Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 Large‑Format Printer vs Ultimaker 3

The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO‑1000 is a 17‑inch, 12‑color LUCIA PRO inkjet printer designed for photographers, artists, and designers who demand exceptional color fidelity and detail. It supports borderless printing up to 13 × 19 inches and offers built-in color management tools for consistent results across media types. Equipped with Wi‑Fi, Ethernet, and USB connectivity, the PRO‑1000 integrates smoothly into studio workflows, while its high‑capacity ink cartridges provide up to 500 m² of vibrant prints before replacement.

The Ultimaker 3 is a robust, dual-extrusion desktop 3D printer engineered to deliver high uptime and seamless workflow integration for professionals and educators. It features an intelligent print core system, active filament flow monitoring, and optimized print profiles that consistently produce accurate mechanical parts and intricate visual prototypes. Equipped with automatic bed leveling and NFC-enabled material recognition, the printer streamlines setup and minimizes user intervention. Its open filament system supports a wide array of advanced thermoplastics, while water-soluble PVA support material enables the creation of complex internal geometries with clean, easy post-processing.

• Exceptional color gamut thanks to 12‑color ink set
• True borderless printing up to 13 × 19 in
• Robust connectivity options (Wi‑Fi, Ethernet, USB)
• Large ink capacity reduces frequent replacements

• Reliable dual extrusion system with easy-to-swap print cores
• Seamless integration with Cura slicing software and material profiles
• Automatic bed leveling reduces initial setup and calibration errors
• Water-soluble support enables complex internal geometries without manual cleanup

• Heavy and bulky, requiring dedicated space
• High upfront cost compared to consumer printers
• Ink cartridges are expensive per print

• Higher price point compared to entry-level hobbyist 3D printers
• Proprietary print cores are more expensive than traditional third-party nozzles
• Enclosure is semi-open, which limits printing with advanced warp-prone industrial filaments like ABS or PC without modifications