The Canon PIXMA iP4200 printer is announed today. The Canon iP4200 is a 1 picolitre, 9600 x 2400 dpi resolution inkjet printer which replaces the iP3000. The iP4200 uses the ChromaLife100 system which produces prints that resist fading for 100 years when stored in an album. Price and availability of the Canon PIXMA iP4200 to be announced.

Canon UK Press Release

Canon’s 1 picolitre PIXMA iP4200: exceptional quality, exceptional value

Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 22 August, 2005: Canon, a leader in photographic and imaging technology, today releases the high-speed PIXMA iP4200 – the first personal photo printer at this price point to feature 1 picolitre ink droplets and 9600 x 2400 dpi resolution. Replacing the popular PIXMA iP3000, the iP4200 produces borderless 10 x 15cm photo prints in approx 51 seconds .

A FINE (Full-photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering) print head and five-ink ContrastPLUS technology generate high contrast, professional photolab quality results.

“The offer of a 1 picolitre printer at this price point represents another PIXMA landmark,” said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe. “The speed, functionality and print quality delivered by this printer are compelling, and represent excellent value for money.”

The sleek printer’s futuristic cubic design incorporates dual paper trays, automatic duplex and DVD/CD printing, plus direct photo printing from most contemporary digital cameras or digital video cameras via the PictBridge port.

For long lasting fade-resistant prints, the iP4200 features the new ChromaLife100 system. When used in conjunction with genuine 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
Canon’s patented FINE semi-conductor manufacturing technique creates extraordinary print speeds for both photo as well as document printing by producing exceptionally long print heads with exceptionally high nozzle count and density. This gets more ink on the page in less time than is possible with traditional ink jet technology, delivering fast borderless photo prints up to A4 size. Colour nozzle numbers and print head length are twice that of the previous model.

FINE also achieves virtually grain free photolab quality by delivering millions of microscopic 1 picolitre1 droplets each second with extremely high consistency and accuracy from 9 mm diameter Micro-Nozzles.

ContrastPLUS technology – a system that includes a dye-based black ink for sharper contrast - works together with FINE to generate exceptionally crisp, high contrast results. Document text results are sharpened with the addition of improved, high optical density pigment black ink.

A USB 2.0 Hi-Speed interface eliminates data transfer bottlenecks to keep the print engine performing at maximum capacity.

Ink efficiency
The printer’s individual PGI-5BK and CLI-8 ink tanks ensure that only those inks which have run out need to be replaced. They feature LEDs that only light up when the tanks are installed correctly. Users can monitor ink levels during stand-alone use as the LEDs flash slowly to warn when the tank runs low, and more rapidly to indicate when the cartridge is empty.

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 genuine 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.

Quality software
- 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 photo media and scaling to fit different paper sizes.
- CD-LabelPrint – Simplifies printing directly onto print-ready CDs and DVDs
- Easy-PrintToolbox – Always-at-the-ready desktop menu bar used to launch instantly common applications such as PhotoRecord, Easy-Photo-Print and CD-LabelPrint.

The iP4200 is compatible with Windows 98/Me/2000/XP, Mac OS X v10.2.1 or later.

1 Minimum droplet size.
2 Ink droplets can be placed with a minimum pitch of 1/9600 inch.
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.