The best large format printer varies for each individual user and depends on factors such as printing needs, budget and preferences. When selecting a large format printer, key considerations include print quality, type and size of your applications, media handling capabilities, cost of consumables and maintenance, and ease of use. Before making a buying decision, read reviews, compare specifications and, if possible, inspect print samples to find the best option for your specific needs.

Start your search by learning more about one of these Canon large format printer models, all of which have received positive reviews from users and industry experts.

• imagePROGRAF PRO-4100: Designed for professional photographers and graphic artists, this 44-inch-wide printer offers photographic-quality prints thanks to its 12-channel LUCIA PRO ink system, which produces vivid, detailed images with accurate colours.
• Colorado Series: This 64-inch large format printer offers high productivity features, output quality and media versatility with low maintenance requirements. Using Canon’s unique UVgel technology, the Colorado produces razor-sharp prints with a wide colour gamut.
• PlotWave 3000: Designed for CAD professionals, this 36-inch monochrome technical document printer features fast printing, scanning and copying capabilities with an easy-to-use interface.
• Arizona 135 GT: This 4x8 foot printer with five-colour UV-curable inks, including white, was designed for printing rigid materials (for example, signage) and produces exceptional image quality due to Canon’s VariaDot droplet-size modulation technology, which differentiates ink-drop size based on your needs.

The best large format printers for technical printing are those that suit the type of output being produced and the productivity requirements for the setting they’re being placed in. All should offer exceptional precision for the fine lines on CAD drawings and blueprints, high speeds for maximum productivity and solid ink/toner adhesion. Canon’s PlotWave Series are top-of-the-line devices for high-throughput monochrome printing, plotting, scanning and copying. ColorWave Series printers are ideal for established users in architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) markets. Canon imagePROGRAF Series technical printers offer a range of models with entry-level to advanced settings.

Users have a choice of inkjet or electro-graphic technology. Inkjet technology (found in the Canon imagePROGRAF Series) is ideal for firms looking for flexibility to produce colour and monochrome output on a variety of materials combined with low acquisition costs. Electro-graphic technology (found in Canon’s ColorWave and PlotWave devices) is ideal for users looking to balance productivity with a low total cost of ownership.

The best large format technical document printers also offer crisp and concise scans. ColorWave, PlotWave and imagePROGRAF printing systems have optional compact single footprint scanning solutions. The integrated scanning technology removes any imperfections from the original documents.

The best large format printers for signage printing depends on the applications you’re producing and the volume of your print jobs. Canon’s imagePROGRAF printers are a user-friendly entry into the wide format printing world. The coating on the media means users get perfect results right out of the box, no profiling expertise required.

Once your volume and needs increase and your application offerings expand, you may want to step up to the Colorado Series of roll-to-roll printers. The Colorado Series can print matte and gloss on one print in one pass because of its UVgel technology. The series supports a wide signage application range, including backlit light boxes, fleet graphics, floor graphics and wallpaper, just to name a few. The Arizona Series of flatbed printers allows for both rigid and flexible media applications. Here are just some of the applications possible: signage and banners, transit advertising, POP display, wall panels, art reproduction, dimensional printing, industrial applications, packaging, exhibits, interior decor and promotional items (for example, coasters, magnets and USB drives).

The best large format printers for photographic applications have a super-wide colour gamut and the ability to create photorealistic details with accurate colour and smooth gradients. Canon’s imagePROGRAF PRO Series printers have the ability to print borderless on all standard and custom widths. The standard, built-in multi-sensor helps enable easy, reliable colour calibration for consistent colour reproduction from print to print.

While the terms are now often used interchangeably, in the past plotters and large format printers were different types of devices. Plotters (sometimes called pen plotters) were devices that drew lines using a physical ballpoint pen and were one of the first machines to use computer-based vector technology. Prized because plotters offered better accuracy than hand drawing, AEC and design industries readily adopted this technology to produce technical drawings. As computer technology advanced, large format printers were invented that used laser or inkjet technology to produce these same technical drawings. Faster, more versatile and with the ability to produce gradients and line shades, large format printers rapidly replaced plotters in most settings. Because these new devices were purchased by the same companies that owned plotters and used for the same applications, many of their operators continued to call them plotters and the term remains common to this day.

Canon products are renowned for their solid engineering and longevity, but large format printers – like any other electronic device – have a life span that is influenced by various factors such as usage frequency, maintenance and environment. However, with proper care and maintenance, a large format printer can last for many years and continue to produce high-quality prints.

To promote the longevity of a large format printer, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance and usage. This may include regular cleaning, the use of compatible ink and media, and inspecting the printer for any signs of wear and tear. By following these guidelines, a large format printer can continue to produce high-quality prints and provide a reliable and cost-effective solution for businesses and individuals alike for many years.

The number of megapixels you need to make a large format print depends on the desired print size and print resolution. To make a high-quality large format print without pixelization, the print resolution needs to be 150 pixels per inch (PPI) or more. For example, if you want to make a 24” x 36” print with a resolution of 150 PPI, you need a digital file with a minimum resolution of 5400x3600 pixels, which is roughly equivalent to 19.4 megapixels.

However, it’s important to note that the required megapixel count for a large format print can vary based on the viewing distance. Generally, the higher the print resolution and the closer the viewing distance, the more megapixels required to produce a sharp and detailed image.

Canon has a diverse portfolio of large format printers. Which one you choose will depend on your application and the printer family best suited to produce it.

imagePROGRAF aqueous inkjet printers are available in models up to 60 inches wide. PlotWave technical document printers have a maximum media capacity of 36 inches; ColorWave technical devices, 42 inches. The Colorado Series of roll-to-roll printers can print up to 64 inches wide. Arizona UV-curable flatbed printers can print on rigid sheets up to 8x10 feet.

Printers designed for technical applications such as CAD drawings, blueprints and maps are designed to print on bond papers, and uncoated papers and films. These materials are usually thin and smooth for fast printing and fast drying. Printers designed for graphics application – including the Canon Colorado Series and imagePROGRAF GP-Series – can handle much thicker substrates, including adhesive-backed media, banner material and fine art papers and canvas. Flatbed printers like the Canon Arizona Series are the most versatile of all large format printers and can print on just about any material – including glass – up to two inches thick.