The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 is a print-only, 13-inch-class photo printer aimed at photographers and artists who want to make large, high-quality prints at home or in a small studio. It supports borderless prints up to 13 × 19 inches, uses nine pigment colors plus a gloss-enhancing Chroma Optimizer, and accepts a range of photo and fine-art papers. The trade-offs are a ten-position ink system with ongoing cartridge costs, no automatic duplexing, and a workflow built around printing rather than everyday office tasks.
What the PRO-310 is—and who it suits
The PRO-310 is best understood as a dedicated photo and fine-art printer, not a general-purpose all-in-one. Canon positions it for professional and prosumer photographers, students, and home users interested in photo output. Its practical audience is anyone who wants prints up to 13 × 19 inches and values control over paper and black-ink choice enough to accept the cost and upkeep of individual cartridges.
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If most of your printing is routine documents, or you expect to print at high volume, compare the cost of cartridge replacements with a tank-based printer before buying. The PRO-310’s strengths are specialized photo output and media flexibility, not low-cost bulk printing.
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Large sheets and custom lengths
Canon specifies borderless printing from 3.5 × 5 inches through 13 × 19 inches. Its U.S. support information also lists custom media sizes up to 13 × 70 inches; long prints require the corresponding media setting. That makes the printer suitable for large photographic and art prints, as well as certain panorama formats, but it does not turn it into a roll-fed printer: TechRadar describes the PRO-310 as supporting sheets rather than paper rolls.
#1 Best Overall
- 9 COLOR + CHROMA OPTIMIZER pigment-based ink system produces gallery-quality prints.
- EASE OF USE — ultimate productivity with Anti-Clogging System and Skew Correction.
- MATTE BLACK INK offers enhanced black density and wider dark area reproduction range.
- Easily check ink levels, printer status, and other settings with the 3.0-Inch COLOR LCD MONITOR.
- The LUCIA PRO II INK SYSTEM produces enhanced gloss uniformity, and scratch resistance.
Photo and fine-art media
Canon lists glossy, luster, semi-gloss, matte, and fine-art options, along with items such as greeting cards, card stock, stickers, and printable optical discs on its U.S. support page. Examples in Canon’s manual include Photo Paper Pro Platinum (PT-101), Pro Luster (LU-101), Plus Semi-gloss (SG-201), Premium Fine Art Smooth (FA-SM1), and Premium Fine Art Rough (FA-RG1).
Paper compatibility is regional: Canon warns that available media and supported sizes can vary by region and operating system. Before buying specialty paper, check the local PRO-310 product page and confirm that the driver offers the matching media type and size.
Rank #2
- Items Include: Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 Wireless Inkjet Printer, Deluxe Cleaning Kit, Printer Cable, Ethernet Cable
- Archival-Grade Color: With Canon’s LUCIA PRO II pigment ink system, the PRO-310 delivers stunning vibrancy and deep blacks with incredible permanence. Perfect for gallery installations, fine art collectors, and photographers who need prints to last for decades without fading.
- Full-Bleed Prints with Zero Hassle: Enjoy borderless output up to 13x19 inches, making it easy to create professional presentation pieces without trimming or mounting. It's ideal for creating ready-to-frame artwork, posters, and client deliverables.
- Designed for Precision and Control: Featuring ICC profile support and Canon’s Professional Print & Layout software, the PRO-310 ensures your on-screen edits match final print colors. Take full creative control over layout, paper profiles, and soft proofing in one streamlined workflow.
- Flexible Media Compatibility: Print on a wide range of media types—from glossy photo stock to textured fine art papers—with outstanding clarity. Whether you’re working on portraits, product photography, or gallery prints, this printer handles it all with grace.
Paper-feed options
Canon lists a top feed, rear manual feed, and multipurpose tray. These give the printer more than one way to handle different media, but they do not replace checking the specified paper path and media settings for the particular stock you intend to use.
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Ink system and print quality
Nine pigment colors plus Chroma Optimizer
The printer has ten ink positions: Matte Black, Photo Black, Gray, Cyan, Photo Cyan, Magenta, Photo Magenta, Yellow, Red, and Chroma Optimizer. Canon specifies the PFI-5100 cartridge family, with a nominal 14.4 ml of ink per tank. That is tank volume, not a promised page or photo yield.
Rank #3
- 8 COLOR dye-based ink system produces vibrant, high quality prints.
- BORDERLESS PRINTING from 3.5” x 3.5” up to 13” x 19”.
- HIGH SPEED PRINTING — bordered A3+ print in just 90 seconds or bordered 8" x 10" print in 53 seconds.
- 3.0'' COLOR LCD MONITOR -- Easily check ink levels, printer status, and other settings.
Separate matte and photo black inks are useful for a printer intended to move between art papers and coated photo papers. Canon says its revised LUCIA PRO II ink is designed to improve image quality and light resistance; the manufacturer also says the matte black formulation targets stronger black density on art paper. Chroma Optimizer is intended to even out gloss, while wax in the ink is intended to improve scratch resistance. These are Canon’s design claims, not independent guarantees for every image, paper, or handling condition.
What the review found
In its review published July 17, 2025, TechRadar described output on coated photo paper as exceptionally realistic and said the print quality could compare with a professional print shop. Those are TechRadar’s review judgments, not results from an independent test here. TechRadar also gave a broad estimate of up to fifty A3+ photos before one or more cartridges need replacement, while noting that yield varies by color. Treat that as the review’s estimate rather than a guaranteed yield: image coverage, paper, settings, and use affect how quickly each tank runs down.
Rank #4
- 11 PIGMENT-BASED INK SYSTEM PLUS CHROMA OPTIMIZER: The 11 pigment-based ink system provides a broad color gamut and improved gloss uniformity for superb glossiness and anti-bronzing. The included Chroma Optimizer ink enhances glossiness, flattens the print surface and expands color range.
- WIDE COLOR GAMUT FOR EXCEPTIONAL IMAGE CLARITY: The LUCIA PRO II ink system helps you achieve an improvement in color-reproduction, image clarity, and enhanced darker areas. It faithfully reproduces colors and dark areas crucial for printing works of art.
- PROFESSIONAL PRINT & LAYOUT SOFTWARE: This powerful software provides professional photographers with intuitive printing solutions. A standalone application that also can be used as a plug-in from Digital Photo Professional or Adobe software to support seamless output.
- PRINTER MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS: Every detail in your print must be perfect, why not have the same obsession for your workflow? The PRO-1100 is precisely managed with powerful management tools such as the Media Configuration, Color Calibration, and Accounting Manager tools.
- ANTI-CLOGGING TECHNOLOGY: Via a FINE print head that controls precise ink ejection.
Longevity claims need a matching paper and test basis
Canon Australia gives a predicted 200-year image-preservation value specifically for prints on Canon Photo Paper Pro Premium Platinum, under its stated indoor light-resistance method and JEITA CP-3901B evaluation criteria. It is a conditional estimate, not a general lifespan for every PRO-310 print. Paper, display conditions, and the evaluation basis must match before comparing longevity figures.
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Individual cartridges and cleaning
Ten separate ink positions give the printer a specialized color set, but they also mean ongoing cartridge expense. TechRadar called the cartridges small and expensive and noted that cleaning cycles consume ink. Cartridge yield and replacement frequency depend on the work being printed; the 14.4 ml specification alone cannot tell you the cost per print.
Best Value
- PFI-5100 10 COLOR PACK
For a realistic budget, estimate how many prints you make, their sizes and typical image coverage, then compare the price of replacement PFI-5100 tanks in your country. Avoid treating a single cartridge-set price or a general yield estimate as a universal running cost.
No automatic duplexing
TechRadar reports that the PRO-310 lacks automatic duplex printing. That matters less for a single-sided photo workflow, but is a drawback if you also expect it to handle documents efficiently.
Workflow and controls
Canon’s Professional Print & Layout software offers editing, layout, and color-management tools for the imagePROGRAF PRO line. Canon’s U.S. product page describes integration with Photoshop, Lightroom, and Digital Photo Professional. This can fit a photographer’s existing editing workflow, though the printer remains print-only rather than an all-in-one with scanning or copying.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesCanon Australia lists a maximum resolution of 4,800 × 2,400 dpi. That is a manufacturer specification, not a substitute for judging prints on the paper and image types you plan to use.
How to decide whether it fits your work
| Decision point | What the PRO-310 offers | What to weigh |
|---|---|---|
| Print size | Borderless output up to 13 × 19 inches; custom media up to 13 × 70 inches with the appropriate setting (Canon U.S. support). | Decide whether 13 × 19 inches covers your largest regular print; it is sheet-fed, not roll-fed (TechRadar). |
| Print volume | Ten individual PFI-5100 positions, nominally 14.4 ml per tank (Canon U.S. support). | Compare your expected cartridge spending with tank-based alternatives; tank volume does not establish print yield. |
| Paper choice | Glossy, luster, semi-gloss, matte, and fine-art options are listed by Canon. | Confirm local media availability, supported sizes, and driver settings before purchasing specialty stock. |
| Workflow features | Professional Print & Layout provides layout and color-management tools; Photoshop, Lightroom, and Digital Photo Professional integration is described on Canon’s U.S. product page. | It is print-only, and TechRadar reports no automatic duplexing. |
| Longevity | Canon Australia cites a predicted 200-year value for one specified Canon paper and evaluation basis. | Compare only figures based on the same paper, display conditions, and test method. |
Verdict
The PRO-310 makes sense if your priority is producing carefully managed photo or fine-art prints up to 13 × 19 inches, and you will make enough use of its pigment inks and paper options to justify cartridge expense. It is a less convincing fit for everyday documents, high-volume low-cost printing, or a workflow that needs duplexing or roll media. The central buying question is whether its print size and specialist output match your work closely enough to make the ongoing ink and maintenance worthwhile.
Quick Recap
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