Canon PRO-310 Review – Professional Photo Printer
Comprehensive review of the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 wireless inkjet photo printer. Explore features, benefits, performance, and more for fine art & photography.
Introduction
For photographers, fine art artists, and creative professionals, achieving truly exceptional prints often feels like chasing an elusive dream. High ink costs, inaccurate color reproduction, and cumbersome workflows can stifle inspiration and drain budgets. The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 arrives to address these challenges head-on, offering a powerful blend of professional-grade performance, ink efficiency, and user-friendly features.
Beyond standard document printing, the PRO-310 is engineered for those who demand the highest levels of color accuracy, archival quality, and versatility. It’s a printer designed to transform digital creations into tangible works of art, consistently delivering results that inspire and impress.
Overview
The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 is a 13-inch wireless inkjet photo printer meticulously crafted for discerning creatives. At its core lies a sophisticated 9-color pigment-based ink system utilizing Canon’s LUCIA PRO II inks, combined with an integrated Chroma Optimizer. This powerful combination enables the printer to produce prints with exceptional tonal depth, sharpness, and a remarkable level of color consistency – rivaling that of professional darkrooms.
Designed for seamless integration into modern workflows, the PRO-310 boasts a compact form factor, a user-friendly 3.0-inch LCD monitor, and versatile connectivity options including Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB. Whether you’re a landscape photographer, a fine art printer, or an architect producing detailed blueprints, the PRO-310 delivers the performance and reliability you need to bring your visions to life.
Features
Integrated Chroma Optimizer: This intelligent system precisely controls the printing process by optimizing the relationship between the inks and the media, ensuring that colors are accurate, lines are crisp, and details are sharp. It’s particularly effective in minimizing feathering and bleeding on various paper types, resulting in consistently professional-quality prints.
Wireless Smart Connectivity & 3.0” LCD Monitor: Stay connected and in control with built-in Wi-Fi and Ethernet capabilities for easy network integration. The integrated 3.0-inch LCD monitor simplifies operation and provides clear visibility of printer status and settings, reducing the need for a computer screen during the printing process.
Borderless Printing Up to 13” x 19”: Eliminate the need for trimming and mounting with the PRO-310’s seamless borderless printing capability. This feature is ideal for creating ready-to-frame artwork, high-impact posters, and professional presentations. The flexibility to produce full-bleed prints on demand significantly streamlines your workflow and enhances the overall presentation.
Flexible Media Compatibility: The PRO-310 is engineered to handle a wide variety of media types, including glossy photo papers, matte fine art papers, textured canvases, and more. Its versatile paper handling capabilities let you experiment with different media to achieve unique artistic effects and consistently deliver professional results, regardless of the chosen paper stock.
High-Yield LUCIA PRO II Pigment Ink System: The PRO-310 utilizes Canon’s advanced LUCIA PRO II pigment ink system, featuring 9 colors including gray and photo magenta/cyan. This expanded color gamut allows for a wider range of colors and a more realistic reproduction of images, offering exceptional tonal gradations, rich blacks, and vibrant hues. The pigment-based inks are also exceptionally fade-resistant, ensuring your prints retain their vibrancy for decades.
Benefits
Enhanced Creative Control with ICC Profile Support: Take complete control over your color workflow with ICC profile support. Customize your print settings to match your on-screen colors perfectly and achieve consistent results across different media and software applications.
Exceptional Color Accuracy and Vibrancy: Experience prints that truly capture the essence of your original images. The LUCIA PRO II ink system and Chroma Optimizer deliver a wider color gamut and incredible tonal depth, resulting in prints that are more realistic, vibrant, and captivating.
Streamlined Workflow with Borderless Printing: Save time and effort with the PRO-310’s borderless printing capability. Eliminate the need for trimming and mounting, allowing you to create professional-quality prints with minimal post-processing.
Long-Lasting Archival Quality: Preserve your precious memories and artistic creations for generations to come. The pigment-based inks are formulated for exceptional fade resistance, ensuring your prints remain vibrant and beautiful for decades.
Reduced Printing Costs with High-Yield Ink: The pigment-based ink system offers a significant cost advantage compared to traditional dye-based inks. The high-yield ink tanks reduce the frequency of replacements, lowering your overall printing expenses and improving your return on investment.
Usages
Suitable for Small Businesses & Marketing Teams: Create professional marketing materials, presentations, and sales collateral that impress clients and elevate your brand image. The PRO-310’s versatility and reliability ensure consistent results every time.
Ideal for Professional Photographers: The PRO-310’s color accuracy and archival quality make it the perfect choice for photographers who demand the best possible results. Produce stunning gallery prints, client proofs, and marketing materials that showcase your work in the best possible light.
Great for Architects and Designers: Produce detailed blueprints, architectural renderings, and marketing collateral with exceptional clarity and precision. The PRO-310’s ability to handle a wide range of media types makes it an invaluable tool for creative professionals.
Perfect for Fine Art Printmaking: Artists seeking exceptional tonal range, vibrant colors, and archival permanence will appreciate the PRO-310’s capabilities. Print limited edition artwork, posters, and other fine art pieces with confidence.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Exceptional color accuracy and vibrancy
- High-yield ink tanks reduce printing costs
- Borderless printing simplifies workflow
- Archival-grade prints for long-lasting quality
- Versatile media compatibility
Cons
- Print speed may be slower compared to laser printers
- Initial cost is higher than entry-level models
- Large footprint may require dedicated space
FAQs
What is the printer’s maintenance like?: The PRO-310 incorporates automated maintenance features and provides alerts when cleaning cycles are needed. The included cleaning kit extends printer lifespan and facilitates easy maintenance.
Are third-party ink cartridges compatible?: While third-party ink cartridges may be available, using Canon-branded ink is highly recommended to ensure optimal print quality, printer performance, and warranty validity.
How easy is the wireless setup?: Setting up the PRO-310’s wireless connectivity is straightforward. The printer offers WPS button support for simplified connection to your network, and the intuitive LCD monitor guides you through the setup process.
What is the ink cost per page?: The ink cost per page will vary based on print coverage, but the high-yield ink tanks significantly reduce the overall cost per print compared to traditional cartridge-based systems. The pigment-based inks offer excellent longevity, further reducing long-term expenses.
What is the printing speed?: The PRO-310’s printing speed varies depending on the paper type and print quality settings. While it prioritizes quality, it still delivers respectable speeds for a printer in its class.
Product Specifications
| Ink Type | Pigment-based |
| DPI Resolution | 4800 x 2400 dpi |
| Print Technology | Inkjet |
| Warranty | Limited 1-year |
| Print Speed | Varies by paper size and type |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB |
| Dimensions | 29 x 18 x 13 inches |
| Duty Cycle | 50 pages per day |
| Page Yield | Up to 1,000 pages (Black), 780 pages (Color) |
| Weight | 42.7 pounds |
Ratings
| Value for Money | 4.2 |
| Print Quality | 4.9 |
| Color Performance | 4.7 |
| Technical Specifications | 4.6 |
| Usability | 4.3 |
Recommendation
The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 is a standout choice for professional photographers and fine art artists who demand exceptional image quality and archival permanence. Its advanced ink system, borderless printing capabilities, and seamless connectivity make it an invaluable asset for any creative workflow.
For small businesses or marketing teams looking to produce high-impact marketing materials and presentations, the PRO-310 offers a compelling combination of performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. Its ability to handle a wide range of media types ensures that you can always create the perfect impression.
Conclusion
The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 isn’t just a printer; it’s an investment in your creative vision. Its exceptional color accuracy, archival quality, and user-friendly features set it apart from the competition, delivering professional-grade results that inspire and impress.
While the initial cost may be higher than entry-level models, the long-term benefits—including reduced ink costs, increased efficiency, and the ability to produce stunning prints—make the PRO-310 a worthwhile choice for those who demand the best.
