Canon imagePROGRAF TM-300 36″ Large Format Printer Review
In-depth review: Canon imagePROGRAF TM-300 MFP Z36 — professional 36″ pigment ink plotter with integrated scanner and smart workflow tools.
Introduction
The Canon imagePROGRAF TM-300 MFP Z36 combines a professional 36-inch large-format inkjet printer with an integrated Z36 scanner and a 15.6″ All‑In‑One touchscreen controller to deliver a complete scan-to-copy/file/share solution. Built around Canon’s LUCIA TD pigment ink set and a high-density PF-06 print head, the TM-300 is engineered to solve two of the most common pain points for architects, engineers, print shops and signage teams: accurate, weather-resistant output and a streamlined, high-throughput workflow for wide-format documents.
Whether you’re printing technical drawings, GIS maps, posters or construction site plans, the TM-300 addresses productivity bottlenecks by letting teams scan, archive and print large-format documents without juggling multiple devices. The integrated software ecosystem — SmartWorks MFP, Direct Print Plus, Accounting Manager and Device Management Console — turns a single footprint system into a managed production hub that reduces errors, lowers consumable waste and keeps projects moving from the desk to the field faster.
Overview
Design-forward but purpose-built, the TM-300 has a compact footprint for a 36″ device and a sturdy, professional chassis. The heart of the system is a 5-color aqueous pigment ink engine using Canon’s LUCIA TD inks that produce sharp, water-resistant lines and text — critical for outdoor plans and long-lasting signage. The PF-06 print head with 15,360 nozzles and 5 picoliter droplet size achieves up to 2400×1200 dpi output so fine detail and thin CAD lines remain legible even at large scales.
Connectivity and integration are robust: wired Gigabit Ethernet, USB 2.0, USB thumb drive printing, and Wi‑Fi (802.11 b/g/n) allow flexible installation on busy job sites or centralized office networks. The package includes the Z36 scanner (up to 36″ wide, 1200 dpi optical) and a 15.6″ Android-based All‑In‑One touchscreen that runs SmartWorks MFP for one-touch scanning, image enhancement and batch processing. This combination makes the TM-300 ideal for small architecture/engineering firms, reprographic shops, and in-house print departments that need high accuracy, weather resistance and managed output.
Features
LUCIA TD Pigment Ink Set and Sub Ink Tank System: Canon’s LUCIA TD pigment inks deliver crisp lines, excellent text reproduction and improved water resistance compared to dye inks. The Sub-Ink Tank System minimizes wasted ink and supports hot-swapping of tanks without stopping long print runs. Advantage: Consistent, durable prints for outdoor plans and signage; reduced downtime during high-volume jobs. Benefit: Lower total cost of ownership and reliable, site-ready output that survives job-site handling and light exposure.
PF-06 High-Precision Print Head and L-COA Processing: The PF-06 print head combines 15,360 nozzles with 5 picoliter droplet control and nozzle-shape engineering to reduce mist and deliver 2400×1200 dpi output. Canon’s L-COA processor optimizes ink placement for exceptional speed and accuracy. Advantage: Rapid rendering of dense linework and smooth gradients without sacrificing resolution. Benefit: Produce up to 144 D-sized prints per hour and keep tight deadlines without losing fidelity in fine CAD details.
Integrated Z36 Scanner and SmartWorks MFP Software: The included Z36 CIS scanner scans up to 36″ wide at up to 1200 dpi optical resolution and supports long scans (up to 315″ for PDF/JPEG and 598″ for TIFF). SmartWorks MFP provides an intuitive GUI for scan-to-file, copy and batch scanning. Advantage: Scan, edit and print from the touchscreen controller with one workflow—no separate PC required. Benefit: Faster archiving and job turnaround, fewer handling steps and consistent results across scanning and printing tasks.
Networked Productivity Tools and Security: Direct Print Plus, Device Management Console, Accounting Manager and TM Unified Driver simplify batch printing, remote monitoring, cost tracking and multi-printer management. Security features include 802.1x Authentication, SNMPv3, SSL/TLS, IPSec and secure erase options. Advantage: Centralized control over files, consumables and user access while protecting confidential job data. Benefit: Scalable deployment across offices and sites with administrative oversight and auditing for client billing and compliance.
Benefits
Workflows That Move Faster
Integrated scanning and printing enable simultaneous scan and print operations so teams can archive and produce without device handoffs, reducing turnaround time for client deliverables.
True Site-Ready Prints
LUCIA TD pigment inks combined with water-resistant media provide prints that hold up outdoors and at construction sites, minimizing reprints and field errors.
Lower Consumable Waste
The Sub-Ink Tank System uses nearly all ink in each tank and allows on-the-fly replacement, reducing consumable waste and avoiding mid-job interruptions.
Accurate Costing and Job Accounting
Accounting Manager tracks ink and media consumption per job and exports CSVs for billing—useful for repro centers and firms charging clients for print costs.
Scalable Fleet Management
Device Management Console supports monitoring and alerts across many TM Series printers, reducing on-site visits and streamlining maintenance scheduling for IT or print managers.
Usages
Perfect for Architecture and Engineering Firms
Produce high-resolution CAD and GIS prints with precise line accuracy and scale fidelity. The AutoCAD-optimized driver reduces processing time when printing complex HPGL/2 files.
Ideal for Reprographic and Copy Centers
Batch printing via Direct Print Plus, nested layouts with Free Layout Plus and support for large roll media let small print shops handle posters, signage and technical prints efficiently.
Excellent for On-Site Construction Printing
Weather-resistant inks and simple Wi-Fi/USB setup allow teams to print and reprint site plans and overlays near the job environment, reducing transit time for critical documents.
Marketing, Retail and Event Graphics
Support for glossy and heavyweight photo papers, banner and vinyl media makes the TM-300 versatile for short-run posters, point-of-sale displays and tradeshow collateral.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- High-precision 2400×1200 dpi output with excellent line accuracy and water resistance (LUCIA TD inks).
- Integrated scanner and All‑In‑One controller create a single, efficient scan-to-print workflow.
- Fast throughput — up to 144 D-sized prints per hour and large roll handling for long jobs.
- Robust network and security features plus fleet management and accounting software.
- Sub-Ink Tank System minimizes waste and supports tank replacement during operation.
Cons
- Large-format hardware requires floor space and possibly professional installation despite a relatively compact footprint for its class.
- No duplexing, which is standard for wide-format but not applicable for certain document workflows.
- Initial investment and consumable costs are higher than consumer printers—best justified in professional environments.
- Some advanced features (software modules, extended warranties) may require additional purchases or licenses.
FAQs
Can the TM-300 print borderless large-format posters?
Yes — the TM-300 supports borderless printing at several standard widths up to 36″ for poster and display work, using the appropriate Canon media and driver settings.
What ink sizes are available and how much ink ships with the printer?
Ink is available in 130 ml and 300 ml tanks. Canon ships the TM-300 with 490 ml of ink standard (across included tanks), and the Sub-Ink Tank System allows hot-swapping during runs.
Is duplex printing supported?
No — the TM-300 is a simplex large-format device. It’s optimized for roll and cut-sheet feed where duplex is not commonly required for wide-format media.
How does the scanner handle long or irregular-length originals?
The Z36 can scan documents up to 38″ wide and supports very long scan lengths: up to 315″ for PDF/JPEG and up to 598″ for TIFF files, making it suitable for banners, long maps and continuous drawings.
What warranty and support are available?
Canon provides a 1-year on-site warranty with the TM-300 MFP Z36 system. Extended service plans are available through Canon and authorized resellers for mission-critical deployments.
Product Specifications
| Printer Type | 36-inch 5-color Large Format Inkjet Printer (imagePROGRAF TM-300) |
| Print Speed | Up to 144 D-sized prints per hour (varies by media & mode) |
| Resolution (DPI) | Up to 2400 x 1200 dpi |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0, USB thumb drive, Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000), Wi‑Fi IEEE 802.11 b/g/n |
| Duplex | No (simplex operation) |
| Supported Media Sizes | Cut Sheet: 8″–36″; Roll Feed: 8″–36″ width; Max roll length up to 59′ (18 m) |
| Ink/Toner Type | LUCIA TD pigment inks (Matte Black, Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow); PFI-120/PFI-320 (130 ml/300 ml) |
| Ink Capacity | Available in 130 ml or 300 ml tanks; ships with 490 ml standard |
| Print Head | PF-06, 15,360 nozzles, 5 picoliter droplets |
| Scanner Type | Z36 CIS scanner, optical up to 1200 dpi (interpolated to 9600 dpi), max width 38″ |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | Approx. 42 x 51 x 34 inches (printer main unit) |
| Weight | Approx. 130 lbs (roll holder included, no inks, no print heads) |
| Power Consumption | Maximum 69W or less; Standby 3.6W or less |
| Noise Level | Approx. 44 dB(A) operation |
| Operating Environment | Temperature 59–86°F (15–30°C); Relative Humidity 10–80% (no condensation) |
| OS Compatibility | Windows 7/8.1/10, Windows Server 2008 R2–2016, macOS X v10.10.5–v10.12x |
| Warranty | 1 year on-site warranty |
Ratings
| Print-Scan-Copy Performance | 4.8 |
| Document Feeder Reliability | 4.3 |
| Connectivity & Smart Features | 4.5 |
| Print Speed & Output Quality | 4.7 |
| Ink / Toner Efficiency | 4.2 |
| Value for Money | 4.6 |
Recommendation
For architecture and engineering practices, reprographic shops and in-house print departments that require accurate, durable large-format output with streamlined scan-to-print workflows, the Canon imagePROGRAF TM-300 MFP Z36 is an excellent investment. Its combination of LUCIA TD pigment inks, high-density print head, and integrated scanner delivers consistent, site-ready prints while reducing manual handling and reprints.
Buy the TM-300 if you need professional wide-format quality, centralized job accounting and fleet management, and the ability to scale production without sacrificing precision. Organizations that prioritize security, remote management and reduced consumable waste will find strong long-term value in this system.
Conclusion
The Canon imagePROGRAF TM-300 MFP Z36 is a thoughtfully engineered large-format solution that blends high-resolution pigment printing with a powerful scanning and software suite. It removes common friction points—slow job handoffs, fragile prints and difficult cost tracking—by centralizing scanning, printing and job management in a single footprint. The PF-06 print head and L-COA processor enable both high throughput and excellent detail reproduction, while the LUCIA TD inks give the printed output the durability required for outdoor and field use.
While the TM-300 commands a higher initial outlay than consumer devices, its productivity, consumable savings via the Sub-Ink Tank System, and the administrative efficiencies unlocked by Canon’s software stack deliver measurable long-term savings and workflow improvements. For professional users who demand accuracy, resilience and integrated scanning in an all-in-one wide-format package, the TM-300 stands out as a versatile, production-ready option that will pay dividends across projects and teams.
