Printer News

Call it “the battle of the printer giants.” A few days after Epson launched its 44-inch Sure Color P10000 photo printer, Canon unveiled two new large format professional printers of its own: the 44-inch imagePROGRAF Pro-4000 and 24-inch imagePROGRAF Pro-2000.

The new Canon Pro-4000 and Pro-2000 use the 11-color (plus a Chroma Optimizer) Lucia Pro inkset that first appeared in Canon’s 17-inch Pro-1000 printer, which we reviewed recently. 

The Lucia Pro 11-color plus Chroma Optimizer ink system is designed to provide high image quality with increased color gamut, reduced bronzing, improved scratch resistance, greater image clarity, gloss uniformity and excellent shadow reproduction, as well as increased black optical density, Canon said.

Canon’s new imagePROGRAF Pro series features a wider print head (1.28-inch wide) with anti-clogging technology, which, according to Canon, improves efficiency as well as reduces cleaning cycles and prevents wasted ink. The newly developed print head allows for a more compact printer design as only one print head is installed in each Pro Series printer.

Furthermore, Canon said in its press announcement on the new printers today, all these Pro Series models are designed to maintain high print quality with a multi-sensor that calibrates the printer, ensuring color consistency from the first print to the last. They also feature a redesigned high-precision mechanical platform that is designed to provide a uniform, rigid frame to reduce vibrations during printing and more accurate ink ejection. The models also feature easier media feeding capabilities, allowing photographers to no longer have to worry about blemished prints due to fingerprints, Canon said.

For added versatility, a Multifunction Roll System comes as an option for the Canon Pro-4000 and Pro-2000. When used as a dual roll, the Multifunction Roll System will enable users to load glossy media in one roll and matte media in the other to print to both rolls without needing to switch media or black inks. The Multifunction Roll unit is designed to send the job to the correct media, automating the process and providing increased ease of use. The roll can also act as a take-up unit with bi-directional rewind, ideal for uninterrupted print runs.

Both models feature the L-COA Pro processing engine for better image reproduction and high-speed processing of high resolution data. The popularSub-Ink Tank feature has been carried over to these new models, which is designed to help to reduce downtime and minimize costs by automatically enabling ink tank replacement during printing. The eight-color models utilize the same new 12-channel print head but the key colors of C, M, Y and MBk are arranged symmetrically in a mirrored arrangement, helping to realize high-speed printing, as well as high-color density.

These new imagePROGRAF PRO Series models include several enhancements designed for increased usability, including a redesigned 3.5-inch color LCD touch panel, direct USB drive print capabilities and mobile connectivity. Users can now print PDF and JPEG files directly from a USB thumb drive for fast and easy printing without the need for a computer. The 3.5-inch LCD will render a preview of the file to ensure users are printing the correct file. Additionally, Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b/g/n) capability allows for smooth and easy connection to wireless LAN in office environments.

Pricing and Availability
These new Canon imagePROGRAF Pro models are expected to be available in late spring of 2016. The imagePROGRAF Pro-4000 will sell for an MSRP of $5,995 or $6,995 with the addition of the optional Multifunction Roll System. The imagePROGRAF Pro-2000 will sell for an MSRP of $2,995, or $3,795 with the optional Multifunction Roll System.