Best Canon Printer for a Print Company
When selecting the best Canon printer for a print company, several factors need to be considered, including the volume of printing, the type of prints required (e.g., photo quality, large format), and the overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the printer.
Specific Needs Consideration
- Volume: How much printing will be done on a daily basis?
- Print Quality: Is high-resolution output needed, or are standard documents more common?
- Print Speed: Will the volume of prints require a fast output rate?
- Media Types: What types of media will be printed on (e.g., paper, cardstock, photo paper)?
- Functionality: Is there a need for multifunction capabilities like scanning and copying?
- Connectivity: What types of connectivity options are required (e.g., wireless, Ethernet, USB)?
- Cost of Ownership: What is the budget for initial purchase and ongoing costs (e.g., ink or toner, maintenance)?
Canon Recommendations
For high-volume, high-quality print needs, Canon's imagePROGRAF series and imagePRESS series are strong contenders.
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO Series (e.g., imagePROGRAF PRO-6100)
- Key Features:
- Professional photo and fine art printing
- Large-format prints (up to 60 inches wide)
- High-resolution printing with a 12-color ink system
- Fast printing speeds for increased productivity
- Benefits:
- Outstanding print quality for portfolio and gallery prints
- Versatile media handling
- Built-in color calibration for consistent results
- Price Range: High-end, typically starting from several thousand dollars
Canon imagePRESS Series (e.g., imagePRESS C910)
- Key Features:
- High-volume color printing with professional finishing options
- Consistent and high-quality output
- Advanced image control for sharp, vivid prints
- Capable of handling various media types and sizes
- Benefits:
- Ideal for production environments and marketing materials
- Modular design to fit the specific needs of your print shop
- High productivity with fast print speeds
- Price Range: Premium, often ranging into tens of thousands of dollars
Pre-Purchase Questions
Before making a purchase, consider asking the following:
- What is the total cost of ownership, including the cost of supplies and maintenance?
- How does the printer handle peak workloads, and what are its duty cycles?
- What are the warranty and service options?
- Is there local support available for technical issues and maintenance?
- Can the printer be easily integrated into your existing workflow?
Preventive Maintenance Tips
- Regularly clean the printer heads and check for any clogs or dried ink.
- Keep the printer environment dust-free to prevent debris from affecting print quality.
- Use genuine Canon ink or toner to ensure the best print quality and to avoid potential damage to the printer.
- Update the printer's firmware as updates become available to ensure optimal performance and security.
Professional Service Consideration
If you encounter issues that are beyond basic troubleshooting, such as mechanical failures or error codes that persist after following the user manual's instructions, professional service may be necessary. Canon offers professional services and can provide on-site assistance for their high-end printers, ensuring minimal downtime for your business.
In conclusion, the best Canon printer for a print company will depend on the specific needs of the business. The imagePROGRAF PRO and imagePRESS series are both excellent choices for their respective niches in high-quality art prints and high-volume production printing. Always consider the total cost of ownership and ensure that your chosen printer can handle the demands of a professional print environment.