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The Canon imagePROGRAF TC-21M is a large-format printer with a distinction; it might additionally scan and replica. By including a flatbed scanner to a 24-inch ink tank printer, Canon has created a three-in-one system that would show indispensable for faculties or small companies eager to enlarge prints rapidly and affordably, or print posters on the level of sale with out a PC.
This distinctive multifunction system can print on lower paper as much as LTR or A4 dimension, or produce banners and customized wrapping paper on 24-inch broad rolls. With its built-in scanner, you are able to do extra than simply copy paperwork; enlarging graphics comparable to maps or CAD drawings into A0-size posters might be finished by way of the printer’s personal touchscreen interface.
Is it one of many best large format printers? I put it to the check.
Canon imagePROGRAF TC-21M: Design and construct
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Specs
Sort: giant format colour multifunction inkjet printer
Features: Print, scan, copy
Connectivity: Ethernet, USB, Wi-Fi
Knowledge storage slots: USB Host
Print velocity: A3+ in 4min 15sec
Max paper dimension: 24-inch roll
Print high quality: 2,400 x 1,200 dpi
Reminiscence: 1GB
Apple AirPrint: sure
Consumables included: 4 x 70ml ink bottles
Dimensions/Weight: 968 x 533 x 245 mm (WxDxH)/31.7lb/34kg
The user-friendly design has the identical chunky enchantment as Canon’s different skilled MegaTank fashions, with the rounded off white plastic casing and enormous tilting touchscreen show.
It’s fairly a big unit as a result of the 24-inch paper roll suits neatly inside the place it’s stored clear and dust-free. The 4 ink reservoirs add to the majority, however given its broad performance, I’d say this printer is fairly compact.
The A4 scanner platen provides nothing to the dimensions while you examine the multifunction imagePROGRAF TC-21M with the in any other case similar print-only model known as imagePROGRAF TC-21, with out the ‘M’ for multifunction.
Canon imagePROGRAF TC-21M: Options & specs
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It is a three-in-one system so you possibly can print, scan and replica. There’s no fax, nevertheless it has loads of different options, enriched by its broad format capabilities. Naturally, it has Wi-Fi with AirPrint, Mopria and Chrome OS compatibility, however it might additionally enlarge A4 or smaller paperwork as much as A0, or repeat the scanned picture to supply banners or wrapping paper on the paper roll.
Alternatively, you possibly can shrink your scans right down to make identify tags or enterprise playing cards. Principally, this versatile machine has a for much longer listing of paper dimension choices than your common wide-format printer.
There’s room for 100 sheets of plain letter or A4 paper in the primary tray, whereas bigger sheets of lower paper are loaded separately. The inner roll holder will take something as much as 24-inches broad. There’s no output tray to gather your prints, until you purchase the elective stand with built-in basket for round US$180 (£140).
There’s no auto duplex mode both, however there’s a USB Host port beside the touchscreen show for a handy means of printing to, or scanning from a thumb drive.
Canon imagePROGRAF TC-21M: Setup and operation
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Getting your new Canon imagePROGRAF TC-21M began is very like putting in any inkjet printer, besides that it takes two to carry it onto the desk. There’s additionally the additional time wanted to suit a roll or paper, however the shaftless roll holder makes this fairly straightforward.
The field consists of 4 70ml bottles of ink which pour into the tanks on the correct hand aspect and the keyed bottle spouts make it inconceivable to fill the improper tank.
The touchscreen simplifies the setup process by telling you what to do subsequent. It’s even faster to obtain Canon’s Print app onto your smartphone and use that to attach it to your native Wi-Fi community. The app additionally makes it straightforward to print and scan remotely, or examine the printer’s standing and ink ranges.
Canon imagePROGRAF TC-21M: Efficiency
The Canon imagePROGRAF TC-21M printed with out a hitch and solely suffered one A4 paper jam throughout my assessments, which was simply rectified. Total, it scored extremely on ease-of-use and print high quality. It takes practically two minutes to print an A1 poster in customary high quality, so it’s not quick, however the outcomes are excellent. It additionally has a draft mode which just about doubles the print velocity and the marginally paler print high quality is okay for present paper and the like.
Canon’s single bubble jet printhead has a complete of 4,352 nozzles spraying its 4 pigment inks onto the paper and producing detailed prints at 1,200 x 2,400 dpi decision. It’s equally adept at printing colour paperwork on A4 paper, as it’s on A1.
The 4 colours look vibrant and being pigment-based, they dry rapidly for smudge-resident and longer lasting outcomes. That is good for giant maps, CAD drawings and poster-sized graphics, the place the vivid colours look pleasing vibrant on plain paper.
With coated picture paper, you continue to get vibrant and detailed photographs, however unsurprisingly, it doesn’t obtain the broad colour gamut and pure shading of picture printers just like the 12-ink Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100. It’s actually ok to say that the Canon imagePROGRAF TC-21M has sturdy all-round print high quality.
The CIS scanner labored properly and made it doable to explode A4 check paperwork to A1 dimension with none actual lack of element. I can see how this software can be helpful in a store, or college setting the place posters might be produced with out the necessity of a PC.
I discovered it fairly straightforward to make use of the printers touchscreen to show a check scan right into a repeated sample that might be used as wrapping paper. I did the identical factor utilizing Canon’s PosterArt, which is an equally user-friendly piece of software program that comes free with the printer.
The one slight drawback I had was a sensible one. With out the elective stand or any extendable flap to gather every printout, it’s a must to catch every print because it emerges and earlier than the interior cutter sweeps throughout to dump them on the ground. Simply solved by shifting the printer to an even bigger desk.
Canon imagePROGRAF TC-21M: Consumables
As a refillable ink tank printer, the Canon imagePROGRAF TC-21M is doubtlessly very economical to run, which is vital in a printer designed for working out such giant prints.
The field consists of 4 70ml bottles, which is roughly sufficient ink for round 6,000 letter or A4 pages. Whereas a alternative Canon PFI-050 multipack is considerably cheaper than cartridge ink, it’s fairly costly for bottled ink.
I discovered suitable pigment ink tended to be round 1 / 4 the worth of Canon-branded ink.
Canon imagePROGRAF TC-21M: Upkeep
Being an inkjet, the Canon imagePROGRAF TC-21M is susceptible to drying out and struggling clogged nozzles if left unused, however this could often be solved by merely working a upkeep cycle.
Simply enter the printer’s on-screen settings and select one of many cleansing cycles to flush the nozzles. Additional down the road, chances are you’ll want to switch the PF-08 printhead and MC-32 upkeep cartridge, each of that are fairly priced by Canon.
Canon imagePROGRAF TC-21M: Ultimate verdict
I loved turning out vibrant poster-sized prints and banners with the Canon imagePROGRAF TC-21M just by blowing up photographs on its built-in scanner. It proved to be a really versatile product with its broad paper dimension compatibility and two enter choices.
The touchscreen interface and bundled PosterArtist software program guarantee it’s straightforward to make use of, and with the scanner, entrance USB port and Wi-Fi with AirPrint compatibility, it’s fairly properly featured.
No, it might’t auto-duplex and it’s higher with graphics and line drawing than images, however in any other case, the sturdy print high quality, and the affordability of its bottled ink will make this an important accent in lots of a store, college or studio.
For extra print options, I’ve comprehensively examined the best small business printers and best home printers.