Canon catches up with Epson by offering a high-resolution 24” printer for fine art giclee, the Canon imagePROGRAF W6200.

The above heading was valid in 2004 and early 2005, but the Epson Stylus Pro 7800 offers 8 colors and thereby may offer better quality than other earlier printers. The Canon printhead is much faster than any piezo, so faster than all Epson printers. But some artists need color gamut or a special dithering pattern, and be willing to sacrifice speed for quality.

Canon ink costs less. But if you are an artist, it is the color gamut that counts.

The Canon printers are better designed and stronger in construction. This statement is probably still valid, even in 2005.

Canon printer, since it uses thermal (bubblejet) printheads, can take a wider range of paper, further lowering production costs.

The picture at left is the Canon imagePROGRAF W6200 large format printer at PMA 2004 trade show. The Canon imagePROGRAF W6400 has been announced several months ago for Japan and then for Australia. Every US trade magazine has announced the Canon imagePROGRAF W6400 too. We are curious to see the differences between the W6200 (a printer that was already advanced for its day) and the still unknown W6400. Epson has managed to generate their Epson Stylus Pro 7800 publicity precisely during the time the Canon W6400 has not yet been introduced outside Japan or Australia.

Canon is introducing two new printers: Canon imagePROGRAF W8400 and Canon imagePROGRAF W6400

The FLAAR Reports on the Canon imagePROGRAF W8200 and Canon W7250 are now available from the FLAAR Premium Report Series on Wide Format Printers for CAD-GIS and from Print-for-Pay.

Every several years there is either a new Canon iPF printer or a new Epson or a new HP water-based printer that is made for giclee, decor, or fine art photography. It is hard to keep track of the advances in improved inks and color management features. FLAAR is keeping track by visiting giclee ateliers around the world that have these various brands. Each brand has its good points and a few issues and an occasional deficiency. 

Since FLAAR itself does not sell printers, for you to find out information on prices and availability of each model that can print fine art giclee well, we suggest you contact a company that offers all three brands: Canon, HP, and Epson. This way they are not going to push just one brand because they offer all three. Plus you need a company that has plenty of experience with fine art photographs, photo labs, and giclee atelier. 

One company that is known to many photographers is LexJet. Dr Hellmuth has visited their national headquarters twice. LexJet sells all across the USA and to Latin America as well. Contact sales@lexjet.com.to obtain more information.

First posted Sept. 26, 2006.

Compare prices; is it best to buy by lowest price comparison?  Your best deal is to buy from a respectable printer dealer who can provide tips and assistance. LexJet is among several places we know that offer Canon iPF printers. They can be reached at sales@LexJet.com. Buying from a box-pusher, gray market, and other dubious outlets is not always a clever idea. We have visited LexJet headquarters several times and have visited their booth at key trade shows. Their other advantage is that they offer all three major brands: Epson, Canon, and HP. So they do not need to push you into only one brand.  Plus LexJet knows eco-solvent and UV-cured as well (which FLAAR covers on www.large-format-printers.org).

The complete FLAAR Reports are in full-color PDF format. Our institute has comprehensive FLAAR Reports on over 73 different wide format inkjet printers, RIP software, color management, scanners, digital cameras and on countless markets such as wide format inkjet printers for photography, giclee, proofing, CAD, GIS, graphic design, signs, and specialty applications too. All FLAAR Reports by Dr Nicholas Hellmuth and his team are available on Wide-format-printers.NET