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Comparison Canon imagePROGRAF iPF840 vs Canon imagePROGRAF iPF8400

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Canon imagePROGRAF iPF840
Canon imagePROGRAF iPF8400
Canon imagePROGRAF iPF840Canon imagePROGRAF iPF8400
Outdated ProductOutdated Product
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Product Typeinkjetinkjet
Paper sizeA0+A0+
Output Typecolourcolour
Placementfloorfloor
Printing
Max resolution2400x1200 dpi2400x1200 dpi
Sheet printing time42 с120 с
Drop volume4 pl4 pl
Sheet printing
 /before 1.6 m/
 /before 1.6 m/
Roll printing
 /up to 18 m/
 /up to 18 m/
Specs
Media width (min)203 mm203 mm
Media width (max)1118 mm1118 mm
Max. roll diameter150 mm150 mm
Number of rolls11
Data transfer
PC connection (USB)
network connection (LAN)
PC connection (USB)
network connection (LAN) /10/100/1000Base-T/TX/
General
Number of cartridges812
Cartridge modelPFI-307BK, PFI-307MBK, PFI-307C, PFI-307M, PFI-307Y
PFI-306R, PFI-306M, PFI-306G, PFI-306C, PFI-306B, PFI-306PM, PFI-306PC /PFI-306GY, PFI-306BK, PFI-306PGY, PFI-306MB, PFI-306MBK/
Built-in memory512 MB384 MB
Storage capacity320 GB250 GB
Displaymonochromemonochrome
Noise level52 dB50 dB
Power consumption190 W190 W
Dimensions with stand (WxDxH)1893x1291x1144 mm1893x975x1144 mm
Weight189 kg143 kg
Added to E-Catalogjuly 2015july 2014

Sheet printing time

Approximate time taken by the plotter to print one sheet.

This indicates for the paper size that the machine was originally designed for (see "Paper Size"). And it is approximate because it is usually given for optimal or almost optimal printing conditions: low quality and resolution, relatively simple images, etc. So the actual print time of the sheet may differ from the claimed one in one direction or another, depending on the operating parameters — starting from the mentioned quality and resolution to the type of media. However, according to the figures indicated in the specs, it is quite possible to evaluate different models and compare them with each other: the difference in the claimed time, usually, will proportionally correspond to the difference in the actual printing speed.

It is also worth noting that this time is usually indicated by the duration of the printing process itself — from the capture of the sheet by the feeder to the output of the completed print from the device. Interruptions inevitably occur between printing individual sheets, so that the total printing time is longer than the printing time of a sheet multiplied by the number of sheets. For example, a device with a time consumption of 36 sec per sheet theoretically should print about 100 sheets per hour (1 h = 3600 s, 3600/36 = 100), but in fact such a plotter usually produces about 70 – 75 sheets in this time.

Number of cartridges

The number of individual cartridges the plotter needs to operate.

Each cartridge is responsible for its base colour used in printing. Monochrome plotters (see "Output Type"), by definition, use only one cartridge, for black colour and for such devices this parameter is usually not specified at all. But in colour printing, where all available shades are obtained by mixing basic colours, the number of such colours (and, accordingly, cartridges) can be different.

The most modest of modern colour plotters are designed to work with 4 or 5 cartridges. The first option corresponds to the CMYK colour scheme with 4 basic colours — this is the minimum required for full colour printing. In turn, 5 cartridges usually mean a CMYK colour scheme, supplemented by a separate supply of black ink for monochrome images — this allows you not to waste consumables for such images that may be needed for colour prints, and also to print monochrome even with empty colour cartridges, and vice versa.

In general, these sets of basic colours are inexpensive, while they are able to provide fairly good quality prints; so plotters for 4 – 5 cartridges are very popular nowadays. However, the use of additional basic colours can significantly increase the quality of the image, primarily the reliability of colour reproduction. Thereby, advanced plotters can provide a larger number of cartridges — 6 – 10, and s...ometimes more. Such devices are quite expensive and difficult to maintain, but they are indispensable for printing materials with high requirements of colour quality.

Cartridge model

Models of cartridges used in the plotter. With this info, you can easily find original consumables for the device.

Built-in memory

The amount of built-in memory provided in the design of the plotter.

Such memory is used to store various service data: print tasks, settings profiles, etc. Due to this, the plotter becomes more "independent": for example, many models allow you to continue printing even when the master PC is turned off.

We emphasize that in this case we are talking about solid-state flash memory, which is used mainly for "operational" service information. The capacity of such memory is relatively low, it is measured in megabytes; but in addition to it, the design may include a larger storage capacity — usually a traditional hard drive. For more information about it, see "Drive Capacity".

Storage capacity

The capacity of the built-in storage installed in the plotter.

First of all, we note that this drive should not be confused with the built-in memory (see above): in this case, we are talking about a storage designed for long-term storage of large amounts of data. Accordingly, such a storage differs from the mentioned memory in a larger capacity — its volume is already calculated in gigabytes. In addition, the built-in drive is usually a hard drive — this type of storage is better suited for the application described. Such a disk is intended mainly for storing various graphic files — footage, layouts for printing, data from a scanner (if available — see above), etc. The larger its volume, the more files can be simultaneously stored in the plotter's memory.

It is often more convenient to upload files into the device's memory in advance and send them to print directly from the control panel than to turn on the master PC every time — especially if you have to print often and a lot, and PCs are sometimes unavailable (for example, due to mismatched work schedules from printers and designers). On the other hand, such functionality is relevant mainly for powerful performant plotters, and the availability of a built-in drive significantly affects the cost. Therefore, this feature is found mainly in fairly advanced models.

Noise level

The maximum noise level produced by the plotter during operation. The lower this indicator, the less inconvenience to others the device will create. At the same time, in modern plotters, the noise level usually does not exceed 60 dB, which is comparable to a TV set at an average volume; and many of them do not "reach" even up to 50 dB, corresponding to a quiet conversation at a distance of 2-3 m. And if we also take into account the fact that plotters are usually used in industrial premises, then we can say that in most cases this indicator does not play a significant role.

Dimensions with stand (WxDxH)

The overall dimensions of the floor plotter (see “Placement”), including the stand, in other words, the dimensions of the device in the operative condition (in addition to the stand itself, other equipment, such as trays for printed materials, is taken into account here). This indicator is worth evaluating how much space is needed to install such a plotter.

Weight

The total weight of the plotter is usually listed without ink and paper. You should pay attention to this parameter foremost when choosing desktop models (see "Placement"): modern plotters are quite massive, which puts forward corresponding requirements for stands for them.
Canon imagePROGRAF iPF840 often compared
Canon imagePROGRAF iPF8400 often compared