To make informed decisions, it’s crucial to grasp the terminology. Even seasoned professional photographers may encounter unfamiliar phrases. Below is RGB UK’s comprehensive guide to common printer terms, relevant to our entire pro photo printer range:
- Automatic Ink Switching
Different papers demand different inks—matte paper requires ‘pigment black’ ink, while glossy paper calls for ‘photo black’ ink. Our Canon professional photo printers seamlessly switch inks when the media type changes, reducing ink wastage, time, and costs. This feature proves especially useful for those who frequently switch between different papers.
- Baryta Paper
Baryta paper is a favored choice among professional photographers. Coated with barium sulfate, it exhibits a smooth, reflective finish. This paper is ideal for photographers seeking to showcase their work in gallery settings.
- Bronzing Effect
The bronzing effect occurs when light reflects irregularly off the surface of an inkjet print, resulting in a metallic luster or color inaccuracies. To counteract this, Canon professional photo printers, such as the imagePROGRAF PRO series apply a clear coating known as Chroma Optimizer, ensuring a uniform, superior finish. This reflects the light in just the right way to avoid clear glaring light reflections.
- Color Gamut
The color gamut represents the range of colors accurately represented by a color space (like sRGB or Adobe RGB) or a printer/screen. When capturing photos for printing, consider setting your camera’s Color Space to Adobe RGB for a broader color spectrum. Professional photo printers utilize advanced technologies, like the LUCIA PRO 12-color ink system in the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-2100, to deliver an extended range of colors compared to traditional four-color CMYK printing.
- Color Management
Color management involves calibrating color settings across all your devices to ensure consistent screen-to-print accuracy. Effective color management not only enhances accuracy and consistency during printing but also reduces ink consumption, ultimately affecting the overall print quality. Part of this process includes monitor profiling, ensuring consistent color and brightness settings for a reliable display.
- Dye vs. Pigment Inks
Most professional inkjet photo printers use either dye or pigment inks. Dye inks are water-based, while pigment inks are oil-based. Dye inks absorb into paper for vibrant colors, while pigment inks, with oil-based particles, sit atop the paper, delivering deeper and darker hues. Note that dye ink prints may have a shorter lifespan. For archival-quality prints, opt for a professional printer equipped with a pigment-based ink system, such as the Canon PIXMA PRO-10S or the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO series.
- Full Bleed
When selecting or evaluating a photo printer, consider whether it can print ‘full bleed’—meaning edge-to-edge without borders. Printers like those in the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO series offer this capability on various paper types, allowing your images to break free from traditional margins.
