Investing in a New Printer for Photo Encaustic

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What printer should I buy?

It’s a bit like asking, “Which camera should I buy?” The answer depends entirely on how you plan to use it.

Are you a hobbyist who simply wants to print a few images to explore the encaustic process?
Or are you stepping into a more professional path—building a body of work, selling pieces, and presenting in galleries?

Most artists fall somewhere in between: creating work for themselves, family, and friends… with the occasional sale sprinkled in.

One of the biggest considerations is archivalness. While the term can feel vague, at its core it means: will this last? Archival materials are stable, acid-free, museum-grade, and made to stand the test of time. And while encaustic wax offers some protection, it does not completely shield materials from UV light or aging. That’s why professional artists tend to use archival inks, papers, and substrates whenever possible.

So ask yourself: How important is it to you that your inks and materials are archival?

If you’re creating personal work, longevity might not be your top priority. But if you plan to sell your pieces, archival materials are essential.

When it comes to choosing a printer, there are three mainstream options—each defined by their inks:

Laser printers use toner fused with heat. They’re fine for basic graphics but struggle with nuanced photographic detail, and toner isn’t formulated for long-term durability. For encaustic artists, they’re rarely the best choice.

Inkjet printers come in dye-based and pigment-based versions.

• Dye-based inks are less expensive, more water-soluble, slower to dry, and prone to fading. They’re generally not considered archival.
• Pigment-based inks use finely ground particles suspended in liquid and offer much better fade resistance. These are the industry standard for artists and fine-art printers.

But printer technology keeps evolving. I used to say dye-based inks didn’t work for photo transfers—but that’s no longer true. My small Canon Pixma MG7720 is a hybrid: pigment-based black ink and dye-based color inks. It produces beautiful transfers and is cost effective. It prints 8.5×11, travels easily to workshops, and is perfect for learning. But it’s not a professional archival printer.

My workhorse for years was the Epson R2880, a 13×19 pigment-based printer. Epson now offers the SureColor P-600 as its successor, usually around $700–$800. This is what I consider a true photo printer, delivering rich tonal range, excellent detail, and archival-quality prints. Canon and HP also make excellent pigment printers—it’s like choosing Coke vs. Pepsi. Ultimately, the decision comes down to preference.

If you want a full list of pigment-based printers, Red River Paper offers a great resource.

When choosing your printer, consider:

• What level of print quality do you want?
• Do you need archival inks?
• Are the inks dye-based or pigment-based?
• What’s the cost of replacement inks?
• What size prints do you want to make?
• What’s your budget?
• How often will you use it? (Inkjet nozzles need regular use to avoid clogging.)
• How will you connect—Wi-Fi, AirPrint, CloudPrint, USB?
• Is it compatible with your computer or tablet?

B&H Photo’s printer buying guide is also an excellent resource if you want to dive deeper.

Choosing a printer isn’t always simple, but it becomes more manageable when you understand your needs. Do your research, choose wisely, and—most importantly—enjoy the printing process as part of your creative practice.

 

 

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What printer do you have? What do you like best about it? least about it? Let me know in the comments below.

Be well….be creative,