For black & white photo enthusiasts, being able to control the tone of prints is critical. In addition, getting the darkest blacks and smooth gray tonal transitions make printing a truly enjoyable. That is why picking the right printer for your black & white photo printing needs is so important.
Bear in mind that all inkjet printers can print black & white images and artwork. However, grayscale prints often take on a light magenta or green cast. The cast is difficult to control and results from the mixing of all available colors to create grayscales. Out of the many inkjet printers available, a select number have inks and software specifically tailored to grayscale printing.
Epson's UltraChrome K3 and UltraChrome HD printers use a three black set up - photo black or matte black plus gray, and light-gray. The printer driver's Advanced Black & White mode is used to control tonality as well as ink density, contrast, and brightness.
Canon's Lucia EX printers use the same ink set up as Epson. Canon's B&W driver controls are not as detailed as Epson's but do a good job of controlling tone.
You should know that these systems actually add a splash of color ink in the mix to insure the right tonality. It is automated and generally out of our control. To use only black inks for a print job, specialized software or alternative ink sets are required.
Canon PRO-310
10-color pigment-based photo and fine art printer
Uses sheets 4" x 6" up to 13" wide
Street price $850
In Brief: For Canon fans who need fade-resistant prints and have a strong interest in black & white output.
Epson P700
10-color pigment-based photo and fine art printer
Uses sheets up to 13" wide and roll paper (no built-in cutter)
Street price $800
In Brief: A compact, high-quality option for photographers and artists who need deep blacks, vibrant colors, and roll printing capability.
Canon PRO-1100
12-color pigment-based photo and fine art printer
Uses sheets up to 17" wide
Street price $1,300
In Brief: Ideal for professionals who need exceptional color accuracy, deep blacks, and larger-format printing
Epson P900
10-color pigment-based photo and fine art printer
Uses sheets up to 17" wide and roll paper (no built-in cutter)
Street price $1,200
In Brief: A premium choice for photographers and artists who need exceptional print quality, deep blacks, and larger format capabilities.
Wide Format Inkjet Printers for Black & White Photo Printing
Epson, Canon, and HP all offer 24" and wider printers with black & white systems. In fact, every wide format printer in the photography and fine art categories comes with a three black ink setup. Below is many but not all of the choices:
Canon
- PRO-2600 / 4600 / 6600
Epson
- SureColor P7570 / 9570
HP
- Z-Series
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Last updated: March 13, 2025
