Best Printer For Crafters 2018

What's more fun than letting your imagination run wild in the world of arts and crafts? There are so many endless possibilities as to what you could design and make. The sense of fulfilment at the end of a finished project makes all the hard work worthwhile.

Whether crafting as a hobby or doing so with the aim of selling what you've made it's important to have the very best tools at your disposal. Without them, what you are envisaging in the planning stage may not come to fruition.

So, what is the best printer for crafting?

Here, we take a look at a range of printers that can help you with your crafting projects.

List of Printers For Crafting

1. Canon PIXMA iX6820

2. HP OfficeJet Pro 8035

3. Canon PIXMA TS6220

4. Canon Pixma MG3620

5. HP OfficeJet 5255

5. Brother HL-L2300D

7. Epson Workforce WF-7710

8. Epson EcoTank ET-2720

9. Conon Pixma TR4520

FAQ on Printers for Crafters

What kind of printer do you need for print and cut?

The best printers for Cricut print and cut are undoubtedly the inkjet options from Canon and Epson. These printers are brilliant for crafters looking for high print quality and a printer that can match the color vibrancy you expect when transferring something from screen to page.

Will cardstock go through a printer?

Cardstock can go through many LaserJet and inkjet printers, but that doesn't mean that every printer you find will handle this specific print media.

Your best option is to look at the printer specs to determine whether it can handle cardstock. To do this, the critical bit of data you're looking for is 'Media Weight'. Match this number with your cardstock's weight, and you will know if the printer can handle the cardstock you are using.

What is the thickest paper you can use in a printer?

The standard paper used in printers is around 74 to 90 gsm. Heavyweight card – the sort of material used for business cards – is around 300gsm plus. A standard printer can print with high quality on paper with a gsm of 220. Higher than this could damage the printer or lead to poor print quality if you aren't using a printer designed for such work. This extra gsm is why the printers needed for Cricut tend to be higher-end models with the specs needed for a higher gsm.

Which HP printers can print on cardstock?

Most HP printers can print on cardstock, but not all cardstock is of the same size. If you want to know whether a printer can handle the cardstock you are using, you need to check the printer specs and precisely determine the maximum weight and thickness of cardstock an individual printer can handle. Failure to check and using a too thick cardstock could damage your printer.

Comparison Table For Top 10 Printers for Crafting

PRODUCT	key features	Price
Canon PIXMA iX6820	Resolution: 9600x2400dpi Speed: 14ipm (black), 10.4 ipm (color) Configuration: 5-individual ink cartridges Connectivity: Wi-Fi/USB/PictBridge/Mobile Devices	Check Amazon
HP OfficeJet Pro 8035	Resolution: 4800x1200dpi (color), 1200×1200 dpi (black) Speed: 29ppm (black), 25ppm (color) Configuration: 4-individual ink cartridges Connectivity: Wi-Fi/Wi-Fi Direct/Mobile Devices	Check Amazon
Canon PIXMA TS6220	Resolution: 4800x1200dpi (color) Speed: 15ipm (black), 10ipm (color) Configuration: 5-individual ink cartridges Connectivity: Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/USB 2.0/Mobile Devices	Check Amazon
Canon Pixma MG3620	Resolution: 4800x1200dpi (color) Speed: 9.9 ipm (black), 5.7 ipm (color) Configuration: 2-individual ink cartridges Connectivity: Wi-Fi/USB 2.0/Mobile Devices	Check Amazon
HP OfficeJet 5255	Resolution: 4800x1200dpi (color), 1200x1200dpi (black) Speed: 10 ppm (black), 7 ppm (color) Configuration: 2-individual ink cartridges Connectivity: Wi-Fi/USB Type-B/Mobile Devices	Check Amazon
Epson Workforce WF-7710	Resolution: 4800x2400dpi (color), Speed: 18ppm (black), 10 ppm (color), Configuration: 4-individual ink cartridges, Wi-Fi/Wi-Fi Direct/USB Mini-B/Mobile Devices	Check Amazon
Brother HL-L2300D	Resolution: 2400x600dpi (black) Speed: 27ppm (black) Configuration: 1-toner cartridge Connectivity: USB 2.0	Check Amazon
Epson EcoTank ET-2720	Resolution: 5760x1440dpi Speed: 10.5ppm (Black), 5ppm (Color) Configuration: 4 x individual ink tanks Connectivity: Wi-Fi/USB Type-A/Mobile Devices	Check Amazon
Conon Pixma TR4520	Resolution: 4800×1200 dpi Speed: 8.8ipm (black), 4.4 ipm (black) Configuration: 2-individual ink cartridges Connectivity: Wi-Fi/Wi-Fi Direct/USB Type-B/Mobile Devices	Check Amazon

5 Best Printer for Crafting Reviews

1. Canon Pixma iX6820 | Best Canon Printer For Crafters

We start with this truly super inkjet printer from Canon that is a dream for those who require really high-quality prints for their crafting.

With a color resolution of 9600×2400 dpi, the Canon Pixma iX6820 is capable of printing with intricate detail that will make your crafts look absolutely stunning.

This high-resolution printer comes with a 5-individual ink cartridge configuration that means it has been designed to ensure superior coloration in the prints it gives.

Compared to a 2-ink configuration you'll be getting depths of color, and shading that goes well beyond the norm of an entry level printer.

Further enhancing this printer's credentials as a crafter's machine is the ink droplet sizes it can give.

A smaller droplet size allows you to get a more accurate print, and the Pixma iX6820 can go as low as 1 picoliter when you need really sharp detail. You can choose between a 1,2, or 5 picoliter droplet, so that when you need a quick, less defined print, you have that option.

Furthermore, this printer is capable of holding a range of media sizes from 4×6" postcard size, to much larger 13×19" print media. It can be the best printer for craft business to get the most effective service of it.

Highlighted Features

Get extremely fine detail from your prints due to the high resolution
Faster print speeds than similar inkjet printers
Adjust ink drop sizes to suit your need
Connect with ease through wireless technology including Apple AirPrint

2. HP OfficeJet Pro 8035 | Best Printer For Arts And Crafts

The HP OfficeJet Pro is a speedy inkjet printer that is ideal for the crafter who wants to really make the machine work hard.

Firstly, this printer has a 4800×1200 dpi in color which, while not as high as the previous printer on the list, is still more than good enough to get quality color printouts.

In terms of resolution, if your crafting requires a lot of black ink work with writing and sharp lines, then consider this printer due to its 1200×1200 dpi printing resolution in black.

With a 4-individual ink cartridge configuration this printer is capable of printing much better-quality images than a 2-ink cartridge configuration.

4-ink systems also potentially lead to less ink wastage, because you can change the individual colors when needed rather than having to throw away a tri-color cartridge because one of the inks is finished.

A monthly duty cycle of 20,000 pages mean that this printer can be used day in and day out without risking it jamming up or breaking down from overuse.

It's also capable of extremely quick speeds with 25 pages per minute possible in color and 29 pages per minute possible in black and white. The speed makes this printer the best color printer for crafting to make your crafting task much smooth.

Highlighted Features

Get high-resolution printing in both color and black
Automatic duplex printing allowing you to print double sided without hassle
4-individual ink configuration allows you to get vivid coloration in your prints
All-in-one function makes printer handy for non-crafting needs

3. Canon PIXMA TS6220 | Best Printer For Crafts And Photos

Another crafting printer from Canon, with the PIXMA TS6220 potentially being a printer for those who do not require the resolution provided by the PIXMA iX6820.

Like its sister printer, this machine boasts a 5-individual ink configuration meaning the colors you will get will still be of the same nature.

Where this printer differs, in terms of resolution, is that it is capable of 4800×1200 dpi in color. That is still more than enough to get you a very high-quality printout especially due to the Canon Full-lithography inkjet Nozzle Engineering.

This printer supports a range of media types including and not limited to card, glossy photo paper, iron-on transfer paper and luster paper. There are other types, too many to list in this short review, that make this printer the best printer for craft projects.

The main reason for you to choose this printer over the PIXMA iX6820 is that it is more than just a printer. With all-in-one capability it can print, scan and copy which makes it as the best crafting printer to use in the office as well.

If doing crafts not just as a hobby, having an all-in-one printer such as this will allow you to scan invoices and other such items for your records.

Highlighted Features

Fast high-resolution printing
5-individual ink tanks ensuring you get vivid coloration and accurate shading
Ideal for business needs as well as crafting needs due to all-in-one functions
Supports a range of print media

4. Canon Pixma MG3620 | best craft printer

The Canon Pixma MG3620 is an entry level color inkjet printer, that has all the requirements needed for someone who enjoys crafting as a hobby and wants to produce high quality crafts without breaking the bank.

This best color printer for crafters is capable of 4800x1200dpi color resolution, you will still be getting a high definition print from this machine.

One of the key differences between the MG3620 and other Pixma models on the list is, however, the number of ink cartridges in its configuration. This machine is a 2-ink system and therefore the coloration will not match other models.

However, the benefit of a 2-ink system is that tri-color cartridges, over the course of your printer's life, will likely work out to be less expensive for you.

This inkjet printer for crafters, while entry level, is still able to handle a range of print media including glossy, matte and pro luster with sizes ranging from 4×6" to 8.5×14".

Overall, this is the printer to get if you need something not just to aid your crafting but also to do other work for you. It comes with a scanner that means you can print, scan and copy.

Just remember, with lower print speeds and a lower monthly duty cycle, this isn't a work horse printer, and should be used as such.

Highlighted Features
1. An affordable entry level printer capable of meeting crafting needs
2. Will print in high definition or a range of print media needed for crafting
  Connect easily with wireless functionality

5. HP OfficeJet 5255 | best printer for papercraft

The second affordable entry level printer on this list, this time from HP. And, we recommend it as the best inkjet printer for crafting

This inkjet printer has a color print resolution of 4800x1200dpi, which as we have seen on this list is the minimum requirement for printers that are going to meet your crafting needs.

A 1200x1200dpi in black help to set the OfficeJet 5255 apart as an entry level printer, making it exceptional at printing writing and sharp black lines.

Its 2-individual ink cartridge system is a drawback if you are really looking to get coloration that matches your print screen. However, if you are not a regular crafter, it is likely better to go for a 2-ink system as you don't want to come back to 4 or more dry cartridges due to infrequent use.

The OfficeJet 5255 is a wonderful little printer for those who see crafting more of a gentle pastime.

One of the main reasons for this is the low monthly duty cycle of 1000 pages, which in reality is likely the very limit you can push this printer without it breaking down completely. It will likely start jamming well before that number.

Highlighted Features

Handy all-in-one capability make this an ideal printer for all needs
Automatic duplex printing so that you can easily print double sided
iOS users can connect hassle free with Apple AirPrint capability

Printer for Crafting Buying Guide

There are many features of a printer that could sway you towards choosing a particular model or brand.

This guide will help you find the best printer for paper crafting.

1. Resolution

With entry level printers suitable for arts and crafts, a resolution of 4800x1200dpi in color is the bare minimum you should be looking for. From that you will get highly detailed color prints for sure.

Higher resolution printers will set you back more money, but that could be worth it if crafting is less of a hobby and more of a professional occupation. A 9600×2400 dpi resolution is really going to get you the high quality, intricately detailed printout that you want.

Don't forget to look at the black printing resolution as well. It could be this attribute that sets one printer apart from another. A 1200x1200dpi black print is going to give you sharp lines and sharp text.

2. Configuration

The number of ink-cartridges your printer uses is important in deciding the best printer for paper craft.

Once again, your decision could come down to whether you are someone who is doing crafting as a hobby or for financial gain.

The more ink-cartridges in the printer's configuration the better in terms of the depth of color and the shading you get.

If you want a printout that matches what you see on the print screen go for a higher configuration, though this will end up costing you more money on cartridges long term than a 2-ink system would.

3. Print Media

Check that the printer is going to be able to handle the print media you throw at it.

You don't want to be putting in some fancy type of paper only to find the printer chews it up.

It would also be useful to check what the minimum and maximum sizes are for the paper you're putting into the machine. All printers are not uniform in size.

4. Monthly duty cycle

For the sake of longevity make sure you are aware of the monthly duty cycle and how this compares to the amount of printing you plan to do.

Buying a printer, only to find it dies within a few weeks from overwork, is the last thing you want.

Some printers will have a duty cycle that goes into the tens of thousands whilst others can barely get to that 1000 page per month mark without meeting a quick demise.

Final Word

The best printer for crafters is not as simple as you might think. There are so many variables to consider that depend on the individual crafter.

Entry level printers are capable of doing a wonderful job for anyone who is beginning their journey into crafting, or even for experienced crafters who don't have the time to manage regular projects.

A higher end printer will most definitely get you the quality you want in terms of resolution and coloration and should be considered for those who have more serious crafting aspirations.

We've selected a few of the very best printers to meet a variety of needs and wish you well in your future crafting!