A New Legend in Imaging Featuring a New 12 Ink System, New FINE Print Head and Chroma Optimizer

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — October 27, 2011 — Taking print quality and accuracy to a whole new level, Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today announced the launch of the PIXMA PRO-1 Professional Inkjet Printer. Professional photographers can be confident that the final output from this new printer will match the photographic vision captured from their camera. Newly developed for this printer is a 12-ink system, five of which are monochrome, along with a new FINE Print Head to help deliver consistent, superb results that professional photographers demand.

“Canon is proud to be one of the only companies to offer professionals a complete input to output photographic ecosystem,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies and Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. “The recent introduction of the EOS-1D X DSLR camera and now the PIXMA PRO-1 Printer, further solidifies Canon’s commitment to providing professionals with the necessary equipment in order to help them produce the highest-level possible in image quality.”

The Canon PIXMA PRO-1 Professional Inkjet Printer features a completely new ink system to help professionals achieve gallery-quality results. This new system features 12 inks (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Red, Photo Cyan, Photo Magenta, Photo Black, Matte Black, Gray, Dark Gray, Light Gray and Chroma Optimizer) which help to increase the color gamut in all directions when compared to other similar models currently in the market. Additionally, skin-tone reproduction has been improved to provide a more natural look, eliminating the magenta cast occasionally found when printing portraits.

Seeing is Believing

Many professional photographers judge the overall effectiveness and ability of an inkjet printer based upon the output for a black-and-white image. To achieve the desired results for a deeper, richer, truer black creation, the engineers of the Canon PIXMA PRO-1 Professional Inkjet Printer have incorporated five monochrome inks into the ink system. Utilizing the Photo Black, Matte Black, Gray, Dark Gray and Light Gray inks, photographers will experience smooth gradations, suppressed graininess and a reduction in the bronzing and metamerism phenomenon which shows a metallic luster such as iridescence due to the colors in reflected light. The Light Gray ink is especially effective in helping to suppress the grain in highlights. The gray monochrome inks are useful in creating a neutral print, allowing for improved accuracy to the way the image was originally captured helping to reduce the need for extensive editing.

As part of the overall ink system, a Chroma Optimizer has been included to aid in the accuracy and quality of prints. In addition to increasing the color gamut, the Chroma Optimizer further increases the black density when printing on glossy media types for a deeper, darker black. After the ink is laid down on the media, the printer applies the Chroma Optimizer to help eliminate the bumps between droplets that at times can reflect light irregularly, resulting in a more uniform and aesthetically pleasing print. Another important facet of printing is the overall lifespan of the print. Based upon independent testing conducted by Wilhelm Imaging Research, the expected light fastness of a print using the PIXMA PRO-1 Printer with Canon’s semi-gloss media is approximately 70 years¹.

For the first time in a Canon PIXMA Professional Printer, the PIXMA PRO-1 Photo Printer will feature a tubular ink delivery system, with the inks housed on the sides of the printer, helping to improve the print speed when compared to existing PIXMA Pro models. With this new system, the PIXMA PRO-1 Printer can produce a 13-inch x 19-inch sized print in approximately four minutes and 20 seconds² on Canon Photo Paper Pro Platinum, helping to increase the productivity in any photography studio. The printer also features larger ink tanks than any other PIXMA Pro printer model to date. When compared to the tanks used by existing models, these new ink tanks are 2.5 times larger. This incredible increase can decrease the amount of time users have to interact with the printer and replace the ink tanks.

To help improve the overall efficiency and workflow of the printer, an intuitive paper feed has been included with a dual paper path on the top rear of the printer for semi-gloss and glossy media and a manual paper feed on the back for fine art media. This feeding system will help to ensure paper is initially fed correctly thus eliminating skewed prints which results in wasted ink, paper and more importantly time. For the first time on a Canon PIXMA Pro printer, the PIXMA PRO-1 Printer is also networkable via an Ethernet connection allowing multiple users the ability to print to one machine. For educational institutions this feature is key so each student will be able to showcase their work in a high-quality fashion. Also, photo studios will find this especially useful when working to complete projects in a timely manner without sacrificing image quality.

Canon has also worked with the leading paper companies in the industry to create ICC Profiles designed to help users to get the best possible results from their prints. At launch a total of 26 ICC Profiles are available for users of Hahnemuhle, Ilford, Moab and several other paper types. For more information on the exact paper names, please visit: www.usa.canon.com/pixmapro .