Part 2: Canon imageprograf Pro-1100
Now that the printer was still securely stored in the box, I found myself needing to order something with the appropriate width and depth that would allow it to sit on top of it comfortably. Although several options I explored online were aesthetically pleasing and well-designed, they didn’t seem practical for the specific purpose I had in mind. After spending some time deliberating, it ultimately took another two weeks to successfully order and finally receive the shelving unit. Upon its arrival, I was genuinely very happy and relieved, as I was also able to neatly organize a lot of my gear on it, which made everything feel much more organized. One amusing aspect I stumbled upon was some of the videos I had seen of others who were taking their printers out of the box; they literally removed the bag that the printer was packed in and just lifted it out. However, I found the easiest way for me was to carefully use the sturdy handles of the bag to lift it out smoothly. Trust me when I say, I only lifted it by the handles just a few inches before moving it to the shelves, as I had my trust issues with such delicate equipment.
Setup and test prints (uncalibrated).
Calibrating my monitors, Troubleshooting the Wifi connection & more printing
The two YouTubers that I based a significant portion of my decision to begin printing were Keith Cooper and JToolman Rodriguiz. They each provide a mountain of valuable information on their respective channels that covers printers, printing techniques, and calibration processes thoroughly. I will leave a link to their channels at the bottom of this page for anyone interested in exploring their content further.
Now, whenever the subject of calibrating my monitors would come up in conversation, I have always approached traditional color calibration as a task that my eyes could manage effectively without relying on the traditional methods and tools offered by companies like Datacolor or Calibrite. However, I must admit, I was ever so wrong in that assumption. It truly was an eye open experience seeing how off I was in my past edits.
Initial setup and print jobs were intended to be conducted completely wirelessly, or so I thought. Late in April, a strong thunderstorm rolled through our area, and as a result, we lost power. I didn’t think much of it at the time; after all, we’ve experienced power outages before, and I was confident that it would be restored shortly. Eventually, power was restored, and we were able to enjoy our gadgets once again, thanks to our internet service provider, Optimum. However, I soon realized that everything had returned to normal except for one significant issue: it was the first time I encountered a problem with the printer connection since setting up the Wifi connection.
We were paying for the high-speed connection, as it was their best package available, and I expected nothing but optimal performance. I was trying to print using Canon’s Professional Print and Layout tool, which clearly indicated that the printer was recognizing the assigned IP address. However, to my surprise, I discovered through the printer’s utility program, “Canon Wi-Fi Connection Assistant,” that the printer was receiving only between 54-56% signal strength via Wi-Fi. It was no wonder I was unable to complete my print jobs; the link quality of Optimum’s signal was simply unacceptable. Seeking a solution, I found relief in a Facebook group called JToolman, where the members provided helpful advice. Following their recommendations, I connected the printer through a USB connection, and I was relieved to find that I was back in business once again.
Helpful Links
Part 1: Canon Imageprograf Pro-1100 — Brian Cade Photography: Collective Works
Shop Canon Pro imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 | Canon U.S.A, Inc.
Facebook page: Jtoolman Photo Printing Techie
YouTube Channel: Jose Rodriguez Photo Printing Techie
YouTube: Keith Cooper