As technology evolves, many artists choose digital mediums to make art alongside traditional methods. Some people may choose to make art on their computer or phone or graphic tablet and then print it. But what if you print your artwork and it looks dull on paper? This is where watercolor paper comes in!
Watercolor paper is heavier than regular printer paper and makes your colors look more vibrant. I think it can be useful for art and printing out documents that you would in color.
A problem you might run into while using this kind of paper is that a regular printer may not be precisely compatible with it, and you may have to do a lot of troubleshooting to ensure that it works well. The best solution to this issue is to get a printer built for this that can give you what you want without much of a hassle.
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10 Stunning Printers for Watercolor Paper
If you are looking for a printer like this, look no further! Here are my top choices for the ten best printers for watercolor paper
1. Brother VC-500W Versatile Compact
The small and easy-to-use Brother VC-500W Versatile Compact is just the one to go for if you want convenience at an affordable price. I think the prints from this device stand out because they have vibrant colors. I also love the ease with which you can connect to this device!
This printer is essentially more of a label-maker than something you can use to print a full-length picture. You can use the free photo editor app that comes with the printer to choose fonts and backgrounds; the gallery of options is quite extensive.
You can use the same WiFi for the printer and your computer or tablet and share files over the network. If you dislike printers that require wires or complicated steps to get the result, this one is the solution to your problems. However, this also means that there is no other way to connect to this device except wireless networks.
You don’t have to buy additional ink for this printer since it uses built-in ink. But when the ink runs out, you will need to purchase a particular one; there aren’t any alternatives.
Overall, it is an excellent label-maker and will satisfy your needs if you want to make tags and small prints. It also stands out aesthetically among similar printers of its kind since it is a cute little device.
What we liked:
- Good value for money
- Vibrant colors
- Small and portable
- Easy setup
What we didn’t like:
- No way to connect except through a wireless network
- Learning how to use the app might take some time
2. Canon Pixma MG3620 Wireless
Canon Pixma MG3620 Wireless might be a great choice if you want a printer for various uses at home. It is compatible with phones, tablets, and laptops. The setup is very simple, you can install the free app required to use this device and you are good to go. You can use the device with both wired and wireless connections.
Not only can it print bright and colorful pictures, but it also has the option to print screen captures from video files. You can also use it to print out your artwork. The print quality is satisfactory for casual use. It might not be excellent, but it is good for the price. I recommend buying the kind of paper you need to use for printing; for example, if you want the colors to look brighter, you can buy watercolor paper.
I like the range of options this printer has. The recommended ink works well, and if you prefer to print something in black and white instead of in color, it also allows for that.
One minor issue you could face while using this product is that the ink-level indicator may not always warn you when you are about to run out of ink. In this case, I think it would be good to have a backup ink cartridge.
What we liked:
- Well worth the price
- Easy set up
- Environmentally friendly as it prints on both sides of the paper
- Good quality
- Can print shots from movies
What we didn’t like:
- It may not work well with any other ink except the recommended one
- The ink-level indicator may not be accurate
3. Brother QL-810W Ultra-Fast Label Printer
If you need to regularly print beautiful, customized labels, whether for use at home or your business, this printer may be the way to go! Brother QL-810W Ultra-Fast Label Printer can not only print vibrant red labels, but it can also print multiple labels at once, which can save you a lot of time. The labels are self-adhesive, which means that you can stick them to any surface without using glue separately.
You can set it up using a wireless network or USB, depending on which one you prefer. I thought that connecting it to your computer or phone seems like a process that could take some time, but either way, once you set it up, it does what it promises.
The software that comes with it is easy to use, and you can open the application, design a label and print it out. There are also various fonts and designs available. I love this device because you don’t need any extra ink or toner; it comes built-in.
It stood out to me that the printer comes with a “cut” option. This ensures that it can print exactly the design you want, and you won’t have to physically slice off the edges to make it look the way you want.
What we liked:
- Can print multiple labels at once
- “Cut” option in the printer
- Various ways to connect to it.
- Can quickly design labels on your phone
What we didn’t like:
- Can only print in black and red
- Set-up can take a while
4. Brother QL-820NWB Professional
Not only is the Brother QL-820NWB Professional an efficient label maker, but it also lets you use WiFi or USB, or Bluetooth to connect to it. This ensures that you can use your phone or PC with it very easily. The LCD screen on the printer is a beneficial feature that you can navigate easily to set up the device.
The device can print red and black labels, and it can also print several at once! I was surprised at how excellent the quality of the printed paper was. The paper used to print it comes with the machine, and you can also buy replacement paper with it. I highly recommend the printer if you are looking for labels that will not wear off for a long time; the ink seems quite durable.
Whether you want to do fun home projects or use it for more professional reasons, this printer is a good choice. It also has a built-in “cut” feature that can save you a lot of hassle.
What we liked:
- Bluetooth connectivity
- The LCD screen on the printer
- Making labels is quite simple
What we didn’t like:
- The “Cut” feature may not work when you print several labels at once
- The replacement paper is a bit pricey
5. Canon TR8520 All-In-One Printer
The Canon TR8520 All-In-One Printer may be the perfect printer for your home use. Whether you want it for documents or colorful sketches, the excellent quality of the prints will impress you!
Its compatibility with the Amazon Echo system is a stand-out feature to me as I can use commands to the smart assistant Alexa to print my files. The rear sheet tray has options for you to put in the sheet you want, such as photo paper or watercolor paper. This makes it one of the best printers on this list for artwork prints and photos. In addition, the device can also copy and scan, which comes in handy.
The LCD touchscreen makes it easy to set up the device. The easiest way to connect to the printer is through a wireless network, and it’s super quick too.
I think it may be a bit of an issue that it sometimes can have paper jams if you put in too many sheets, but it can easily be avoided.
The printer has a default power-saving mode that it goes into after a few hours. This means that if you haven’t used it in a while, you will need to physically go and ensure that it is “awake” for it to print. You can change this setting by downloading a software on your computer.
What we liked:
- Excellent quality for artwork and photos
- Alexa compatibility
- LCD touchscreen
- Bang for your buck!
- Easy set-up with smartphones/tablets
What we didn’t like:
- Auto sleep mode
- Paper jams
6. NETUM Label Printer
If you have a home office or a small business that requires you to print out different types of labels for your products, this printer may do the job. It can print barcodes in good enough quality for them to be read by scanners which can be a priority for you if you are running a business.
You don’t need any extra ink cartridges which can save you money and hassle. Additionally, you can also buy different types of holders for different kinds of labels if you have preferences between rolled ones or stacked ones.
The device is specially designed to ensure that paper jams do not occur since it generally seems to be an issue with printers sometimes; I loved this unique feature!
I like that they have a long warranty and if you have any problems, the customer service is easy to reach. The manual and USB disk that comes with it makes the set-up a quick and easy process.
It is a monochrome printer, but it serves its purpose perfectly well.
What we liked:
- You don’t have to buy ink cartridges
- Easy set-up
- Helpful customer service
- No paper jams
What we didn’t like:
- Not compatible with devices other than a PC
- Monochrome
7. HP DesignJet T130 24-in Large Format Printer
Large-sized prints are for all printers , so if you are looking to print in sizes bigger than usual, this printer should be in your top choices. These kinds of printers are known as plotters. If you do artwork or sketches that involve big canvases, such as for plotting house blueprints, you can rely on this device to give you full-sized results.
You can use different kinds of paper on the paper tray, and the ink works well whether it is watercolor or glossy, or any other type. You can also print smaller sizes if necessary, and it isn’t restricted to just big sizes.
Some of the other printers mentioned on the list require you to download a separate software for compatibility with the printer. Fortunately, this one works with many applications, including Adobe and AutoCAD ones.
The price of the ink is a little steep, but since it lasts pretty long, it does seem to be worth it. Moreover, it prints in color and not just monochrome.
What we liked:
- Large-sized prints
- Wireless and USB connection
- Can use a variety of papers
What we didn’t like:
- Expensive ink
- Not good for photos
8. HP OfficeJet Pro 8025
The HP OfficeJet Pro 8025 stands out to me because it is made of a certain percentage of recycled materials. If you prefer environmentally friendly devices and have been struggling to find a printer accordingly, this seems like a good choice.
Truly a device of its time, the printer has options to connect to Alexa, the smart assistant, and it can sync with other programs to make the printing more efficient. You can virtually monitor and use it through the HP app, which is quite easy to use.
The feature to create shortcuts for commands you use often is quite fun and can save you time. It also has an LCD on the printer convenient for use.
I like the option to password protect your connection to the printer as it may be pretty helpful in a shared space where other people can use the device.
The color of the prints comes out quite well. I wouldn’t say it’s the best printer on this list for printing color photos, but it does come out on top in terms of scanning photos or other documents.
What we liked:
- Can sync to apps and perform Smart Tasks
- Create shortcuts in HP app
- Environmentally friendly
- Password protection
- Good scanner
- Good value for money
What we didn’t like:
- Does not scan to Mac computers
- Ink may need to be replaced fairly often
9. HP OfficeJet Pro 8035
A home office may greatly benefit from a printer like the HP OfficeJet Pro 8035. It is one of the stand-out printers in terms of environmental friendliness. I also appreciate that I can connect it to apps and programs like Google Drive to ensure that I don’t have to jump through hoops to print documents that are not saved on the computer. It can also work with Google Assistant as well as Alexa.
It is a smart printer that can be fed commands through apps for quick printing and scanning. The HP app that you can use from your phone is easy to use and connects wirelessly to the printer.
One issue that comes up with inkjet printers is that the ink needs to be replaced quite often, and the process of buying new ones may be a hassle. But this printer comes with the option of ordering eight months of ink from HP at a lower cost which is pretty convenient.
If you want a printer for photos, it can print good quality ones and scan them as well. The printer comes in various colors that you can choose from if you want it to match your room.
Overall, I thought that it was well worth the price.
What we liked:
- Can sync to apps and perform Smart Tasks
- Environmentally friendly
- Ink deal with HP
- Device available in different colors
What we didn’t like:
- It does not scan to Mac computers
10. Epson SureColor T5170 36″ Wireless Printer
One of the high-end printers on this list has several features that make it exceptional. It prints documents too, so if you need a printer for office use, it’s a good one. You can use it for anything from documents to pictures to posters. It can print huge sketches and engineering drawings and can therefore be classified as a plotter. You can also print banners.
However, the functions aren’t just limited to that. The colors are pretty vibrant, and the prints’ quality is excellent. It’s compatible with smartphones, tablets, and PCs, making using it that much more convenient.
If you are interested in printing your artwork, this is one of the best printers on this list. I would not recommend it highly for photographs, though.
The printer is straightforward to set up, and the LCD screen helps along the process very well. You can use more than a dozen kinds of different paper types for the device.
If you are looking for a printer to invest in, the Epson SureColor T5170 36″ Wireless Printer may be an excellent choice. It is efficient as well as environmentally friendly.
What we liked:
- Very fast printing
- Easy setup
- Wireless and wired options
- Great quality print of art/sketches
- Compatible with different devices
- Environmentally friendly
What we didn’t like:
- Frequent ink replacement
- No scanning options
Which is Your Best Bet?
I think what kind of use you require from the printer is just as important as the features of the printers.
If you are an artist or designer looking for long-term use and something you can invest into then the Epson SureColor T5170 36″ Wireless Printer is a great choice.
The reason for the purchase may be to label the products of your business, in which case the Brother QL-810W Ultra-Fast Label Printer or Brother QL-820NWB Professional are better options.
HP OfficeJet Pro 8025 is a bit of a smart printer, and I would highly recommend it for people who want to use apps and smart assistants to make the process more efficient. The Canon TR8520 All-In-One Printer gives you good value for money, and it may just be the way to go if you are looking for something to use at home or a small office.
I think these printers that we have discussed stand out among the competition, and you can find a good one for your specific needs right here.