I've always had a sort of love/hate relationship with printers. There's nothing like printing off your own holiday photos, or making homemade cards with your favourite printables - but the initial set-up of a new printer can be quite daunting.
Maybe I'm just a bit of a technophobe (something to bear in mind throughout this review!), but I always seem to run into a 'computer says no' moment.
In this review, I take on the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 - a high-quality A3+ photo printer aimed at serious photographers and professionals who require exceptional print quality and reliable performance.
I had the opportunity to thoroughly test this printer, putting it through its paces with various paper types and print jobs to see how it stacks up. Read on to discover how it fares and whether its worth the investment!
Jump straight to:
- Summary
- How we tested
- Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 review
- Where to buy Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300
- Our verdict: should you buy Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300
- Looking for more A3 printers for cardmaking?
Summary
For artists and photographers looking to create prints of their work, graphic designers, small businesses, or anyone requiring the highest quality prints, the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 is the optimal choice. While it has a large footprint and is ink-hungry, it delivers the best professional-grade prints at home.
How we tested
We tested the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 in an office setting, focusing on key aspects such as print quality, ease of setup and use, functionality, and overall value.
We printed on multiple media types, including high-quality plain paper, Premium Fine Art Paper, Photo Paper Plus Glossy II, and Luster Photo Paper Pro, to evaluate its performance across different scenarios.
We also assessed the setup process, wireless connectivity, and overall user experience.
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 review
Key features
- Dimensions: 639 x 379 x 200 mm
- Weight: 14.4 kg
- Connectivity: WiFi, USB, Ethernet
- Paper sizes: A3, A4, A5, B5, LTR, LGL, 20x25cm, 13x18cm, 10x15cm, 13x13cm, 8.9x8.9cm, 10x10cm, 17.5x25cm, 25x30cm, 30x30cm
- Ink cartridges: LUCIA PRO Ink Tanks:PFI-300. MBK/ PBK/C/M/Y/PC/PM/GY/R/CO
- RRP: £699.99
Quality - 5/5
The print quality of the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 is exceptional. It excels in delivering stunning prints on various media types.
I printed some classic paintings on an A3 piece of Canon Premium Fine Art Rough Paper. The results are fantastic - the colours are rich, every detail is sharp and crisp, and the rough texture of the 320gsm paper looks authentic with the paintings.
The textures of the original brushstrokes look hyper-real using this printer, and I couldn't be happier with the results. A print of this size and detail took around 7 and a half minutes.
I also tried the Premium Fine Art Smooth Paper, which has a slightly lower weight of 310gsm. It captures clean lines beautifully and looks amazing with modern art prints.
I also printed several photos on Canon's Photo Paper Plus Glossy II. The colours are vibrant, lines are sharp, and contrast is excellent.
Functionality - 4/5
Functionality-wise, the printer supports a wide array of media types, including magnetic photo paper and nail stickers, making it versatile for different projects.
It offers borderless and bordered printing on a huge range of sizes and types of paper, as well as scanning, copying, and printing from apps.
However, I found the wireless setup quite time-consuming. I connected the printer to my Wi-Fi network without issue, but downloading the driver took around 15 minutes and - as I was using my work laptop - required an administrator account to log in.
Once connected, the printer worked flawlessly. It was easy to select the paper type and use the control menu, despite not being touchscreen.
Size - 4/5
At 639 x 379 x 200 mm and 14.4 kg, the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 is quite large and heavy, making it less portable and requiring substantial space.
For a professional printer, reviews indicate this is a pretty light and compact model, but compared with regular printers (like the Canon TS9550 pictured below) its substantially bigger.
Design - 4/5
I found the design of the imagePROGRAF PRO-300 sleek and modern, with a user-friendly interface that, while not touchscreen, is easy to navigate.
Despite its size, it is not an eyesore and blends well into a professional workspace.
Value for money - 5/5
Although the initial investment and the cost of ink cartridges are high, the printer offers great value for money thanks to its superior print quality and professional-grade performance.
For those who need lots of high-quality prints, it's an investment that will pay you back in the long-run!
Where to buy Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300
Our verdict: should you buy Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300?
If you are a professional photographer or artist looking for a printer that delivers exceptional print quality and supports a wide range of media types, the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 is an excellent choice.
While it is expensive and the setup process can be frustrating, the results are worth the effort and cost. For those who prioritise print quality and need reliable performance for high-volume printing, this printer is a top contender.
Looking for more printers?
If you're still browsing, take a look at our roundup of the best A3 printers on the market. Or why not check out the best printers for cardmaking?
