Arizona Business Equipment is a five-star rated, locally owned and operated office equipment supply company serving Southern Arizona. We offer a wide range of high-performance wide format printers and plotters designed to meet the needs of architecture, engineering, construction, medical, legal, art, and marketing firms in the state. The two leading manufacturers are KIP and Canon; both brands offer distinct advantages depending on your industry and the scope of your project. Here’s a closer look at the factors to consider when comparing KIP vs Canon wide format printers in Tucson, AZ, and how to choose the right one for a long-term project.
Technology
KIP equipment is toner-based. Its wide format printer uses dry electrophotographic toner technology, which is the industry standard for high-volume AEC blueprint production. Canon uses advanced inkjet technology that is ideal for low-to-medium volume projects.
Print Volume
KIP wide format printers are precision engineered to handle long-term projects and continuous print runs without slowing down or requiring extensive babysitting or maintenance. Canon equipment can handle fine line details, high-fidelity renders, full-color graphics, and GIS maps with ease.
Total Cost of Ownership
KIP systems typically cost more upfront unless you lease a wide format plotter; however, they require less investment over time. Dry toner is very cost-effective for high-volume, long-term projects and is more economical for multi-year contracts. Canon systems cost less to purchase or lease but ink cartridges are expensive. This means that a high-volume firm will spend more money on supplies over the course of a multi-month or years-long project.
Document Quality and Durability
KIP’s dry toner is thermally fused to paper fibers to ensure crisp text, clean lines, and accurate color renderings. The toner dries instantly for a waterproof, smear-proof document that resists fading even on outdoor job sites. Canon’s inkjet system offers superior color accuracy and saturation, and some water and fade resistance. However, it is less durable in harsh environments than toner.
Media Flexibility
KIP is ideal for use with bond paper, vellum, and toner-receptive film. Canon can produce quality results on bond paper, glossy photo paper, canvas, and vinyl.
Footprint
KIP equipment is large and heavy-duty and requires more floor space. Canon printers and plotters are smaller and more compact.
Longevity
If you’re planning a long-term project, you want equipment that offers optimal performance over a long period of time. KIP systems are heavy-duty, production-grade wide format printers designed to last 10 years or longer. They are unlikely to develop major issues if they are properly maintained. Canon systems are engineered with advanced components and are highly reliable, but the ink delivery pumps and nozzles can degrade over time or become clogged, and machines require more maintenance.
Arizona Business Equipment can ensure your business secures the best wide format plotter for your project scope and timeline. We are an authorized multi-brand dealership with a local warehouse stocked with quality equipment, parts, and supplies, offering the fastest response time in the area. We can help you assess the pros and cons of KIP and Canon systems for long-term or high-volume projects, mixed-media renderings, and extreme outdoor job sites. To learn more about how to choose the best blueprint printer in Arizona, call us at (520) 888-2679 or contact us online.