Canon imagePROGRAF Professional 13" PRO-310 Wireless Inkjet Photo Printer with 3.0-Inch Color LCD Monitor, 9 Color Pigment-Based Ink System, Black
Quick take
The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 is a 13-inch desktop pigment inkjet designed for detailed photo and fine art prints, including deep blacks for matte black and strong color output. Buyers who want a capable wireless workflow and excellent print results tend to feel the setup and day-to-day use are manageable, but it may frustrate people expecting a fast, highly flexible production workflow or seamless driver behavior for custom sizes.
Pros and cons
Pros
- 9-color plus Chroma Optimizer pigment-based ink system aimed at wide color gamut and strong black-and-white output.
- Matte Black ink supports enhanced black density for deeper dark areas on fine art paper.
- Wireless printing, plus a 3.0-inch color LCD to check ink levels and printer status without guessing.
- Anti-clogging features and skew correction help with smoother day-to-day usability.
- Buyers frequently call out setup as straightforward and prints as “beautiful” or “outstanding.”
Cons
- Review evidence is mixed on software and driver flexibility, especially for custom sizes and certain workflow expectations.
- It is a larger, heavier desktop printer, so you may need a bigger stand and more stable placement (moving it can require re-alignment for best results).
- Print speed is not positioned as production-fast (it is designed more for quality output than high-volume throughput).
What buyers think
Buyer-review evidence is broadly positive on print quality and general ease of getting started. Multiple reviews describe excellent output, especially deep blacks and strong color (including noticeable improvements compared to older models). Setup experiences are commonly described as quick, particularly when connecting to a home 5G Wi-Fi network, and buyers often mention using Canon’s Pro software and integrating it with Lightroom workflows. Overall, the pattern suggests this printer can be rewarding for photographers producing less-than-industrial print runs, but less ideal if your priority is highly flexible driver control for custom sizes and uninterrupted high-volume output.
What the Canon PRO-310 is, and why it stands out
The PRO-310 is a 13-inch wide desktop photo and fine art inkjet that uses a 9-color pigment-based ink system with a Chroma Optimizer. In practical terms, that ink approach is geared toward smooth gradations, a wide color gamut, and better black-and-white depth, including with Matte Black ink intended for stronger dark-area reproduction on fine art media.
Canon also builds in productivity features aimed at making daily use less finicky, including an anti-clogging system and skew correction, plus a 3.0-inch color LCD so you can monitor printer status and ink levels directly at the device.
Key features that affect real-world use
13-inch wide desktop format (paper fit matters)
This printer is designed for 13-inch wide output, which makes it a strong choice if you frequently print in sizes that benefit from that width (for example, 13x19). If your work is mostly smaller letter or A4 sizes, the printer can still be useful, but you are paying for capability you may not fully use.
Pigment inks for photo and fine art style prints
Using pigment-based inks typically appeals to buyers who want durable-looking prints and more fine art-friendly black-and-white output. The inclusion of Matte Black is specifically relevant if you do matte-based black-and-white work and care about deeper blacks and smooth tonal transitions.
Wireless workflow plus onboard LCD
Wireless printing reduces desk clutter and makes it easier to place the printer in a convenient location. The 3.0-inch color LCD is a practical detail for checking ink status and settings without repeatedly returning to a computer screen.
Image alignment and handling considerations
One recurring theme from positive reviews is that calibration or alignment may be needed after moving the printer. This is common for high-quality desktop inkjets, and it is worth considering if you plan to relocate the printer often, or if it must share space with heavy foot traffic.
Pros and cons, decided by buyer priorities
Who it’s best for
- Photographers and fine art printmakers who want a 13-inch desktop printer for high-quality photo and black-and-white output.
- People who print enough to justify learning Canon’s workflow and software tools, especially if you already use Lightroom-class editing.
- Buyers who value wireless printing and want an onboard display for status checks.
- Those who prioritize matte black output and strong deep blacks on fine art paper.
Who should consider skipping it
- If you need driver behavior that is highly flexible for custom sizes and you are sensitive to workflow friction, review feedback suggests you may be disappointed.
- If you need a compact, lightweight desktop setup, the printer is larger and heavier than average for a desktop photo model.
- If your goal is high-volume, production-style printing with minimal interruptions, this may not match your expectations.
Performance and output quality: the part most buyers care about
Across reviews, print quality is the strongest selling point. Buyers describe output as “beautiful” and “outstanding,” with particular praise for deep blacks and reds, and for meeting what they see on a calibrated screen (with some learning curve and alignment steps as needed). For people who are already tuned to color-managed workflows, that alignment-to-screen experience can matter more than raw speed.
Verdict: is the Canon PRO-310 worth it?
The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 is a strong pick for the right buyer, especially if you want a 13-inch desktop pigment inkjet for high-quality photo and fine art printing, and you care about deep black-and-white quality from Matte Black plus wide-gamut color output. If you expect a production-first printer experience with maximum driver flexibility, the mixed review evidence on software limitations and workflow constraints is a caution flag. For photographers who value print results and can work within Canon’s workflow, it looks like a capable, satisfying desktop upgrade.
Price and availability
Check current pricing and availability for the Canon PRO-310 before ordering, since the value can shift depending on promos and bundle availability.
FAQs
Is the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 good for fine art and matte black prints?
It is designed for photo and fine art output, with Matte Black ink intended to enhance black density and expand dark-area reproduction on fine art paper. If matte black black-and-white prints are a priority, this is one of the PRO-310’s core reasons to consider it.
Does the PRO-310 support wireless printing?
Yes. Reviews describe connecting the printer to a Wi-Fi network successfully, and buyers commonly use that wireless workflow as part of their setup.
How hard is the setup for the PRO-310?
Many buyers report that setup is straightforward, including connecting to Wi-Fi and starting prints within about an hour or so. As with most pro inkjets, you may need a little time to tune settings for different paper types.
Is this printer fast enough for high-volume work?
It is a quality-focused desktop photo printer, not a high-throughput production device. Review evidence includes at least one account of dissatisfaction for higher-volume client work, so if your priority is sustained, interruption-free production runs, you should evaluate alternatives based on that need.
Will I need to recalibrate or align it if I move the printer?
Some buyers report that moving the printer can affect calibration, and they may need to run an alignment routine to restore best results. If you frequently move your equipment, plan for that possibility.
What software is commonly used with the PRO-310?
Buyers mention using Canon’s Pro Print & Layout tools and integrating the workflow with photo editing programs like Lightroom Classic, which suggests it is set up to work well in a color-managed, software-assisted print workflow.
Specifications
| Product Title | Canon imagePROGRAF Professional 13" PRO-310 Wireless Inkjet Photo Printer with 3.0-Inch Color LCD Monitor, 9 Color Pigment-Based Ink System, Black |
|---|---|
| Category | Office Products > Office Electronics > Printers & Accessories > Printers > Photo Printers > Desktop Photo Printers |
| Brand | Canon |
| Manufacturer | Canon |
| Model Name | imagePROGRAF PRO-310 |
| Model Number | 6858C002 |
| Color | Black |
| Item Weight | 31.6 Pounds |
| Printer Type | Inkjet |
| Other Special Features of the Product | Energy Star |
| Printer Output Type | Color |
| Item Dimensions D x W x H | 28.7"D x 18.6"W x 14.04"H |
| Print media | Paper (plain) |
| Maximum Copy Speed Black and White | 2 ppm |
| Warranty Type | Limited |
| Ink Color | Black |
| Additional Printer Functions | Print Only |
| Number of Trays | 1 |
| Resolution | 1200 x 1200 |
| Display Type | LCD |
| Color Pages per Minute | 2 ppm |
| B&W Pages per Minute | 2 ppm |
| Maximum print Resolution Color | 1200 x 1200 dpi |
| Maximum Print Resolution Black and White | 1200 x 1200 dpi |
| Dual-sided printing | No |
| Duplex | Simplex |
| Built-In Media | Inkjet Cartridges, Paper |
Available variants
Style
- Old Model(PRO-300)
- New Model (PRO-310)
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