Home / Wide-Format Printers / Canon imagePROGRAF
Canon · Wide-Format Plotter
Canon imagePROGRAF TC-21
24" technical / CAD plotter
- ModelTC-21
- Prints24" wide
Genuine OEM hardwareAuthorized U.S. distribution
Manufacturer warrantyExtension plans available
Free shippingContinental U.S.
Plotter specialistsAEC experts, not just sellers
Analyst take
- The TC-21 prints in color up to A1 (23" x 33") and supports both roll media and cut sheets.
- It is a print-only machine, with no scanning or copying capability.
- Ethernet LAN, Wi-Fi, USB, Apple AirPrint and Mopria Print Service support several office and project-site submission paths.
Not sure if the TC-21 is right for you?
Compare key specs and an AI analyst read-out against similar models.
- Wide-format reach Prints up to 24" wide on rolls and sheets.
- Fine detail 2400 x 1200 DPI maximum resolution for crisp line work.
- Ink platform Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow.
- Connectivity Wi-Fi + Ethernet for shared team printing.
- Verified specs 10 specs checked against the manufacturer datasheet.
Overview
Built for the work
Canon imagePROGRAF TC-21, Inkjet, 2400 x 1200 DPI, Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, A1 (594 x 841 mm), Envelopes, Executive, Photo paper, Plain paper, Roll, A1, A2, A3
Expert analysis
What you should know
Key takeaways
- The TC-21 prints in color up to A1 (23" x 33") and supports both roll media and cut sheets.
- It is a print-only machine, with no scanning or copying capability.
- Ethernet LAN, Wi-Fi, USB, Apple AirPrint and Mopria Print Service support several office and project-site submission paths.
- Its 2400 x 1200 DPI maximum resolution warrants testing with dense CAD PDFs, fine lines and small annotation text.
- The maximum roll length of 157.5" (4 m) makes it better suited to local output than unattended long document runs.
- Teams needing wider output or scan-and-copy workflows should evaluate the listed 36-inch Canon alternatives.
Someone needs an A1 plan, a marked-up coordination sheet, or a color-coded site exhibit before the afternoon meeting. The Canon TC-21 is built for that desk-side job: a compact color inkjet that handles rolls and cut sheets without turning a small studio or field office into a print room.
Its limit is just as important as its fit. This is a print-only device. There is no scanning or copying, and its maximum print size is A1 (23″ x 33″). That makes it a sensible local output point for smaller-format AEC documents, not the machine to park beside a high-volume bid-set deadline and hope for miracles. Printers dislike miracles. They usually respond with paper dust.
A1 (23" x 33" (594 x 841 mm))Maximum print sizeSuited to A1, A2 and A3 document output.
2400 x 1200 DPIMaximum resolutionUseful headroom for fine CAD linework and small annotation text.
0.003"–0.011" (0.08 – 0.28 mm)Media thicknessSupports a practical range of plain paper, photo paper and roll media.
28 WTypical power consumptionA reasonable fit for an office or project-room power environment.
Where the TC-21 earns its desk space
The TC-21 fits small architecture practices, engineering pods, survey teams, site offices, and construction managers who need their own color plans without walking to a central reprographics room. It supports plain paper, roll media and cut sheets, along with borderless printing on listed A-series and B-series sizes. That gives a project team useful flexibility for review drawings, GIS exhibits, coordination sheets, presentation graphics and smaller plan issues.
The four-ink setup uses Canon PFI-050 inks, with the Canon PF-08 printhead and Canon MC-32 maintenance cartridge. It has Ethernet LAN, Wi-Fi, USB Type-A and USB Type-B connectivity, plus Apple AirPrint and Mopria Print Service for supported mobile-print workflows. The built-in display matters when the person loading paper is a project engineer, not a dedicated operator.
Bottom line: this is local A1 color output for teams that value convenience more than production-line capacity.
Drawing quality is only half the workflow
A stated maximum resolution of 2400 x 1200 DPI is relevant for CAD linework, colored disciplines, hatch patterns and small notes. But resolution alone does not guarantee a clean permit set. Test the PDFs your team actually issues, especially dense structural sheets, MEP backgrounds and drawings with raster aerials. Check line weights, text at reduced scales and whether the driver preserves the page size your consultant supplied.
The practical media choice is a bigger question than it sounds. A roll is handy for repeat plan output; cut sheets are useful when a superintendent needs one exhibit now, not a fresh roll loaded before coffee gets cold. The maximum roll length is 157.5″ (4 m), so this is not positioned as an unattended long-run plan-set engine.
Bottom line: verify your real PDFs and paper routine before treating a resolution figure as a deadline guarantee.
Know when to move up
The failure mode here is not poor fit. It is asking a compact A1 printer to cover a larger-format, higher-interruption workflow. Firms that regularly issue wider sheets should look at the Canon imagePROGRAF 700 36-in. Teams that need scan-and-copy work as part of daily redline, archive or as-built handling should consider the Canon TZ-30000 36-in, which is listed as a scanner/MFP.
For a same-size cross-brand comparison, the TC-21 and Epson F501 24-in comparison puts the decision back where it belongs: media habits, document mix, network support and local service. Do not choose on a single lab-style number. At 4:45 p.m., roll changes and operator steps count too.
Bottom line: buy the TC-21 for accessible local output, not as a substitute for a wider or scan-capable document system.
Compare the right next step
Canon imagePROGRAF 700 36-inA wider Canon option for teams whose drawings routinely exceed A1 output.Canon TZ-30000 36-inA listed scanner/MFP option for workflows that include copying and scanning.Epson F501 24-inA cross-brand same-class comparison point.Wide-format class rankingReview this machine alongside its class peers.
The read
The Canon TC-21 is a credible choice for AEC teams that need convenient color printing up to A1, from rolls or cut sheets, in a compact office or project setting. It is less appropriate for recurring large-format plan production, unattended long runs, or any workflow dependent on scanning and copying. Match it to the work standing at the tray, not the work you wish would stay small.
Verified specifications
The specs that decide it
| Print technology | Canon Pigment ink, 4 colours integrated |
|---|---|
| Maximum resolution | 2400 x 1200 dpi |
| Max roll width | 24 inmanufacturer-verified |
| Maximum roll diameter | 4.3 in (110 mm) |
| Max print length | 13.1 ft (4 m)manufacturer-verified |
| Ink cartridge capacity | 280 ml / 70 mlmanufacturer-verified |
| Internal memory | 1 GBmanufacturer-verified |
| Connectivity | Ethernet 10/100, Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Hi-Speed USB |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 38.1 x 21 x 9.6 in (968 x 533 x 245 mm) |
| Power consumption (typical) | 28 W |
manufacturer-verified = checked against the manufacturer’s official datasheet, not aggregator data. Everything else is standards-body / catalog data we consider reliable.
Specifications
Full technical detail
Print technologyInkjet
Max resolution2400 x 1200 DPI
Max print width24"
ColorColor
ConnectivityEthernet (Gigabit LAN), USB, Wi-Fi
Use caseCAD / Technical
Printing
| Color | Yes |
|---|---|
| Printing colors | Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow |
| Print technology | Inkjet |
| Maximum resolution | 2400 x 1200 DPI |
| Borderless printing | Yes |
| Number of print cartridges | 4 |
Performance
| Product color | Black, White |
|---|---|
| Built-in display | Yes |
| Internal storage capacity | 1 GB |
Paper handling
| Cut sheets | Yes |
|---|---|
| Media thickness | 0.003"–0.011" (0.08 – 0.28 mm) |
| Maximum print size | A1 (23" x 33" (594 x 841 mm)) |
| Maximum roll length | 157.5" (4 m) |
| Maximum roll diameter | 4.33" (11 cm) |
| Paper tray media types | Envelopes, Executive, Photo paper, Plain paper, Roll |
| ISO A-series sizes (A0…A9) | A1, A2, A3 |
| ISO B-series sizes (B0…B9) | B2, B3 |
| Photo paper sizes (imperial) | 4×6,5×7,7×10,8×10,10×12,10×15 |
| Borderless printing media sizes | A1, A2, A3, A4, B2, B4 |
Ports & interfaces
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
|---|---|
| USB port | Yes |
| Ethernet LAN | Yes |
| USB connector | USB Type-A / USB Type-B |
| Mobile printing technologies | Apple AirPrint, Mopria Print Service |
Weight & dimensions
| Depth | 21" (533 mm) |
|---|---|
| Width | 38.1" (968 mm) |
| Height | 9.65" (245 mm) |
Power
| AC input voltage | 100 – 240 V |
|---|---|
| AC input frequency | 50/60 Hz |
| Power consumption (off) | 0.07 W |
| Power consumption (sleep) | 2.3 W |
| Power consumption (typical) | 28 W |
Operational conditions
| Operating temperature (T-T) | 15 – 30 °C |
|---|---|
| Operating relative humidity (H-H) | 10 – 80% |
Copying
| Copying | No |
|---|
Scanning
| Scanning | No |
|---|
Packaging data
| Package weight | 99.2 lbs (45 kg) |
|---|---|
| Cartridge(s) included | Yes |
System requirements
| Mac operating systems supported | Mac OS 12.4, Mac OS 13.1, Mac OS X 12.0 Monterey, Mac OS X 13.0 Ventura, Mac OS X 14.0 Sonoma |
|---|---|
| Windows operating systems supported | Windows 10, Windows 11 x64, Windows 7, Windows 8 |
Supplies
Compatible ink, printheads & media
Genuine consumables that fit the Canon imagePROGRAF TC-21 large format printer Wi-Fi Inkjet Colour 2400 x 1200 DPI A1 (594 x 841 mm) Ethernet LAN — only the cartridges, printheads and media compatible with this model.
Ink Cartridges 4
Printheads 1
Paper & Media 12
Representative image11 Mil Water-Resistant Synthetic BannerRepresentative image8 Mil Satin Photo PaperRepresentative image8 Mil Gloss Photo PaperRepresentative image5 Mil Water-Resistant Self-Adh Vinyl (3" AC)Representative image6 Mil Water-Resistant Self-Adhesive PolypropyleneRepresentative imageHP Bright White Inkjet Paper, 4-packRepresentative imageMagic Firenze 170gsm Coated Matte Paper (Firenze170)Representative imageMagic 98gsm/26# Coated Matte Paper (DMPG98)Representative imageMagic 4mil Inkjet Clear Film w/ Side Stripe (DMCF4HPS)Representative image8mil Satin Microporous Photo Paper (791)Representative image8mil Gloss Microporous Photo Paper (790)Representative image6.5mil Matte Coated Paper w/ PSA (746PSA)
Questions
Straight answers
What AEC work is the Canon TC-21 best suited for?
It fits local color output of A1, A2 and A3 plans, coordination drawings, GIS exhibits, review sets and presentation-oriented project documents. It is most logical where a small team needs nearby output rather than central print-room production.
Can the TC-21 scan redlines or copy existing plans?
No. The product data lists no scanning and no copying. A team that routinely scans marked-up drawings, archives legacy sheets or makes plan copies needs a scanner/MFP workflow instead.
Does it support rolls as well as individual sheets?
Yes. Listed media includes roll and plain-paper cut sheets, among other media types. The maximum roll length is 157.5″ (4 m), and the maximum roll diameter is 4.33″ (11 cm).
What connectivity options does it have?
It supports Ethernet LAN, Wi-Fi, USB Type-A and USB Type-B. Apple AirPrint and Mopria Print Service are also listed for mobile printing.
Which consumables does the TC-21 use?
It uses Canon PFI-050 inks, a Canon PF-08 printhead and a Canon MC-32 maintenance cartridge. The printer uses four print cartridges: Black, Cyan, Magenta and Yellow.
When should an AEC team consider a larger Canon model?
Consider a listed 36-inch model when drawings regularly exceed A1 output or when the printer must support a broader document-production role. The Canon TZ-30000 36-in is listed as a scanner/MFP, which matters for copy and scan-heavy workflows.
Ready to put the Canon imagePROGRAF TC-21 to work?
We’ll point you to the current equivalent and quote it for your workflow.