If your office or home studio needs top-quality A3 colour printing without the bulk, or cost of a professional photo printer, the Canon PIXMA iX6850 is one of the most reliable and efficient A3+ inkjet printers. Known for its relatively small build, exceptional colour quality, wireless versatility and varied paper handling, it remains a favourite for designers, marketers, photographers, small business users and home crafters who need print-shop quality in house.
In this guide, we’ll explore the features, performance, technology and overall value of the Canon PIXMA iX6850.
A3 Printing for Offices with Limited Space
Despite being able to print large A3 and A3+ documents, the Canon PIXMA iX6850 is impressively compact. At just 58.4(w) x 31(d) x 15.9(h) cm and weighing 8.1kg, it comfortably fits on standard desks and shelving units without dominating your workspace.
Why A Compact Design Matters
With hybrid working and smaller offices becoming more popular, having a printer that delivers large-format prints without needing a dedicated printing area has become essential. Many small teams in marketing, architecture, event management and photography now depend on desktop A3 printers like the Canon iX6850 to create:
- Large spreadsheets
- Marketing brochures
- Posters, flyers and signs
- A3 photos
- CAD drawings and plans
The rear sheet feeder also eliminates the need for a bulky lower paper tray, further reducing desk depth requirements.
Professional Print Quality, with Advanced Ink Technology
The five ink system (dye-based Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black alongside a Pigment Black) used in the PIXMA iX6850 delivers crisp text, deep blacks and smooth gradations across photos and graphics. With dedicated dye-based colour inks and a pigment-based black, you get vibrant prints suitable for both office documents and high-resolution images.
Photo Printing Performance
While the iX6850 is not classed as a professional photo printer, it’s print quality can create near-professional results. It’s particularly appealing for photographers and graphic designers wanting:
- Borderless prints up to A3+
- Accurate skin tones
- Smooth shadow detail
- Long-lasting colour stability
When paired with Canon’s photo paper, and the correct ICC profile, longevity and colour consistency improve even further.
Fast Print Speeds for Busy Workflows
The misconception that inkjet printers are slow is firmly outdated. The Canon PIXMA iX6850 proves this with printing speeds up to:
- 14.5 ipm (Images Per Minute) in mono
- 10.4 ipm in full colour
This makes it ideal for fast-paced environments where both quality and speed matter, like marketing teams creating last-minute pitches and promotional materials.
Modern Connectivity for Hybrid and Mobile Working
Connectivity is a crucial requirement, the iX6850 includes the following connectivity methods out of the box:
- USB
- Network (Ethernet)
- WiFi
- WiFi Direct
- Apple AirPrint
- Mopria
- Canon PRINT App
This enables seamless printing from laptops, desktops, smartphones and tablets across shared, or home office networks
Why Connectivity Is So Important
With teams spread across multiple locations, remote and hybrid working setups benefit from a printer than can be accessed without USB cables or fixed workstations. The Canon iX6850 meets that demand perfectly.
Running Costs, Ink Efficiency and Sustainability
Ink consumption is an important consideration for small businesses. Genuine Canon cartridges provide the best results, with both standard and high-yield XL cartridges are available, to lower printing cost-per-page
Sustainability Advantages
Although not the newest Canon model on the market, the Canon PIXMA iX6850 still offers:
- Energy-efficient operation
- Automatic power management
- Support for recycled paper
- Recyclable cartridge program from Canon
Verdict
The Canon PIXMA iX6850 is a proven A3+ colour printer that continues to deliver exceptional print quality, strong wireless connectivity and superb value for money. Whether you are printing marketing materials, posters, photos or documents, it is our most recommended choice for small offices, or creative users.
FAQ's
Yes, the Canon PIXMA iX6850 can print borderless images up to A3+. All supported borderless sizes are:
- A3/A3+
- A4
- Letter
- 25 x 30cm (9 x 11″)
- 20 x 25xm (7 x 9″)
- 13 x 18cm (5 x 7″)
- 10 x 15cm (4 x 6″)
The Canon PIXMA iX6850 can handle moderate daily workloads well, but very large-volume printing environments may prefer a laser printer.
Yes. Canon provide updated drivers and the PIXMA iX6850 is supported across all modern Operating Systems
Download the latest drivers from the Canon Support Website
Yes. You can print with Apple AirPrint, the Canon PRINT App, Mopria and other modern wireless solutions
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