The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 is a compact professional photo printer that delivers excellent print quality, thanks to its new LUCIA PRO II ink system and support for extra-long panoramas. If you’re serious about photography or fine art printing but don’t want to step up to a bulky large-format machine, this review shows why the PRO-310 could be your best investment.
Buy Now on Amazon1. Introduction
For photographers and artists looking for a professional photo printer that can truly deliver gallery-quality results, the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 is worth your attention. This 13-inch printer blends advanced printing technology with a compact footprint, making it a strong choice for home studios and creative professionals who don’t have space for oversized gear.
Building on the success of the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300, the PRO-310 adds an upgraded LUCIA PRO II ink system, improved anti-clogging tech, and the ability to produce panoramic prints up to 70 inches long.
As technology experts with over 20 years of experience in hardware and application research and development, we evaluate every product on real-world performance, durability, and value for money.
Our mission is to help you choose the right tool for your needs—whether that means affordability, professional-grade output, or long-term reliability. For photographers, artists, and designers, our recommendations are grounded in research, component analysis, usability testing, and industry expertise.
And here’s why this matters: buying a photo printer isn’t just about chasing high resolution numbers. It’s about color accuracy, how well it handles different media types, long-term cost efficiency, and whether it can consistently deliver results you’d be proud to display. This guide unpacks where the PRO-310 shines, how it compares to the older PRO-300, and whether it’s the right fit for your creative workflow.
1.1 Technical Specifications at a Glance
| Specification | Details |
| Printer Type | Professional inkjet for photography and fine art |
| Ink System | 9-color LUCIA PRO II inks + Chroma Optimizer |
| Print Size | Up to 13″ x 19″ (A3+), panoramas up to 13″ x 70″ |
| Resolution | Up to 4800 x 2400 dpi |
| Display | 3.0-inch color LCD |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi (2.4/5 GHz), Ethernet, USB, AirPrint, Mopria |
| Media Handling | Top Feed, Manual Feed, Multi-Purpose Tray (CD/DVD) |
| Print Speed | 11” x 14”: ~2 min 50 sec; 8” x 10”: ~1 min 45 sec |
| Weight | 31.6 lbs |
| Energy Efficiency | EPEAT Silver, Energy Star Certified |
Compact but capable, the PRO-310 is designed for professionals who need gallery-level prints, borderless support, and wireless connectivity without a massive footprint.
2. Why This Blog Matters
Finding the right printer for photography or fine art isn’t simple. It’s not just about speed or paper size—it’s about consistency, print quality, and the balance between cost and performance. That’s where the Canon PRO-310 stands out: it delivers excellent black-and-white and color prints with the kind of fine detail serious photographers demand.
This blog cuts through the marketing jargon to show you how the PRO-310 fits into real creative workflows. Whether you’re a professional looking for color-accurate proofs, an artist preparing archival-quality prints, or a hobbyist upgrading from consumer printers, you’ll find clear, practical insights here.
2.1 What You Will Learn from This Blog
- The PRO-310’s strengths are in print quality and advanced
- How it compares with the PRO-300 and where it
- Use cases for photographers, artists, and
- Tips for optimizing performance, controlling ink costs, and working with large
- Buying advice, including bundles and wireless
- Answers to common questions about archival printing and media
This review is meant to be a clear, reliable resource for anyone considering the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 as their next photo printer.
3. Detailed Features and Benefits
3.1 LUCIA PRO II Ink System
The LUCIA PRO II ink system is the cornerstone of the PRO-310’s high-quality photo printing. This 9-color pigment ink system includes a Chroma Optimizer, which improves gloss uniformity and reduces bronzing on glossy photo paper.
The dedicated matte black ink delivers deeper blacks and smoother gradations, making the
PRO-310 an excellent choice for black-and-white photography. With improved scratch resistance and up to 200-year lightfastness (per JEITA standards), the PRO-310 produces durable photo prints ideal for exhibitions.
| Ink Feature | Benefit |
| 9 Pigment Inks | Delivers excellent color accuracy with a wide gamut |
| Chroma Optimizer | Smooth, glossy finishes for gallery-quality prints |
| Matte Black Ink | Enhanced black density for a black and white photo printer |
| Scratch Resistance | Designed for durable, archival-quality prints |
| UV Resistance | Long-lasting fine art printing for photographers |
The LUCIA PRO II ink system ensures photo printing quality that meets the needs of photographers and artists, creating gallery-quality photo prints.
The PRO-310’s pigment ink system technology delivers vibrant, durable photo prints, perfect for fine art printer applications.
3.2 Anti-Clogging and Skew Correction Technologies
The PRO-310’s Nozzle Recovery System prevents clogs, ensuring consistent photo printing quality with minimal maintenance. The Skew Correction technology aligns paper, especially for large-format photo printing, reducing misfeeds on thick media.
| Technology | Function | Benefit |
| Nozzle Recovery System | Compensates for clogged nozzles | Reliable professional inkjet printer performance |
| Skew Correction | Aligns paper automatically | Supports fine art printing for photographers |
These features make the PRO-310 a reliable option for professionals who need continuous printing, saving time in busy studios.
3.3 3.0-Inch Color LCD Display
The 3.0-inch color LCD simplifies operation, letting users monitor ink levels and adjust settings for 13×19 photo printer tasks without a computer. Supporting 33 languages, it’s accessible for global users.
The intuitive display enhances usability, making the PRO-310 a strong choice for compact, efficient workflows.
3.4 Versatile Media Handling
The PRO-310 supports wide format printing, from 3.5” x 3.5” squares to 13” x 70” panoramas, with borderless photo printing on glossy and fine art papers. Its dual paper paths (Top Feed and Manual Feed) handle media up to 380 gsm and 0.6 mm thick.
| Media Type | Supported Sizes | Notes |
| Photo Paper | 3.5” x 5” to 13” x 19” | Best borderless photo printer for select sizes |
| Fine Art Paper | Up to 13” x 19” | Canon Premium Fine Art Smooth/Rough |
| Panorama | Up to 13” x 70” | Custom sizes for a large-format photo printer |
| Other Media | CD/DVD, greeting cards | Multi-Purpose Tray for discs |
The PRO-310’s large-format inkjet printer capabilities make it an ideal 13-inch photo printer for diverse creative projects.
3.5 Canon Professional Print Software
The Canon professional software, Professional Print & Layout (PPL), integrates with Photoshop, Lightroom, and Canon’s Digital Photo Professional. It provides soft proofing, color management, and layout options (single, multi-image, gallery wrap), ensuring the best results for fine art printing.
PPL streamlines photo printing technology workflows, reducing errors and ensuring high- resolution photo printing.
3.6 Connectivity and Workflow Integration
With wireless inkjet photo printer features like Wi-Fi (2.4/5.0 GHz), Ethernet, USB, AirPrint, and Mopria, the PRO-310 supports seamless printing from multiple devices. The L-COA PRO engine handles large files quickly, ideal for studio photo printer environments.
Its wireless connectivity makes the PRO-310 a reliable option for shared studios or mobile workflows.
The PRO-310’s advanced photo printing features, from the LUCIA PRO II ink system to Canon professional software, make it an excellent choice for photographers who value reliability and quality.
Buy Now on Amazon4. Comparison: Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 vs. PRO-300
The PRO-310 builds on the PRO-300, a Canon printer for photographers known for its 10-color ink system. Here’s how the best Canon photo printer compares.
| Feature | PRO-310 | PRO-300 |
Ink System | 9-color LUCIA PRO II ink system + Chroma Optimizer |
10-color LUCIA PRO |
Ink Durability | Enhanced gloss, scratch resistance, 200-year lightfastness |
Standard gloss, less durable |
| Print Size | Up to 13″ x 70″ (panorama) | Up to 13″ x 39″ |
| Anti-Clogging | Advanced Nozzle Recovery System | Basic Nozzle Recovery |
Media Handling | Top Feed, Manual Feed, Multi-Purpose Tray |
Similarly, no panorama support |
| Print Speed (A3+) | ~2 min 50 sec | ~2 min 50 sec |
| Price (2025) | ~$899.99 (after $72 savings) | ~$899 (at launch) |
| Weight | 31.6 lbs | 31.6 lbs |
With the upgraded LUCIA PRO II inks, the PRO-310 produces more durable, color-accurate prints than the PRO-300. Its large-format photo printer capabilities (up to 70” panoramas) and advanced anti-clogging make it a strong option for fine art printing. The PRO-300’s extra ink color may offer a slight edge in gamut, but the PRO-310’s improvements justify its place as the best professional photo printer.
Thanks to its upgraded inks and expanded wide-format support, the PRO-310 surpasses the PRO-300 for fine art printing.
5. Real-World Applications
5.1 Professional Photography
The PRO-310 is a professional photography printer that excels at producing gallery-quality photo prints for portfolios or exhibitions. Its black and white photo printer capabilities, driven by three monochrome inks, ensure smooth tonality, while borderless photo printing supports vibrant color prints.
Use Case: A wedding photographer can create 13” x 19” client proofs with precise color accuracy, ready for framing.
5.2 Fine Art Printing
For artists, the PRO-310 is an ideal fine art printer, designed for photographers and creatives working with Canon Premium Fine Art papers. Its pigment ink system ensures long-lasting, archival-quality prints for professionals.
Use Case: A painter can reproduce detailed artworks on matte paper, matching originals for gallery sales.
5.3 Graphic Design and Studio Work
Graphic designers benefit from the PRO-310’s high-resolution photo printing for mock-ups and portfolios. Its 13×19 photo printer capabilities and Canon professional software streamline professional presentations.
Use Case: A designer can print 12” x 12” branding mock-ups with photo printing quality for client reviews.
The PRO-310 is a reliable choice for photographers, artists, and designers, offering versatile wide-format printing and gallery-quality output.
6. Practical Tips for Optimal Performance
- Choose Compatible Media: Use Canon Photo Paper Pro Platinum or Premium Fine Art Smooth for optimal results with this 13-inch photo The Media Configuration Tool simplifies setup.
- Monitor Ink Levels: Check via the 0-inch LCD to avoid interruptions in large-format inkjet printer tasks. Each PFI-5100 cartridge holds 14.4 ml.
- Soft Proofing: Use PPL software for precise fine art color accuracy, minimizing
- Maintenance: Run cleaning cycles to maintain professional inkjet printer reliability, especially for matte black ink printer
- Connectivity: Leverage wireless printing solutions with Wi-Fi or Ethernet for studio photo printer
7. Cost Considerations
The PRO-310 retails at $899.99 (after a $72 discount), aligning with the PRO-300’s launch price. Ink costs for the pigment ink system are ~$50–$60 per 14.4 ml PFI-5100 cartridge, with a full set costing ~$500–$600.
| Usage Level | Prints/Month | Annual Ink Cost (Approx.) |
| Light (Hobbyist) | 20–30 | $150–$250 |
| Moderate (Freelancer) | 50–100 | $400–$600 |
| Heavy (Studio) | 200+ | $1,000–$1,500 |
Canon media ensures photo printing quality, but third-party papers with ICC profiles can lower costs for the best high-quality photo printer users.
8. Gaps Filled by This Blog
This guide stands out by:
- Detailing fine art printing for photographers and black and white photo printer use
- Comparing the PRO-310 to the PRO-300 for the best Canon photo printer
- Estimating ink costs for professional photography printer
- Offering tips for advanced photo printing and wireless printing
- Addressing media compatibility for 13×19 photo printer
9. Purchase Options
The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310, a highly capable wireless inkjet printer, is available from Canon USA, Amazon, and B&H Photo. Below are purchase options, including a bundle for added value.
Ready to create gallery-quality prints with a professional photo printer built for photographers?
| Product | Description | Purchase Link |
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 | 13-inch photo printer, 9-color + Chroma Optimizer | Buy Now on Amazon |
PRO-310 with Cleaning Kit, Cable, Ethernet | Includes cleaning kit, printer cable, Ethernet cable | Buy Now on Amazon |
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 |
10-color ink system, up to 13″ x 39″ | Buy Now on Amazon |
The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 delivers high-quality photo printing and wide-format printing. Purchase now on Amazon to start producing stunning, durable photo prints. The bundle with a cleaning kit and cables ensures your professional inkjet printer stays in top shape. Click here to buy now!
10. Conclusion
The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 is a professional-grade photo printer that blends advanced printing technology with a compact design. Its Lucia PRO II ink system, Chroma Optimizer, and dedicated matte black ink deliver archival-quality prints designed to last, while wireless printing solutions and Canon professional software streamline workflows.
Compared to the PRO-300, it offers superior durability and large-format photo printing, making it a strong Canon option for fine art photographers. With practical tips and cost insights, this guide equips you to maximize the PRO-310’s potential for gallery-quality photo prints.
The PRO-310 is a standout 13-inch photo printer for professionals seeking high-resolution output and exceptional color accuracy in a versatile, reliable package.
***Disclaimer***
This blog post contains unique insights and personal opinions. As such, it should not be interpreted as the official stance of any companies, manufacturers, or other entities we mention or with whom we are affiliated. While we strive for accuracy, information is subject to change. Always verify details independently before making decisions based on our content.
Comments reflect the opinions of their respective authors and not those of our team. We are not liable for any consequences resulting from the use of the information provided. Please seek professional advice where necessary.
Note: All product names, logos, and brands mentioned are the property of their respective owners. Any company, product, or service names used in our articles are for identification and educational purposes only. The use of these names, logos, and brands does not imply endorsement.
