Canon USA Inc. has announced two new wide-format printers - the 44-inch imagePROGRAF iPF8300S and 24-inch imagePROGRAF iPF6300S. These two 8-color large format printers feature similar technology found in the award-winning 12-color iPF8300, iPF6350 and iPF6300 printers, including Canon's LUCIA EX ink set. These new additions to the imagePROGRAF lineup broaden Canon's offering to the graphics arts, photo and production markets by setting a new standard for the category by providing an optimal balance of high productivity and exceptional print quality. The new imagePROGRAF models will be showcased at the Wedding & Portrait Photographer International (WPPI) Convention at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, February 21-23, 2011 in the Canon booth, number 401.

With Canon LUCIA EX pigment ink, professionals can achieve high quality and performance in such printing applications as color or monochrome photography, industrial design and high-quality poster production. The new eight-color system, utilized by both models, covers a reproducible color gamut which has been expanded approximately 20-percent beyond previous S-series models. With its new pigment materials and structure, Canon's LUCIA EX ink set achieves greater shadow details, deeper black density, and overall scratch resistance. This ink system works in conjunction with the high-density PF-05 print head featuring Canon's FINE (Full-photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering) technology with 2,560 nozzles for each color: cyan, magenta, yellow, black, matte black, photo cyan, photo magenta and gray. An additional feature found in the new imagePROGRAF models is a built-in color calibration function which compensates for color variations caused by factors such as age and environmental affects, enabling consistent color representation across multiple large-format printers or when printing multiple copies.

"At Canon, we not only see the importance of providing the tools necessary for capturing an outstanding image but also having a high-quality machine to print the output," said Jim Rosetta, vice president and general manager, Imaging Systems Group, Canon USA "The addition of these new imagePROGRAF models further solidifies our position to providing high-quality machines that are easy to use and available at an affordable price."

Two important attributes users look for when making the decision to purchase a large format printer are high-quality output and overall speed. With new Fast and Economy print modes, speeds can be achieved up to twice as fast as current eight-color models, helping to enhance overall productivity while also reducing ink consumption by approximately 50 percent. The iPF8300S can produce a B0-sized (39.37 inches x 55.67 inches) output in approximately 80 seconds while the iPF6300S can deliver an A1-sized (23.39 inches x 33.11 inches) document in roughly 35 seconds. The new S-series printers have doubled their hard drive capacity compared to earlier models now with 160 GB, making it possible to reprint the required number of copies at any time with or without a computer.

These easy-to-use imagePROGRAF wide-format printers have been designed with the workflow of professionals in mind. Raster image processors (RIPs) from a variety of developers are supported for print proofing, design, commercial photographic printing and other applications. In addition, new printers can be introduced without altering the existing workflows with familiar RIPS. Verified RIP developers include: CGS, EFI, GMG, ONYX, SAi and Wasatch.

When working on a project in the photo lab, studio or agency it is important to have images printed as good if not better than when first captured. Helping to make this process a little easier is the inclusion of a print Plug-In for Adobe Photoshop providing further support for the proofing, photo and 64-bit printing environment. When edited in Photoshop, 16-bit Adobe RGB images can be processed directly to the machines preserving the images wide gamut and smooth gradation. There is also a print plug-in provided for Digital Photo Professional allowing for direct printing of high-quality RAW images helping to preserve overall image quality. Additional software included in the box is Canon's Accounting Manager and PosterArtist Lite software.

The 44-inch Canon imagePROGRAF iPF8300S will have a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $4,995 while the 24-inch imagePROGRAF iPF6300S will have an MSRP of approximately $2,995. Both models are expected to begin shipping in April.