Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 photo printer review
Specification
type: color inkjet photo printer
Function: Print only
Connectivity: Ethernet, USB, Wi-Fi
Data storage slot: without any
Print speed: A2 color 3 minutes 40 seconds
Maximum paper size: A2, 17″ x 22″
Print quality: 2,400×1,200dpi
memory: 1GB
Apple AirPrint: Yes
Consumables include: 12 x 80ml cartridges
Dimensions/weight: 723 x 435 x 285 mm (WxDxH) / 71.4 lbs / 32.4 kg
The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 is a 17-inch inkjet printer that will be of interest to both professional studios and amateur photographers looking for high-quality wide-format prints in an easily accessible desktop design. Priced at $1,300 in the US and £1,500 in the UK, it’s Canon’s new flagship photo printer, improving on the already impressive Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 with a new The formulated pigment ink is expected to provide excellent printing results that can last for 200 years.
I have reviewed almost all Best Small Business Printersbut this one is a little different. In addition to using 12 independent ink cartridges to create color prints up to 17 x 22 inches, its unique air-feed system holds large sheets of paper in place while precisely spraying ink through 18,432 nozzles. Touching. But does it justify the high running costs of a cartridge printer?
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100: Design and Build
This diamond-shaped 17-inch desktop printer looks very compact with the clamshell folded, but it’s larger in all dimensions than its closest 17-inch competitor, the Epson SureColor P900, and it weighs a whopping 71 pounds. If you want something larger than A2, you’ll need a standalone roll printer, such as the 24-inch HP DesignJet Studio 24. The 12 individual inks take up some space, and there are quite a few replaceable printheads. When the front and rear flaps are unfolded, the depth increases from 43 cm to 115 cm, so some space is required when using it. There are two paper paths, with the top tray holding A5 to A2 paper and the thicker rear tray holding thicker paper in A4 to A2 sizes.
The body’s textured black plastic gives the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 a sturdy appearance, while the various plastic covers also feel less flimsy than regular printers. Unlike most inkjet printers, the printheads can be easily replaced, indicating that the machine is built to last. The large power and cancel buttons are easy to find, and the controls are responsive, but it’s a shame there’s no touchscreen interface. The old three-inch LCD screen looks out of spec on a machine that costs over a million dollars. There’s also no memory card slot or USB host port. There are just the usual USB Type B and Ethernet ports on the back. However, wireless connectivity has been improved from the single-band Wi-Fi of the older model to auto-switching dual-band (2.4GHz/5GHz).
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100: Features and Specs
As Canon’s top-of-the-line photo printer, the imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 has impressive specifications, with not one but two input trays capable of handling 17” x 25” (A2) paper. The top tray can hold small-size paper, such as 6-inch by 6-inch paper or up to 150 sheets of plain paper. The rear manual tray has a flatter paper path and can handle paper and cardstock up to 400 g/m², but only one sheet at a time. It can also print banners up to 129 inches (3.27 meters) long. There are 12 separate LUCIA PRO II inks, so you can expect a very wide color gamut, while the air feed feature ensures your paper won’t slip when ink is applied.
The maximum print resolution is 2,400 x 1,200 dpi (dots per inch), which is actually lower than the entry-level Canon PIXMA G650. imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 achieves superior image quality because it has more nozzles that eject finer ink droplets, so the dots are more accurate. The cheap Canon shoots six inks through 2,304 nozzles, while our PRO-1100 has 12 inks and 18,432 nozzles. If any of these nozzles becomes clogged, a sensor detects it and steps in to replace the nozzle. This is the sign of one of the nozzles best photo printer About.
It has 1GB of built-in memory, which is larger than the average photo printer, and supports Windows, Mac OS, and Chrome OS. The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 can’t hold a roll of paper, and only one of its two input trays can only hold multiple sheets. Maximum of 150 sheets of plain tissue paper. It’s also quite slow at the six minutes it takes to print an A2 sheet, but in all other respects it’s a strong spec sheet.
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100: Setup and Operation
The quick start guide for the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 is only one page long, as it’s really just plugging it in, turning it on, and following the on-screen prompts to complete the setup. The twelve ink cartridges insert without a hitch, but with this inkjet you also have to install the printhead. Operation is equally smooth, with instructions on the display. Once in place, you have the opportunity to print a test sheet to make sure the inkjet is aligned and firing. If you download the accompanying iOS/Android app called Canon PRINT, you can use your phone to connect the printer to a Wi-Fi network. The only thing that makes the setup process easier is the touchscreen.
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100: Performance
The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 prints slowly, but reliably and very well, which is most important. While this successor to the older Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 doesn’t offer any improvements in print speed, the reformulated inks bring real improvements in print quality, especially when printing difficult dark images and black and white photos. .
I printed a variety of test cards and photos on the same variety of paper types, and I was impressed every time. Detail resolution was consistent, especially on the A2, likely due to the air supply system that held the bulky paper in its steady suction. The very wide color gamut and particularly realistic image shading are of course thanks to the twelve individual ink cartridges. With 11 pigments and a color optimizer, the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 has an advantage over its 17-inch rival, the Epson SureColor P900, which only has 10 inks.
On high-gloss photo paper, colors will appear exactly the way you want them when your vacation photos are professionally created. These prints are likely to last longer thanks to the industry-leading lightfastness and abrasion resistance of Canon’s pigment inks. By switching to matte photo paper or Canon’s rough-touch fine art paper, you can better appreciate the extraordinary depth of black ink. Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 has two functions: photo black and matte black, which is especially suitable for printing monochrome photos.
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100: Consumables
Since this isn’t Canon’s MegaTank printer, there are no refillable ink containers, and you can only buy Canon’s LUCIA PRO II cartridges, which cost around $60 for 80 ml each. By the way, you will need twelve. At least you can replace the cartridges individually when they run out, and they’re no more expensive than the old LUCIA PRO cartridges. There are actually 11 pigment inks and a shade optimizer, which cost slightly less for the same 80ml. The improved pigment ink claims to have deeper blacks, richer blues, and the ability to withstand light damage for 200 years. I’ll have to get back to your question about light damage, but I agree that black and blue perform particularly well. Its prints also easily passed our smudge and scratch tests, making the longevity claim seem plausible.
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100: Maintenance
As an inkjet printer, the print head may become clogged or dry out when not used for an extended period of time. It has built-in sensors to detect clogs, but you may need to run one or more cleaning cycles if necessary. It’s as easy as ordering a maintenance program through the Canon app on your smartphone. Chroma optimizer cartridges may need to be replaced before pigment inks, so be aware of this. You can also replace the entire PF-10 printhead very easily, but since a new one costs $414 or £550, you may not be willing to do that. You may have noticed that the USD/GBP figures I quoted in this review are not currency conversions, they are the current prices on the Canon US and Canon UK websites, meaning Brits can expect to pay 100% for the exact same price The cost of the printer is thirty. Ouch.
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100: Final Verdict
If you need studio-quality printing on large paper formats, the no-compromise Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 won’t let you down. It’s a solid and evolving design that puts image quality first. The lack of a touchscreen interface or an input drawer capable of holding a stack of white paper is only a minor inconvenience compared to the advantages of having twelve independent ink cartridges or an air supply system to keep paper steady while printing. Printing speeds are slower, but the results are worth the wait. Photos look realistic thanks to a very wide color gamut and excellent detail resolution, while black and white photos really benefit from the inclusion of two types of black ink. It handles large sheets of paper with ease, including banners up to 129 inches long. Of course, consumable costs are a factor that must be considered, especially when there are twelve ink cartridges to replace, but the excellent LUCIA PRO II ink is no more expensive than other inks in its class.
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