If you are serious about printing your photographs or your fine art prints yourself, or if you just want to print professional-looking images of your work for your portfolio, it’s a good idea to invest in an inkjet printer that uses pigment inks. Formulated with solid pigment powder rather than with dye, these inks are more vibrant, more stable, and more archival (albeit also more expensive). Pigment inks must be used with pigment printers, which tend to be much larger and, aptly, pricier than the run-of-the-mill dye-ink machines usually found in home offices. Still, they can be smart investments for artists who often display or sell their works.

How we pick each product:
Our mission is to recommend the most appropriate artists’ tool or supply for your needs. Whether you are looking for top-of-the line equipment or beginners’ basics, we’ll make sure that you get good value for your money by doing the research for you. We scour the Internet for information on how art supplies are used and read customer reviews by real users; we ask experts for their advice; and of course, we rely on our own accumulated expertise as artists, teachers, and craftspeople.

Best Overall: Epson SureColor P700

The Epson SureColor P700 does so many things right, we’ve picked it as the best overall photo printer for artists. While the P700 can churn out gorgeous photo prints up to 13 inches wide, the printer is surprisingly compact and lightweight, easily fitting on a desk or small table in your studio. The P700’s uses Epson’s 10-ink UltraChrome PRO10 pigment ink set, which produces a stunning range of color for both landscapes and portraits. The P700 has professional-level features, but you don’t need to be a print wiz to use them. You access the P700’s functions via an intuitive and customizable 4.3-inch flip-up touch screen on top. There’s also improved support for wireless printing. Another nice feature: The P700 has an interior light so you can watch your photo as it prints out.

Best for Black-and-White Photos: Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300

The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 is another solid 13-inch printer, but where it really shines is in printing black-and-white photos. The PRO-300’s 10-color Lucia Pro pigment ink set includes both photo and matte black inks, producing deeper and more intense blacks that look fantastic on fine art photo paper. And because the Canon PRO-300 has separate nozzles for the two types of black ink, it doesn’t need to switch tanks while printing (a common annoyance), reducing ink waste and saving time. The PRO-300 also has a dedicated Chroma Optimizer channel that layers on a clear coating for a smoother finish, enhancing glossiness and reducing bronzing.

Best 17-inch Printer: Epson SureColor P900

If you want bigger photo prints, we recommend the 17-inch Epson SureColor P900, which is the big brother to our top overall pick. Like the P700, the P900 boasts Epson’s 10-ink UltraChrome PRO 10 ink set, which produces vivid yet true-to-life color. The P900 adds a Carbon Black mode that increases the density of black in prints for greater contrast in both color and monochrome photos, making them really pop. The P900’s 10-channel Micro Piezo AMC printhead can lay down ink droplets as small as 1.5 picoliters to produce precise detail. Along with printing 17-by-19-inch cut sheet photos, you can output on roll paper using the included media adapter, which is great for extra-long panoramas.

Best Large-Format Printer: Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-2100

Printing on a floor-standing, large-format printer is a great way to take your photo prints to the next level, and for that we recommend the 24-inch Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-2100. This 223-pound beast will eat up a chunk of your studio space, and you’ll need a few friends to assemble it, but the resulting large-format photos are worth it. It produces outstanding image quality thanks to its 11-color pigment LUCIA PRO ink set (plus a Chroma Optimizer) and an impressive printhead with nearly 18,500 nozzles that outputs photos at up to 2400 x 1200 dots per inch. It also has a variety of handy, user-friendly features. We like the automatic paper feeding and media reading system, which loads and recognizes paper without human intervention. Just set the roll holder in the printer and walk away; the printer automatically feeds the paper and picks the right media settings.

Best Budget Photo Printer: Epson Expression Photo XP-8700

The Epson Expression Photo XP-8700 does it all for less than one-third the price of our top pick. Along with printing high-quality photos using Epson’s six-color Claria Photo HD ink cartridges, the XP-8700 can scan and copy photos or documents, making this a handy assistant to have around the studio or office. There are a few trade-offs, however. This is not a true pigment printer since only the black ink is pigment based; the rest are dye-based, so photo prints won’t be truly archival. Also, print size maxes out at 8.5 by 11 inches—though my photos still looked great at that size. This compact and lightweight all-in-one is extremely easy to use, with a large 4.3-inch touch screen and intuitive controls along with router-free Wi-Fi direct printing. We also liked the Epson Smart Panel app, which lets you control the XP-8700 from your mobile device. In addition, there’s a voice-activated printing option, so you can output photos and documents hands-free.

Amazon’s Prime Early Access Sale is full swing and if you’re an artist looking for some great deals on tech gear that will help you create your visual art, we’ve found some awesome deals below. We scoured Amazon to find fantastic savings on a Sony camera and lens kit, a memory card and portable solid state storage, a compact light box for shooting small objects, along with a Bluetooth speaker, a rugged power strip and even a smart TV that doubles as a gorgeous digital frame.

To take advantage of most of these deals, though, you have to be an Amazon Prime subscriber. Amazon Prime costs $14.99 a month. Its benefits include faster shipping on Amazon orders, discounts at Whole Foods, and access to Amazon’s streaming entertainment. You can also pick up a $1.99 one-week trial of Prime here.

Check out our picks for the best Prime Early Access tech deals and grab this discounted gear before it sells out.

One of the most comfortable and efficient ways to carry photo gear is in a camera backpack. Designed like the packs used for hiking or carrying books to school, camera backpacks let you haul your most important gear hands-free while providing quick access to your photographic tools. Artists searching for the right pack may feel overwhelmed by all the options out there. We’ve narrowed the field for you, picking our five favorite camera backpacks filling a variety of needs to make your next photo outing a success.

Best Overall: Lowepro ProTactic BP 450 AW II
Its name might be a mouthful, but this tough and accommodating camera backpack has plenty of room to haul all your gear without weighing you down. Plus, it’s available now at great price. The ProTactic BP 450 AW II can fit two interchangeable-lens cameras (either digital SLRs or mirrorless models) along with up to eight lenses, including longer zooms and telephotos. The best part is that it’s tall enough to fit your camera with the zoom lens attached so you’re always ready to capture an artistic moment. There are four access points at the top, sides, and back of the bag to let you get to your gear out quickly. There’s additional room for multiple photo accessories including flashes, a tripod, and a 15-inch laptop, and adjustable dividers let you customize the interior to fit everything the way you want it. The pack’s modular strap system lets you add even more, including a water bottle pouch, accessory case, and a tripod cup. The pack has a rugged, molded top shell and a built-in all-weather cover. Despite all its space and features, the ProTactic BP 450 AW II is surprisingly trim, and its contoured all-black design looks sleek and professional.

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Buy: Lowepro ProTactic BP 450 AW II $369.99

Best for Travel: Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L
For artists who travel for their photographic inspiration, we recommend the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L. With a streamlined design that meets international carry-on requirements, this pack is extremely versatile. Collapse it down to a 35-liter day bag when you want to travel light, or expand it into a 45-liter beast when you need to haul all your best photo gear. With top, front, and rear access for grabbing your equipment on the go, the Travel Backpack 45L is also protective and durable thanks to its weatherproof zippers and nylon canvas exterior shell. There are quick-access pockets for keys, glasses, passport, and other small items, and expandable side pockets let you stash your tripod, water bottles, and more. The main compartment can be divided into two sections via a zippered mesh sleeve, and there are padded laptop and tablet computer sleeves as well. Travelers will like that the shoulder straps and hip belt can be tucked away so they won’t get snagged during transport. We also appreciated the concealable external carry straps.

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Best for Adventure: Shimoda Designs Explore v2 30
Outdoor photographers who have a taste for adventure should stuff their gear into Shimoda Designs Explore v2 30 backpack and hit the trail. Though it might look like a traditional hiking pack, it’s designed to carry cameras, lenses, photo accessories, and more. The Explore v2 30 backpack meets all international carry-on regulations and even fits under some airplane seats, so you can keep your precious photo gear close at hand when you fly. For those new to Shimoda’s bags, we recommend the Explore v2 30 Starter Kit, which includes the backpack; a padded, shockproof, medium core unit that cradles your camera gear; a rain cover; and accessory straps. The pack has multiple access points including rear and side openings. The pack can be adjusted to any of three height options that allow it to fit short or tall, male or female torso sizes. Other features we like are the quick-deploying tripod and water bottle pockets; the dual-access document pocket that gives you interior or exterior access to passports, maps, or notebooks; and the padded sleeve in the rear pocket, which holds up to a 16-inch laptop. And if you get thirsty on one of your photo treks, the three-liter bladder will keep you hydrated.

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Best Pack With Roller Wheels: Manfrotto Pro Light Reloader Switch-55 Backpack/Roller Bag
If you sometimes want to take your backpack off and pull it behind you, we recommend this Manfrotto carrier with roller wheels. Designed for the “road warrior” artist, the Pro Light Reloader Switch-55 can fit a load of photography gear while providing two ways to haul it. Two padded shoulders straps and a sternum strap let you comfortably carry the bag on your back. For roller transport, tuck the straps away, extend the telescoping top handle, and set it down on its sturdy wheels. The bag fits the international standard for carry-on luggage. For safety, there’s a TSA-approved, built-in combination zipper lock. To protect against the weather, the bag has a moisture-resistant coating and a fold-out rain protector for heavier downpours. You won’t need to leave anything behind with this bag; it fits two camera bodies (either mirrorless or DSLRs) and up to five lenses including pro-level telephotos and zooms. There are 14 removable protective dividers inside so you can configure the interior however you’d like. There’s also a big, easy-access front pocket for a 17-inch laptop and a second pocket for documents and personal items. Like all of Manfrotto’s best products, the Pro Light Reloader Switch-55 Backpack/Roller is made in Italy and has a handsome black design with red accents.

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Best Affordable Option: Bagsmart Camera Backpack
If you don’t want to spend a lot of money but still want an attractive and durable pack, the Bagsmart Camera Backpack is our go-to pick. It looks and feels a lot more expensive than it really is. Made of durable, waterproof canvas, this classic-looking bag also has a rain cover so your gear won’t get soaked. It has a fairly large capacity, with room for a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a long zoom lens attached plus up to five standard lenses and other camera accessories. You can arrange the interior however you’d like with the bag’s removable padded dividers. The upper storage section is handy for stashing clothing or other personal items. There’s even a separate, padded compartment with a shock absorbing padded bottom that fits up to a 15-inch laptop. The Bagsmart Camera Backpack’s side access design let you grab your camera quickly. Front and inside pockets can hold cables, memory cards, and other large accessories. Two large side pockets fit water bottles or even a tripod. Despite the budget-friendly price, designers didn’t skimp on comfort: Thick back padding, ample shoulder straps, and adjustable chest and waist straps create a surprisingly comfortable fit. The Bagsmart Camera Backpack comes in five colors; we like the classy khaki look best.

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Buy: Bagsmart Camera Backpack $429.88