When it comes to art and photography, the bar for print quality keeps rising. Studios aren’t just printing posters—they’re reproducing emotion, detail, and expression.
In 2025, that means choosing a printer that can capture it all with uncompromising accuracy. That printer is the HP DesignJet Z9.
While general-purpose wide format printers like the HP DesignJet Z6 are great for signage and school posters, art and photo professionals need more.
At Steven Enterprises, we understand the unique needs of movie studios, art directors, photographers, and creative professionals.
The Z9 offers expanded color precision, workflow efficiency, and media handling designed specifically for gallery-quality output.
Top 7 Reasons Why Art Studios Should Get the HP Z9 Large Format Printer
1. Expanded Color Gamut with 9 Inks
The HP Z9 uses a 9-color ink system, giving you a much broader and richer color spectrum than the 6-ink HP Z6. It includes chromatic red, green, and blue, plus dual blacks, enabling smooth gradations and more lifelike skin tones, shadows, and highlights.
For photographers, that means more depth. For artists, it means closer reproduction to the original. If your work lives and dies by accurate color, this printer delivers.
Whether you’re capturing skin tones or museum-worthy pigment transitions, the Z9 ensures what’s on paper matches what’s in your mind.
2. Gloss Enhancer for Professional Finish
The HP Gloss Enhancer kit (compatible with select media types) adds a uniform, lab-quality sheen across your entire print. This eliminates common problems like bronzing and inconsistent finishes, especially on glossy or satin photo papers.
For photographers, this means your blacks stay deep, and your highlights stay clean. For artists, it’s a professional finish without added sprays or coatings.
3. Dual Roll with Auto-Switching
Artists and studios rarely stick to one medium. With dual roll support and automatic switching, the Z9 lets you load two different roll types or sizes, such as canvas and fine art paper, and effortlessly switch between them based on job requirements.
It’s a game-changer for productivity, especially in fast-paced environments where multiple projects are underway.
4. Built-In Vertical Trimmer
Tired of trimming prints by hand? The Z9’s built-in vertical trimmer cleanly slices the sides of your prints, giving you clean, exhibition-ready edges every time.
This is especially valuable for print shops or studios selling ready-to-frame artwork or running short-run production. Fewer manual steps, straighter edges, and more time for creative work.
5. Faster Printing Without Quality Loss
The HP Z9 is designed to print faster than its predecessor, the HP Z6—up to 2.5x faster—without compromising on resolution or detail.
Thanks to 2400-nozzle-per-inch printheads and HP Pixel Control, your large files (think 300dpi gallery posters) render cleanly and quickly. This makes batch printing efficient, even under tight deadlines.
6. High-Capacity 1-Liter Eco-Carton Cartridges
The Z9 supports 1-liter ink cartridges, so you’ll get more prints before needing replacements. For studios printing large formats or high volumes, this significantly reduces interruptions and lowers ink costs per job.
Better yet, the Eco-Carton design cuts plastic waste by using recyclable cardboard-based containers—ideal if your studio is aiming for greener practices.
7. Spindle-Less Roll Loading for Convenience
Older printers often require spindles to load new media rolls—a slow, frustrating process. The spindle-less roll system on the Z9 lets you simply drop in a new roll and lock it into place.
One of those underrated time-savers keeps your team focused on the creative process, not media setup.
Z9 vs Z9 Pro: Which One Is Right for Your Studio?
The HP DesignJet Z9 supports prints up to 44 inches wide, which is more than enough for most artists, photographers, and galleries.
If you regularly produce oversized installations or panoramic works, consider the Z9 Pro, which offers up to 54-inch width capacity and a slightly more robust build for production environments.
Both models offer the same color fidelity and feature set; the “Pro” simply extends your physical print size and handles heavier usage.
Z9 vs Z6: Why Studios Need More Than 6 Inks
While the HP DesignJet Z6 is excellent for posters, wayfinding signs, or general graphics, its 6-ink configuration isn’t built for artwork.
Need a full color spectrum with gallery-quality tonal range? The Z9’s added inks—and gloss enhancer—make all the difference.
Looking for something even more advanced? The HP Z6 Pro offers enhanced speed and processing for GIS and technical applications, but the Z9 remains the clear choice for photography and art.
The Creative Professionals Who Rely on the HP Z9
The HP DesignJet Z9 is a powerful production partner for creatives who demand precision, vibrancy, and reliability in every print.
Here’s how different professionals are using the Z9 to elevate their work:
- Art Studios producing giclée and archival reproductions:. Thanks to its 9-ink system and gloss enhancer, the Z9 can capture every nuance—whether it’s the textured brushwork of an oil painting or the delicate hues of a watercolor.
- Professional photographers delivering gallery-quality prints: The Z9 ensures that skin tones, shadow details, and vibrant landscapes are printed exactly as they appear on screen, without the need for constant recalibration.
- Marketing agencies crafting high-impact visual campaigns: The Z9 brings concepts to life with rich color depth and edge-to-edge sharpness. Teams can print oversized visuals, proof designs in-house, and rapidly adjust campaigns without waiting on outside vendors.
- Museums and galleries managing exhibitions in-house: Curators and exhibit designers use the Z9 to print high-resolution artwork reproductions, title panels, and educational materials with museum-grade quality.
- Print shops offering premium services to creatives: Boutique print providers choose the Z9 to offer a higher tier of service to artists, photographers, and designers.
Ready to Elevate Your Prints with the HP Z9?
As creative professionals push for sharper, deeper, and more accurate visual output, the HP DesignJet Z9 has proven itself as a top-tier choice for bringing ideas to life.
With demand for high-resolution content on the rise, the tools you use to produce it matter more than ever.
Still unsure? Start here with our art director’s guide or call us at 800-491-8785 for a personalized consultation.