Best Inkjet Printers for Self-Published Authors and Manuscript Printing
Printing full manuscripts and proof copies at home saves real money over print shops, and these picks minimize per-page cost for high page-count jobs.
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Self-published authors printing draft manuscripts, beta reader copies, and query submissions rack up page counts that make print-shop pricing add up fast, and a home printer built for high-volume, low-cost-per-page duplex printing can pay for itself within a few manuscripts. This guide covers five printers between $100 and $350 chosen specifically for authors who print hundreds of pages at a time.
1. Epson EcoTank ET-4850 — best overall for high page counts
Epson’s EcoTank line replaces cartridges with refillable ink tanks, which is the single biggest factor in keeping per-page costs low when printing a 300-plus page manuscript draft after draft during revisions. The ET-4850 adds automatic duplex printing and an automatic document feeder, letting an author print a full double-sided manuscript without babysitting the printer to flip pages manually. It’s the clear pick for anyone printing manuscripts regularly enough that ink costs would otherwise become a real expense. Expect $250-$300.
2. Canon PIXMA G7020 MegaTank — best budget high-volume printer
Canon’s MegaTank system delivers the same low cost-per-page benefit as Epson’s EcoTank at a somewhat lower upfront price, making it a strong entry point for authors who print often but don’t need every advanced feature of a pricier model. The included ink bottles are rated for thousands of pages before a refill is needed, which matters enormously for anyone cycling through multiple manuscript drafts and beta reader copies. It’s a smart budget pick that still avoids the trap of expensive replacement cartridges. Budget $200-$230.
3. HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e — best for fast duplex printing
HP’s OfficeJet Pro line is built around office-grade speed and reliable automatic duplex printing, which shaves real time off printing a full manuscript compared to slower home-oriented printers that print one side at a time. The included HP+ ink subscription option can further lower cost per page for authors who print consistently enough to benefit from a subscription rather than buying cartridges as needed. It’s the pick for anyone who values printing speed as much as ink economy. Expect $150-$200.
4. Brother INKvestment Tank MFC-J995DW — best for authors who also scan and mail submissions
Brother’s INKvestment line pairs high-yield ink tanks with a genuinely capable scanner and automatic document feeder, useful for authors who need to scan signed contracts or physical marked-up manuscript pages in addition to printing new drafts. The duplex automatic document feeder handles double-sided scanning as easily as printing, which saves time when digitizing edited pages back into a working file. It’s a well-rounded pick for anyone whose workflow includes as much scanning as printing. Budget $180-$220.
5. Epson EcoTank ET-2850 — best compact option for small home offices
For authors working from a small desk or apartment office who still want the low cost-per-page benefit of tank-based ink, the compact ET-2850 delivers most of the economy of its larger sibling in a smaller footprint, trading away the automatic document feeder to save desk space. It’s a sensible compromise for anyone who prints in shorter sessions rather than massive full-manuscript batches at once. Expect $130-$160.
How to get the best price
- Compare cost-per-page, not just the sticker price, since a $250 tank printer often costs far less over a year of manuscript printing than a $100 cartridge-based printer.
- Watch for back-to-school and end-of-year office equipment sales at Best Buy and Walmart, when tank printers regularly see meaningful discounts.
- Buy printer paper in bulk reams rather than small packs once page counts climb into the hundreds per manuscript, since per-sheet cost drops significantly at bulk quantities.
- Check manufacturer refurbished or open-box listings for tank printers, which frequently offer the same ink-tank economics at a lower upfront cost.
For any author printing full manuscripts, query packets, or beta reader copies on a regular basis, the math clearly favors a tank-based printer over a cartridge model, since the ink savings alone typically cover the higher upfront cost within the first year of heavy use. Treating the printer as part of the writing budget rather than a one-time purchase, and buying paper and ink in bulk once volume picks up, keeps the actual cost of printing drafts as low as possible over time.