Starting with small woodblocks in the 1920s Piper continued to be a prolific printmaker throughout his long artistic career working in various mediums, including aquatints, etchings, lithographs, screenprints and wood engravings. Speaking of Piper's graphic work the artist Rigby Graham stated, "it deserves careful study and analysis because though some of the subjects depicted have often been known, loved and understandably popular, many have also been innovative, explorative and frequently controversial".

As well as being a renowned painter and printmaker Piper was a successful writer, designed stage sets, made ceramics, worked with textiles and created stained glass designs. He received several public commissions such as his design for the stained glass in the Baptistry window at Coventry Cathedral in 1957. He was made a Companion of Honour in 1972 and received many Honorary Doctorates from universities.