iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Canon makes professional desktop photo printers that can produce high-quality prints in a home or small studio. Whether a particular print reaches gallery standard depends on the image file, the paper, the printer settings, and your own standard of quality. Canon’s specifications tell you what each printer can do. They do not guarantee a gallery result.
This guide compares the three Canon professional models that the company documents for this kind of work: the PIXMA PRO-200S, the imagePROGRAF PRO-300, and the imagePROGRAF PRO-1000. It focuses on the choices that actually determine what you can print: ink system, maximum print size, paper and feed path, and software workflow.
Compare the three models at a glance
The table below uses only values stated in Canon’s own product pages, its 2020 launch announcement, and its PRO-1000 manual. Where Canon’s sources do not state a value, the table says so.
| Model | Print size class | Ink system | Documented borderless maximum | Panorama | Media notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PIXMA PRO-200S | 13-inch professional inkjet | Eight dye-based inks, including black, gray, and light gray; Canon identifies CLI-65 as the ink family | 13 × 19 inches (Canon lists borderless output from 3.5 × 5 inches through 13 × 19 inches) | Custom up to 13 × 39 inches | Canon describes glossy, luster, matte, and fine-art paper support |
| imagePROGRAF PRO-300 | 13-inch professional inkjet | Nine LUCIA PRO pigment inks with Chroma Optimizer | Not stated in the cited Canon sources | Media handling for panorama-sized paper is described in Canon’s July 9, 2020 announcement; a maximum panorama size is not stated in the cited sources | Canon’s support page lists compatible workflow software; check the support page for media compatibility |
| imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 | Larger media: standard sizes up to 17 × 22 inches, including A2 | Not covered in the cited manual pages | Depends on paper and size; borderless is not available for every combination | Not stated in the cited manual pages | Separate maximum sizes and paper weight/thickness limits for top feed and manual feed |
Canon’s PIXMA PRO-200S product page is at Canon U.S.A., PIXMA PRO-200S product page, and the PRO-300 support page is at Canon Support for imagePROGRAF PRO-300. The PRO-1000 manual sections on media types and printing area are linked in the sections below.
#1 Best Overall
- 8 COLOR dye-based ink system produces vibrant, high quality prints.
- BORDERLESS PRINTING from 3.5” x 3.5” up to 13” x 19”.
- HIGH SPEED PRINTING — bordered A3+ print in just 90 seconds or bordered 8" x 10" print in 53 seconds.
- 3.0'' COLOR LCD MONITOR -- Easily check ink levels, printer status, and other settings.
What the specifications establish and what they do not
Canon’s specifications establish three things: the physical print size each model is built for, the ink system it uses, and the media and print modes it supports. They do not establish how a specific photograph will look on a specific paper under your lighting, nor do they measure quality against an independent standard. Canon’s descriptions of color and quality are the company’s own claims.
For that reason, treat “gallery-quality” as the standard you set for your work, and use the specifications to decide whether a printer can physically produce the size, paper, and finish you need. The rest of this article covers those decisions.
Ink systems: dye and pigment are not interchangeable
The PRO-200S and PRO-300 use different ink technologies, and the choice between them is a substantive one.
Rank #2
- Wireless Print/Copy/Scan
- Up to 2 years of ink included (2)
- Print up to 6,000 black & white / 7,700 color pages using a single set of inks! (1)
- Save up to $1,000 on ink (1)
- 1.35” Square LCD display
PIXMA PRO-200S: dye-based inks
The PRO-200S uses eight dye-based inks. Canon’s product page lists black, gray, and light gray among them, and identifies the CLI-65 ink family for this printer. Canon presents the ink and color performance as its own product claims, so compare sample prints from your own files before committing.
imagePROGRAF PRO-300: pigment-based LUCIA PRO inks
The PRO-300 uses nine LUCIA PRO pigment inks and Canon’s Chroma Optimizer. Canon’s July 9, 2020 announcement describes these as the features that define the model’s color output. Pigment and dye inks behave differently on paper, and Canon’s sources do not compare their longevity or appearance on specific media, so consult paper and ink documentation if archival permanence is a requirement for your work.
imagePROGRAF PRO-1000
The cited PRO-1000 manual pages cover media and printing area, not the ink system. If you are choosing this model, confirm its ink configuration in the current Canon documentation for your region before planning a workflow around it.
Rank #3
- 9 COLOR + CHROMA OPTIMIZER pigment-based ink system produces gallery-quality prints.
- EASE OF USE — ultimate productivity with Anti-Clogging System and Skew Correction.
- MATTE BLACK INK offers enhanced black density and wider dark area reproduction range.
- Easily check ink levels, printer status, and other settings with the 3.0-Inch COLOR LCD MONITOR.
- The LUCIA PRO II INK SYSTEM produces enhanced gloss uniformity, and scratch resistance.
Maximum print size and media: check the exact combination
Print size is where many buyers make mistakes, because a printer’s headline size is not the same as what it will print borderless on every paper.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →The 13-inch models
Both the PRO-200S and PRO-300 are 13-inch-class printers. For the PRO-200S, Canon lists borderless output up to 13 × 19 inches and panorama printing up to a custom 13 × 39 inches. Canon’s PRO-300 announcement describes panorama-sized media handling, but the cited sources do not give a maximum panorama length.
The PRO-1000 for larger media
The PRO-1000 supports larger media than the 13-inch models. Its manual lists standard sizes up to 17 × 22 inches, including A2, and sets separate maximums for top feed and manual feed. The manual also limits specialty-paper weight and thickness by feed path, and warns against paper heavier or thicker than those limits. Confirm your exact paper against the manual before you buy specialty stock for this printer.
Rank #4
- Wireless Print/Copy/Scan (2)
- Up to 2 years of ink included - Disclaimer: Claim of up to two (2) years of ink based on average monthly document print volumes of 200 pages continuous printing using ‘default printing mode’.
- Print up to 6,000 black & white / 7,700 color pages using a single set of inks! (1)
- Save up to $1,000 on ink (1)
- 2-line LCD display
Borderless printing is conditional
Canon’s PRO-1000 manual states that borderless printing is not available for every size or paper, and that it can affect image quality or feed precision. Do not assume that a size listed as supported will print borderless on every paper you own.
The PRO-1000 manual’s printing area section is at Canon Inc., PRO-1000 series: Printing Area, and its media types section is at Canon Inc., PRO-1000 series: Media Types You Can Use.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Choose a model: a practical sequence
- Set your largest print size first. If you print 13 × 19 inches or smaller, the PRO-200S or PRO-300 covers the physical range. If you need 17 × 22 inches or A2, only the PRO-1000 in this comparison is documented for that size.
- Decide whether you need panorama output. The PRO-200S is documented for panoramas up to a custom 13 × 39 inches. Confirm panorama limits for the PRO-300 and PRO-1000 in their current documentation before committing.
- Choose an ink system based on your work. Dye-based inks (PRO-200S) and pigment-based LUCIA PRO inks (PRO-300) are different technologies. Compare printed samples on your intended papers rather than assuming one is better in every case.
- List the papers you actually plan to use. Check each paper’s weight and thickness against the manual for the feed path you will use, and check whether borderless is supported for your size.
- Confirm consumables. Verify that the ink and paper you plan to buy are compatible with the exact model before purchasing. Canon identifies CLI-65 as the PRO-200S ink family, but confirm the specific cartridge SKU for your region.
Software and workflow
Canon lists Professional Print and Layout software for both the PRO-200S and the PRO-300. Print quality depends heavily on the color-managed workflow that feeds the printer: file preparation, the chosen print mode, and the paper profile you select. Canon’s sources do not describe a specific calibration process, so follow the software and paper documentation for your setup.
Best Value
- Affordable Versatility - A budget-friendly all-in-one printer perfect for both home users and hybrid workers, offering exceptional value
- Crisp, Vibrant Prints - Experience impressive print quality for both documents and photos, thanks to its 2-cartridge hybrid ink system that delivers sharp text and vivid colors
- Effortless Setup & Use - Get started quickly with easy setup for your smartphone or computer, so you can print, scan, and copy without delay
- Reliable Wireless Connectivity - Enjoy stable and consistent connections with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz or 5GHz), ensuring smooth printing from anywhere in your home or office
- Scan & Copy Handling - Utilize the device’s integrated scanner for efficient scanning and copying operations
Print speed: a single test condition
Canon’s 2020 announcement cites a print time of approximately 4 minutes 15 seconds for a bordered 13 × 19-inch print on Photo Paper Pro Premium, under the conditions Canon stated. That is one test condition for the PRO-300. It is not a general speed figure, and it will change with the image, the paper, the print mode, and the settings you use. Do not apply it to other papers or files.
What Canon says about the models
In Canon’s July 9, 2020 announcement of the PRO-300, Tatsuro “Tony” Kano, executive vice president of Canon U.S.A.’s Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, said: “With the introduction of the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300, we are continuing our outstanding tradition of creating great quality printers for a variety of image makers, making it easier to print work at home.” This is a manufacturer’s statement about its own product, not independent evidence of print quality. The announcement is at Canon U.S.A., New imagePROGRAF.
Troubleshooting common print problems
- Borderless option is missing or prints look soft at the edges: check whether the size and paper combination supports borderless printing in the manual for your model, and avoid borderless on combinations the manual does not list.
- Paper jams or misfeeds on heavy stock: compare the paper’s weight and thickness with the feed-path limits in the PRO-1000 manual, and use the feed path the limits allow for that paper.
- Colors differ from your screen: confirm the paper profile and print mode in your software, then compare a test print under consistent lighting before changing the file.
- Ink or paper not accepted: confirm compatibility for your exact model and region before ordering a replacement.
Who these printers suit
The PRO-200S suits a photographer who needs 13-inch borderless output, panoramas, and dye-based color on a range of glossy, luster, matte, and fine-art papers. The PRO-300 suits a buyer who wants pigment-based LUCIA PRO inks and 13-inch output with Canon’s workflow software. The PRO-1000 suits someone who needs 17 × 22-inch or A2 media and can work within the paper-weight and borderless limits in its manual. Each choice still depends on whether your own prints meet your standard on your own papers.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
