Canon Pro Series Printers: Advancements in Quality and Usability

Printing 3 Minutes

Introduction

Canon has been a leader in the large format aqueous print space since 2006, known for their exceptional image quality in SLR cameras. Over the past two decades, Canon has continuously improved and evolved their imagePROGRAF printer lineup to meet the highest quality standards. In their latest release, Canon introduces three new PRO Series 12-inch printers: the PRO-2600, PRO-4600, and PRO-6600. In this blog, we will take a deep dive into the new features of these printers, focusing on both the physical design enhancements and the advancements in print quality.

Physical Design Enhancements

At first glance, the new PRO Series printers may not appear very different from their predecessors. The PRO-2600, PRO-4600, and PRO-6600 maintain the same dimensions and design as the previous models. However, upon closer inspection, several physical changes have been made to improve everyday usability.

  • The printers now feature a translucent Roll Cover with size marks, allowing users to easily determine which size roll is loaded.
  • The ink base is also constructed with the same translucent material, providing visibility into the ink cartridges.
  • Furthermore, an internal LED light has been added to the cover, allowing users to observe their prints in progress even with the cover closed.
  • Additionally, the new generation includes an automatic paper remaining indicator on the home screen of the control panel, providing users with real-time updates on paper status.

These small usability refinements contribute to an enhanced user experience, making printing more convenient and efficient.

Advancements in Print Quality

While the physical design improvements are noteworthy, print quality remains the primary concern for customers. Canon’s new PRO Series printers feature the completely new LUCIA PRO II Ink set, which offers significant advancements in print quality.

The 12-color ink set includes CMYK, light cyan, light magenta, gray, photo gray, red, and blue, along with a chroma optimizer channel. However, the true innovation lies within the formulation of each ink cartridge.

  • A new wax component has been introduced into the LUCIA PRO II Ink set, providing prints with improved scratch resistance and abrasion handling.
  • The wax component creates a more slippery surface on the printed paper, reducing the likelihood of scratches and scuffing.
  • Moreover, the black ink density has been enhanced, particularly for matte black ink. The use of new low-reflectance pigments results in a deeper and richer black when printing on matte Fine Art papers.
  • For those who prefer printing on gloss papers, the reformulated chroma optimizer cartridge acts as a clear coat of transparent ink, enhancing the black and dark areas while ensuring uniform glossiness.
  • Canon also prioritizes the longevity of prints, with the new inks utilizing light-resistant pigments that significantly increase color fastness. Prints can now be preserved for more than 200 years, ensuring the longevity of photographers and fine artists’ prized works.

Continued Features from Previous PRO Series

Canon has retained several features from the previous PRO X100 series, distinguishing their printers from competitors and further enhancing the user experience.

  • The hot-swappable ink system allows for uninterrupted printing. When an ink cartridge runs out, the printer continues to print while the user swaps out the expended ink, thanks to the built-in subtanks of reserve ink.
  • Free-size borderless printing is still offered, enabling users to print edge-to-edge on various widths of paper.
  • The multi-function roll unit remains a valuable feature, serving as either a take-up reel or a second roll feed system. This allows for seamless switching between two rolls of paper, streamlining printing workflows. The 60-inch PRO-6600 printer includes this feature, while it remains an option on the 24-inch and 44-inch PRO printers.
  • One of the most underrated features is the built-in color calibration tool. Canon PRO printers can automatically perform color calibration, ensuring consistent color reproduction over time and across a fleet of printers. This process involves printing a test pattern, reading the results, and storing adjustment values. This feature eliminates the need for additional color tools and saves time in aligning colors to a consistent standard.

Conclusion

The new Canon PRO Series printers, including the PRO-2600, PRO-4600, and PRO-6600, showcase significant advancements in both usability and print quality. The physical design enhancements, such as the translucent roll cover and ink base, as well as the internal LED light and automatic paper remaining indicator, contribute to a better user experience. Meanwhile, the completely new LUCIA PRO II Ink set delivers improved scratch resistance, richer blacks, enhanced glossiness, and increased color fastness for prints that can be preserved for generations.

Canon’s commitment to retaining valuable features like hot-swappable inks, free-size borderless printing, and the multi-function roll unit further solidifies their position as a leader in the large format aqueous print space. Whether you are a photographer or a fine artist, the Canon PRO Series printers offer unparalleled print quality and usability.

For more information and assistance in evaluating your next printer purchase, visit us at itsupplies.com. If you prefer a hands-on experience, we invite you to our Chicagoland demo center, where you can compare the new Canon printers in person. Subscribe to our YouTube channel @ITSuppliesINC for more content like this!

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