Best Photo Printer for Mac (2026) – Expert Picks for Apple Ecosystem
Macs are fantastic for photo work — but your prints only look as good as your printer + paper + color management.
A “great photo printer for Mac” is one that gives you:
- consistent color from macOS apps (Photos, Lightroom, Photoshop, Affinity)
- proper paper profiles (ICC) and driver controls
- predictable black-and-white output
- a workflow that doesn’t fight you (Wi‑Fi discovery, AirPrint quirks, driver permissions)
This 2026 guide is written for a global audience and focuses on real-world printing: which printers make sense for which kind of photographer and how to get great results on macOS.
Quick Picks (TL;DR)
- Best overall photo printer for Mac (13″ pro pick): Epson SureColor P700
- Best overall for gallery prints on a desk (A3+/13″ pro): Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300
- Best value photo printer for Mac (A3+/13″ dye inks): Canon PIXMA PRO-200
- Best for bigger gallery prints (17″ class): Epson SureColor P900
- Best “lots of photos at low cost” for families/creators: Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550
- Best portable “real photo prints” from a Mac/iPhone: Canon SELPHY CP1500
What to look for in a photo printer for Mac
1) Driver control beats AirPrint for serious photo printing
AirPrint is great for “it prints,” but photo printing often needs:
- correct paper type and black ink selection
- borderless control
- color handling (printer manages color vs app manages color)
- quality and resolution settings
For best photo results, you usually want to print via the manufacturer driver and use ICC profiles.
2) Decide your ink type (it changes the look)
- Pigment ink (pro photo printers): better longevity, great matte/fine art papers, excellent B&W.
- Dye ink (many consumer photo printers): vibrant on glossy, often cheaper; can be less archival.
3) Paper ecosystem matters
A printer is only half the system. Pick a brand with:
- widely available paper in your region
- reliable profiles and media settings
4) Size: 6×4 vs A4/Letter vs 13″ vs 17″
- 4×6 / 5×7: family prints, gifts
- A4/Letter: everyday photo printing
- 13″ (A3+): “real” gallery prints without huge footprint
- 17″ (A2-ish): serious portfolio prints
Best Photo Printers for Macs (2026)
Epson SureColor P700 (13-inch)
Why it’s here: If you want a true pro photo printer that fits on a desk, the P700 is one of the best-balanced choices: excellent pigment output, strong paper handling, and great detail.
Who it’s for: Photographers and creators who print portfolios, art prints, matte papers, and want controlled color from macOS.
What it solves:
- Pro-grade pigment prints with strong detail
- Great for matte/fine-art papers and crisp monochrome
- A “real photo workflow” printer rather than a casual consumer device
Trade-offs: Pro cartridges aren’t cheap, and pro printing takes a little learning (profiles + settings).
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 (A3+/13-inch)
Why it’s here: Canon’s PRO-300 is a widely respected “gallery print on your desk” option with a serious pigment ink set and excellent color.
Who it’s for: Mac users who want premium A3+ prints, especially on fine art and semi-gloss papers.
What it solves:
- Rich color with strong paper support
- Excellent print detail and sharpness for portfolios
- Great choice when you want Canon’s look and paper ecosystem
Trade-offs: Like all pro pigment printers, consumables are an ongoing cost.
Canon PIXMA PRO-200 (A3+/13-inch)
Why it’s here: The PRO-200 is often the best value pick in the “serious 13-inch photo printer” category. It’s dye-based, prints quickly, and produces very pleasing glossy/semi-gloss photo output.
Who it’s for: People who want beautiful color photos, faster output, and strong value — especially for glossy prints.
What it solves:
- Great photo look for the money
- Strong for glossy and vibrant prints
- A practical step up from all-in-one printers
Trade-offs: Dye inks can be less archival than pigment, depending on paper and storage.
Epson SureColor P900 (17-inch)
Why it’s here: If you want bigger prints — the kind that feel like a real portfolio wall — the P900 is one of the most popular “I’m serious about printing” upgrades.
Who it’s for: Photographers and artists who want 17″ prints (larger than A3+) and want to explore fine art papers properly.
What it solves:
- Bigger gallery prints with pro pigment quality
- Better for panoramas and display pieces
- A strong long-term investment for photographers
Trade-offs: Larger footprint and higher ongoing ink cost.
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550
Why it’s here: If you print a lot of photos (family albums, school memories, travel journals) and you don’t want to feel punished by ink costs, ET-8550 style tank printers are the smartest “high volume color” choice.
Who it’s for: Families, creators, and small shops printing lots of photos, art, and even sticker-like projects.
What it solves:
- Very low cost per print compared to cartridges
- Excellent everyday photo output for the price
- Great for frequent printing from a Mac + iPhone/iPad workflow
Trade-offs: Not the same level of fine-art matte performance as pro pigment printers.
Canon SELPHY CP1500 (dye-sub 4×6)
Why it’s here: Sometimes you just want perfect little 4×6 prints for albums, gifts, and family memories — with minimal fuss. Dye-sub printers like the CP1500 are great at that.
Who it’s for: Families, travelers, and anyone who wants easy, consistent 4×6 prints.
What it solves:
- Reliable, consistent photo prints with a “lab print” feel
- Great for albums, gifts, and memory boxes
- Easy printing from Mac and iPhone/iPad setups
Trade-offs: Limited to smaller sizes; not for gallery-scale prints.
Which one should you buy?
- I want the best overall pro photo printing on Mac (13″) → Epson SureColor P700
- I want Canon’s premium pigment look (A3+) → Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300
- I want the best value serious photo printer → Canon PIXMA PRO-200
- I want larger gallery prints (17″) → Epson SureColor P900
- I print a lot of photos and hate ink costs → Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550
- I want easy 4×6 album prints → Canon SELPHY CP1500
Mac photo printing tips (the part that upgrades your results)
1) Use the manufacturer driver for real photo work
AirPrint is convenient, but for best output:
- install the full printer driver/software
- print through Lightroom/Photoshop/Affinity with ICC profiles
2) If you’re on macOS 15 or later, allow Local Network discovery
Some printer software requires macOS permission for local network discovery. If your printer suddenly “vanishes,” check:
- System Settings → Privacy & Security → Local Network
- allow the app you’re printing/scanning from
3) Let the app manage color (most of the time)
In Lightroom/Photoshop:
- choose “Application manages color”
- pick the correct ICC profile for your paper
- disable printer color adjustments (to avoid double profiling)
4) Calibrate your monitor (especially for prints)
If your screen is too bright, you’ll print dark photos. Even a basic calibration helps align what you see with what you print.
5) Don’t skip paper settings
Set:
- correct media type (glossy, luster, matte)
- quality level
- borderless only when needed
Comparison Table
| Printer | Best for | Ink type | Print size | Why Mac users love it | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epson SureColor P700 | Pro photo on a desk | Pigment | Up to 13″ | Pro control + fine art papers | Pro ink cost |
| Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 | Premium A3+ prints | Pigment | Up to A3+/13″ | Gallery-quality color | Consumables |
| Canon PIXMA PRO-200 | Best value photo quality | Dye | Up to A3+/13″ | Fast, vibrant glossy prints | Less archival than pigment |
| Epson SureColor P900 | Larger gallery prints | Pigment | Up to 17″ | Big prints + pro papers | Large + expensive |
| Epson EcoTank ET-8550 | High-volume photo printing | Dye (tank) | Up to A3+ | Low cost per print | Not “true pro pigment” |
| Canon SELPHY CP1500 | Easy album prints | Dye-sub | 4×6 | Consistent lab-style photos | Small sizes only |
Conclusion
If you care about print quality and want a true “photographer’s printer” for a Mac, start with a 13-inch pro photo model.
The Epson SureColor P700 is the best overall balance for macOS users who want serious printing without a huge footprint.
If you prefer Canon’s pigment look and want premium A3+ prints, the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 is an excellent gallery-grade choice. If you want the best value for gorgeous glossy photos, the Canon PIXMA PRO-200 is hard to beat.
And if your priority is printing lots of photos without constant ink stress, the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is the smartest high-volume pick.
