For photography enthusiasts and professionals seeking top-tier photo prints right at home, the Epson SureColor P900 stands out as a remarkable choice. This 17-inch wide-format printer delivers exceptional print quality, rivaling our top picks, and is particularly impressive for creating large, impactful photographs. If you’re aiming to sell your prints, make your work truly noticeable, or simply desire the grandeur of oversized photos, the Epson SureColor P900 is a compelling option that outperforms its competitors in several key areas.
One of the most significant advantages of the Epson SureColor P900 is its user-friendliness, especially when compared to other wide-format printers like the Canon ImagePrograf PRO-1000. It mirrors the outstanding print quality of our top recommendation while offering a more intuitive operation. Sharing the same elegant design and compatibility with a wide array of paper types further solidifies its position as a leading home photo printer.
Unmatched Speed and Efficiency
The Epson SureColor P900 excels in print speed, maintaining consistent performance across both wireless and wired connections. Whether you’re using Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or USB-B, the print speeds remain consistently fast. In direct comparisons with the 17-inch Canon PRO-1000 at equivalent resolution settings, the P900 often proves to be quicker, sometimes by a significant margin depending on the paper type. Notably, when using Wi-Fi, the Canon model experiences slowdowns, whereas the Epson P900 maintains its rapid pace.
For instance, printing a detailed 12×18-inch image from the Webb Space Telescope’s Pillars of Creation on 13×19-inch luster paper via Wi-Fi, the P900 completed the task in just 16 minutes and 33 seconds. The Canon PRO-1000, in the same conditions, took a considerably longer 24 minutes and 10 seconds. This speed advantage makes the Epson SureColor P900 an efficient choice for photographers who value time without compromising on print quality.
Key Features Shared with the Top-Rated P700
The Epson SureColor P900 inherits many beloved features from the highly regarded P700 model. These include long-lasting pigment inks that ensure archival quality prints, broad paper compatibility to cater to various artistic preferences, a user-friendly large touchscreen interface, and the visually appealing design featuring a see-through window that allows you to watch the printing process in action. These shared attributes underscore Epson’s commitment to delivering a consistent and high-quality user experience across its professional photo printer range.
The versatility of the P900 extends to paper compatibility, as it flawlessly handles a wide selection of premium papers. In our tests, it delivered stunning results on papers ranging from Red River’s Polar Gloss Metallic and Palo Duro SoftGloss Rag to Hahnemühle’s FineArt Baryta Satin, Canson’s Infinity Baryta Photographique, Awagami Factory’s handmade Japanese paper, and various options from Epson’s Professional Media line, including Legacy Fibre. This extensive paper support empowers photographers to explore different textures and finishes to best showcase their work.
Expand Your Creative Horizons with Roll Printing
A standout feature of the Epson SureColor P900 is its roll feed capability, enabling you to produce extra-long panoramic prints. While the printer has a 17-inch width limit, it can print up to 129 inches (nearly 11 feet) in length when equipped with the optional roll-feed adapter. This is significantly longer than the Canon PRO-1000’s 47-inch maximum, opening up possibilities for creating dramatic vertical prints or expansive panoramic landscapes.
The side of the Epson SureColor P900 photo printer.
For photographers considering roll printing, it’s worth noting that the P900 does not include a built-in cutter. Therefore, you’ll need to manually cut prints using sharp scissors or a paper cutter. This minor inconvenience is easily manageable and a small trade-off for the extended print length capability.
Paper Feed Considerations
While the Epson SureColor P900 generally handles paper exceptionally well, the main paper feed (referred to as the rear feed by Epson, despite its top-feeding design) can occasionally pull in multiple sheets at once. Although not a frequent occurrence, this issue may lead to misprints and wasted paper, especially when using expensive fine art media. To mitigate this, feeding one sheet at a time is advisable, particularly with premium papers.
In contrast, the roll feed and front paper feed of the P900 performed reliably in our tests. The optional roll feeder seems to offer improved performance compared to the built-in roll feed mechanism of the P700. The updated front paper feed on the P900, an improvement over its predecessor the P800, handles thick media effectively, albeit at a slower pace. While loading thick paper can take about 1 minute 30 seconds, this deliberate process ensures careful and safe handling of delicate and costly paper types.
Minimal Print Head Clogs and Easy Maintenance
One of the most reassuring aspects of the Epson SureColor P900 is its resistance to print head clogs. Over a year of testing, including extended periods of inactivity up to two months, the printer exhibited remarkable clog resistance. In most cases, a single head cleaning cycle was sufficient to restore it to perfect working order. This is a significant improvement over older inkjet printers and on par with the excellent performance of the Canon ImagePrograf PRO-1000 in this regard. While individual experiences may vary, printing a nozzle check pattern every couple of weeks is a proactive measure to maintain optimal printer health.
Conclusion: The Premier Choice for Home Photo Printing
The Epson SureColor P900 is undeniably a top contender for the Best Home Printer For Photos, particularly for photographers who demand wide-format printing capabilities and uncompromising image quality. Its combination of user-friendliness, speed, versatile paper handling, and robust performance, coupled with minimal maintenance needs, makes it an exceptional investment. Whether you’re printing gallery-worthy large format pieces or standard-sized photos, the Epson SureColor P900 delivers professional results that will impress even the most discerning eye. For those serious about home photo printing, the Epson SureColor P900 is a printer that truly stands out from the crowd.
