For photographers and creatives seeking the Best Photo Printer 2024 has to offer, the quest for exceptional print quality and versatility is paramount. In a market saturated with options, the Epson SureColor P900 emerges as a strong contender, particularly for those who demand large format prints without compromising on detail and color accuracy. This professional-grade printer builds upon Epson’s legacy of excellence, delivering stunning output and a range of features tailored to meet the needs of discerning users.
Epson SureColor P900 professional photo printer in action, producing high-quality prints for discerning photographers in 2024.
The Epson SureColor P900 is designed to produce prints up to 17 inches wide, utilizing the same high-quality pigment inks found in Epson’s top-rated P700 model. This ensures consistent, archival-quality prints with vibrant colors and deep blacks. If you’re aiming to create impactful, large-scale photographic prints for display, sale, or portfolio showcasing, the P900 offers a compelling solution.
Compared to other wide-format printers, the Epson SureColor P900 stands out for its user-friendly operation, rivaling even the Canon ImagePrograf PRO-1000 in ease of use. Crucially, it maintains the exceptional print quality that defines the SureColor series, matching the performance of the highly acclaimed P700. This ensures that whether you’re printing standard sizes or pushing the boundaries with larger formats, the P900 consistently delivers professional results. Furthermore, its compatibility extends to a wide array of paper types, granting you creative freedom in your printing choices.
One notable aspect is the P900’s printing speed. Whether you connect via Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or USB, the printer maintains consistent speeds. In tests comparing wireless and wired performance, the P900 showcased no speed degradation over Wi-Fi, a significant advantage over some competitors. In head-to-head comparisons with the 17-inch Canon PRO-1000 at equivalent resolution settings, the Epson P900 often demonstrated faster print times, sometimes marginally, but consistently. For instance, printing a detailed 12×18 inch image from the Webb Space Telescope on luster paper via Wi-Fi, the P900 completed the task in 16 minutes 33 seconds, while the Canon PRO-1000 took a considerably longer 24 minutes 10 seconds. This speed advantage can be crucial for professionals with demanding workflows.
Many of the features users appreciate in the P700 are mirrored in the P900. This includes the long-lasting pigment inks, broad paper compatibility, intuitive touchscreen interface, and the visually appealing design featuring a transparent window to observe the printing process. The P900 seamlessly handles a diverse range of media, from Red River’s Polar Gloss Metallic and Palo Duro SoftGloss Rag papers to Hahnemühle’s FineArt Baryta Satin, Canson’s Infinity Baryta Photographique, Awagami Factory’s Japanese papers, and Epson’s own Professional Media line, including Legacy Fibre. Each paper type yields beautiful and distinct results, allowing for artistic exploration and tailored output.
For truly expansive prints, the Epson SureColor P900 offers an optional roll-feed adapter. While the width is capped at 17 inches, the roll feed extends the length dimension up to an impressive 129 inches (nearly 11 feet). This capability opens up possibilities for creating panoramic landscapes, banners, and exceptionally long vertical prints that can dominate wall spaces. This significantly surpasses the Canon PRO-1000’s maximum length of 47 inches, making the P900 a superior choice for extra-long prints. It’s important to note that the P900 roll feed does not include a built-in cutter, requiring manual cutting with scissors or a paper cutter.
Roll feed attachment for Epson SureColor P900 enabling extra-long banner and panoramic photo prints, a key feature for best photo printer 2024.
One minor drawback reported is the main paper feed’s occasional tendency to pull in multiple sheets at once. While not a frequent occurrence, this can lead to misprints and wasted paper, particularly with expensive media. For valuable paper stocks, it’s advisable to feed sheets individually to mitigate this risk. However, the other paper feeds, including the roll feed and the front feed for thicker media, have proven reliable in tests. Epson has refined the P900’s front feed compared to its predecessor, the P800, resulting in a functional, albeit slower, method for handling thick media.
Print head clogging, a common concern with inkjet printers, has been minimal with the Epson SureColor P900. Even after extended periods of inactivity, sometimes up to two months, a simple head cleaning cycle has been sufficient to restore optimal performance. This is a notable improvement compared to older inkjet models and aligns with the positive performance observed in the Canon ImagePrograf PRO-1000 in terms of clog resistance. Regular printing, such as a nozzle check pattern every two weeks, is recommended to maintain print head health and prevent clogging.
In conclusion, the Epson SureColor P900 positions itself as a leading contender for the best photo printer 2024, particularly for users prioritizing wide format printing and exceptional image quality. Its combination of user-friendliness, speed, paper versatility, and robust performance makes it a compelling investment for professional photographers and serious enthusiasts alike. While the main paper feed may require occasional attention, the overall capabilities and output quality of the P900 firmly establish it as a top choice in its class.
