Earlier today, Canon officially announced the PIXMA PRO-1 professional inkjet printer. The PIXMA PRO-1 uses a new 12-ink system as well as a new FINE print head system for greater color accuracy when printing photographs. While five of the inks are monochrome, the entire color spectrum includes cyan, magenta, yellow, red, photo cyan, photo magenta, photo black, matte black, gray, dark gray, light gray and chroma optimizer. The magenta cast that’s typically found when printing portraits has been eliminated with the 12-ink system and skin-tone reproduction has been significantly improved with a more lifelike, natural look.
In addition to more accurate skin tone, the light gray ink will suppress graininess in highlights and a reduction in the bronzing. The chroma optimizer ink increases the black density for deeper blacks on glossy prints by eliminating the bumps between droplets on the paper. The PIXMA PRO-1 also features a new ink delivery system via tubes and the ink is housed on the sides of the printer. A 13-inch x 19-inch sized print can be produced in 4 minutes and 20 seconds with this new system. The ink tanks are also 2.5 times larger than typical ink cartridges allowing for a longer period in between ink tank replacement. Canon estimates expected life a print using the PIXMA PRO-1 Printer and Canon’s semi-gloss media will last for 70 years.
The PIXMA PRO-1 can also be networked via an Ethernet connection giving multiple users on a home network access to professional prints. This feature is ideal for schools with photography programs that are looking to network a computer lab with access to a high quality photo printer. The Canon PIXMA PRO-1 professional inkjet printer will have an approximate retail price of $999.99, but no release date has been announced for the launch of the new printer.
