Online Media News Release

Core Facts

• Canon launches the world's first A3+ printer to feature 12 separate inks - the PIXMA PRO-1
• The flagship model features an EOS-inspired design and produces the highest possible print quality in colour and monochrome - ideal for professional and serious amateur photographers
• The PRO-1 features a unique 12-ink system for greater colour gamut and new Chroma Optimizer for increased black density and uniform glossiness
• Five monochrome inks produce professional quality black and white prints
• Next generation LUCIA pigment inks provide outstanding image permanence
• The PRO-1 features a new Optimum Image Generating System and a Canon FINE print head with 12,288 nozzles, as well as supporting 1200ppi input resolution
• The PIXMA PRO-1 can produce a gallery-quality prints in approximately 2 minutes 55 seconds

24^th October 2011 - Canon today announced the launch of its new flagship PIXMA Pro series model, the PIXMA PRO-1, which is the world's first A3+ printer to feature 12 separate inks. Featuring an EOS-inspired design, the stylish model produces the highest possible print quality in colour and monochrome, and is ideal for professional and serious amateur photographers.  Exceptional levels of productivity make it suitable for studio use and commercial exhibitions.

Groundbreaking 12-ink system for superb results
The unique 12-ink system significantly expands colour gamut in most areas and features new Chroma Optimizer for increased black density and uniform glossiness. Five monochrome inks produce professional quality black and white prints with excellent detail in shadow and highlight areas, as well as smooth tonal gradation and suppressed graininess. Next generation LUCIA pigment inks are used for outstanding image permanence, allowing prints to be sold or exhibited with confidence.

Exceptional quality colour and monochrome prints
The PIXMA PRO-1 supports 1200ppi input resolution (double compared to previous generations of PIXMA Pros) to reflect the increasing number of pixels available on professional cameras and produce smoother prints with high resolutions of up to 4800x2400dpi. The new Optimum Image Generating (OIG) system analyses the photo colour and precisely calculates the optimum ink combination and volume of ink droplets, which are then accurately placed on the paper by Canon's FINE print head with 12,288 nozzles.

The OIG system enhances colour reproduction, natural tonal gradations and uniform glossiness in each print mode and media type, to produce print quality so realistic it almost jumps off the page. Smooth tonal gradations in colour and monochrome prints are achieved through 16-bits per channel printing capability. The new PIXMA PRO-1 also features three colour modes, including the new Photo Colour print mode which reproduces fresh blues and greens to match people's memory of colours. Linear Tone mode reproduces colours with linear tone curve, while the ICC Profiles mode means users can utilise paper-specific colour profiles or create their own using the Colour Management Tool Pro software.

Productivity on a commercial scale
The PIXMA PRO-1 can produce a gallery-quality print in approximately 2 minutes 55 seconds[1], down from 7 minutes 55 seconds[2] for the PIXMA Pro9500 MkII. A 2.5x larger ink tank capacity compared with the nearest model ensures longer running periods can be maintained between ink changes. Front-opening panels enable easy access to the tanks either side of the main printer body, and for efficiency the rear tray takes up to 20 sheets of photo paper, while the manual feed slot accepts photo paper up to 356mm (14") wide and heavier fine art papers.

For saleable prints, real-time droplet control stabilises colour and ink density ensuring consistency of colour output from print to print. Reliability in a commercial environment is assured through the use of features commonly found on wide format professional printers, including a mist fan with an air circulation system and a tubular ink supply system separate to the print head. An Ethernet connection ensures the PIXMA PRO-1 can be shared easily over a network.

Simplified workflow and professional colour control
The PIXMA PRO-1 comes with Easy-PhotoPrint Pro plug-in software which simplifies printer settings and allows batch printing. Support has now also been expanded to the full Adobe Photoshop® family as well as to the Canon Digital Photo Professional software package. The printer can also automatically select the correct ICC profile for each Canon paper, and an expanded range of ICC profiles is available for fine art papers from well known manufacturers.

The Colour Management Tool Pro software, which can be downloaded from http://software.canon-europe.com, supports x-rite colour management tools, including Colour Munki Photo and Colour Munki Design, and enables users to create custom ICC profiles to ensure the optimum output quality. The PIXMA PRO-1 also includes the Ambient Light Correction feature so that users can select the type of lighting under which a print will be displayed. The print colours are then automatically adjusted to ensure the very best colour reproduction under different viewing conditions.

Canon PIXMA PRO-1 - key features

• The benchmark A3+ printer for photo professionals
• Groundbreaking 12-ink system with exceptional colour gamut
• Chroma Optimizer for uniform glossiness and crisp, sharp blacks
• Optimum Image Generating system enhances colour reproduction
• Stunning black and white prints with 5 monochrome inks
• New LUCIA pigment inks ensure outstanding photo permanence
• Create a gallery-quality A3+ photo in approx. 2 minutes 55 sec
• High capacity ink tanks ensure long periods between replacements
• Wide range of media support including 356mm (14") wide and thick media
• Easy-PhotoPrint Pro plug-in for efficient printing workflow

- ENDS -

Client Contact:
Katie Robertson
Canon Europe
t:+44 (0)208 588 8220
e: Katie.Robertson@canon-europe.com

About Canon Europe
Canon Europe is the regional sales and marketing operation for Canon Inc., represented in 116 countries and employing over 11,000 people across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

Founded in 1937 with the specific goal of making the best quality camera available to customers, Canon's tireless passion for the Power of Image has since extended its technology into many other markets and has established it as a world leader in both consumer and business imaging solutions. Its solutions comprise products, ranging from digital compact and SLR cameras, through broadcast lenses and portable X-ray machines, to multi-function and production printers, all supported by a range of value added services.

Canon invests heavily in R&D to deliver the richest and most innovative products and services to satisfy customers' creative needs. From amateur photographers to professional print companies, Canon enables each customer to realise their own passion for image.

Canon believes that considering the interests of society and the environment is an integral part of good business practice. This is embodied in its corporate philosophy Kyosei - ‘To live and work together for the common good'.

Further information about Canon Europe is available at:

www.canon-europe.com

[1] See specification for details

[2] See specification for details