Canon PIXMA iP1800 InkJet Photo Printer

My experience with the Canon Pixma IP1800 is different in some respects than other reviewers here.  I will agree that this isn't the best printer for printing photos onto photo paper, even though it is advertised as a “photo printer.”  But it does print out photos and graphics adequately onto presentation paper (like Epson's Matte Presentation Paper for ink jet printers #S041067).  The whiteness and quality of the paper you use in this printer makes a big difference in the crispness of the print and color replication.  I use this printer for printing artwork that I create on my computer for holiday cards and for personalized DVD cases.   I also use this printer for everyday correspondence and other miscellaneous work.  My home office workspace is limited, and so I needed a very small printer that can get these jobs done with little headache, and thus far this printer has done at least an acceptable job for a very low cost overall.  

This printer doesn't have a outgoing paper tray; however, this is fine with me because the slot where the printed document comes out is very low and it simply flows onto the surface beneath it (assuming of course you don't have the printer sitting on a ledge where the paper will fall onto the floor after it is printed).  I actually like having no outgoing paper tray because when I am not using the printer, I have that extra desk space which would otherwise be taken up by a bulky tray.

I have owned this printer for about 1 ½ years, use it almost daily, and thus far, no issues with it at all.  I have not had paper jamming issues or any other issues.  I always use Canon ink cartridges.

Ink Cartridges:  This printer does take just two ink cartridges, one black and one tri-color cartridge.  As others have noted, this 2-cartridge system is not as optimal as having 4 or 5 individual color cartridges.  With only one multi-color ink cartridge, the ink will register low when just one color within the one color cartridge is low.   Ink cartridges are, after all, where Canon makes its real money, not the printer.  Cartridges come in two sizes.  Don't even bother with the lesser size (PG-30 Black and CL-31 color), as the larger PG-40 Black and CL-41 color is far more cost effective.  Advertised page yield is exaggerated.  The CL-41 color cartridge is said to yield up to 310 pages and the PG-40 black cartridge is said to yield up to490 pages.  It would be very hard to manage that many copies out of any one ink cartridge in my opinion.  Of course, page yield is very subjective--it is completely dependent obviously on what you are printing, how much color, the size of the document, etc.  Photos will consume the most ink.  From my experience, a better overall average would be around 75-150 pages for the CL-41 (tri-color cartridge) and 225 pages for the PG-40 (black cartridge), and even these numbers can be substantially reduced if you’re printing 8 ½ x 11 full-color photo or graphic layouts.

Print Sizes:  This printer will print as small as 2.13" x 3.39" and as large as 8.5" x 14", with many sizes inbetween.  It also has an envelope feed, for business size #10 envelopes; however, I have used it to print odd-sized greeting card envelopes as well with no problem.

Print Speed:  Simple black text on white will print the fastest.  A full page of 8.5 x 11" text will print in a little over 3 seconds.  Color takes longer.  It depends upon how much color is on the page and the size of the document.  An 8.5" x 11" multi-color document takes about 4-6 seconds (from the time it starts to print--there is a slight delay before printing commences) from my experience, even though manufacturing specs say 3.8 seconds. 

Weight and Dimensions and Counterspace Needed:  The weight of this printer is 7.3 lbs. and the advertised dimensions are:  17.4” wide x 6” tall x 9.3 deep. HOWEVER, here’s the space that you would reasonably need free to accommodate this printer:  17 ½” wide x 13” tall (includes height of 8 x 11” paper sitting in paper-feed tray—if paper feed tray is empty, height would be around 10.5”) x 20-22” deep (this includes space for the paper to have something to rest upon after it comes out of the printer.  Depth of the unit just sitting on desk is around 10-11”.   Note:  The 6” measurement above by Canon is just the depth of the main body of the printer without the paper-feed tray on the back.
 
Color reproduction:  In my use of this printer using the Epson presentation paper above-noted, the one color that repeatedly is poorly produced is "red."  I cannot get a true, vivid red reproduction.  The red is faded and has too much yellow hue in it, so it comes out looking like a faded coral color.  This may be partially due to the paper, because so much of this depends on the paper used.  Again, I emphasize, I have not used this printer as a "photo" printer.  I would never buy any multi-use printer for the sole purpose of printing photos.  I would personally opt for a printer designed to do nothing but that.  I personally use the HP Photosmart 475 printer for photo printing (4 x 6 and 5 x 7, which does a stellar job), so I have no need to use this printer for that purpose.

Bottom Line:   If you are on a budget and/or have very restricted desk space, and don’t need a printer for heavy use, this may well be the printer for you.  I think it prints professional letters just fine, presentation papers well, and even most graphics and photos within presentations adequately if a good quality, coated presentation paper is used.