The Canon PIXMA iP1600 and Canon PIXMA iP2200 printers are announced today. The Canon iP2200 and Canon iP1600 printers have a resolution of 4800 x 1200dpi and use the new ChromaLife100 system for prints that resist fading for 100 years when album-stored. The iP2200 can also use the CL-51 and PG-50 high yield cartridges for greater economy. Price and availability of the Canon PIXMA iP1600 and Canon PIXMA iP2200 to be announced.

Canon UK Press Release

PIXMA’s fresh, new entry-level printers are faster than ever.

Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 22 August 2005. Canon, a leader in photographic and imaging technology, today continues its commitment to providing affordable high quality entry-level photo printers with the release of the PIXMA iP1600 and the PIXMA iP2200 – featuring 4800 x 1200dpi, and 2 picolitre droplet size.

Maintaining PIXMA’s reputation combining smart design with cutting edge FINE (Full-photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering) print head technology, these slim-line models produce a borderless photolab quality 10 x 25cm photo print in approx. 70 and 55 seconds respectively , significantly faster than the printers’ predecessors.

For long lasting fade-resistant prints, the iP1600 and iP2200 feature the new ChromaLife100 system. When used in conjunction with Canon media, ChromaLife100 produces prints that resist fading for 100 years when stored in an album. Prints exposed unframed to the effects of the air resist fading for 10 years if printed on Photo Paper Pro (PR-101) .

FINE for speed and quality
“In the growing photo print market, people are placing increasing importance on speed and print quality,” said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging, Europe. “The ability to achieve speed and quality simultaneously is the key competitive advantage of Canon’s FINE technology.”

Canon’s patented FINE semi-conductor manufacturing technique creates print heads with exceptionally high nozzle density and 10 mm diameter Micro-Nozzles. Through advances in FINE technology, the iP1600 and iP2200 have been given a 50% longer colour print head with 50% more nozzles than their predecessors, getting more ink onto the page in less time to deliver fast, borderless photos up to A4 size.

FINE also achieves photolab quality by delivering millions of microscopic droplets each second with unrivalled consistency and accuracy. FINE also ensures super fast, high quality document printing.

Sleek and compact
New FINE Cartridges have a significantly reduced profile compared to previous generation technology, paving the way for the new low-profile design. The iP1600 and iP2200 are four-ink printers, using the CL-41 and PG-40 FINE Cartridges. The iP2200 can also hold the CL-51 and PG-50 high yield cartridges, allowing a significant increase in document production for even greater economy.

Renowned PIXMA Design
Canon continues the tradition of unique PIXMA design with these new standard models. The new slim-line design is stylish and unobtrusive – making the printer perfect for home use. The incline design also permits quick and easy access to the interior of the printer for fast, simple cartridge replacement.

Quality that lasts
For improved fade resistance, the printer supports Canon’s new ChromaLife100: a system of genuine Canon dye-based inks, which deliver exceptionally broad colour gamut, and specialised photo paper designed to work together with FINE print heads. This technology ‘triangle’ of nozzle design, ink and media produces prints that rival silver halide quality and longevity. Prints resist fading for 100 years when album-stored, 30 years when displayed under glass and 10 years when exposed to the effects of the air4.

Matching Media
Canon’s competitive advantage in printer hardware technology is fully realised when Canon photo grade media and inks are used. The diverse and growing range of Canon media – including the new affordable Glossy Photo Paper Everyday Use (GP-501) – is developed specifically to work in combination with Canon’s FINE ink jet print technology. Photo papers and media are available in a wide range of sizes (from credit card to A4), formats (including mini stickers) and finishes (from matt to semi-gloss to super-high gloss). They include double-sided photo paper (PP-101D 13 x 18cm and PP-101D A4) and the flagship Photo Paper Pro (PR-101) for the highest grade, ultimate durability professional results.

Software: Extending creativity
The iP1600 and iP2200 come bundled with the following software packages:
§ Easy-PhotoPrint – provides three easy steps to printing photos. Assisting with options such as media selection and scaling, it includes features such as Face Sharpening for out-of-focus face correction, Red Eye Correction and Digital Face Smoothing to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
§ Easy-WebPrint (Windows only) sits on the Explorer toolbar and takes the frustration out of web page printing, saving time, ink and paper by correctly scaling output to prevent the common problem of having the right-hand side of web pages cut off.
§ PhotoRecord (Windows only) guides users through printing a personalised photo album, including assistance with printing on Canon’s new double-sided media and scaling to fit different paper sizes.
§ Easy-Print Toolbox (Windows only) Always-at-the-ready desktop menu bar used to instantly launch common applications such as PhotoRecord and Easy-PhotoPrint.

The iP1600 and iP2200 are compatible with Windows 98/Me/2000/XP, Mac OS X v10.2.1 or later.

1 Ink droplets can be placed with a minimum pitch of 1/4800 inch (maximum printing resolution).
2 Minimum droplet size.
3 Print speeds may differ according to system configuration and other variables. For further information please refer to product specification.
4 All figures are estimates based on accelerated tests and are not guaranteed. 100 year figure applies to PR-101, PP-101, SG-101, GP-401, GP-501 media, images stored behind plastic cover sheet. 30 year figure applies to PR-101 and PP-101 media, 10 year figure to PR-101 only. Lightfastness and gasfastness figures assume a typical indoor environment avoiding direct sunlight.