Best Printer for DIY Wall Art (2026 Guide)

For women who love decorating, saving money, and printing gorgeous vintage art at home.

My printer was recently acting up (not wanting to print and telling me that it ran out of magenta ink, although the cartridge wasn’t even half empty). Since I was suddenly in the game for a new printer, I thought I might as well write down and document all the options that crossed my path for all of you to read.

---

Creating beautiful wall art at home has never been easier—or more affordable. With the rise of free printables, vintage artwork, and DIY home decor, you can create a stunning gallery wall without spending a fortune on framed prints.

But the secret to professional-looking wall art isn’t just the artwork…
👉 It’s the printer.

Whether you’re printing vintage botanicals, Christmas wall art, or seasonal decor from your favorite blogs, the right printer will give you crisp colors, sharp details, and long-lasting prints that look store-bought.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• What to look for in a printer for wall art
• The best printers for DIY art in 2026
• Which paper makes your prints look professional
• How to save money on ink
• And insider tips for the crispest, most vibrant results

Let’s get you printing gallery-worthy art from home. 💛

---

What to Look for in a Printer for DIY Wall Art

Not all printers can produce art-quality prints—especially if you’re using free printables or vintage ephemera pages. Here’s what matters most:

1. Color Accuracy & Print Quality

For wall art, you want:

• Vibrant colors
• Sharp lines
• Smooth gradients
• No banding or streaking

Inkjet printers generally outperform laser printers for art because they blend colors better.

2. Borderless Printing

Borderless (full-bleed) printing lets you print edge-to-edge like real artwork.
Perfect for:

• Botanical prints
• Holiday wall art
• Gallery sets

3. Print Size Options

Most printables are sized for 8.5×11, but if you want bigger statement pieces, look for printers that can print:

• 11×17
• 12×12
• Up to 13×19 for extra-large art

4. Ink System (Cartridges vs. Tanks)

Ink is where your real cost lies.

Ink Tank Printers (EcoTank / MegaTank)

✔ Most affordable long-term
✔ Perfect for frequent printable lovers
✔ Refillable bottles
✔ Thousands of pages per fill
✘ Higher upfront cost

Regular Cartridge Printers

✔ Affordable upfront
✘ Expensive long-term
✘ Not ideal if you print multiple gallery walls per year

5. Paper Compatibility

For true art quality, look for printers that support:

• Heavy matte cardstock
• Premium photo paper
• Fine art paper

6. Ease of Use

Look for:

• Wireless printing
• AirPrint or smartphone compatibility
• Easy paper loading
• Clear ink level monitoring

---

Best Printers for DIY Wall Art (2026 Picks)

These models deliver excellent color, crisp detail, and the best value for printable enthusiasts, crafters, and home decorators.

---

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means, as an Amazon affiliate, I will receive a commission at no extra cost to you, if you purchase through links on this site.

---

1. Epson EcoTank ET-2850

Best Overall Printer for Wall Art

The EcoTank ET-2850 is hands-down one of the best printers for anyone who regularly prints wall art, seasonal decor, and craft pages.

Why It’s Amazing for DIY Wall Art

• Super vibrant color output
• Ultra-low ink cost (prints thousands of pages per refill)
• Borderless printing
• Great for cardstock
• Perfect for vintage and botanical prints

Pros

• Best ink value
• Easy wireless printing
• Long-lasting prints
• Quiet and reliable

Cons

• Higher upfront investment
• Slower than some photo printers

Best for: Anyone who prints often, decorates seasonally, or loves vintage printables.

---

2. Canon PIXMA G6020 MegaTank

Best for Rich Color & Photo-Like Quality

The G6020 produces incredibly deep colors—which is ideal for vintage Christmas prints, watercolor-style designs, and botanical artwork.

Why It’s Great

• Superb color saturation
• Borderless printing
• Very low cost per print
• Works well with glossy or matte photo paper

Pros

• Excellent for detailed artwork
• Ink bottles last a long time
• Beautiful color reproduction

Cons

• Slightly more expensive than basic printers
• Best results require quality paper

Best for: Color-rich art prints, holiday decor, and true-to-life artwork.

---

3. HP Envy Inspire 7955e

Best Budget Printer for Beginners

If you want great wall art without a big investment, this HP model gives excellent prints at a lower price point.

Why It’s a Solid Choice

• Affordable
• Great for occasional printable lovers
• Excellent wireless printing
• Works well with photo paper

Pros

• Easy setup
• Clean, bright color output
• Great for home crafters

Cons

• Uses cartridges (more expensive long-term)
• Not ideal for heavy cardstock

Best for: Beginners and seasonal decorators who don’t print weekly.

---

4. Canon PIXMA TS9521C

Best for Crafters & Scrapbookers

If you love junk journaling, scrapbooking, or printing 12×12 pages, this printer is a dream.

Why It’s Excellent

• Prints 12×12 (rare!)
• Great for scrapbookers
• Borderless printing
• Beautiful photo-like quality

Pros

• Wide-format crafting
• Vibrant colors
• Perfect for DIY decor

Cons

• Cartridges can get pricey
• Larger footprint

Best for: Heavy crafters, junk journal lovers, scrapbookers.

---

5. Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000

Best for Professional-Level Large Prints

If you want big, frame-worthy art that looks like it came from a professional print shop, this is the model.

Why It’s Top Tier

• Prints up to 13×19
• Six-color ink system
• Rich, smooth gradients
• Ideal for statement pieces

Pros

• Best large-format option
• Incredible color accuracy
• Fantastic for vintage posters

Cons

• Uses cartridges
• Not budget-friendly

Best for: Artists, Etsy sellers, and anyone who wants gallery-quality statement art.

---

The Best Paper for Printing Wall Art

Choosing the right paper transforms your print from “homemade” to “professionally printed.” Here are the top choices:

1. Matte Cardstock

Perfect for:

• Vintage art
• Botanical sketches
• Minimalist designs

Look for 65–110 lb cardstock.

2. Premium Matte Photo Paper

Best for:

• Colorful artwork
• Watercolor printables
• Christmas art

Produces velvety, soft, professional results.

3. Glossy Photo Paper

Best for:

• Modern prints
• Photography wall art

Not ideal for vintage or botanical styles.

4. Cotton Rag / Fine Art Paper

If you want museum-quality texture:

• High-end DIY gallery walls
• Statement art pieces

---

How to Make Your Home Prints Look Professional

These quick changes make a huge difference:

✔ Change your printer setting to Best Quality
✔ Use photo paper or heavy matte cardstock
✔ Print borderless for cleaner edges
✔ Let prints dry 10–20 minutes
✔ Trim edges with a craft cutter
✔ Use high-quality frames (IKEA, Amazon, or thrifted)

Pro tip: Many vintage printables look best on premium matte photo paper, not glossy.

---

Real Examples of What You Can Print

Once you have a good printer, you can create:

• Vintage botanical gallery walls
• Christmas and winter wall art
• Shabby chic florals
• Farmhouse holiday prints
• Watercolor animals for kids’ rooms
• Black-and-white sketches for minimal decor

Or download free prints right from my blog’s Vintage Wall Art Printables section.

---

Money-Saving Tips for Frequent Printable Lovers

If you print seasonally, a tank printer will save you hundreds.

1. Use EcoTank/MegaTank if you print often

The ink lasts thousands of prints.

2. Buy paper in bulk

Cardstock multipacks = major savings.

3. Use matte paper for most vintage art

Matte hides imperfections and looks higher-end.

4. Print multiple small prints per page

Great for gallery walls or postcard-sized art.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need photo paper for vintage art?

Matte photo paper is best, but good-quality cardstock works beautifully.

Do inkjet prints fade?

Using pigment inks and good paper helps prints last years.

Can I print wall art on a laser printer?

You can, but colors aren’t as smooth. Inkjet always wins for artwork.

What’s the cheapest option for beginners?

HP Envy Inspire 7955e is affordable and great quality for occasional printing.

---

Final Thoughts: Which Printer Should You Choose?

If you print wall art regularly—or love free printables—the Epson EcoTank ET-2850 is the best all-around option for quality, ink savings, and vibrant colors.

For budget buyers, the HP Envy Inspire works beautifully.
For crafters, choose the Canon TS9521C.
For professional-level prints, go with the XP-15000.

Once you have your printer, don’t forget to explore my Free Vintage Printables Library, stocked with gorgeous wall art and junk Journal pages you can print today.