Photographers, fine artists and professional print rooms all want the same thing, high quality prints that come out exactly as expected, every single time. Yet it is still common to see one thing on screen and another in print. Colours can shift, image position can creep, and sizing can lead to accidental cropping. When a print misses the mark, it is not just annoying, it wastes ink, media and time.

Canon’s free Professional Print and Layout software is designed to reduce those surprises and give you tighter control over how your files translate from screen to paper. Pair that with a simple, safe cleaning routine for your Canon imagePROGRAF printer, and you stack the odds in your favour for reliable results.

Why Canon Professional Print and Layout is worth using

Canon Professional Print and Layout gives you practical tools that help you avoid common print problems, especially when you are working with roll media, multiple images, or jobs that need exact sizing.

 

A preview that matches reality
The Preview window shows how your prints will line up on the media roll before you commit, so you can catch spacing issues, alignment problems and potential cropping in advance.

Exact sizing with Slot
If you need a print to match a specific finished size, the Slot function lets you manually edit image size so you can meet exact requirements without fiddly workarounds.

Less waste with Nesting
Printing multiple images? Nesting automatically arranges them to make better use of the available roll width, helping reduce offcuts and wasted media.

Crop marks for clean finishing
Add crop marks to make trimming faster and more accurate, especially helpful when you are producing multiple prints for framing, mounting or delivery.

Soft proofing for more predictable colour
Soft proofing shows how colours are likely to look on different media types. You can then adjust using tone curves and sliders to bring the output closer to what you intended.

Plug ins for a smoother workflow
Professional Print and Layout supports plug ins for Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop Elements, plus Canon Digital Photo Professional, so you can go from edit to print with less friction and fewer steps.

If you want to try it, you can download Canon’s free Professional Print and Layout software here, along with details of compatible PRO series printers, old and new.

If you are choosing media for your next run, you can also explore a wide range of rolls and boards at Prizma Graphics.

Simple, safe ways to keep your Canon imagePROGRAF printer in great condition

A well looked after printer is more likely to deliver consistent quality over time. Cleaning does not need to be complicated, but it does need to be done safely.

1) Put safety first
Before any cleaning, disconnect the printer from its power supply.

2) Clean the exterior properly
Avoid solvents, solvent based cleaners, or abrasives. Use a soft cloth soaked in mildly soapy water, then wring it out thoroughly so it is damp rather than wet. Wipe the external casing gently.

3) Do not ignore the inside
The inside of the top cover and the platen can collect dust and small particles from media. Over time, that build up can affect performance and make it harder to get the print quality you are aiming for. A quick monthly check is usually enough for most environments.

4) Keep consumables in mind
If your printer uses maintenance cartridges, replacing them at the right time helps keep things running smoothly and protects long term performance. Ignoring a near full maintenance cartridge or worn printhead can quickly undo all the care you have taken with layout and media choice.

If you are sourcing parts, Prizma Graphics stocks a range of maintenance cartridges and print consumables, including the Canon MC-04 Maintenance Cartridge for Oce CS2044 and the Canon 29952215 Printhead, both available to order directly from the website.

Keeping essential consumables in stock means fewer unexpected stoppages and less downtime when you are in the middle of a job.

A quick practical combo that saves money

When you use Professional Print and Layout to get sizing, placement and colour closer to correct before printing, and you keep the printer clean inside and out, you cut down on reruns. That means less ink wasted, fewer ruined lengths of roll, and a calmer print day.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to talk this through in more detail.