The Canon Pixma iP8720 is a smart craft printer for borderless 13 x 19 inch art prints and stickers, but it is a weak fit for low-maintenance document duty. It makes the most sense for scrapbook pages, presentation sheets, and display pieces that live on coated paper. If the printer sits idle for weeks, the ink system becomes the nuisance, not the print quality. If we want scanning, copying, and cheaper ink storage in one box, the Epson EcoTank ET-8550 belongs on the shortlist instead.
We wrote this from a craft-room workflow angle, with attention to paper handling, ink upkeep, and the way a dedicated photo printer behaves on a busy workbench.
Strengths
- Borderless 13 x 19 output suits poster-style art, scrapbook spreads, and event signage.
- Six-color output favors rich color on coated paper and smooth sticker sheets.
- Single-function design keeps the bench simpler than an all-in-one.
Trade-offs
- No scanner or copier.
- Cartridge upkeep asks for more attention than a tank printer.
- Not built for document stacks or office two-sided printing.
| Buyer decision point | Canon Pixma iP8720 | Canon Pixma Pro-200 | Epson EcoTank ET-8550 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largest borderless output | 13 x 19 in, manufacturer claim | 13 x 19 in, manufacturer claim | 13 x 19 in, manufacturer claim |
| Ink approach | 6-color cartridge system, manufacturer claim | 8-color cartridge system, manufacturer claim | Refillable tank system |
| Office functions | No scanner, no copier, no automatic duplex | No scanner, no copier, no automatic duplex | Scanner/copier, automatic duplex |
| Ownership feel | Photo-focused, more upkeep than a tank model | More refined photo lane, similar upkeep burden | Most practical for mixed craft and home-office use |
| Best fit | Craft prints, stickers, scrapbook pages | Color-critical photo art | High-volume mixed use |
Our Take
The iP8720 is a dedicated output tool, not an office compromise. We like it most when the bench already has a scanner elsewhere and the job is pure print work, especially large color pieces that need a finished borderless look.
The drawback sits in the ownership rhythm. Cartridge printers reward regular use and punish neglect, and the iP8720 asks for steadier attention than a tank printer like the ET-8550.
First Impressions
This model reads as a single-task printer from across the room. That matters in a craft space because the machine does not invite the pileup that follows a scanner-printer-all-in-one, and that keeps the bench cleaner.
The first real friction shows up in setup habits, not in the shell. Every job depends on paper choice, trim plan, and whether the printer has stayed active, so buyers who want plug-and-forget convenience feel the compromise fast.
Key Specifications
| Spec | Canon Pixma iP8720 |
|---|---|
| Print resolution | 9600 x 2400 dpi, manufacturer claim |
| Ink system | 6-color individual cartridge system, manufacturer claim |
| Borderless output | Up to 13 x 19 in, manufacturer claim |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, AirPrint, USB |
| Automatic duplex | No |
| Scanner/copier | No |
| Printer type | Single-function color inkjet photo printer |
The numbers tell us this is a color-output machine first. High resolution helps, but paper choice and maintenance decide the real finish. We get the best use out of coated craft stock, sticker sheets, and smooth presentation paper, while rough matte stock exposes the limits faster.
What It Does Well
- Large borderless prints give scrapbook pages, art prints, and display pieces a finished look.
- The six-color set favors vivid color on glossy and satin papers.
- The focused design keeps the workflow simple when we already have scanning handled elsewhere.
Against Canon Pixma Pro-200, the iP8720 gives up a more premium photo-printer lane, but it still lands in a useful spot for hobby makers who want large output without extra office baggage. Against Epson EcoTank ET-8550, it loses the tank advantage, yet it stays more focused on photo-style craft printing.
The trade-off is ink and media discipline. This printer rewards coated surfaces and regular use, and it leaves less room for rough paper, long idle gaps, or bargain-bin document habits.
Where It Falls Short
The biggest miss is office convenience. No scanner, no copier, and no automatic duplex leave us doing more by hand, and that slows down anything that mixes craft work with paperwork.
Most guides recommend a dedicated photo printer for crafts and stop there. That advice is wrong because the real pain is cartridge upkeep and paper sensitivity, not resolution. If we print labels on rough stock or leave the machine idle, the convenience story falls apart.
The Hidden Trade-Off
The hidden trade-off is rhythm. The iP8720 rewards a steady print habit, because idle inkjets lose convenience the moment we stop feeding them. That matters more in craft rooms than in photo studios, since hobby work comes in bursts.
The second trade-off is media discipline. This printer looks best on coated paper, satin stock, and smooth sticker sheets. That narrow sweet spot is the price of good color, and it is exactly where a lot of craft buyers win or lose.
How It Compares
Canon Pixma Pro-200
The Pro-200 sits above the iP8720 for buyers who want a more serious Canon photo printer. We keep it in the discussion when color work dominates, but it does not fix the cartridge-maintenance story, so it misses buyers who want lower ownership friction.
Epson EcoTank ET-8550
The ET-8550 is the more practical mixed-use pick. It brings tank convenience and scanner/copier utility, but it behaves more like a home-office hybrid than a pure craft printer. That makes it the safer choice for mixed desks and the weaker choice for a clean photo-first bench.
Who Should Buy This
This printer suits scrapbookers, card makers, sticker printers, and display artists who print often and use coated paper. It also suits buyers who already own a scanner and want one machine devoted to output.
It does not suit buyers who want a do-everything desktop hub. The trade-off is accepting cartridge upkeep in exchange for a focused craft printer with large borderless output.
Who Should NOT Buy This
Buyers who want scans, copies, and craft prints in one box should skip this model and look at the Epson EcoTank ET-8550 instead. Buyers who print bills, forms, and black text all week should also skip it, because the iP8720 stays in photo-printer territory.
We also pass on it for very light use. Long idle stretches invite cleaning cycles and wasted ink, and that behavior turns a simple printer into a chore.
What Changes Over Time
After the novelty wears off, consumables drive the experience. The cartridge system and the paper stock we settle on matter more than the printer body, because repeat use is what keeps the output stable and the maintenance reasonable.
The best owners standardize. One paper weight for stickers, one for presentation prints, one profile for each, and a short list of trusted stocks. The worst ownership pattern is constant paper swapping, because it burns ink and time without improving the finished piece.
How It Fails
The first failure mode is fussy ink behavior after idle stretches. The second is paper trouble on thick, rough, or heavily textured stock. The third is user error, especially borderless jobs that depend on clean trimming.
Wireless frustration sits lower on the list, but it still shows up when a printer moves or a router changes. That kind of annoyance matters once a craft deadline is on the calendar.
The Hidden Tradeoff
The iP8720 makes sense only if you want a dedicated craft printer and are willing to stay on top of cartridge upkeep. It is a strong fit for borderless art prints, stickers, and scrapbook pages, but it becomes a hassle if it sits idle or needs to double as an everyday document printer. If you want scanning, copying, or lower-maintenance ink storage, a tank model like the Epson EcoTank ET-8550 is the safer buy.
Verdict
Buy the iP8720 if the workbench needs a dedicated craft printer for borderless color output and we print often enough to keep an inkjet active. Skip it if scanning, copying, low-running-cost ownership, or office convenience matters more than photo-style output.
For mixed craft and home-office duty, the Epson EcoTank ET-8550 is the better all-rounder. For Canon shoppers who want the more premium photo-printer lane and accept similar cartridge upkeep, the Canon Pixma Pro-200 is the cleaner step up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the iP8720 handle sticker paper well?
Yes, it handles coated sticker sheets and smooth label stock well. The drawback is that plain matte sticker paper looks flatter, and handled sheets lose their finish faster without lamination.
Is the iP8720 good for cardstock?
It works best with smooth presentation cardstock. Rough, glitter, or heavily textured stock pushes the feed path and weakens the final look, so we treat this as a photo-paper specialist first.
Does it replace an office printer?
No. The missing scanner, copier, and automatic duplex keep it in craft-printer territory, not desk-utility territory.
Is the Epson EcoTank ET-8550 better for mixed craft use?
Yes. The ET-8550 wins the mixed-use lane with tanks and scanning, while the iP8720 stays better for pure photo-style craft output.
How often should we print with it?
Regular weekly use keeps the printer happier than long gaps. Idle stretches invite cleaning cycles and wasted ink, and that rhythm matters more here than on a tank printer.
Is the Canon Pixma Pro-200 worth the step up?
Yes, for buyers who want a stronger Canon photo printer for art prints and color-heavy work. It still lives in the cartridge world, so the ownership trade-off stays in place.