In the past, art was confined to sculptures and paintings. However, this is no longer the case. With the advent of the computer, art has mainly gone digital.
Whether you are a digital painter, graphic design or create your designs by hand before scanning them into a computer, you are likely to use a printer on a regular basis.
Most artists contract third party companies to print their artwork. However, if you are tired or doing tis or the home photo printer you have been using is just not providing the results you need, it would be good to invest in a professional art printer.
There are different types of art printers in the market. The printers come with different specifications, depending on the manufacturer and other factors such as budget. Before choosing a printer, it is important to know your requirements. This applies whether you are looking for a 2D or 3D printer.
How to Choose the Best Artwork Printer
Before choosing a printer, consider the following:
Media Type
An inkjet printer will allow you to print on various media types. However, not all inkjets can print the same media. Therefore, before buying, confirm that the model you would like can print the material you will be printing on.
For example, if you prefer texture or heavier grade media over standard grade paper, choose a printer that can handle the materials.
Media Size
If most of your projects involve printing on A4 size paper, it would not make sense to buy a large format printer. On the same note, if you usually print large images, choose a printer that is capable for the job.
Quality
Most budget printers available on the market offer a minimum resolution of 600 dots per inch (dpi). However, high-end printers offer much higher dpi. Generally, the higher the dpi, the greater the quality of the prints you will get.
LaserJet or Inkjet
If you will be mostly be handling high-volume print jobs that mostly comprise of text, the best printer to buy would be a laser one. These printers are also cheaper, when considered page by page, for documents with simple graphics.
On the other hand, inkjet printers are excellent for printing complex image-based designed. Moreover, the printers can print on various media. Finally, inkjet printers tend to be lighter and smaller.
Connectivity
Confirm that the printer you would like to buy can support the device where you will be printing from. For example, will you be printing directly from a memory card, PictBridge camera, Wi-Fi or USB port?
Size
In most cases, specialist printers for art and design are bigger than general printers. Moreover, they may need space behind them such as special media trays. Therefore, consider the space you have at your working studio to know whether the printer you want to buy will fit.
Budget
You should have a budget in mind before starting to look for a printer. When thinking of the cost, keep in mind both the purchase price as well as recurring costs of printer inks and any media you will be printing on. Choose a printer that is affordable and that will also be right for the kind of projects you will be working on.
