Canon has expanded its GP S Series in the United States with the Canon imagePROGRAF GP-2600S, a 24-inch production printer designed for businesses that need fast, professional-quality output without stepping up to a much larger production system.
Joining the 44-inch GP-4600S and 60-inch GP-6600S, the GP-2600S brings many of the capabilities of Canon’s professional production lineup to a more compact 24-inch format. For print-for-pay businesses, retail graphics providers, poster producers and other professional print environments, it offers an interesting combination of speed, color performance, media flexibility and ink value.
A 24-Inch Production Printer Built for Speed
The Canon imagePROGRAF GP-2600S is a 24-inch, 7-color production printer designed for applications such as posters, retail graphics and print-for-pay services.
One of its biggest advantages is output speed. On plain paper, the GP-2600S can produce a 24-by-36-inch poster in well under a minute. For businesses producing posters and other high-volume graphics, that kind of production speed can help keep jobs moving and reduce waiting time between prints.
The printer’s compact 24-inch format also makes it an appealing option for businesses that want professional production capabilities without requiring the footprint of a 44- or 60-inch printer.
Seven-Color Pigment Ink System
Canon equipped the GP-2600S with a newly developed 7-color pigment ink set. The system includes:
- Cyan
- Magenta
- Yellow
- Photo Black
- Gray
- Orange
- Matte Black
The addition of Orange is particularly useful for expanding the printer’s color capabilities, while Photo Black, Gray and Matte Black provide additional options for producing detailed graphics and professional-looking output.
According to the specifications provided for this printer, the GP-2600S can achieve 96% of Pantone colors. That level of color coverage means the printer can also be considered for certain proofing applications where accurate color reproduction is important.
Archival Prints Designed for Longevity
For businesses producing graphics that need to remain on display, print longevity can be just as important as print quality.
The GP-2600S uses archival pigment inks, with prints tested to last up to 200 years under proper storage conditions. While actual longevity depends on storage and display conditions, the archival characteristics of the ink make the printer suitable for applications where customers expect their prints to maintain their appearance over time.
This can be especially valuable for professional graphics, posters, signage and other printed materials where durability matters beyond the initial sale.
Improved Scratch Resistance
Handling finished prints can sometimes be a challenge, particularly in busy production environments where prints need to be removed, displayed, packaged or transported shortly after printing.
Canon has addressed this with an enhancement designed to improve scratch resistance. A crystalline component in the ink helps provide greater resistance to scratching during handling.
For print-for-pay operations, this can be a practical advantage. Finished graphics often have to move through several stages after printing, from production to display or packaging. Better scratch resistance can help reduce concerns about damaging the finished product during those steps.
Optional Two-Roll Media Configuration
Businesses with multiple frequently used media types can also add an optional multifunction roll unit to the GP-2600S.
The additional roll unit can be used in two different ways. First, businesses can load a second roll of media and switch between two popular media types as needed. This can be useful for operations that regularly produce different types of posters or graphics.
Alternatively, the second roll can be used as a take-up reel for continuous printing.
That flexibility gives businesses another way to configure the printer around their production workflow rather than being limited to a single roll setup.
One of the Biggest Highlights: More Than $1,200 in Starter Ink
Perhaps one of the most compelling features of the GP-2600S package is what’s included in the box.
The printer ships with more than $1,200 worth of starter ink. Five colors—Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Orange and Matte Black—are supplied in 330 mL tanks, while Photo Black and Gray are supplied in 160 mL tanks.
For a professional printer selling for under $3,700, including that amount of starter ink can significantly improve the initial value proposition.
Instead of purchasing a printer and immediately needing to invest heavily in replacement ink, buyers receive a substantial supply of ink to begin production.
For a new print-for-pay operation or an existing business adding another production printer, that can make the initial investment easier to justify.
Canon GP-2600S Ink Costs
Canon offers three ink sizes for the GP-2600S: 160 mL, 330 mL and 700 mL.
For businesses focused on keeping long-term operating costs down, the 700 mL cartridges offer the most cost-efficient option. Based on the pricing information provided, ink costs can fall below 50 cents per mL when choosing the largest ink size.
For high-volume printing operations, ink cost is an important part of the total cost of ownership. The ability to purchase larger-capacity cartridges at a lower cost per milliliter can become increasingly valuable as print volume increases.
Additional Features Designed for Professional Workflows
The GP-2600S also includes several features designed to make day-to-day operation easier.
Hot-Swappable Ink Tanks
Hot-swappable ink tanks allow businesses to replace ink with less disruption to production. For environments where the printer needs to remain operational, minimizing downtime can be important.
Intelligent Media Detection
The printer also features intelligent media detection, helping simplify the process of working with different media types.
Built-In Color Calibration
Built-in color calibration is another useful feature for professional printing environments. Consistent color is particularly important for businesses producing repeat orders or graphics where color accuracy is a priority.
Borderless Printing
The GP-2600S supports borderless printing, giving businesses more flexibility when producing posters and graphics that require edge-to-edge output.
LED Interior Light
And then there’s a feature that’s become a favorite among many printer users: the LED interior light.
It may sound like a small addition, but being able to see inside the printer can make monitoring jobs and performing routine tasks much easier, particularly in a busy production environment.
Is the Canon imagePROGRAF GP-2600S a Good Value?
With a retail price of just under $3,700, the Canon imagePROGRAF GP-2600S sits in an interesting position for businesses looking to move into professional-grade wide-format printing.
The combination of a 24-inch production format, fast poster output, seven-color pigment inks, 96% Pantone color coverage, archival print performance, improved scratch resistance and flexible media options gives the printer a broad range of potential applications.
The included starter ink makes the package even more compelling. With more than $1,200 in ink included, buyers aren’t simply purchasing the printer itself—they’re also receiving a substantial amount of consumable inventory to start producing prints.
For a business that needs professional output but doesn’t require a 44-inch or 60-inch printer, the GP-2600S could be a particularly interesting option.
Who Should Consider the Canon GP-2600S?
The GP-2600S may be worth considering for several types of businesses, including:
- Print-for-pay services producing posters and graphics for customers
- Retail graphics providers that need fast, professional output
- Sign and poster businesses working primarily with 24-inch media
- Commercial print businesses looking to expand their wide-format capabilities
- Businesses entering professional wide-format printing that want a production-focused printer without moving to a larger format
Its combination of speed and color capabilities makes it especially interesting for businesses where turnaround time and print quality both matter.
Final Thoughts
The Canon imagePROGRAF GP-2600S brings professional production printing into a more manageable 24-inch format. Its fast output, seven-color pigment ink system, 96% Pantone coverage, archival capabilities and scratch resistance make it a versatile option for producing posters, retail graphics and other professional applications.
The optional multifunction roll unit adds additional media flexibility, while features such as intelligent media detection, built-in color calibration, borderless printing and hot-swappable ink tanks are designed to make production easier.
But perhaps the biggest standout is the value of the included ink. With more than $1,200 in starter ink included with the printer, the GP-2600S offers an appealing starting package for businesses looking to add professional wide-format production without immediately taking on a large additional ink investment.
At a retail price of just under $3,700, it could be a strong entry point into professional-grade production printing for businesses that need speed, color and flexibility in a 24-inch printer.
Prices and promotions can vary, so be sure to visit itsupplies.com for the latest pricing, availability and promotions.
If you’re interested in watching our 60-second video review on the Canon imagePROGRAF GP-2600S, check it out here.
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