

This inkjet printer has a broader color range and higher color accuracy than most printers since it employs 12 separate pigment ink cartridges. The built-in anti-clogging technology eliminates the need for frequent cleaning and restarting, and the resulting prints are crisp and fast.

In addition, the Chroma optimizer and Lucia pro ink system used by this art printer accommodate any and all requirements for fine prints that may be required by graphic designers or strict photographers.

The printer’s maximum resolution of 2400 by 1200 dpi allows for the faithful reproduction of even the finest details and textures.

Features like a built-in color densitometer for color calibration and an integrated nozzle recovery system to minimize clogs make this fine art printer particularly well-suited for giclee printing. It is also capable of producing borderless prints up to 17 inches in width, to accommodate any type of paper size you see fit.

In addition, the Canon air feeding system employs a vacuum to keep a firm grip on the paper and ensure uniform printing throughout. As a result, it ensures consistently high-quality art prints on any paper.

Pros:

• High print resolution
• Can print on many sizes of fine art papers, up to 17 inches in width
• Fine print head
• 12 printer inks

Cons:

• High ink costs

2. Best Art Printers for Fast Giclee Reproduction—Epson Expression Surecolor P900

Selection Criteria

• Print Quality – 10/10
• Printing Ink Droplet Size – 9/10
• Fine Art Paper Sizes – 10/10
• Resolution of Art Printer – 10/10
• Printing Speed – 10/10

About Epson Expression Surecolor P900

For high-quality, fast giclee prints, the Epson Expression SureColor P900 is a great option to consider. It is a high-end printer designed for commercial use so that you can expect precise colors and detailed images in a better amount of time than most inkjet printers.

The Epson Expression SureColor P900 is, all things considered, a powerful printer that works great for giclee printing. The quality of the printed product, however, is determined not only by the printer itself but also by the digital input file, the media chosen, and the expertise of the person operating the printer.

The Epson expression photo printer is equipped with a number of tools that simplify giclee printing. Printing on various fine art materials, canvas, and other media is only one of the many media handling possibilities available. It also includes superior black-and-white printing choices, which is crucial when using a printer commercially.

Due to its wide color gamut, the P900 is well-suited for printing both fine art and photography at a maximum resolution of 5760 by 1440 dpi, which results in exceptionally clear and detailed output.

High-quality prints typically necessitate slower print speeds to ensure accurate color and detail reproduction, therefore, print speed is not usually the most critical consideration for giclee printing. While the P900’s speed is impressive for a professional printer, keep in mind that a giclee printing’s speed is not based on an absolute number, but rather the balance between time and image accuracy.

Depending on the print job and the settings, the Epson Expression SureColor P900 can print quite quickly. The fastest it can print a four by six-inch photo is one minute and 20 seconds, and the fastest it can print an eight-by-ten-inch photo is two minutes and 30 seconds. While the pace will decrease for larger prints, it is still quick for a commercial inkjet printer in this line of work.

Also, it is one of the most realistic printers for giclée prints thanks to its capacity to reproduce colors accurately and produce high-quality images. The UltraChrome PRO10 ink ensures superior photo and color reproduction. It also comes with separate nozzles for each ink, so you never have to worry about wasting time switching inks. You can create your art prints with incredible detail due to its ten-channel MicroPiezo print head.

Moreover, prints from rolls and media sheets up to 1.5 millimeters thick can be completed in seconds with this Epson inkjet printer. All of these capabilities combine to make it an ideal choice for large-scale printing jobs because to its outstanding print quality and adaptability.

Pros:

• High-quality giclée prints
• Generates faster print speeds
• Long-lasting art prints
• Separate ink cartridges for each color

Cons:

• High initial cost
• The plastic’s fit and finish do not feel solid
• Setup can be frustrating

3. Best Art Printers for Giclee Exhibitions—Epson Surecolor SC-P5000

Selection Criteria

• Print Quality – 10/10
• Printing Ink Droplet Size – 10/10
• Fine Art Paper Sizes – 10/10
• Resolution of Art Printer – 10/10
• Printing Speed – 9/10

About Epson Surecolor SC-P5000

Epson’s SureColor P5000 professional picture printer has a high initial cost but produces high-quality prints on large cut sheets or wide paper rolls, as A2+ and panoramic paper sizes are supported, for relatively low per-print expenses.

This is the heaviest and most expensive item on our list, weighing in at a whopping 52 kilograms. Yet, if you’re printing artwork for display and high-end art prints for consumers, it should pay for itself in the long run.

The Epson Surecolor SC-P5000 is an excellent choice for printing large-format giclees for art shows. It’s made for experts, so it can print gorgeous photos that will last a long time and stay true to color, especially under gallery scrutiny. Epson’s UltraChrome HDX ink technology allows for a wide color range and outstanding color accuracy, making this printer perfect for faithfully reproducing artwork.

It can reproduce 99 percent of the Pantone solid-coated color gamut thanks to its integrated color calibration sensor and a set of ten Epson UltraChrome HDX pigment inks.

And because of the Epson Surecolor SC-high P5000’s resolution printing capacity, even when blown up to poster size, your giclee prints will be remarkably crisp and detailed. Since museum-goers will be able to examine the prints in such close proximity, this is especially crucial for art shows.

The printer’s ten-color ink set and sophisticated color management system enable exceptionally detailed prints with natural tone transitions and true-to-life hues. This makes it a fantastic medium for replicating works of art such as paintings, sketches, and more.

Pros:

• Gallery quality prints
• can be shipped with violet ink, while an LLK inkset is available for use with fine art and photography
• Panoramic prints

Cons:

• One of the heaviest inkjet printers, so moving it can prove problematic
• High initial cost

4. Best Wide Format Printing for Giclee—Epson Ecotank ET-8550

 

Best Art Printers for Giclee Selection Criteria

• Print Quality – 9/10
• Printing Ink Droplet Size – 9/10
• Fine Art Paper Sizes – 10/10
• Resolution of Art Printer – 10/10
• Printing Speed – 8/10

About Epson Ecotank ET-8550

If you’re looking for a great art printer for wide format, go no further than the Epson EcoTank ET-8550. This printer does it all with low initial investment and low ongoing expenditures, as one ink tank can produce up to 3,400 pages.

The EcoTank ET-8550 can be set up quickly, is compatible with Wi-Fi, USB, and Ethernet, and features a mobile app for controlling printing and ink resupply.

The ET-8550 made it on our list because of its ability to print 13 by 19-inch images in wide format. If you need to print an A3 document, it can handle that, too. This art printer not only saves you money on ink, but it also scans and copies, so don’t let the initial price deter you. For less than a penny per page, the ET-8550 can print high-quality photographs in sizes ranging from snapshots to super tabloids.

The ET-8550 supports six inks total, including the four process colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) and two more (photo black and gray). These hues aid in the creation of visually pleasing grayscale photographs and graphics; they also boost detail and enrich blacks in photos and artwork, bringing attention to previously obscured places.

Pros:

• Borderless printing for sizes ranging from 4 x 6 inches to 13 x 19 inches
• Outstanding image quality, with the addition of photo black and gray inks
• Features ink tanks
• All in one machine

Cons:

• Bulky, as is expected

5. Best Art Printer for All in One Giclee Prints—Expression Photo XP-970

Selection Criteria

• Print Quality – 10/10
• Printing Ink Droplet Size – 9/10
• Fine Art Paper Sizes – 10/10
• Resolution of Art Printer – 10/10
• Printing Speed – 9/10

About Expression Photo XP-970

The Epson Expression Photo XP-970 offers remarkable value for its low price. If you are looking for a giclee printer, that can double as the all-in-one home machine, this could well be an option to explore.

This art printer has an A3 printing capacity, can scan and copy, and comes with easy-to-use software for managing print jobs and ink replenishment. It also features a heavier cardstock tray in the back, in addition to the regular paper formats that it can handle. The largest size that can be printed on an XP-970 printer is 11 by 17 inches, which is adequate for most giclee prints. But a different printer may be necessary if you need to print larger sizes.

This machine produces high-quality prints because of its six-color printing method, which uses rich color inks, and it does it at a respectable speed rate. The Expression Photo XP-970 employs six different colors of Claria Photo HD ink to create prints with exceptional detail and color accuracy. As a result, it is a great option for printing high-resolution, color-true giclees.

In comparison to other top-tier giclee printers, while it is reasonably priced considering the quality it provides, the printer’s ink cartridges are somewhat pricey. Ink will also be consumed quickly, so keep that in mind when budgeting.

Pros:

• Inexpensive giclee printer
• Good print quality
• High print resolution
• Can handle photo paper and cardstock up to 17 inches
• Large variety of print sizes
• All in one machine

Cons:

• High cost of replacement inks
• Somewhat heavy

6. Best Art Printers for Affordable Giclee Printing—HP Envy 7858

 

Selection Criteria

• Print Quality – 9/10
• Printing Ink Droplet Size – 9/10
• Fine Art Paper Sizes – 8/10
• Resolution of Art Printer – 8/10
• Printing Speed – 8/10

About HP Envy 7858

Giclee printing is a cost-effective way to produce high-quality prints of artwork, making it accessible to a wider audience. This can be especially beneficial for emerging artists who want to produce high-quality prints of their work without incurring high costs.

Creating affordable giclee art prints at your home could well sound like an oxymoron, but the HP Envy 7858 might do just that. Whether at home or in your workspace, the HP Envy 7858 can handle all your printing needs. It’s versatile enough to print just about anything, even photos, even though it is an affordable printer.

As you assess the HP Envy 7858’s suitability as a giclee printer, keep in mind that it has four individual ink cartridges for printing in full color. They might appear as a low absolute number, for the range of colors required for a giclee print, but at this price range, the printing quality this machine offers is rather impressive.

The Envy 7858 can handle many paper kinds and sizes, including glossy and matte photo paper. On the other hand, it might not be well suited for printing on a heavier cardstock and canva in large quantities.

The largest print size you can get with the Envy 7858 is 8.5 by 14 inches. Compared to competing printers, this machine offers an overall great color quality of archival prints from digital art.

Pros:

• Affordable printer
• Good for printing photos
• All in one machine
• Six-ink cartridge system

Cons:

• Not suitable for heavy canvas and cardstock
• Not very fast

Conclusion—The Best Printer for Giclee Prints 2023

Finally, we’d like to thank you for reading through our recommendations for the top giclee printers now available.

We recommend the Canon imageprograf PRO1000 the most of all the models on this list. Using cutting-edge technology, it produces high-quality giclée prints with pinpoint accuracy, guaranteeing customer satisfaction. In addition, it has a novel feature called an air-feeding system that keeps the printing paper in place uniformly as it moves through the machine.

Note that both the SureColor P900 and Epson Surecolor SC-P5000 models are highly worthwhile giclee printers; choosing between them comes down to your unique use case.

We hope you found our analysis of the top printer for giclee prints of 2023 to be helpful. Consult our associated guides for further sources of comparable items for the artistic lifestyle.