Canon imagePROGRAF TC-21 24″ Review — Large Format Inkjet
In-depth review of the Canon imagePROGRAF TC-21 24″ large-format inkjet printer: features, benefits, specs, and buying advice.
Introduction
The Canon imagePROGRAF TC-21 24″ positions itself as a compact powerhouse for businesses, designers, and print professionals who need large-format output without the footprint or complexity of industrial systems. Tailored for posters, CAD plots, banners and high-impact marketing collateral, this desktop roll and cut-sheet printer combines Canon’s proven inkjet imaging with a user-focused design that brings large-format printing into small studios and busy office environments.
If you’ve struggled with slow turnaround, limited media flexibility, or high operating costs from specialty print shops, the TC-21 answers with an in-house solution that streamlines production. By pairing a four-color CMYK inkset with a generous 280 ml starter supply, automatic roll and sheet feeding, and wired/wireless connectivity, this model reduces external dependencies and speeds projects from concept to wall-ready prints.
Overview
The imagePROGRAF TC-21 is a 24-inch desktop inkjet plotter designed around practicality. Its matte-black chassis houses a four-color dye/pigment ink configuration optimized for vivid posters and sharp technical drawings. The machine’s compact footprint belies a robust 1 GB memory and 28W power draw, making it suitable for small workspaces where energy efficiency and quiet operation matter.
Connectivity is comprehensive: high-speed USB and Ethernet deliver reliable networked printing, while built-in Wi-Fi and mobile printing options enable ad-hoc jobs from tablets and smartphones. The automatic roll and cut-sheet feeder expands media handling to banners, glossy photo papers, labels and plain bond up to 24″ wide. This combination of features makes the TC-21 ideal for graphic designers, small marketing teams, architects, and print-for-pay businesses looking for a balance of quality, ease-of-use, and cost-efficiency.
Features
Four-Color Precision Imaging (CMYK): Uses a four-color CMYK ink system to reproduce vibrant posters and crisp technical prints. Advantage: Accurate color blending and stable gradations without the complexity of multi-channel photo printers. Benefit: Produce eye-catching marketing materials and readable plans with fewer passes and predictable color.
Automatic Roll & Sheet Feeding: Built-in 24″ roll support with an automatic sheet feeder for cut-sheet media. Advantage: Switch between banners and standard sheets without manual media swaps or additional hardware. Benefit: Faster job turnaround and uninterrupted batch printing — ideal for tight deadlines and mixed-media projects.
Generous Starter Ink Supply: Ships with a full set of 280 ml (70 ml per color) ink bottles. Advantage: Higher initial yield than many competitors so you can run sizable proofs and client demos right away. Benefit: Lower immediate cost-per-print and fewer early refill interruptions during critical projects.
Intuitive Touchscreen & Easy Maintenance: Tiltable touchscreen with animated setup guides and front/top access for ink and media handling. Advantage: Reduces learning curve and routine maintenance time. Benefit: Spend less time troubleshooting and more time producing revenue-generating prints.
Benefits
Boosted Productivity
Prints up to 24″ wide from roll or sheet with fast USB/Ethernet and Wi‑Fi connectivity, removing bottlenecks caused by offsite print services and enabling rapid iteration.
Automatic sheet handling and a generous input capacity (up to 100 sheets) mean longer unattended runs and fewer interventions for medium-volume workflows.
Lower Operational Headroom
Ships with a full 280 ml ink set to deliver more output out of the box, reducing the need for immediate consumable purchases.
ENERGY STAR and EPEAT Gold ratings keep ongoing energy costs down, making it friendly for studios and businesses watching operational spend.
Versatile Media Handling
Supports banner paper, high-resolution photo paper, labels and plain bond, allowing one device to handle proofing, display graphics and short-run product labels.
Borderless and large-format support lets marketing teams produce client-ready posters in-house, cutting outsourcing time and expense.
Improved Color Consistency
Canon’s print engine delivers reliable color across multiple prints, reducing time spent tweaking color profiles between jobs.
1200 x 1200 dpi color resolution provides photographic-level detail and crisp linework for CAD and architectural plans.
Professional Presentation
High-quality output suitable for client presentations and retail display, helping small businesses present a more polished, professional image without third-party printers.
Compact desktop design preserves studio space while delivering large-format capability, improving workflow ergonomics.
Usages
Perfect for Small Marketing Teams
Produce posters, in-store signage and trade-show materials on demand, reducing lead time and dependency on print vendors.
Ideal for Architects & Engineers
Create large CAD plots and schematic prints with sharp line definition and readable annotations at scales up to 24″ wide.
Great for Short-Run Graphic Production
Support on-demand production for small print shops or design studios creating proofs, art prints, labels and banners with flexible media handling.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent color reproduction and 1200 x 1200 dpi output for posters and technical prints.
- Automatic roll and cut-sheet feeding simplifies media changes and mixed jobs.
- Large included ink bottles (280 ml total) reduce early consumable costs.
- Comprehensive connectivity (USB, Ethernet, Wi‑Fi) and ENERGY STAR/EPEAT Gold efficiency.
- Compact desktop design for a 24″ wide-capacity device — strong space-to-performance ratio.
Cons
- Print speed is moderate (up to 15 ppm in color) — not the fastest for heavy production environments.
- No duplex printing (simplex only) — not suitable for double-sided document workflows.
- Print-only device — lacks scanning or copying functionality that some offices rely on.
- Relatively heavy at 99 pounds — requires stable placement and may need assistance during setup.
FAQs
Can the TC-21 print borderless posters?
Yes. The TC-21 supports borderless and large-format output up to 24″ on compatible media, making it suitable for posters and display graphics.
What connectivity options are available?
It offers USB, high-speed Ethernet, and built-in Wi‑Fi for direct printing from computers, tablets, and phones. It also supports standard network printing workflows for shared office environments.
How much ink is included and how long will it last?
The printer ships with 280 ml total (70 ml per CMYK color), which is substantial for setup and early production. Actual yield depends on coverage and media, but the included supply lets you print multiple large proofs before refilling.
Is this printer suitable for photo labs or fine-art printing?
While the TC-21 produces vibrant, high-resolution color ideal for posters and proofs, it is a four-color device optimized for graphic output rather than specialized multi-ink fine-art photo reproduction. For archival fine-art work, look at models designed specifically for photo printing with expanded color gamuts.
Product Specifications
| Printer Type | Large Format Inkjet (Desktop Roll & Sheet) |
| Print Speed (PPM) – Color | 15 ppm (maximum color print speed) |
| Print Speed (PPM) – Monochrome | 20 ppm (maximum monochrome print speed) |
| Resolution (DPI) – Color | 1200 x 1200 dpi |
| Resolution (DPI) – Monochrome | 600 dpi |
| Connectivity | USB (1), Ethernet, Wi‑Fi |
| Duplex | Simplex (single-sided only) |
| Supported Media Sizes | Up to 24″ wide; Max sheet 11.69 x 24 inches; banner/roll media supported |
| Max Input Sheet Capacity | 100 sheets (auto feeder) |
| Ink/Toner Type | CMYK ink bottles (included 280 ml total; 70 ml per color) |
| Memory | 1 GB |
| Dimensions | 44″ D x 29″ W x 16″ H |
| Weight | 99 pounds |
| Power Consumption | 28 watts |
| Included Components | Ink Bottles (CMYK) |
| Special Features | Automatic roll & cut-sheet feeder, tiltable touchscreen, ENERGY STAR, EPEAT Gold |
| Warranty | Manufacturer 1 Year |
Ratings
| Print Quality (Color & Sharpness) | 4.7 |
| Ink Efficiency / Yield | 4.5 |
| Connectivity & App Integration | 4.4 |
| Print Speed (Pages per Minute) | 3.6 |
| Build Quality & Design | 4.3 |
| Value for Money | 4.2 |
Recommendation
The Canon imagePROGRAF TC-21 is an excellent buy for design studios, small marketing departments, architects, and print-for-pay businesses that need reliable large-format printing without industrial complexity. Choose it when color fidelity, media flexibility and in-house turnaround are priorities.
Avoid this model if your workflow demands high-speed batch production, duplex output or integrated scanning/copying — in those cases, look for higher-capacity production printers or multifunction systems.
Conclusion
The Canon imagePROGRAF TC-21 brings true large-format capability into compact workspaces without compromising on color fidelity or media versatility. Its automatic roll and sheet handling, generous starter ink, and straightforward touchscreen controls make it a pragmatic choice for teams that produce posters, banners, plans and proofs regularly but can’t justify industrial printers.
Over the long term, the TC-21 delivers tangible value through lower initial consumable costs, energy-efficient operation and dependable results that reduce reprints and client revisions. For small businesses and creative professionals seeking a dependable, in-house solution for high-impact graphics, the TC-21 represents a strong balance of quality, ease-of-use, and operational efficiency.
