Can You Use Pigment Ink for Photos? Canon vs Epson Photo Printing Guide
Many people assume dye ink is always better for photo printing. After all, dye ink is well known for producing bright colours, smooth gradients and glossy-looking photo prints.
However, modern pigment ink technology has improved significantly. Today, many pigment ink printers can produce excellent photo quality while offering better durability, water resistance and long-term fade resistance.
So, can you use pigment ink for photos?
Yes, absolutely.
The real question is not whether pigment ink can print photos. The better question is:
Do you care more about vibrant colour, or long-term durability?
Why Dye Ink Has Traditionally Been Preferred for Photos
Dye ink uses colour molecules dissolved in liquid. Because the ink absorbs into the paper coating, dye-based prints often appear bright, colourful and visually striking.
Advantages of Dye Ink for Photos
- More vibrant colours
- Smoother colour transitions
- Excellent glossy photo output
- Great for family photos and creative projects
If you mainly print family photos, school projects, holiday pictures or colourful images, dye ink can produce very attractive results.
Why Pigment Ink Is Also Suitable for Photo Printing
Pigment ink contains microscopic colour particles suspended in liquid. Instead of soaking deeply into the paper, pigment particles tend to stay closer to the paper surface.
Advantages of Pigment Ink for Photos
- Better fade resistance
- Better water resistance
- Better smudge resistance
- Better long-term storage
- Suitable for important prints and professional use
Modern pigment ink printers can produce rich colours, fine detail and professional-looking image output. While dye ink may still look slightly more vibrant on glossy photo paper, pigment ink is often the better choice when longevity matters.
Simple rule:
- Dye Ink: Best for colour vibrancy
- Pigment Ink: Best for durability and long-term preservation
Pigment Ink vs Dye Ink for Photos: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Pigment Ink | Dye Ink |
|---|---|---|
| Colour Vibrancy | Very good | Excellent |
| Glossy Photo Look | Good | Excellent |
| Fade Resistance | Excellent | Good |
| Water Resistance | Excellent | Moderate |
| Smudge Resistance | Excellent | Moderate |
| Long-Term Storage | Excellent | Good |
| Family Photos | Good | Excellent |
| Professional / Archival Prints | Excellent | Good |
Canon PIXMA G3690: Great for Everyday Photo Printing
The Canon PIXMA G3690 MegaTank Printer is a strong choice for home users who want low running costs and good everyday photo printing.
The Canon G3690 uses a hybrid ink system:
- Pigment Black Ink for sharp text documents
- Dye Colour Inks for vibrant colour and photo printing
Best For
- Family photos
- School projects
- Home documents
- Everyday colour printing
- Low-cost printing
If you want one affordable printer for both documents and occasional photos, the Canon PIXMA G3690 is one of the best value choices.
Canon PIXMA G4670: Home Office Plus Photo Printing
The Canon PIXMA G4670 MegaTank Printer also uses Canon's hybrid ink system, combining pigment black ink with dye-based colour inks.
Compared with the G3690, the G4670 adds more office-friendly features such as an Automatic Document Feeder and fax capability.
Best For
- Home offices
- Families
- Students
- ADF scanning
- Documents plus occasional photos
The Canon G4670 is ideal if you need a printer that can handle both everyday photo printing and office-style document workflows.
Canon MAXIFY GX4060: Can a Business Printer Print Photos?
Yes. The Canon MAXIFY GX4060 MegaTank Printer is designed primarily for business documents, but it can still print attractive colour photos and graphics.
The GX4060 uses a full pigment ink system:
- Pigment Black Ink
- Pigment Cyan Ink
- Pigment Magenta Ink
- Pigment Yellow Ink
Best For
- Business documents
- Invoices
- Reports
- Water-resistant prints
- Long-term document storage
- Occasional photo printing
Photo colours may not look quite as glossy or vibrant as dye-based photo prints, but the output is more durable and better suited for long-term use.
Epson EcoTank ET-4950: A Balanced Home and Office Printer
The Epson EcoTank ET-4950 Printer is another strong all-round option for customers who print both documents and photos.
Like many home office EcoTank models, the ET-4950 uses a practical ink setup designed for everyday versatility.
Best For
- Home users
- Home offices
- School work
- Everyday colour printing
- Occasional photo printing
If you want an Epson EcoTank printer that balances document printing, low running costs and photo output, the ET-4950 is a sensible choice.
Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16600: A3 Business Printing with Durable Output
The Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16600 A3 Printer is designed for business users who need higher productivity, A3 printing and professional document output.
Best For
- A3 printing
- Business documents
- Architectural drawings
- Engineering documents
- Schools and offices
- High-volume printing
While it is not primarily designed as a dedicated photo printer, it can still produce strong colour output when required. It is better suited for users who value productivity, durability and larger-format printing.
Which Printer Should You Choose?
| Your Main Need | Recommended Printer | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Bright family photos | Canon PIXMA G3690 | Hybrid ink system with dye colour inks for vibrant output |
| Photos plus ADF scanning | Canon PIXMA G4670 | Good photo printing plus home office features |
| Business documents plus occasional photos | Canon MAXIFY GX4060 | Full pigment ink system for durable output |
| Balanced Epson home office printing | Epson EcoTank ET-4950 | Good mix of document and colour printing features |
| A3 business printing | Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16600 | Designed for higher-volume A3 business output |
Shop Recommended Canon & Epson Printers
Looking for the right printer for photos, documents or business use? OzToner offers a wide range of Canon MegaTank and Epson EcoTank printers for home and office users.
Final Verdict: Can Pigment Ink Print Photos?
Yes, pigment ink can absolutely print photos.
For many users, pigment ink produces excellent photo quality with the added benefit of better durability, water resistance and long-term fade resistance.
However, if your main priority is bright, glossy family photos, dye-based colour ink or a hybrid ink system may still give you the most visually vibrant result.
For most home users, the Canon PIXMA G3690 and Canon PIXMA G4670 offer an excellent balance between photo quality, document printing and low running costs.
For business users, the Canon MAXIFY GX4060 and Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16600 are better choices when document durability and productivity matter more than glossy photo vibrancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can pigment ink print photos?
Yes. Modern pigment ink printers can produce excellent photo quality. While dye ink often delivers slightly more vibrant colours, pigment ink offers superior durability, water resistance and fade resistance.
Is pigment ink better than dye ink for photos?
It depends on your priorities. Dye ink generally produces brighter colours, while pigment ink provides longer-lasting prints and better resistance to fading.
Which Canon printer is best for photo printing?
For most home users, the Canon PIXMA G3690 and Canon PIXMA G4670 offer an excellent balance of photo quality, document printing and low running costs.
Can Canon MAXIFY printers print photos?
Yes. Although Canon MAXIFY printers such as the GX4060 are designed primarily for business documents, they can still produce high-quality colour photos and graphics for everyday use.
Which Epson EcoTank printer is best for photo printing?
The Epson EcoTank ET-4950 is a good all-round EcoTank printer for users who print both photos and documents.
Why do professional photographers use pigment ink?
Many professional photographers choose pigment ink because it offers better archival longevity, fade resistance and water resistance compared with traditional dye inks.
Related Reading
Pigment Ink vs Dye Ink for Photos: Which One Produces Better Prints?