Canon expanded its line of large-format printers on Thursday with the introduction of the imagePROGRAF iPF9100 and imagePROGRAF iPF8100 printers, aimed at professional photographers and digital artists with big printing needs. The new models, which handle 60-inch and 40-inch prints, respectively, will replace the older iPF9000 and iPF8000 by adding integrated 80GB hard drives and reformulated monochrome inks that come in four varieties.
With the new inks, Canon boosts the total ink count for the printers to 12 pigments. The specially formulated inks are intended to reduce “bronzing,” the metallic hue some traditional inks take on at certain angles. Each color has 2,560 nozzles in the print heads for a total of 30,720, allowing 2400 x 1200 dpi prints. Canon has also revamped its print head design with the new models for improved dithering and uniform droplet size.
Both printers will become available through U.S. Canon dealers in November. The iPF8100 will sell for $5,995, while the larger iPF9100 will sell for $14,995.
