Canon TM-255 opinions on longevity and color performance?

[AmaDeuSbg]

Hello,

I have been on a quest of finding my first bigger printer. So far I have only used Epson printers (L805, L850, L1300, L1800) and this will be my first Canon. I was hesitant at first because I looked Epson's T2100 which was reviewed by Ink stained Fingers but the absence of auto reset chips kind of made me search more. I am not willing to give 1800 euro for the inktank version so I decided to check Canon. At first I saw the TC-21 (which is also similar to the TC-20, which was mentioned here in the forums and by Keith Cooper as a good starter both in terms of colors and form factor).

Since I was already looking at Canon I decided to check their other printers. I was generally looking for a little more expensive machine but with lower ink cost (because I was thinking to go with original inks for simplicity). I noticed (I hope I got that right) that the main difference between the TM-*** models is the ink cost and the size and I noticed the TM-255 ink is generally not so expensive compared to the TC-21 ink. I contacted a Canon seller in my country (Bulgaria) and asked for a test print because I was also curious if t he lower resolution (keep in mind I am coming from desktops) will be good enough for my taste in general and I was also curious of the colors will be OK for my taste (it is 5 colors machine - BK MBK C M Y).

So now the questions add up:
* I received the print - overall I was happy with details but the whole image had a magenta tint. The salesman I spoke told me that If I profiled it will be better (because they actually printed the test in one of their clients shop) but yet again I wonder if that is just not a limitation of the machine because the grey puzzled me how good it looked. In addition I saw that Canon even has ready made profiles for their papers which is also puzzling why (presumably) the shop that printed the test does not use them? The guy that delivered the test print mentioned they did not even use a graphics software to print it but probably some app or something so this can also affect the print but still I wonder if this is the case?
*My main goal is to print canvas and photo papers (like silk and luster papers, rarely pure gloss). I recon I saw somewhere that a guy told that the longevity of the ink was not very good on canvas indoors with high lighting conditions and you can visibly see fading after couple months. I am aware that this is highly depends on the media you use but I though that pigment inks (especially original ones) are more durable but I thought at least that indoor use will not be a problem. Does anyone have experience with the ink that the machine uses or any feedback on the possible performance of the ink, this will be highly valued.

Generally, I am looking for 60cm (24 inch) machine with relatively cheap (the ink will actually be like 0.45euro per ml for the TM-255) and the printer itself will be like 1100 euro (approx 900 euro after VAT deduction). So if there is a similar price range machine I will be really thankful if you guide me through.

I can either use the Canon made profiles on their site for the respective papers or make my own profiles (I have a colormunki).

Thank you all for your time and have a lovely night

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

I'm not familiar with the options and performance of the TM255 vs. the TC-21 printer and which refill options are available. The TC-21 comes with a sheet feeder for A4 and A3 paper which might be of interest for some users.

It should be possible to correct color tints via the color adjustments in the driver , or better via a dedicated icc-profile for the particular ink/paper combination.

I don't see longevity of the inks as a decision cirteria for one of another printer model if you probably will go for 3rd parts inks/refill. Data for OEM Canon inks are published by Wilhlem Research test reports , similar information is not available for 3rd party inks at all.

 

[AmaDeuSbg]

Hello Ink stained Fingers, thank you for taking time to post.

To be honest, I was thinking of going with the OEM inks (at least for the time the printer is in warranty) as long as the inks longevity was OK. I am not familiar at all with Canon 3rd party inks, I messaged Inktec about canon compatible inks but I never got a response.

My goal is to provide a quality product (of course I keep in mind that it will not match a 12 color printer) that will be at least durable and color accurate, this is why I was ready to stick with the OEM inks even though they are more expensive.

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

https://shop.inktec-europe.com/product/canon-ipf-ink-for-canon-ipf-8000s-8300s-and-8400s-printers

InkTec offers refill inks for Canon large format printers, as well in large format cartridges.

I was buying Canon inks in the past and extracted the inks from expired cartridges which sell rather cheap via Ebay.

 

[AmaDeuSbg]

Thank you for the link, I will try contacting them again regarding those specific inks.

In your opinion, will they be problem free (keeping in mind it is a different printhead compared to the printers they are designed for)?

To be honest I did not even think of refill, but after you mentioned it I came to wonder if to even buy the cheaper TM-240 that is just no stand but same head etc but different cartridges, which however, have refill and ARC chips and use them with either original canon inks or the above inktec. I googled and found that the Lucia Pro II inks are more durable (that are used in the 12 color printers) so I came to wonder what will be the effect if I just use their 5 color in the TM-240 / TM-255? Also is the "extraction" an easy process like just put the syringe in the outlet and pull etc?

I have experience (sometimes good, sometimes bad) with 3rd party refill cartridges and I wonder if the canon ones will be hassle free or they will be a pain (although I doubt they will be as much as a pain like the CISS systems but still have to ask).

What came to mind is warranty - Epson ink lines color when using sublimation ink for example and this is the way they know to void your warranty - is there some similar mechanism for Canon? Also, beucase the head is consumable, I guess that even with aftermarket inks I will have no problem buying new head? (I mean I can just buy the part when I need it and swap it myself without going to autorized service).

Maybe there are a lot of "easy answer" questions but to be honest I am on a really tight budged and want to make the best decision because I will spend like 80% of the money I have aside for a printer currently.

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

Here is a complete catalogue of InkTec inks

http://www.inktec.com/down/pdf/(E)OA_Catalog.pdf

It's not just with the inks but as much with the papers - 3rd party papers will require you to
create icc profiles for all combinations you are going to use. Bothe the inks and papers have an impact onto the overall characteristics - like the size of the gamut - and the other effects - gloss differentials and bronzing. You cannot forecast that ink A would do better on paper B than another combination. It all requires testing - you'll find some combinations which just don't work and look terrible.

I pulled ink from PFI-304 and PFI-703 expired cartridges , with a larger syring and blunt needles, it works after a little bit of fiddling around.

This Wilhelm Research test report - and more - shows clearly that there are significant longevity differences between Canon - Epson and HP inks - and different generations of Epsoin and Canon inks. A new Canon Lucia Pro II+ ink is claimed to do much better than the previous Pro II generation.

http://wilhelm-research.com/Canson/WIR_Canson_Fine_Art_and_Photo_Papers_Final_Report_2020-06-01.pdf

So there is lots of information to consider if you stay with OEM products; no such test reports are published for 3rd party inks.