Best Inkjet Printers for Scrapbooking and Journaling Hobbyists in 2026

Scrapbookers and journaling hobbyists have printing needs that sit between a standard home printer and a dedicated photo printer: they need crisp photo output, reliable handling of heavier cardstock and specialty paper, and often the ability to print directly from a phone or design app mid-project. This guide covers five picks from about $80 to $350, from budget starter printers through higher-end photo-quality machines.

Paper handling matters as much as print quality for this hobby — a printer that jams on thicker cardstock or washi-style specialty paper is a bigger daily frustration than one with slightly less vivid color. Buyers doing a lot of layered photo-and-text pages should also prioritize models with a dedicated photo black ink cartridge for sharper text alongside rich photo tones.

1. Canon PIXMA TS9521C — best overall for mixed photo and cardstock printing

The TS9521C is built with scrapbooking and crafting in mind, offering a rear feed tray specifically designed for thicker cardstock alongside strong photo output. Street price runs $150–$200.

• Why it’s a good buy: its dedicated cardstock feed path handles heavier paper far more reliably than printers designed only for standard copy paper, cutting down on jams mid-project
• Where to buy: Amazon, Best Buy, Target

2. Epson EcoTank ET-2850 — best for high page volume on a budget

The EcoTank’s refillable ink tanks make it a strong pick for hobbyists who print dozens of pages per project, since per-page costs stay low even with frequent use. Street price runs $200–$280.

• Why it’s a good buy: it eliminates the recurring cartridge cost that makes heavy scrapbooking printing expensive on a standard inkjet, paying for itself quickly for active hobbyists
• Where to buy: Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart

3. Canon PIXMA TR150 — best portable pick for crop nights and retreats

The TR150 is a battery-optional portable printer, a practical pick for hobbyists who bring their printing setup to scrapbooking retreats or crop nights away from home. Street price runs $180–$230.

• Why it’s a good buy: its portability and optional battery mean it isn’t tied to a wall outlet, useful for group scrapbooking events held outside a home office
• Where to buy: Amazon, Best Buy

4. HP ENVY 6455e — best budget starter printer

The ENVY 6455e offers solid photo and text quality plus phone printing support at one of the lower price points for a hobby-capable printer. Street price runs $80–$110.

• Why it’s a good buy: it’s an easy, low-risk entry point for anyone starting the hobby who isn’t ready to invest in a premium cardstock-focused machine yet
• Where to buy: Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy

5. Canon PIXMA Pro-200 — best for premium photo-quality pages

The Pro-200 is a dedicated photo printer with an 8-color ink system, aimed at hobbyists who want gallery-quality photo prints as the centerpiece of their scrapbook pages. Street price runs $300–$350.

• Why it’s a good buy: its wider color range and dedicated photo inks produce noticeably richer, more accurate photo tones than a standard all-purpose inkjet, which matters for photo-heavy layouts
• Where to buy: Amazon, Best Buy

How to get the best price

• Set a price-tracking alert around back-to-school and holiday card season, when craft-adjacent printers see some of their steepest annual discounts.
• Buy ink in bulk multi-packs during sales rather than one cartridge at a time, since per-cartridge cost drops noticeably with multi-packs on both Canon and HP lines.
• Check manufacturer refurbished stores for photo printers like the Pro-200, where certified refurbished units often run 20-30% below new pricing with a warranty intact.
• Use a store credit card’s welcome offer on the first printer purchase, which frequently covers a meaningful chunk of a mid-range model’s cost.

The takeaway: the Canon PIXMA TS9521C is the best all-around pick for most scrapbookers thanks to its cardstock handling, while the Epson EcoTank is worth it for anyone printing high volumes regularly. Hobbyists just starting out should try the budget HP ENVY before investing in a premium photo printer like the Pro-200.