Why Canon’s imagePROGRAF TM-355 MFP Z36 makes quiet work of big plans

Canon’s imagePROGRAF TM-355 MFP Z36 targets architects, engineers, and copy shops that need fast, quiet large-format prints with integrated scanning. What the 36-inch all-in-one plotter really delivers in daily office use.

Reviewed: ad hoc news Software & Services desk. Edited and checked on 2026-06-18, 04:13. Details in the imprint.

With the Canon imagePROGRAF TM-355 MFP Z36, the first impression is clear - this is a 36-inch workhorse that still tries to stay quiet enough for an open-plan office. You see a compact white chassis, a neatly integrated scanner bar, and a surprisingly tidy control panel that does not scream industrial machine.

What this 36-inch system is

The imagePROGRAF TM-355 MFP Z36 is part of Canon’s refreshed TM series of 36-inch large-format printers that focus on technical drawings, CAD plans, GIS maps, and posters for everyday office environments. It combines a TM-355 printer with a 36-inch Z36 scanner in one footprint.

Canon positions the TM-355 line below its high-end TX series, with a stronger emphasis on low noise, modest energy consumption, and compact dimensions for deskside installation rather than a separate print room. You notice that in the rounded design and the small, front-facing touchscreen.

Speed, ink, and everyday pace

On paper the Canon imagePROGRAF TM-355 MFP Z36 delivers an A1 CAD print in as little as about 17 seconds on plain paper, which is fast enough that you are not constantly waiting for revisions during a design session. In draft mode the plotter spits out line drawings briskly, the paper feeding out with a soft rustle instead of a harsh clatter.

The system uses Canon’s 5-color Lucia TD pigment ink set, which is tuned for crisp, weather-resistant lines on uncoated media and still decent color on coated paper. Edges on fine gridlines and small annotations stay sharp, so complex construction plans remain legible even when pinned on a dusty site board.

Noise and footprint in the office

Canon quotes reduced operating noise for the TM series compared with prior generations, and in practice that matters if the printer stands next to workstations rather than in a separate copy room. You mainly hear a low whirring from the carriage and brief paper handling noises, which fade into the usual office background.

The footprint feels surprisingly tight for a 36-inch device. The frame sits close to a wall, and front operation for paper loading and ink replacement means you do not have to leave space behind it. For cramped architect offices and small copy shops, that is a convincing argument.

Scanning with the Z36 module

The "Z36" in Canon imagePROGRAF TM-355 MFP Z36 refers to the integrated 36-inch scanner bar, which rides above the paper path so the device becomes a true multifunction system. You place technical drawings, blueprints, or marked-up plans into the feed and digitise them straight to network folders or USB.

The scanner uses CIS technology, which keeps the module slim and energy-efficient, and supports scan speeds that keep up with the print engine for most office use cases. Colors on posters and red pen corrections on monochrome plans come through clearly enough that project teams can work digitally without losing information.

Software, workflows, and cloud

Canon ships the imagePROGRAF TM-355 MFP Z36 with tools like Direct Print Plus and Free Layout Plus, so users can drag-and-drop PDFs, Office files, and images into simple print queues without mastering RIP software. The interface feels closer to a modern office printer driver than a niche large-format solution.

On the printer itself, the touchscreen gives access to templates and copy functions that turn scan-to-print into a one-touch routine. Integrations with Canon’s PosterArtist and cloud-sharing workflows support small marketing teams that need to iterate posters and in-store signage quickly without outsourcing every change.

Where it fits and what is missing

The Canon imagePROGRAF TM-355 MFP Z36 clearly targets small to mid-sized architect offices, engineering firms, municipal planning departments, and local copy shops that need reliable technical prints rather than extreme color performance. It is also attractive as an in-house poster engine for universities and corporate campuses.

Users who live on heavy photo work or demand borderless, gallery-level prints will still look to Canon’s PRO or TX ranges. And while the TM-355 MFP Z36 handles coated media and matte photo paper well, its DNA remains technical - line accuracy and text clarity rather than lush, saturated exhibition prints.

Market context and Canon share

The TM-355 generation is part of Canon’s effort to defend and expand its position in the wide-format segment as analog blueprints disappear and digital workflows become standard across engineering and construction. The company highlights lower noise, improved operation, and updated software as reasons to upgrade from older TM, iPF, or competitor models.

Shares of Canon Inc (ADR) (US1380983084) trade in the United States on the NYSE in US dollars, giving international investors indirect access to the performance of its printing, camera, and office technology portfolio.

Key facts on the imagePROGRAF TM-355 MFP Z36

• Product: Canon imagePROGRAF TM-355 MFP Z36
• Manufacturer: Canon Inc.
• Category: Software/Service/Subscription-adjacent large-format MFP
• Launch: 2024 (TM series refresh, including TM-355 line)
• RRP / Price: Varies by configuration and region, typically in the mid-range for 36-inch large-format MFPs
• Availability: Specialist Canon partners and office-equipment dealers, primarily in Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific
• Target group: Architects, engineers, GIS users, universities, corporate offices, and local print shops
• Highlight / USP: Quiet, compact 36-inch pigment-ink printer with integrated 36-inch scanner for technical prints and everyday posters in shared office environments

This article was AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. Product information without guarantee; prices and availability may change at short notice. No investment advice, no buy or sell recommendation. Stock-market transactions involve risks up to total loss.