Canon has upgraded its large format printer range with the launch of new imagePrograf devices.
Following the launch of two six-colour SE models, Canon is further strengthening its line-up of five-colour models that feature broad capabilities to address applications from high-end CAD and engineering drawings to full colour 3D renderings for AEC and even in-house poster printing.
The seven new models comprise two five-colour, 610mm (24”) devices: the imagePrograf iPF680/iPF685 and two five-colour 91.4cm (36”) devices, the imagePrograf iPF780/iPF785 together with two new MFP solutions, the imagePrograf iPF780 MFP and iPF785 MFP.
Building on the success of Canon’s five-colour MFP solutions, the new iPF8400SE 6-colour pigment device is also available as an MFP, offering longer-lasting and more durable output thanks to its pigment ink set.
Developed for the fast production of high quality technical documents in Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC), and Geographical Information System (GIS) environments, the imagePrograf iPF680/iPF685 and iPF780/iPF785 deliver higher productivity and lower running costs than their predecessors, thanks to a number of new features.
All models have a faster output speed, with the iPF680/685 able to print A1 in 25 seconds and the iPF780/785 able to print A0 in 41 seconds. The internal hard disk drive in the iPF685/iPF785 has been increased to 320GB, offering much more storage for print jobs. For each ink colour, users can also now choose between the previous 130ml ink tank or a larger, high capacity, 300ml ink tank that, by reducing the frequency of ink replacement, supports high-volume continuous printing and reduces theTotal Cost of Ownership (TCO), as the cost per millilitre of ink is lower.
The new models retain their space-saving design, which enables all operations from the front of the machine and the machine itself to be installed flush against a wall, and their ‘hot-swap’ ink tank capability, so that the ink tanks can be replaced without stopping the machine.
The print quality of the output is improved as well, thanks to the introduction of a new magenta ink that expands the colour gamut and produces clearer red text and lines in CAD drawings, architectural renderings, posters and POS displays.
Canon is further addressing the needs of a diverse range of users with upgrades to its popular workflow software. Direct Print and Share, which allows users to collaborate and print via the cloud, has been upgraded to version 2.0 to support a broad range of cloud providers and to allow the printing of HPGL/two files.
A new ‘Shortcut’ print feature further extends the capability of printing without opening files by allowing users to automatically print to pre-defined settings just by dragging files into a Shortcut, which suits environments where automation and centralised control of printing are key. It also saves time and effort and allows batch printing of multiple file types.
PosterArtist and PosterArtist Lite have been updated to v2.5, providing full integration with Direct Print and Share and enabling the user to save and share posters in the cloud. By doing so, the software provides even more benefits to users to create superb posters with easy-to-use steps and share with other collaborative team members.
Available from August this year from the Apple App Store will also be an application that will allow printing from an iPad on the new Canon imagePrograf five-colour models.
All the new Canon imagePrograf models will be available from the start of May 2014 through Authorised Canon Partners.
