Canon Announces Free Sample Print Service

Canon are trying a new way to convince potential customers of the quality of their Selphy ES2 photo printer: upload an image to their web site and they'll send you a printout.

The promotion on their web site here is to publicize their new $199 Selphy ES2 compact photo printer. We haven't reviewed the ES2 yet, but we did review the previous model (the ES1) here, and praised its unique upright design and combined paper and ink cartridge, which means you replace both at once; no more running out of ink before you run out of paper. However, we were lukewarm on the print quality of the ES1, finding that it had weak color accuracy and lackluster color gamut. So it will be interesting to see if the ES2 improves on this. Canon did not specify if they will be offering the same service from other printers, but the design of the site seems to indicate that they might widen the service to include other photo printers.

There are a few restrictions on the free print service: only US residents can apply, and they won't print anything defamatory, libellous or obscene. The prints will take 10-14 days to arrive, and it limited to one per household, so you can't send them a photo album's worth of prints to do. And, by using the service, you are also agreeing to let Canon send you emails about their printers.