The Epson SureColor P900 photo printer printing out a photo.
For professional photographers and serious enthusiasts seeking a Pro Photo Printer capable of delivering exceptional quality at large sizes, the Epson SureColor P900 stands out as a top contender. If your goal is to produce impactful, wide-format prints that capture every nuance and detail of your photography, this 17-inch printer is engineered to exceed expectations. Utilizing the same advanced pigment ink technology as Epson’s top-rated models, the P900 takes large format printing to a new level of excellence.
Unmatched Print Quality in a Wide Format Pro Photo Printer
The Epson SureColor P900 isn’t just about size; it’s about maintaining impeccable print quality even at expansive dimensions. This pro photo printer delivers prints that are not only larger but also retain the stunning clarity, color accuracy, and depth that professionals demand. It leverages the same cutting-edge pigment inks found in Epson’s acclaimed smaller models, ensuring consistent, gallery-worthy results across all print sizes. For photographers who need their work to command attention, the P900 offers a significant advantage over standard-sized prints.
Designed for Professional Workflow and Ease of Use
While wide-format pro photo printers can sometimes be complex, the Epson SureColor P900 prioritizes user-friendliness. It distinguishes itself from competitors like the Canon ImagePrograf PRO-1000 by offering a more intuitive and streamlined operating experience. Despite its professional capabilities, the P900 is remarkably easy to integrate into any workflow. Furthermore, it matches the exceptional print quality of Epson’s top picks in smaller formats and shares the same elegant design and broad paper compatibility, making it a seamless upgrade for photographers already familiar with Epson’s SureColor series.
Blazing Fast Printing, Wired or Wireless
In a professional setting, efficiency is crucial. The Epson SureColor P900 excels in print speed, maintaining consistent performance whether connected via Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or USB-B. Notably, wireless printing is just as rapid as wired, eliminating bottlenecks in your workflow. In direct comparisons with the 17-inch Canon PRO-1000, the P900 consistently demonstrated faster print times at comparable resolution settings. While the margin varied depending on paper type, the P900 consistently outperformed the Canon, especially in wireless printing scenarios where the Canon model experienced slowdowns.
For example, printing a detailed 12×18-inch image from a high-resolution crop of the NASA Webb Space Telescope’s Pillars of Creation image on 13×19-inch luster paper, the P900 completed the task in 16 minutes and 33 seconds, significantly faster than the Canon PRO-1000’s 24 minutes and 10 seconds when using Wi-Fi. This speed advantage makes the P900 a valuable asset for professionals with demanding print schedules.
Familiar Features and Enhanced Functionality
Users familiar with the Epson SureColor P700 will find the P900 to be a natural extension of that platform. It retains all the beloved features, including long-lasting pigment inks, extensive paper compatibility, a user-friendly touchscreen interface, and the visually appealing see-through window that allows observation of the printing process. The P900 supports a wide array of professional-grade papers, including Red River’s Polar Gloss Metallic and Palo Duro SoftGloss Rag, Hahnemühle’s FineArt Baryta Satin, Canson’s Infinity Baryta Photographique, Awagami Factory’s handmade Japanese paper, and Epson’s Professional Media line, such as Legacy Fibre. Each of these papers produced outstanding prints, showcasing the P900’s versatility.
Unleash Extra-Long Prints with Roll Feed Capability
A standout feature for professional applications is the P900’s optional roll feed adapter. While the printer is limited to a 17-inch width, the roll feed unlocks the ability to print images up to an impressive 129 inches (nearly 11 feet) in length. This capability is ideal for creating panoramic prints, gallery wraps, and striking vertical displays that exceed typical home ceiling heights. Compared to the Canon PRO-1000’s 47-inch maximum length, the P900 offers unparalleled flexibility in print dimensions.
The side of the Epson SureColor P900 photo printer.
It’s important to note that the roll feed attachment, while expanding creative possibilities, is an optional add-on and requires manual cutting of prints. While the roll feed attachment is an additional cost, it empowers professionals to create truly unique and impactful large format prints.
Minor Paper Feed Consideration for Optimal Performance
The Epson SureColor P900’s main paper feed, sometimes referred to as the rear feed, is designed to feed paper from the top down. In some instances, it may occasionally pull multiple sheets of paper instead of a single sheet. Although not a frequent occurrence, this can lead to misprints, particularly when using expensive fine art papers. For critical print jobs with premium media, it’s advisable to manually feed one sheet at a time to ensure perfect results.
Reliable Paper Handling and Minimal Maintenance
In contrast to the main paper feed, the P900’s roll feed and front paper feed mechanisms performed flawlessly in tests. The purpose-built roll feeder attachment seems to offer improved reliability compared to integrated roll feed systems on other models. The front paper feed, updated from the P800 predecessor, handles thick media effectively, albeit at a slower pace. While loading thick paper takes approximately 1 minute and 30 seconds, this deliberate process ensures safe and proper handling of delicate and costly papers.
Furthermore, the Epson SureColor P900 demonstrates excellent resistance to print head clogs. Even after extended periods of inactivity, including intervals of up to two months, the printer typically requires only a single head cleaning cycle to restore optimal performance. This is a significant improvement over older inkjet printers and aligns with the performance of high-end competitors like the Canon ImagePrograf PRO-1000. While individual experiences may vary, regular printing, such as a nozzle check pattern every two weeks, is recommended to maintain print head health and ensure consistent output quality from this exceptional pro photo printer.
Conclusion: The Epson SureColor P900 – A Top Choice for Pro Photo Printing
For professionals demanding a pro photo printer that delivers both exceptional image quality and large format capabilities, the Epson SureColor P900 is an outstanding choice. Its ability to produce stunning wide prints, combined with its user-friendly design, fast performance, and robust paper handling, makes it a valuable asset for photographers seeking to elevate their work. While the main paper feed requires occasional attention with premium papers and the roll feed is an optional purchase, the P900’s overall performance and print quality solidify its position as a leading pro photo printer in the market.
