Custom Test Report. Canon imageprograf ipf750 vs Epson SureColor SC-T5000. BLI Comparative Performance Evaluation. BuyersLab.com

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1 Custom Test Report BLI Comparative Performance Evaluation MARCH JUNE 1, Canon imageprograf ipf750 vs Epson SureColor SC-T5000 Advantage Colour Print Quality Black Print Quality Colour Print Productivity Black Print Productivity Direct PDF Submission Functionality Banner Printing Canon imageprograf ipf750 Poster Printing Ink Consumption Device Feature Set Print Driver Feature Set Epson SureColor SC-T5000 Canon imageprograf ipf750 Epson SureColor SC-T5000 This 2012 report Buyers has been Laboratory reproduced Inc. with This the written report permission the sole of property Buyers Laboratory of BLI. LLC. Duplication Any duplication in any of manner this report is without illegal the and written strictly permission forbidden of Buyers without Laboratory written permission unlawful and from violators BLI. Violators will be prosecuted. will be prosecuted Buyers To Laboratory purchase LLC. reprints To purchase of any reprints, BLI publication contact BLI contact at (201) Buyers Laboratory (x17) at Inc. at

2 TEST OBJECTIVE Buyers Laboratory LLC (BLI) was commissioned by Canon Europe to conduct confidential document imaging device performance testing on the Canon imageprograf ipf750 and the Epson SureColor SC-T5000, and produce a report comparing the relative strengths and weaknesses of the two products in terms of image quality, productivity, ink consumption, direct PDF submission, device feature set, driver functionality, and banner and poster printing. All testing was performed in BLI s test facility in Wokingham, UK. TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary 3 Colour Image Quality 4 Black Image Quality 5 Print Productivity 7 Direct PDF Print Submission Functionality 8 Banner Printing 9 Poster Printing 9 Ink Consumption 10 Device Feature Set 11 Driver Feature Set 11 Supporting Test Data 15 Test Methodology for Ink Consumption Evaluation 23 About BLI 27 2

3 Executive Summary The Canon imageprograf ipf750 gave a very strong overall performance in BLI s testing, delivering both higher productvity and superior image quality in colour and black modes than the Epson SureColor SC-T5000. In addition to having the advantage in ink consumption, using less ink for two of the three document types used in the test, the Canon ipf750 is smaller and lighter than the Epson T5000. The Epson model offers higher standard and maximum memory capacities than the Canon unit; an optional 250-GB hard drive, which the Canon model lacks; and most importantly, a much higher ink cartridge capacity. The two models are more closely matched in terms of media handling, and both offer a rich driver feature set. Another benefit of both models that boosts user productivity and reduces waste is how they handle ink and paper outages. When the Epson model runs out paper, it stops, even if it s in the middle of a page, and resumes printing the same page after paper is replenished, thus wasting two half pages. When the Epson SC-T5000 runs out of ink, however, it resumes printing seamlessly from the point at which it stopped with no discernible break or loss of image quality, helping to save on ink and paper. The Canon model, in contrast, continues to print when ink needs replacing, while alerting the user to replace the cartridge, which can be done while printing is in progress. When it s out of paper, the Canon unit pauses, alerts the operator, and after a new roll is installed, prompts the operator to continue the job, which begins by printing the interrupted page in full followed by all successive pages, hence only half a page is wasted. The Canon ipf750 delivered superior overall image quality in both colour and black compared with the Epson device with a larger colour gamut when printing on photo-quality and matte coated paper, while the Epson model s colour gamut is larger on plain paper. The Canon model produced more natural-looking flesh tones, which were reddish in output produced by the Epson unit. The Epson model s optical density was higher for cyan and yellow, while the Canon model had higher densities for magenta (in Normal mode) and black (in all modes). The Epson unit also delivered slightly better colour saturation when printing posters in Max Quality mode. However, even in Max Quality mode the Epson unit suffered from breakup of text in fonts below 8 pt. in size, and some graininess in halftone fills. Both models delivered excellent results when printing AEC and GIS graphics. The Canon model, however, boasts a significant advantage with its unidirectional print driver option. When selected, this option eliminates banding on the Canon ipf750 s output, even in draft mode, which is evident on the Epson device s output across the full width of the image in every mode except Max Quality. The Epson SureColor SC-T5000 demonstrated some advantages, with higher memory capacity, much higher ink cartridge capacities than the Canon unit, as well as lower energy consumption 65 watts while printing and 3 watts while in standby compared with 140 watts while printing and 6 watts in standby by the Canon model while noise emissions were identical. Canon Direct Print & Share, a free utility that can be downloaded from the company s website, supports direct PDF submission without the need to open an application and allows files to be retrieved from cloud storage for printing. No such utility is available with the Epson device. In conclusion, the Canon imageprograf ipf750 delivered a superior performance in the majority of categories tested, with superior colour and black image quality, faster productivity (notably in High/Max Quality modes), superior banner productivity and lower ink consumption than the Epson SureColor SC-T5000. The Epson model offers slightly better poster quality, a strong feature set with higher memory capacity, larger ink cartridge capacity and much lower energy consumption. 3

4 Colour Image Quality Advantage Text Canon imageprograf ipf750 Epson SureColor SC-T5000 Fine Lines = = Halftone Range = = Halftone Fill Solid Density AEC Graphics = = GIS Graphics (plain paper) GIS Graphics (coated paper) Business Graphics Photographic Images = = Colour Gamut (plain paper, default settings) Colour Gamut (matte coated paper, High/Best quality settings) Colour Gamut (photo paper, High/Best quality settings), and represent positive, negative and neutral attributes, respectively. One factor influencing overall image quality is the Canon model s unidirectional printing, which is available even in Draft mode. The Epson model offers only bidirectional printing, which means that the printhead travels in both directions over the image, creating a noticeable pattern of banding across the full width of the image in all modes except Max Quality. The Canon model, on the other hand, is free from any banding, even in Draft mode, when unidirectional printing is selected, although there is some trade-off in productivity as a result. The Epson SureColor SC-T5000 delivered higher optical densities on plain paper across all CMY colours and all quality modes with the exception of magenta in Normal mode, where the Canon ipf750 had a higher density. When printing on plain paper in default settings, the Epson SC-T5000 delivered a 12.3 percent larger colour gamut than did the Canon ipf750, with a CIE volume of 231,073 versus a CIE volume of 205,718 for the Canon model. However, when printing on matte coated paper using Canon s High quality setting and the Epson SC-T5000 s Max Quality setting, the Canon model delivered a 12.7 percent larger colour gamut, with a CIE volume of 387,797 compared with a CIE volume of 343,970 for the Epson device. When printing on photo-quality paper using Canon s High quality setting and the Epson SC-T5000 Max Quality setting, the Canon model delivered a colour gamut 1.92 percent larger than that of the Epson unit, with a CIE volume of 541,723 compared with 531,496 with the Epson unit. 4

5 When evaluating text in colour mode there were few significant differences between the two models. In Fast/ Speed and Standard/Quality modes, fonts were legible down to the 6-pt. level with both models with no breakup, whereas in High/Max Quality mode, fonts were legible down to the 6-pt. level with the Canon model but only down to 8-pt. level with the Epson unit as it suffered from double imaging in Max Quality mode, even after BLI analysts had run full alignment checks. However, both the Canon and Epson models exhibited some bleed into the (plain) paper in both text and line art in all modes, when viewed under magnification. Fine lines produced by both devices remained distinct down to the 0.1-pt. level in Fast/Speed mode, although white-on-black fine lines weren t visible with the Epson device. Curiously, the Canon device also failed to deliver white-on-black fine lines in Normal mode, although in Draft mode, white-on-black line output was perfectly acceptable. In Best/Max Quality mode there were no differences between the two models for fine line accuracy. However, the Canon unit produced superior results for fine lines and text when the CAD (Colour Line Drawing) settings were used. No such settings are available for Epson users. Colour halftone range was excellent with both models, with distinct transitions between all levels. Colour halftone fill was slightly grainy on plain paper with the Epson model. When evaluating Architectural, Engineering and Construction (AEC) graphics in Normal/Quality and High/Max Quality modes, both the Canon and the Epson units produced an excellent level of detail and very distinct fine lines. When evaluating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) graphics in High/Max Quality mode on plain paper, both units exhibited very good detail, but the Epson model showed greater depth of field than the Canon model. When evaluating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) graphics in High/Max Quality mode on matte coated paper, both units again produced excellent details, but the Canon model showed greater depth of field than the Epson model, with a more realistic three-dimensional rendering of topographical features. Colour business graphics produced by the Canon ipf750 unit exhibited sharper details than did the Epson device. When comparing photographic images in Normal/Quality and Best/Max Quality modes, once again there was very little difference between the two models, with both delivering excellent detailing in dark contrast areas. The Canon unit produced smoother circles and better detailing in light contrast areas, while the Epson unit delivered better saturation. Skin tones produced by the Canon model were more natural-looking, while those produced by the Epson device were distinctly reddish in Speed mode. BLI s overall assessment of colour image quality is that despite the Epson model offering higher optical density and a larger colour gamut on plain paper, the Canon model was a clear winner. Both models produced distinct fine lines in AEC drawings and an excellent level of detail in GIS graphics. While the Epson unit exhibited greater depth of field on plain paper, the Canon unit exhibited greater depth of field on matte coated paper. Both models suffered from some ink bleed or overspray in text and line art when viewed under magnification. However, the Canon device delivered a larger colour gamut on matte coated and photo quality papers, as well as more natural looking skin tones. The Canon unidirectional printing option was also considered an advantage, as it eliminated banding issues that were evident across all output from the Epson device, except prints produced using the driver s Max Quality mode. 5

6 Black Image Quality Advantage Text Fine Lines Canon imageprograf ipf750 Epson SureColor SC-T5000 Halftone Range = = Halftone Fill Solid density AEC Graphics = = Business Graphics Photographic Images The Canon model delivered higher optical densities for black in all modes tested Fast, Standard and High. When evaluating text there was a clear difference between the two models. In Fast/Draft and Standard/Normal modes, fonts produced by both models were legible down to the 6-pt. level, whilst in High/Best mode, fonts were legible down to the 6-pt. level with the Canon model but only at the 8-pt. level with the Epson unit, with distinct breakup in some characters, which along with the higher density, gave the Canon model a distinct edge overall. Both models exhibited some ink bleed or overspray in text and line art in default mode, but only when viewed under magnification. However, the Canon unit produced superior results for fine lines and text when the CAD (Monochrome Line Drawing) settings were used. Note that these settings are not available to Epson users. Fine lines in BLI s Line Art test target remained distinct down to the 0.1-pt. level in all modes in the output of both devices, but the Epson model failed to deliver white-on-black fine lines in Normal/Standard mode. Circles produced by both models were fully formed and there was no sign of stair-stepping in diagonal lines. Both models delivered a very good halftone range from the 10% to 100% dot-fill levels in all modes. The Canon device was rated very good in all modes for halftone fill, while the Epson unit was rated only good as some graininess was visible across all output, even without magnification. The Canon unit delivered darker solids with higher optical density and no mottling when compared with the same output from the Epson model. When evaluating AEC graphics in Normal/Standard and High/Best modes in black, both models delivered detailed and distinct fine lines. Monochrome business graphics in Best/High quality mode on plain paper were produced more accurately by the Canon model, with smooth halftone gradations and crisp text, whereas some graininess was visible with the Epson unit, even without magnification. The Canon model produced photographic images in Best/High quality mode on plain paper with smoother gradations than did the Epson model. Metallic/chrome surfaces were also produced more realistically by the Canon ipf750. 6

7 BLI analysts gave the overall laurels for black image quality to the Canon device, which delivered superior halftone fills, detailed and distinct white-on-black fine lines (which the Epson unit could not produce), smoother gradations in photographic images, higher optical density in all modes, darker solids and text that was legible down to a smaller size (6-pt.), with no breakup. Both models delivered excellent AEC graphics, although some ink bleed or overspray was visible in text and line art when viewed under magnification for both. Print Productivity Advantage First Page Out From Ready State First Page Out From Weekend Non-Use Throughput Speed (fastest mode) Throughput Speed (default mode) Throughput Speed (highest-quality mode) Job Stream (multiple jobs submitted to device in fast succession simulating busy network environment) Canon imageprograf ipf750 Epson SureColor SC-T5000 When the Epson SC-T5000 model runs out of ink printing stops, and once the cartridge has been replaced, printing resumes seamlessly from the same point in the page, with no discernible line or break in output and no difference in image quality, so no ink or paper is wasted. The Canon model, in contrast, will continue to print (drawing ink from its sump tank) when ink needs replacing, and the control panel conveniently alerts the user to replace ink, a procedure that can be carried out while printing is in progress, so again no ink or paper is wasted. The Epson SC-T5000 also stops printing when it runs out of paper. Once a new roll is installed, it resumes printing only the remaining portion of the page, thus printing two partial pages. This would have an adverse effect on productivity in longer print runs. In contrast, when the Canon unit runs out of paper, it pauses and alerts the operator. After a new roll is installed, the operator is prompted to continue the job, after which the job will continue printing from the beginning of the interrupted page, so less ink and paper is wasted. Both models output catch tray can stack printed sheets neatly and in the correct sequence, which makes collating output easier and helps to reduce operator intervention and downtime. The Canon ipf750 delivered a slower first-page-out time of seconds after a weekend of non-use, compared with seconds for the Epson device. Warm-up time before printing commenced was seconds for the Canon model, but only seconds for the Epson unit. The Canon ipf750 delivered a faster first-page-out time of just seconds from its ready state, compared with seconds for the Epson device. Warm-up time before printing commenced was just 8.44 seconds for the Canon model compared with seconds for the Epson model. 7

8 When printing BLI s job stream, designed to simulate a typical mixed workflow for a large-format unit, the Canon ipf750 was just 0.1 percent faster than the Epson model in Draft/Speed mode, 19.6 percent faster in Standard/ Quality mode, and 60.0 percent faster in High quality/max Quality mode. When printing BLI s 12-page DWF test file in colour, the Canon unit was 7.7 percent slower in Draft/Speed mode, but 20.6 percent faster in Standard/Quality mode, and 53.5 percent faster in High quality/max Quality mode when compared with the Epson device. When printing BLI s 12-page DWF test file in monochrome, the Canon unit was 3.7 percent faster than the Epson model in Draft/Speed mode, 10.1 percent faster in Standard/Quality mode, and 73.5 percent faster in High quality/max Quality mode when compared with the Epson model. In BLI s single-page A0-size House 3D PDF test, the Canon ipf750 delivered a first-page-out time that was 1.6 percent faster than the Epson unit. Similarly, the time to print five A0-size pages was 2.3 percent faster for the Canon ipf750 than for the Epson device. Direct PDF Print Submission Functionality Advantage Ease of Use Functionality Canon imageprograf ipf750 Epson SureColor SC-T5000 A free download from Canon s website, the ipf Direct Print & Share utility enables PDFs to be printed without opening Adobe Acrobat. ipf Direct Print & Share also allows users to retrieve files from cloud storage for printing. Canon s ipf Direct Print & Share utility There is no direct PDF submission functionality for the Epson device. 8

9 Banner Printing Advantage Canon imageprograf ipf750 Epson SureColor SC-T5000 Ease of Use = = Productivity The Canon ipf750 successfully printed BLI s 36 x 105 banner (a 4,955-KB PDF file) in Draft mode, taking seconds to generate a preview, and a further seconds from preview to final paper cut. In speed mode, the Epson SureColor SC-T5000 successfully printed BLI s banner, taking just seconds to generate a preview; however, an additional 17 minutes, seconds were required from the file preview until the banner completed printing and was cut, pausing between each line for data to arrive from memory. Poster Printing Advantage Image Quality (Draft and Standard modes) Image Quality (High/Max Quality mode) Productivity (Draft and Standard modes) Productivity (High/Max Quality mode) Canon imageprograf ipf750 Epson SureColor SC-T5000 When printing a poster in Draft/Speed mode at 300 dpi, the Canon model took seconds to complete the job and the Epson unit at 360 x 720 dpi took just seconds, although banding was evident with both models across the full width of the poster. When unidirectional printing was selected in the Canon print driver, it took seconds to print and the banding was eliminated. When printing posters in Standard/Quality mode at 600 dpi, the Canon model took seconds and the Epson unit at 360 x 720 dpi took seconds, but narrower banding was evident with both models across the full width of the poster. When unidirectional printing was selected in the print driver, it took seconds to print and once again, banding was eliminated. Printing posters in High quality (600 dpi) mode on the Canon model took 1 minute, seconds, while the Epson model in Max Quality (720 x1440 dpi) mode took 2 minutes, seconds a 58.0 percent longer print time for the Epson model. 9

10 However, at these High/Max Quality settings the Epson unit produced slightly better image quality on this output, with more vibrant reds, while saturation and clarity of definition were equally good for both models. Ink Consumption BLI analysts observed that, owing to the vagaries of inkjet technology (for example, head flushing and calibration routines can occur at any time during testing), the same test can produce different results at different times. Although BLI makes every effort to ensure that devices are tested on a level playing field, the test results should be regarded as an indicator of likely performance and not as a prediction of actual ink consumption in a real-world environment. RESULTS Results averaged across three tests of 50-set A1 printing in Standard / Normal Mode COTTAGE ARCHITECTURAL PLAN (Draft Mode) Canon imageprograf ipf750 Epson SureColor SC-T5000 Overall weight of ink used (grams) 54.1 g 46.6 g Percentage of total ink used averaged across all colours 6.49% 8.03% COTTAGE ARCHITECTURAL PLAN (Standard Mode) Overall weight of ink used (grams) 71.4 g 65.7 g Percentage of total ink used averaged across all colours 8.57% 11.32% RETAIL POSTER Overall weight of ink used g g Percentage of total ink used averaged across all colours 21.15% 43.68% GIS MAP Overall weight of ink used g g Percentage of total ink used averaged across all colours % 30.74% When producing 50 prints of a Cottage Architectural Plan in Draft Mode, the Canon unit used 16.1% more ink than the Epson SC-T5000. When producing 50 prints of a Cottage Architectural Plan in Standard / Quality Mode, the Canon unit used 8.7% more ink than the Epson SC-T5000. When printing a Retail Poster in Standard / Quality Mode, the Canon unit used 43.8% less ink than did the Epson SC-T5000. When printing a GIS Map in Standard / Quality Mode, the Canon ipf750 used 44.1% less ink compared with the Epson device. 10

11 Device Feature Set The capacity of the Canon cartridges (130 ml for black, cyan, magenta and yellow) is much lower than those of the Epson model (110 ml, 350 ml and 700 ml), and as a consequence they will likely need replacing more frequently than with the Epson device. If the Canon device detects that printhead nozzles are in danger of clogging, it automatically starts a cleaning routine. This task would have to be done manually with the Epson unit, although BLI analysts did not encounter any nozzle clogging issues during testing. Ink cartridges can be replaced during operation with the Canon model but not with the Epson device, helping to reduce downtime for Canon users. The Canon unit supports a higher maximum cut-sheet media length of 1.6 m compared with 914 mm for the Epson unit. Both models offer both USB 2.0 and Gigabit Ethernet connectivity. As noted above, the catch trays of both models enable printed sheets to be stacked very neatly (and in the correct sequence), making collating output much easier. The ipf750 has a flat stacking feature not offered by the Epson device. The Canon model offers a standard and maximum RAM of 256 MB, while the Epson unit has a standard and maximum RAM of 512 MB, plus an optional 250-GB hard drive, which the Canon model doesn t offer. The Canon model is a lighter (62.9 kg versus 75 kg), more compact device than the Epson unit. The Epson model includes a colour LCD while the Canon model has a monochrome LCD display. The Epson SC-T5000 s power consumption is much lower than the Canon model, both in standby mode (3 watts versus Canon s 6) and while printing (65 watts versus Canon s 140 watts). Noise emissions are identical (50 db) with both devices. Driver Feature Set The Canon ipf750 has five speed settings (Draft 300, Standard 600, Draft 600, High 600 and 1200), which are matched by three settings with the Epson device (Speed, Quality and Max Quality), although not all speed settings are available with all media types. Both the Canon GARO driver and the Epson ESC/P driver provide a useful overview of the settings for predefined profiles. However, the Epson driver offers a wider range of three predefined profiles than the Canon unit, which has only one default setting. The Canon driver supports multi-up (2 to 16) printing, while the Epson driver only supports only 2 to 4 multi-up printing. 11

12 The Canon GARO driver has a poster mode (2 by 2) that is matched in the Epson driver. The Canon driver offers page stamping (Date, Time, Name and Page Number), but the Epson driver offers a wider range of options, including all the image quality attributes. Both the Epson driver and the Canon GARO driver offer a wide range of built-in adjustments for CMYK balance, brightness, contrast and saturation. ICC profile settings are also available with both drivers in the case of Canon s GARO driver in its matching tab under Advanced Settings. Canon operators can select four matching modes (driver, ICC, driver ICM and host ICM matching) and choose one of four rendering methods (auto, perceptual, colorimetric or saturation). The Canon driver offers unidirectional printing, even in draft mode. This means that the printhead travels in only one direction to create the desired image, helping to avoid the banding that s evident across the full width of the image when using the Epson device s bidirectional printhead in every mode except Max Quality. The Canon driver includes the Colour imagerunner Enlargement Copy Mode utility, which enables users to integrate a Canon small-format MFP device with the ipf750. Documents scanned by the Canon MFP are automatically routed to a hot folder that is monitored by the driver of the ipf750. The image is then resized and printed, offering a fast, easy-to-use poster creation tool for office users. There is no such feature offered to Epson users. The Canon driver also includes a Free Layout nesting tool that enables files even files created with different applications to be scaled, resized, or grouped together as a single job from the printer driver. Images can be dragged and dropped to their desired locations and printed together on a single page, helping to save on paper. The Canon model also offers a plug-in for printing from Microsoft Office applications which includes useful tools for automatic media resizing, nesting and borderless printing. Canon Print Driver Main Tab Canon Print Driver Page Setup Tab 12

13 Canon Print Driver Layout Tab Canon Print Driver Favourites Tab Canon Print Driver Colour Adjustment Tab 13

14 Canon imageprograf ipf750 vs Epson SureColor SC-T5000 Custom Test Report Epson Print Driver Printer Settings Tab Epson Print Driver Layout Tab Epson Print Driver Advanced Tab Epson Print Driver Utility Tab Epson Print Driver Colour Controls under Printer Settings 14

15 SUPPORTING TEST DATA Job Stream Productivity Mixed File Types, Same Size Canon ipf750 (time in seconds) Epson SureColor SC-T5000 (time in seconds) Draft Speed Standard 1, Quality 1, High 2, Max Quality 3, BLI s job stream consists of 10 files, including PDF, TIFF and DWF files totaling 19 pages, all at Arch D-size. This test replicates the type of traffic a typical wide-format device might experience in a real-world, multi-user environment. All of the files are submitted to the controller in a specific order and sent to the printer as a group, at which time the stopwatch begins; timing ends when the last page of the last file exits the device. Both devices were loaded with 914 mm rolls, with each file set to auto-rotate to save media. Colour Productivity Canon imageprograf ipf750 (time in seconds) Epson SureColor SC-T5000 (time in seconds) Draft Standard High Speed Quality Max Quality , , The 12-page DWF test file was printed using the device driver set to the plain paper/colour setting. Both devices were loaded with 914-mm rolls with each file set to auto-rotate to save media. The actual time indicated is the time it took to RIP, image and deliver all pages of the test document to the collection bin. Monochrome Productivity Canon imageprograf ipf750 (time in seconds) Epson SureColor SC-T5000 (time in seconds) Draft Standard High Speed Quality Max Quality , , The 12-page DWF test file was printed with the Canon driver set to the plain paper/monochrome setting and the Epson driver set to plain paper, black mode. Both devices were loaded with 914-mm rolls, with each file set to auto-rotate to save media. The actual time indicated is the time it took to RIP, image and deliver all pages of the test document to the collection bin. First-Page-Out Productivity after a Weekend of Non-Use Canon imageprograf ipf750 (time in seconds) Epson SureColor SC-T5000 (time in seconds) Time Before Printing Commences First Print Out

16 First-Page-Out Productivity from Ready State Canon ipf750 (time in seconds) Epson SureColor SC-T5000 (time in seconds) Time Before Printing Commences First Print Out First-page-out times are achieved by sending an Arch D-size PDF file to print, timed from release to page out with the Canon driver set to the plain paper/monochrome setting and the Epson driver set to plain paper, black mode. Both devices were loaded with 914-mm rolls, with each file set to auto-rotate to save media. A0 First-Page-Out and Throughput Productivity Canon imageprograf ipf750 (time in seconds) Epson SureColor SC-T5000 (time in seconds) First Page Out Five Pages Out The single-page A0-size House 3D PDF test file was printed using the device driver with the plain paper/colour setting in default speed mode. The actual time indicated is the time it took to RIP, image and deliver all pages of the test document to the collection bin. Colour Print Quality Colour Optical Density Evaluation Canon imageprograf ipf750 Plain Paper Draft Standard High 50% 100% 50% 100% 50% 100% Cyan Magenta Yellow Black Epson SureColor SC-T5000 Plain Paper Speed Quality Max Quality 50% 100% 50% 100% 50% 100% Cyan Magenta Yellow Black Note: Colour density readings were assessed by printing an IT8 test file on plain paper in default colour settings at all quality settings available and measuring the density of 100% dot fill and 50% dot fill using an XRite 508 densitometer. 16

17 Colour Gamut Comparison Epson SureColor SC-T5000 colour gamut on plain paper in default settings (red) versus Canon imageprograf ipf750 colour gamut (shown chromatically) on plain paper in default settings. Canon IPF750 on plain paper Epson SureColor SC-T5000 on plain paper 17

18 Epson SureColor SC-T5000 colour gamut on matte coated paper in Max Quality settings (red) versus Canon imageprograf ipf750 colour gamut (shown chromatically) on matte coated paper in High quality settings. Canon IPF 750 on matte coated paper Epson SureColor SC-T5000 on matte coated paper 18

19 Epson SureColor SC-T5000 colour gamut on photo quality paper in Max Quality settings (red) versus Canon imageprograf ipf750 colour gamut (shown chromatically) on photo quality paper in High quality settings. Canon IPF 750 on photo quality paper Epson SureColor SC-T5000 on photo quality paper 19

20 Black Print Density Canon imageprograf ipf750 Epson SureColor SC-T5000 Draft Standard High Speed Quality Max Quality Density Block Note: Solid black density measurements are based on four readings taken from a BLI proprietary PDF test target file corresponding to four different 100% solid black locations on the output. The output was assessed at all quality settings available, with the Canon driver set to plain paper/monochrome setting and the Epson driver set to plain paper, black mode. Density was measured using an XRite 508 densitometer. 20

21 Device Feature Set Canon imageprograf ipf750 Advantage Epson SureColor SC-T5000 Max. print quality 2,400 x 1,200 dpi 2,880 x 1,440 dpi Number of inks 6 5 Ink tanks replaceable during operation Yes No Ink-drop size 4 picoliter 3.5 picoliter (variable) Ink cartridge capacity 90 ml (Starter), 130 ml 110 ml, 350 ml, 700 ml Number of nozzles MBK: 5,120 nozzles; other colours: 2,560 nozzles each 3,600 (720 per colour) Number of printheads 1 1 Line accuracy +/-0.1% or less +/-0.1% Minimum line width 0.02 mm 0.02 mm Minimum print margins 3 mm 3 mm Borderless (0 mm) printing Yes Yes Maximum outside diameter of roll paper 150 mm mm Maximum printable paper roll length 18 m Limited by application, OS and driver/ (varies according to the OS and application) RIP used Maximum cut-sheet media length 1.6 m 914 mm Maximum media thickness 300 gsm 1.5 mm posterboard Maximum media width 36 inches 36 inches Media loading Front Front Optional media handling Roll holder set Roll media adapter Standard RAM 256 MB 512 MB Maximum RAM 256 MB 512 MB Hard drive None Optional 250-GB Interface 1000Base-TX Ethernet, USB Base-TX/1000Base-T Ethernet, USB 2.0 PDL GARO, HP-GL/2, HP RTL HP-GL/2, HP RTL, Epson ESC/P Net weight (unpacked) 62.9 kg 75 kg Power consumption when in standby 6 W <3 W Power consumption when active 140 W 65 W Acoustic pressure Operation: 50 db (A) or less; Standby: 35 db (A) or less Operation: 50 db (A); Standby: INA Acoustic power Operation: 6.6 Bels or less Information not available 21

22 Driver Feature Set Canon imageprograf ipf750 Advantage Epson SureColor SC-T5000 Speed settings 5 (Draft 300, Standard 600, Draft 600, High 600 and 1200) 3 (Speed, Quality, Max Quality), depending on paper chosen Economy mode Yes No Predefined profiles 7 3 Overview of profile settings provided Yes Yes Media profiles IQ optimized for options Yes Yes Watermark Yes No Sharpen text Yes Yes Thicken fine lines Yes No Mirror image Yes Yes Multi-up printing Yes, 2 to 16 Yes, 2 and 4 Poster print mode Yes (2 by 2) Yes (4 by 4) Page stamping Yes (Date, Time, Name, Page Number) Yes (Date, Time, Document/User/ Printer Name, Media Type, Print Quality Level, Resolution, Print Mode, High Speed, Finest Detail, Edge Smoothing, Colour Adjustment and Value, Colour Density Image rotation Yes, auto 180 degrees Yes, auto 180 degrees Option to preview before print Yes Yes Link to device Web server from driver No (there is a link to Status Monitor) Yes, with optional hard drive (there is also a link to Status Monitor 3) CMYK balance adjustment Yes Yes Brightness adjustment Yes Yes Contrast adjustment Yes Yes Saturation adjustment Yes Yes Advanced colour management options Yes Yes Enlargement Copy Mode Yes No Free Layout Capability Yes No MS Office Plug-in Yes No Accounting Capability Yes No Disable automatic cutter Yes Yes Unidirectional printing selection option Yes No Integration with MFP Yes No 22

23 Ink Consumption Table 1: Amount of Ink in Each Canon ipf750 Cartridge (grams) Cyan Magenta Yellow Black Matte Black (1)* Matte Black (2)* Weight of cartridge prior to installation Weight of cartridge at end of life Net weight of ink Total ink weight across six cartridges *Two MBK cartridges were installed in the machine; combined weights were used. Table 2: Amount of Ink in Each Epson SureColor SC-T5000 Cartridge (grams) Weight of cartridge prior to installation Cyan Magenta Yellow Black Weight of cartridge at end of life Net weight of ink Total ink weight across four cartridges Table 3: Ink Used in Three 50-Page Runs of Cottage Architectural Plan Test Document (Draft Mode) on the Canon ipf750 (grams) Cyan Magenta Yellow Black Matte Black * Test Run 1 Test Run 2 Test Run 3 Average amount of ink used across three runs Total Ink Weight across six cartridges for 50-page run (based on averages) 18.0 * Two matte black cartridges were installed in ipf750; combined usage and weights were reported. 23

24 Table 4: Ink Used in Three 50-Page Runs of Cottage Architectural Plan Test Document (Draft Mode) on the Epson SureColor SC-T5000 (grams) Test Run 1 Test Run 2 Test Run 3 Average amount of ink used across three runs Cyan Magenta Yellow Black Total ink weight across four cartridges for 50-page run (based on averages) 15.5 Table 5: Ink Used in Three 50-Page Runs of Cottage Architectural Plan Test Document (Standard Mode) on the Canon ipf750 (grams) Cyan Magenta Yellow Black Matte Black * Test Run 1 Test Run 2 Test Run 3 Average amount of ink used across three runs Total Ink Weight across six cartridges for 50-page run (based on averages) 23.8 * Two matte black cartridges were installed in ipf750; combined usage and weights were reported. Table 6: Ink Used in Three 50-Page Runs of Cottage Architectural Plan Test Document (Standard Mode) on the Epson SureColor SC-T5000 (grams) Test Run 1 Test Run 2 Test Run 3 Average amount of ink used across three runs Cyan Magenta Yellow Black Total ink weight across four cartridges for 50-page run (based on averages)

25 Table 7: Ink Used in Three 50-Page Runs of Retail Poster Test Document on the Canon ipf750 (grams) Cyan Magenta Yellow Black Matte Black * Test Run 1 Test Run 2 Test Run 3 Average amount of ink used across three runs Total ink weight across six cartridges for 50-page run (based on averages) 57.9 * Two matte black Cartridges were installed in the ipf750; combined usage and weights reported. Table 8: Ink Used in Three 50-Page Runs of Retail Poster Test Document on the Epson SureColor SC-T5000 (grams) Test Run 1 Test Run 2 Test Run 3 Average amount of ink used across three runs Cyan Magenta Yellow Black Total ink weight across four cartridges for 50-page run (based on averages) 84.5 Table 9: Ink Used in Three 50-Page Runs of GIS Map Test Document on the Canon ipf750 (grams) Cyan Magenta Yellow Black Matte Black * Test Run 1 Test Run 2 Test Run Average amount of ink used across three runs Total Ink Weight across six cartridges for 50-page run (based on averages) 41.3 * Two matte black cartridges in ipf750; combined usage and weights reported. 25

26 Table 10: Ink Used in three 50-page Runs of GIS Map Test Document on the Epson SureColor SC-T5000 (grams) Test Run 1 Test Run 2 Test Run 3 Average amount of ink used across three runs Cyan Magenta Yellow Black Total ink weight across four cartridges for 50-page run (based on averages) 59.5 Ink Consumption Test Methodology Overview: Buyers Lab s ink consumption analysis was conducted using three document types (architectural plan, retail poster and GIS map). Each document was formatted as a PDF (except for the Cottage Architectural Plan which was formatted as a DWG TrueView Drawing) and sized at ISO A1. The Canon imageprograf ipf750 was installed in BLI s lab with the latest level of firmware (as of March 2013) and connected to a Windows 7 workstation using a 1000BaseT TCP/IP connection. The device was left in default configuration throughout testing. The Canon GARO driver was used for all testing and was left in default colour setting configuration with media selection set to plain paper and the image set to print at actual size. For the Cottage Architectural Plan, Print Priority settings were set to Line Drawing/Text with Quality set to Draft (600 dpi) and Standard (600 dpi). For the Retail Poster and the GIS map, Print Priority settings were set to Image with Quality set to Standard (600 dpi). The Epson SureColor SC-T5000 was installed in BLI s lab with the latest level of firmware (as of March 2013) and connected to a Windows 7 workstation using a 1000BaseT TCP/IP connection. The device was left in default configuration throughout testing. The Epson ESC/P driver was used for all testing and was left in default colour setting, with media selection set to plain paper and the image set to print at actual size. For the Cottage Architectural Plan, Print Priority settings were set to CAD/Line Drawing with the Speed and standard Quality setting (360 x 720 dpi). For the Retail Poster, Print Priority settings were set to Poster with Quality set to Speed (360 x 720 dpi) and Quality (360 x &20 dpi), and for the GIS map Print Priority settings were set to Perspective GIS with Quality set to Speed (360 x 720 dpi). Before installing the ink cartridges, BLI technicians weighed and recorded the weight of each with all packaging removed. At the end of each 50-print test run, the cartridges were weighed again and the resulting weight of ink used for the test run calculated for each colour. To ensure that the sub-tank on the Canon model did not affect results, a procedure was followed to ensure that the sub-tank level was at its maximum before the print run commenced and again after the print run was completed, thereby ensuring that ink replenishment of the sub-tanks was taken into account for each print run. Canon imageprograf ipf750: one cartridge was then run to exhaustion and the weight of the empty cartridge was recorded. Epson SureColor SC-T5000: one cartridge was then run to exhaustion and the weight of the empty cartridge was recorded. 26

27 The percentage of ink used per cartridge was calculated by dividing the net weight of ink used in the print run by the overall weight of ink in each cartridge and multiplying by 100. The percentage of total ink used per printer was calculated by adding the percentages used of each of the cartridges and dividing by the number of cartridges. Test Environment Testing was conducted in BLI s European test lab, in an atmospherically controlled environment monitored by a 24/7 Dickson Temperature/RH chart recorder, ensuring that typical office conditions were maintained. All paper used in testing was allowed to acclimatize inside the facility for a minimum of 12 hours before being used. Test Equipment BLI s dedicated test network in Europe, consisting of Windows 2007 servers, Windows 7 and XP workstations, 10/100/1000BaseTX network switches and CAT5e/6 cabling. Test Procedures The test methods and procedures employed by BLI in its lab testing include BLI s proprietary procedures and industry-standard test procedures. In addition to a number of proprietary test documents, BLI uses industry standard files including an IT8 test file and an ASTM monochrome test document for evaluating black image quality. In addition to a visual observation, colour print quality and gamut size are evaluated using a profile software tool from Colour Confidence that was read using an EFI ES-1000 colour spectrophotometer and analysed using Chromix ColorThink Pro 3.0 software. Density of black and colour output was measured using an X-Rite 508 densitometer. About Buyers Laboratory Inc. Buyers Laboratory LLC (BLI) is the world s leading independent provider of analytical information and services to the digital imaging and document management industry. For more than 50 years, buyers have relied on BLI to help them differentiate products strengths and weaknesses and make the best purchasing decisions, while industry sales, marketing and product professionals have turned to BLI for insightful competitive intelligence and valued guidance on product development, competitive positioning and sales channel and marketing support. Using BLI s Web-based bliq and Solutions Center services, 40,000 professionals worldwide create extensive side-by-side comparisons of hardware and software solutions for more than 15,000 products globally, including comprehensive specifications and the performance results and ratings from BLI s unparalleled Lab, Solutions and Environmental Test Reports, the result of months of hands-on evaluation in its US and UK labs. The services, also available via mobile devices, include a comprehensive library of BLI s test reports, an image gallery, hard to find manufacturers literature and valuable tools for configuring products, calculating total cost of ownership (TCO) and annual power usage. BLI also offers consulting and private, for-hire testing services that help manufacturers develop and market better products and consumables. For more information on Buyers Laboratory, please call David Sweetnam on +44(0) , visit www. buyerslab.com, or david.sweetnam@buyerslab.com. 27