Epson SureColor P900 professional photo printer producing a high-quality photograph, showcasing its advanced printing technology and exceptional image output.
For those seeking to create exceptionally large, gallery-worthy prints, the Epson SureColor P900 stands out as a top contender. This 17-inch professional photo printer delivers prints of remarkable quality, matching our leading pick in image excellence while offering significantly wider output capabilities, all thanks to its utilization of premium pigment inks.
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If you are a photographer aiming to sell prints, elevate your photographic work, or simply desire the dramatic impact of oversized prints for personal enjoyment, the Epson SureColor P900 distinguishes itself from competitors.
Notably user-friendlier than other wide-format printers like the Canon ImagePrograf PRO-1000, the Epson P900 produces 17-inch wide prints that rival the superior quality of our top choice. It shares the same elegant design and broad compatibility with various paper types that users appreciate in other Epson models.
Equally Fast Wireless and Wired Printing Performance
The Epson SureColor P900 maintains consistent printing speeds regardless of the connection method. Whether transmitting data via Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or USB-B, print completion times remain virtually identical. In direct comparisons at equivalent resolution settings, the P900 consistently outperformed the 17-inch Canon PRO-1000 in speed, although the margin varied depending on the paper used. Specifically, the Canon model experienced a more significant slowdown over Wi-Fi, whereas the Epson printer sustained its operational speed.
For instance, printing a 12×18-inch image on 13×19-inch luster paper from an 8423×12633-pixel crop of NASA’s Pillars of Creation Webb Space Telescope image via Wi-Fi, the P900 completed the task in 16 minutes and 33 seconds, while the PRO-1000 required 24 minutes and 10 seconds. This demonstrates the efficiency of the Epson P900 for large, high-resolution picture printing.
Shared Core Features with the P700 Model
The Epson SureColor P900 inherits many beloved features from the P700. These include long-lasting inks ensuring archival quality prints, extensive paper compatibility accommodating diverse artistic media, an intuitive large touchscreen interface for straightforward operation, and the visually appealing design featuring a transparent window that allows observation of the printing process. These shared attributes solidify the P900 as a reliable and high-performance printer for pictures.
The printer exhibits remarkable versatility in paper handling, successfully printing on a wide array of premium papers. These include Red River’s Polar Gloss Metallic and Palo Duro SoftGloss Rag papers, alongside Hahnemühle’s FineArt Baryta Satin, Canson’s Infinity Baryta Photographique, and Awagami Factory’s handmade Japanese paper. It also supports various media from Epson’s Professional Media line, including Legacy Fibre. Each paper type yielded exceptional and visually stunning prints, demonstrating the printer’s adaptability to various artistic expressions.
Unleashing Extra-Long Prints with Roll Feed Capability
While the Epson SureColor P900 is capped at 17 inches in width, its optional roll-feed adapter expands its length capability to an impressive 129 inches (nearly 11 feet). This feature is ideal for creating panoramic pictures or large-scale art pieces, exceeding the Canon PRO-1000’s 47-inch maximum length. For photographers and artists seeking to produce striking vertical prints, the P900’s roll feed option allows for prints taller than standard ceiling heights, offering unparalleled creative freedom.
However, it’s important to note that the P900 roll feed lacks a built-in cutter. Users will need to manually trim prints using sharp scissors or a paper cutter, as photo paper is considerably thicker than standard printing paper.
Epson SureColor P900 photo printer side view, highlighting the roll-feed attachment and its compact design for professional large format printing.
The optional roll-feed attachment, while adding approximately 8.5 inches to the printer’s depth and costing $250, unlocks the ability to produce extremely long, banner-style pictures.
Minor Paper Feed Sensitivity
The primary paper feed, referred to as the rear feed by Epson, can occasionally draw multiple sheets simultaneously. During testing, this resulted in a misprint that unfortunately wasted two sheets of paper. While this issue is infrequent, it is advisable to manually feed single sheets, especially when utilizing expensive or specialty photo papers to prevent potential waste.
Reliable Performance of Alternative Paper Feeds
In contrast to the main paper feed, both the roll feed and the front paper feed on the P900 performed flawlessly during tests. The roll feeder, being a dedicated add-on, appears to offer improved reliability compared to the integrated roll feed mechanisms found on models like the P700. The front feed, while slower at 1 minute 30 seconds for thick media loading, functioned perfectly for specialty papers. This deliberate feed speed ensures careful handling of delicate and costly materials, making it suitable for professional picture printing needs.
Excellent Print Head Reliability
Long-term testing has demonstrated the Epson SureColor P900’s resistance to print head clogs. Even after extended periods of inactivity, including gaps of up to two months between print jobs, only a single head cleaning cycle was required to restore optimal printing condition. This outcome marks a significant improvement over earlier inkjet printer experiences. While the Canon ImagePrograf PRO-1000 has shown similar clog resistance, these findings are based on single data points and individual experiences may vary. Routine printing, ideally including a nozzle check pattern every two weeks, is generally recommended to maintain print head health and ensure consistent picture printing quality.
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