17 Best Scanners For Artists And Illustrators We've Tested 2024
Brandon Forder Apr 16, 2024 12:26 PM
Try these suggestions while trying to find the best printer for your art prints. With the information in this post, you'll be printing masterpieces in no time.
Finding the best art printer for art prints and designs is essential for anyone serious about producing high-quality artwork. Many artists today want to work digitally so they can avoid producing any tangible copies of their work. Making a physical replica of an artwork, however, can be the defining characteristic between a professional and an amateur creator.
Thus, if you're serious about making a living as an artist, investing in a high-quality art printer to produce prints for sale or even just to keep a hard copy of your portfolio on hand can be crucial.
If you're just starting out, finding a good art printer can be a little tricky. As such, we've compiled a list of the top scanners for painters and illustrators in 2022 to assist with this process.
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Ink and Toner Cartridges
Consider the cost of replacement supplies, including both the ink cartridges or refills that inkjet printers use and the toner cartridges that laser printers use.
It turns out that single-cartridge Inkjet printers aren't the most cost-effective option. Single-cartridge inkjet printers can clog and cause colors to bleed when printing artwork. Use an inkjet printer with at least four ink cartridges, and preferably more, to get the sharpest text and most vibrant colors possible for printing artwork.
However, when it comes to laser printers, it's crucial that you keep track of how long it lasts on average and go with one that has a bigger capacity, even if it costs more.
Price
A good printer is an investment, so it's important to consider both your budget and your goals before making a final purchase. How frequently you anticipate employing your printer might have a direct bearing on how much you spend on a high-quality model.
Budget printers are suitable for hobbyists or artists printing a small run of works for themselves. However, printing with large ink capacity is a good idea if you intend to sell and expand your brand through the art prints you produce.
Investing in a printer with a large ink or toner capacity may seem like a waste of money at first, but it will end up saving you a ton of money in the long run if you really use it often.
Scanner size
We have included many different printers that cater to artists and designers. To begin your search for the ideal printer for your purposes, you must first determine the size of your printouts. Consider whether you need a giant poster printed or a modest business card.
Paper Size
There are three standard paper sizes for art prints: A3, A4, and A5. We recommend finding a printer that can take 13 x 19-inch proofs (also called A3+ Super B) if you value flexibility. If you're not sure what you're searching for, it can be frustrating to get a printer that can't accept A3 paper sizes.
Your printer should also be able to process various paper types without any issues. Whether you go with a laser or inkjet printer, it's important to check the specifications to make sure it can print on a variety of paper weights and types, as well as double-sided. Checking out Direct to Garment (DTG) printers is a good idea if you want to print on t-shirts or other clothes.
Paper thickness
Think about the weight of the paper you intend to print on. Look for ink-resistant paper. Professional photographers and artists often use photographic or fine art paper because it is more substantial than regular printer paper. In addition, low-end printers are typically less flexible when it comes to paper thickness, so if you need to print a lot of thick media, a high-end printer is typically the better option.
Use time
A high-end printer, which can produce gallery-quality photos much more quickly than a low-end printer, is worth the investment if you intend to print a lot and maybe sell your art prints. You won't have to replace the ink cartridges as often because they are larger, and you can usually find lower prices for ink when you buy in bulk.
Features and Specifications
No matter how high the price tag or how impressive the quality ratings, if the item doesn't accomplish what you need it to, it's pointless. You should constantly check the features and specs to make sure they meet your needs. Fortunately, we've included in-depth assessments of each product, highlighting its most useful qualities for your perusal.
Customers’ Feedback
Customers who have already bought and utilized the product can provide useful feedback. However, not all customer reviews are authentic, since some may be posted by competitors looking to disrupt the business, or by users who simply dislike the brand for no apparent reason.
Comment fraud is easy to spot, and contacting the reviewer directly for extra insight is always a good idea. You can find other people who buy the same brand's items via online communities, blogs, and even Facebook groups.
Is laser or inkjet better for art prints?
Inkjet printers offer superior print quality over laser printers when it comes to creating art prints. However, laser printers excel in both print speed and cost-effectiveness.
What is Dots Per Inch?
Artists and designers often refer to a printer's resolution in terms of dots per inch. The DPI, or dots per inch, scale is a wonderful tool to determine the appropriate print resolution for your needs.
What is the difference between toner and cartridges?
Laser printers require toner, while inkjet printers require cartridges. Using a printer with a dye-based ink cartridge is highly recommended for printing artwork.
Artists and illustrators alike know how difficult it can be to get prints that are both true to color and crisp. Making sure your prints appear excellent should be a top goal for any emerging artist, regardless of the art form they practice.
At this point, you should have a decent notion of what to look for when deciding which art printer is appropriate for you, your target audience, and your projected volume of work. You have taken the first step in making the correct decision.
