Canon Inc. has announced the celebration of the 20th anniversary of its SELPHY series of compact photo printers in 2024. The SELPHY series was introduced in 2004 to meet the growing demand for photo prints following the widespread adoption of digital cameras in the early 2000s. Since its inception, the SELPHY series has launched 31 products and sold over 17 million units worldwide as of April 2024.
The name “SELPHY,” derived from the combination of “self” and “photography,” reflects Canon’s vision of enabling users to easily print their digital camera photos independently, opening up new avenues for enjoying photography. SELPHY printers are known for producing high-quality, durable photo prints using a dye sublimation printing process that involves vaporizing ink with heat. They are designed to be user-friendly, compact, and lightweight for easy portability, making them ideal for on-the-spot photo printing.
Over the years, Canon has continued to innovate and evolve the SELPHY series in response to technological advancements and changing user needs. Key milestones include the introduction of the CP-10 dye sublimation printer in April 2001, followed by the launch of the SELPHY CP500 and SELPHY CP400 in October 2004. Canon consolidated the SELPHY brand to embody the product concept, enhancing user familiarity and brand recognition.
Subsequent advancements included the SELPHY CP710 with a color LCD monitor and memory card printing capabilities in September 2005, and the wireless LAN (Wi-Fi®) compatible SELPHY CP900 in September 2012, enabling wireless connectivity with smartphones and tablets. In April 2020, Canon introduced the compact and lightweight SELPHY SQUARE QX10 with an internal battery, catering to mobile photo printing needs.
The latest addition to the lineup, the SELPHY CP1500 released in September 2022, features automated color correction for vivid color expression. Canon has also developed the SELPHY Photo Layout app exclusively for the SELPHY series, enabling collage creation, filter and stamp usage, and layout customization for various paper sizes including printable stickers.
Moving forward, Canon aims to continue expanding the SELPHY series to offer new and innovative ways to enjoy and use photos, addressing evolving user preferences and technological trends. By leveraging the SELPHY series alongside its Kyosei philosophy of living and working together for the common good, Canon remains committed to driving technological advancement and fostering innovation in photographic and digital imaging solutions.
For more information, visit my.canon or connect with Canon on official social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn.