Imaging solutions leader Canon Australia today announced brand new models in its imagePROGRAF range that it says will ‘redefine’ large format printing.
Capitalising on the success of the well-known imagePROGRAF graphics range, the new PRO-2000 and PRO-4000 models offer unequalled print quality to those in the professional photographic and fine art markets, while the PRO-4000S and PRO-6000S provide fast, consistent results for a diverse range of commercial print applications.While each new model is tailored to meet particular size, quality and productivity requirements, all feature the image quality and ease of use which Vishal Gohel, Product Manager for imagePROGRAF, Canon Australia, says has made the range a popular choice.
Professionals looking for unequalled quality will find their most exacting standards reflected in the new 11-colour (pigment) ink system plus Chroma Optimiser imagePROGRAF printers, with three models all designed to reproduce the full clarity and texture of the world’s leading photographic technology embodied in the Canon EOS camera.
The 24” (61cm) imagePROGRAF PRO-2000 and 44” (112cm) PRO-4000 will join the 17” (43cm) PRO-1000 launched earlier this year and feature Canon’s new Crystal-fidelity concept, which reads input data from these world leading cameras in a totally new way, to deliver a level of print accuracy that cannot be achieved via any other workflow.
This technology is complemented by Canon’s new LUCIA PRO pigmented ink formula and a new Chroma Optimiser which improves print performance on gloss paper by creating a uniform reflective surface to the viewer. The company has also introduced a 1.28” (3.25cm) printhead, which is not only more compact than current options but reduces clogging, cleaning cycles and ink wastage while increasing print quality.
“Canon really has an edge in this high-end market because we genuinely understand the importance of fine detail and accurate colour reproduction,” says Gohel. “It’s always been Canon’s focus and our products reflect that, allowing users to accurately preserve the detail and vibrancy of the original image and reproduce their photos with amazing clarity.
“The imagePROGRAF PRO series develops this philosophy even further, with unique software and print technology which produces not only the highest detail but ultra-high colour reproduction and smooth tonal variations, to produce the most natural photographic prints available in the large-format market.”
For those whose desire for superior image quality is balanced by a need for greater efficiency and profitability, Canon will introduce two eight-colour models, the 44” (112cm) imagePROGRAF PRO-4000S and 60” (152cm) PRO-6000S, which can produce poster-quality printing significantly faster than the current imagePROGRAF models to improve turnaround time and profitability.
Like the 11 colour models, these two new machines are powered by a new L-COA PRO engine, which can process large volumes of high-resolution images and data with ease, and feature Canon’s Multifunction Roll System which allows users to adapt the input and output abilities of the printer to suit their requirements at any moment in time.
“On all these printers you can load two media rolls at the same time, so you don’t have to swap rolls for different jobs. You can also complete long print jobs virtually unattended, by converting the second roll unit into a take-up unit at the flick of a switch,” Gohel explains, adding that ‘hot-swap’ ink, which allows for ink tank replacement on-the-fly, is also available.
“Finally, the range includes built-in notification systems which allow users to remotely monitor usage and status to ensure that machine uptime – and, therefore, profitability – is maximised.”
Perhaps most impressive of all, Canon has managed to improve its legendary simplicity, flexibility and interactivity in this new range, he says, commenting that while the sleek new look and reduced footprint of this latest range (the new 60” model takes up no more space than a typical 42” printer) promise changes which are far more than skin-deep.
“We’ve been overwhelmed with the positive feedback from customers who love the ease-of-use and versatility of the current imagePROGRAF printers,” Gohel says, “and we know the market will be even more impressed with these new models.”
For a start, Canon has totally redesigned the user interface with a 3.5inch (9cm) touch panel, direct USB print drive and enhanced Wi-Fi connectivity, facilitating ‘walk up’ print environments. The software suite, too, has been streamlined with favourite features like Accounting Manager, Calibration Link and Remote Device Management now complemented by a range of other utilities, all organised into a few, easy to access ‘core utilities’ which can be accessed and controlled from one, central ‘Quick Utility Toolbox’ interface.
Print Studio Pro, a plug-in for Adobe® Photoshop®, Adobe Lightroom®, Adobe Photoshop Elements®2 and Canon Digital Photo Professional, will be included as standard by Canon in this new range and environments with multiple devices can now monitor up to 50 printers using Canon’s Device Management Console.
The imagePROGRAF PRO-2000, PRO-4000, PRO-4000S and PRO-6000S will be available in Australia later in 2016. If you’re interested, sign up to the imagePROGRAF microsite at www.canon.com.au/lfp to receive regular updates and product information.
Canon Australia
www.canon.com.au
