There is something so nostalgic about looking at printed photos. We’ve gotten so accustomed to saving images on our phones and computers, that we almost forgot about the value of photo albums. While you don’t need a photo printer to print a photo, having one makes a huge difference in the end result. For example, a photo printer will accurately print your photos on glossy paper in the correct ratio.
Keep reading to learn the ins and outs of photo printers and what to look out for when shopping for one. We’ll also highlight the best photo printers on the market in Canada this year.
Which Type of Printer is Best For Printing Photos?
There are many types of photo printers on the market, but you’ll most often see Inkjet and laser printers for home use. Inkjet printers are generally best for printing photographs at home, due to their higher GSM support and better quality prints. If you plan on printing a wider variety of images, such as marketing materials, a laser printer is recommended. Laser printers are also great for the high printing speeds.
The 5 Best Photo Printers In Canada in 2025
Epson ET-2750 Color Photo Printer with Scanner & Copier
Featuring Wi-Fi connectivity technology, the Epson ET-2750 Color Photo Printer with Scanner & Copier is portable and affordable. It uses Inkjet printing technology and is a very green device. That is, it does not harm the environment.
This printer has enough ink to print several pages, whether it is black and white or coloured. You should be able to print up to 5000 pages of colour and 6000 pages of black and white. It is also wireless and has a reasonable resolution.
- It has an abundant ink supply
- It is very affordable to replace the ink when it finishes
- It has an SD-card reader and wireless technology
- It cannot accommodate too much paper
- It has a tiny display
Expression Photo HD XP-15000 Wireless Color Wide-Format Printer
If you’re looking for a great quality wide format photo printer, the Expression Photo HD XP-15000 Inkjet Printer is for you. It also uses inkjet technology and is designed for Epson cartridges only. It features an ultra HD photo quality that prints images clearly, whether they’re colour or black and white.
With an LCD preview screen and a 250 printer input capacity, this printer is classy. You can use the Expression Photo HD XP-15000 Wireless Color Wide-Format Printer in the office for those complex graphics designs.
- High-quality prints
- Prints borderless photos
- Small and lightweight
- Costly to maintain
- Slower print speed than other printers
Epson PM-400 PrintMate Wireless Photo Printer
The Epson PM-400 uses an inkjet printing technology, is network-ready, and is completely wireless. It also boasts a USB and Wi-Fi connectivity technology. Designed for Epson Cartridges only, this printer prints borderless photos and has an ultra-compact design.
You cannot use third-party, refillable, or remanufactured cartridges with this photo printer. It also prints very fast and has a default colour mode. You can print from iPads, iPhones, tablets, and other smart devices without a cord with its wireless design.
- Prints very quickly
- Prints high-quality and borderless images
- Completely wireless using Wi-Fi
- You can print from many different sources (phone, tablet, camera, USB keys, etc)
- Bulky and heavy
- Not the best resolution
Kodak Dock Plus 4PASS Portable Instant Photo Printer
The Kodak Dock Plus is great if you want to print images instantly or on-the-go, directly from your phone. It also comes with the Kodak Dock app that lets you edit your photos before printing. Not only will it print your photos, but it will also print them as quality images, thanks to 4Pass technology.
Photo quality is further bolstered by its laminating process, making the images water and fingerprint-resistant. You can use it anywhere and at any time, whether with an Android or iOS device. You can also share these photos with the printer.
The Dock Pluss 4Pass comes with 90 sheets to get started right away.
- Prints high-quality images
- Very easy to use
- Works with any iOS or Android device
- Also lets you edit phots
- Slow printing speed
Canon SELPHY CP1300 Photo Printer
The Canon SELPHY CP1300 Photo Printer is another completely wireless photo printer. It offers Wi-Fi connectivity and uses a Dye Sublimation printing technology. It adds a special coating on your print in order to prevent splashes, spills, and fading.
You can also use multiple devices with it, sharing the printing moment with friends. This printer has a large LCD and a wireless network that allows you to print from your phones, tablets, or iPads. With it, you can print up to 54 photos at a go.
- Very portable with excellent print quality
- Not expensive to print
- You can use USB and Wi-Fi connections
- You can also print from SD cards and USB thumb drives
- You cannot use a mini USB cord or device with it
What Can You Print With A Photo Printer?
Usually an inkjet printer, a photo printer prints high-quality digital photographs. It can also print other types of printing projects requiring vivid colours and accurate details. Although most photo printers are inkjet printers, some are thermal dye printers, and they do an outstanding job printing out excellent colour photos. With a good photo printer, you can print pictures instantly and at a very high resolution.
You can use a photo printer for pictures alone or as a printer for pictures and other types of documents. More than any other printer type, they have colour cartridges that allow them to print documents or pictures with an impressive hues and tones range. This collar printer stands above the rest in its class because it prints photos with fantastic depth and quality.
Key Differences Between A Photo Printer And A Standard Printer
The main difference between a photo printer and a standard printer is that a photo printer is designed for printing clear, coloured photographs. With a good-quality photo printer, you can print pictures instantly and select from several creative options. But the differences don’t stop there. Here are a few more differences:
External Connections
You do not need to connect a photo printer to a computer before you print, as they have slots for memory and digital media cards. They also have USB ports, which means they can be connected to the computer. However, a regular printer will have to be connected to the computer before you can use it.
Also, the price of a photo printer is typically higher than that of a regular printer. That being said, you should note that photography printers have different grades.
Photo Editing Features
Photo printers normally have built-in photo-editing features. They can be used to edit photos with features like red-eye remover, border options, and colouring effects. You can also edit in black and white using different hues and shades of both colours, making the printer unique for printing pictures.
Other Differences
Despite being a colour printer, photo printers print quietly compared to standard printers. The ink cartridges are also different, and the sturdiness of the printer differs from a standard printer.
Another difference between the two types of printers is the speed at which they print. A photo printer is not as fast as a standard printer.
How To Choose The Best Photo Printer
There are a few factors to consider when deciding which photo printer to buy. These differences will impact the quality of prints and most likely the price of the printer.
Your Budget
Good quality photo printers are not cheap. In fact, they can cost well over $1000, depending on the specs you’re looking for. That said, it’s important to make sure your budget matches your expectations. While there are some photo printers costing less than $200 on the market, there will be limitations in terms of photo resolution and print size.
Printing Speed
If you plan on doing a lot of photo printing, printing speed could be important to consider. Some printers can take up to 5 minutes per print, while others can take less than a minute. The printing speed will often depend on the size of the print. If you want to print images very quickly, directly from your phone, opt for a snapshot printer.
Your Printing Needs
Having an idea of your main photo printing needs is a step in the right direction. Will you be printing standard-size photos or large prints? Are you printing for personal memories or for professional purposes? When you have identified the specifications you want in the printer, you should consider the various brands that offer them.
Photo Printer FAQs
When it comes to photo printing paper, the first most important factor is size. If you’re printing photographs with a standard ratio, you’ll need a 2:3 ratio. For example, 6″ by 4″ in size. Next, you’ll have to decide whether you want a glossy or matte paper finish. Glossy prints are vibrant and excellent at portraying brighter colors, while matte prints are ideal for portraying more dull colours.
Inkjet printers spray tiny droplets of ink on the paper. They are very affordable, small, and can be used to print quality images and text documents. On the other hand, laser printers melt the toner powder on the paper to create a visual image. They are costly, but they print faster and cost less to print per page.
If you are handling high and complex images, the inkjet printer will fit you better. However, laser prints are better for text documents and black and white images. It depends on what you want to do.
When shopping for a photo printer, you’ll likely come across Injket printers and dye sublimination printers. Inkjet printers are the most popular type of home photo printers. They’re affordable to buy, easy to use, and provide you with reliable results. Inkjet ink cartidges are easy to buy and change and the printers are compatible with a wide range of papers.
Dye sublimination printers, on the other hand, are more for professional use. The quality of prints they produce is unbeatable, as is their printing speed. The main disadvantage is that you’re limited when it comes to paper types, sizes, and finishes. You will most likely need to print on glossy paper in a standard photo size.
