In our capacity as proud stockists of both HP DesignJet printers and their Canon ImagePROGRAF counterparts here at Prizma Graphics, we have no vested interest in flagging up one option as necessarily superior to the other – and of course, every potential customer’s needs will be different to the next person’s.

Having said that, it did intrigue us to discover that Canon Europe recently commissioned the global data and market intelligence firm Keypoint Intelligence to carry out confidential document imaging device performance testing on both the 24” Canon ImagePROGRAF TM-240 and the model that might represent the most obvious alternative, the HP DesignJet T630.

So, of these wide-format printers – both renowned in their own right – which one came out on top, according to the results of Keypoint Intelligence’s testing and analysis? Well, there wasn’t exactly much doubt about the identity of the overall winner.

Across almost all the categories, there was a clear victor

We can’t hold in the suspense any longer; it was no less than the utterly stellar Canon ImagePROGRAF TM-240 that took a dominant first place, as far as Keypoint Intelligence was concerned.

After undertaking comprehensive testing at its European test facility in the UK town of Wokingham, the company produced a “comparative custom test report”, setting out that in seven out of eight categories, the Canon was the superior device to its HP competitor.

The TM-240 was given the nod in the categories of image quality, print productivity, banner printing, poster printing, ink consumption, device feature set, and print driver feature set. In the remaining category – direct print submission functionality – the HP and the Canon were deemed to be equal.

What was said about the comparison between these two highly rated printer models?

In an executive summary, Keypoint Intelligence stated that according to its “rigorous wide-format evaluation, the Canon TM-240 outclassed the HP DesignJet T630 in many areas, with higher productivity, lower ink consumption, and superior colour image quality.”

The company went on to praise such potentially productivity-enhancing features of the TM-240 as the hot swap ink tanks that enable “on-the-fly” ink replacement, as well as a CMY ink cartridge capacity of 55ml, the latter easily ahead of the HP device’s 29ml. This means the Canon printer’s ink does not need to be replaced as frequently.

Keypoint Intelligence was also complimentary of the Canon printer’s new 4.3” colour touchscreen, which it said had the effect of simplifying walk-up operation and boosting usability. The firm noted that an LED light on the Canon device’s control panel – which can be raised or lowered – provided user intervention alerts, whereas the HP printer sported a 2.7” control panel that was flush with the body of the unit. This made for a more limited viewing position on the T630.

As for print quality, the firm said that both models’ output would “easily satisfy the expectations of architectural, engineering, CAD, and GIS customers.” The organisation did also observe, though, that “there were clear differences in certain areas with the Canon TM-240 delivering brighter colours, better depth of field and natural, warm skin tones, as well [as] sharper and crisper text and fine lines, overall.”

But which model would be the most appropriate choice for you?

Naturally, there is no single “one-size-fits-all” answer to this question! This is why, if you are in any doubt as to which wide-format printer might constitute the best match to your own intended setting and application – even if it is not necessarily one of the aforementioned models – you are welcome to reach out to the Prizma Graphics team for tailored advice and guidance.

Simply fill in and submit our online contact form today, or give us a call on 01296 393700, and we will be pleased to help you narrow down your options, whether you have Canon ImagePROGRAF or HP DesignJet printers in your sights, or an alternative model of printer in mind.