Canon Pixma iP4300 and Pixma iP3300: Smeartest and water resistance
Our lab tests ink quality on photo paper and plain paper. We also test, whether a print is smear-proof or not. For that we use our fingers and a highlighter. And another test: What is a drop of water doing to the print?
You can find the file we use (see picture on the right side) in our Download-area.
We put one drop of water in the middle of each colored rhombus and let it evaporate.
This test is a weak spot for the Canons. Once coming in touch with water, the colors scatter immediately, when we use plain paper. Merely the pigmented black remains stable. This is different with Canon photo paper: No significant change.
Similar results when using a highlighter: Some smear on plain paper, none on photo paper.
If you need entirely smear- and waterproof prints on plain paper, there´s only Epson with it´s DuraBrite ink, found in their new models Epson Stylus D78 and Epson Stylus D88 plus.
Click the pictures to see the details
