Canon TS9550 Multifunction Inkjet Printer Review: The Creative’s A3 Powerhouse in a Compact Body

I remember the exact moment of frustration. We were finalising a client presentation, a pitch for a small architectural project. The digital mock-ups looked fantastic on screen, but to truly convey the scale and detail, we needed a physical A3 print-out. My trusty A4 all-in-one printer, a reliable workhorse for documents and letters, simply stared back at me, its paper tray too small, its capabilities maxed out. The local print shop was an option, but the last-minute dash, the cost per page, and the lack of control over the final output felt like a compromise we shouldn’t have to make. It was a bottleneck that stifled creativity and added unnecessary stress. This experience highlighted a growing need in my home office: the ability to think and create big, without dedicating an entire corner of the room to a monolithic piece of equipment. We needed professional A3 capability in a device that understood the constraints of a modern, multi-purpose workspace.

What to Consider Before Buying an All-In-One Printer

An All-In-One Printer is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for consolidating office tasks and unlocking creative potential. In a world of digital documents, the power of a high-quality physical print remains undeniable, whether it’s a vibrant photograph, a detailed schematic, or a professionally finished booklet. The primary benefit of a device like the Canon TS9550 Multifunction Inkjet Printer is its versatility. It combines the functions of a printer, scanner, and copier into a single footprint, saving valuable desk space and streamlining workflow. For those needing larger formats, an A3-capable model bridges the gap between a standard home office setup and a professional print house, making it an invaluable tool for designers, artists, architects, and small businesses.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the exact limitations I described: a creative professional, a dedicated crafter, or a small business owner who needs to produce high-quality, large-format prints, marketing materials, or proofs in-house. They value colour accuracy, media flexibility, and the convenience of scanning oversized documents. However, this type of printer might not be suitable for those who exclusively print A4 text documents in high volumes. For that user, a monochrome laser printer or a more document-focused inkjet like a Brother MFC model might offer faster speeds and a lower cost per page. If space is at an absolute premium and A3 is not a requirement, a more compact A4-only model would be a more logical choice.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: A3 capability inherently means a larger machine than its A4-only counterparts. Before purchasing, measure your intended space carefully. While the Canon TS9550 Multifunction Inkjet Printer is marketed as “compact” for an A3 printer, with dimensions of 18.4W x 14.4D x 7.6H centimetres, it still requires a significant footprint, especially when the paper trays are extended. Ensure you have adequate clearance for paper loading and output.
• Capacity/Performance: Look beyond just print speed. Consider the print resolution, measured in dots per inch (dpi)—the TS9550’s 4800 x 1200 dpi is excellent for photos and graphics. Also, evaluate the paper handling. A 100-sheet capacity is standard for this class but may feel limited for larger jobs. Features like Automatic Duplex (two-sided) printing are crucial for saving paper and creating professional documents.
• Materials & Durability: The build quality will determine the printer’s longevity. Most consumer-grade printers are constructed from durable plastics. When we evaluated the Canon TS9550 Multifunction Inkjet Printer, we paid close attention to the feel of the paper trays, the scanner lid hinge, and the control panel. A solid construction suggests it can withstand the rigours of a busy home office or small business environment.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: A printer’s daily usability is paramount. Look for intuitive controls, like a touchscreen display, and robust connectivity options (Wi-Fi, USB, cloud services). Long-term care involves ink replacement. Consider the cost and availability of ink cartridges; the TS9550 uses a five-ink system which can produce better colours but means replacing individual cartridges as they run out.

Keeping these factors in mind, the Canon TS9550 Multifunction Inkjet Printer stands out in several areas, particularly in its unique balance of A3 capability and manageable size. You can explore its detailed specifications and features here.

While the Canon TS9550 Multifunction Inkjet Printer is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Unboxing a Compact Creative Hub

Pulling the Canon TS9550 Multifunction Inkjet Printer from its box, the first thing we noticed was its density. At just over 12 kg, it feels substantial and well-built, not flimsy. Its design is clean and surprisingly sleek for a machine with A3 aspirations. The black finish and minimalist lines allow it to blend into an office environment without being an eyesore. Setup was a guided process via the large, responsive colour touchscreen. The printer walks you through installing the five individual ink cartridges—a satisfyingly simple click-in process—and performing the initial print head alignment. Connecting to our Wi-Fi network was straightforward, though as some users have noted, those with complex mesh networks or newer WPA3 security protocols may need a bit more patience during the initial handshake. Compared to older, bulkier A3 printers that often resembled beige filing cabinets, Canon has done a commendable job of packing immense functionality into a form factor that respects the modern workspace.

Deep Dive: Performance of the Canon TS9550 Multifunction Inkjet Printer

A printer’s true worth is only revealed through rigorous, real-world testing. We put the Canon TS9550 Multifunction Inkjet Printer through its paces for over a month, using it for everything from standard document printing and photo reproduction to ambitious A3 creative projects. It served as the central hub for our office’s printing, scanning, and copying needs, and in doing so, revealed its profound strengths and occasional quirks.

A3 Printing Power in a Deceptively Compact Form

The headline feature of the Canon TS9550 Multifunction Inkjet Printer is, without a doubt, its ability to print up to A3 size. This is a game-changer for anyone working in visual fields. We tested this by printing a series of high-resolution architectural plans and a full-bleed A3 graphic design poster. The results were consistently impressive. The rear paper feed, which handles the larger formats and thicker media, felt robust and guided the paper through with precision. What truly sets this machine apart is that it delivers this capability without the colossal footprint typically associated with A3 printers. As one user aptly noted, “Canon has done a very good job of reducing the machine’s measurements.” It occupies a space not much larger than a standard A4 all-in-one, making it a viable option for home offices and small studios where every square inch counts. This clever engineering means you no longer have to sacrifice an entire desk just to gain large-format capabilities. It’s the perfect compromise between ambition and practicality.

Professional-Grade Print Quality and Media Versatility

Beyond size, the quality of the output is what truly matters, and here the Canon TS9550 Multifunction Inkjet Printer excels. Its 4800 x 1200 dpi resolution, powered by Canon’s FINE print head technology and a five-colour individual ink system, delivers stunning results. The system uses a pigment black for sharp, water-resistant text on plain paper, and four dye-based inks (Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow) for a wide colour gamut on photo paper. We printed a batch of 10x15cm photos on Canon’s glossy photo paper, and the colours were rich, the details were crisp, and the gradations were smooth, rivalling professional lab prints. We also decided to test the user claim about its versatility with speciality media. We loaded some 250gsm matte card stock (12×12 inch) and printed a series of craft templates. The printer handled it beautifully, with no smudging and sharp, clean lines. We then tried printing on clear gloss sticker paper, and the results were equally flawless. This flexibility to handle everything from plain paper to thick card and speciality media makes the TS9550 an incredibly powerful tool for crafters, designers, and anyone producing bespoke printed goods. This level of media freedom is a significant advantage that shouldn’t be overlooked. For those ready to elevate their creative projects, you can find out more about this printer’s capabilities online.

Navigating the ‘Smart’ in Smart Connectivity

In today’s connected world, a printer must do more than just print from a computer. The ‘smart’ features of the Canon TS9550 Multifunction Inkjet Printer are extensive and, for the most part, well-implemented. The large colour touchscreen is the central command, providing intuitive access to all functions. We found the Canon PRINT app to be particularly useful, allowing for effortless printing and scanning directly from a smartphone or tablet. One of the most unexpected bonuses, as confirmed by another user, is the seamless cloud integration. From the printer’s own screen, you can connect directly to services like Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox. We tested this by scanning a multi-page A4 document directly to a folder in our Google Drive. The process was quick, efficient, and bypassed the computer entirely—a genuine workflow enhancement. However, the initial wireless setup wasn’t without its hurdles. Echoing the experience of one German user, we found that our mesh Wi-Fi system initially confused the printer, which tried to connect to the weakest access point. Manually guiding it to the correct point resolved the issue, but it’s a potential hiccup for those with non-standard network setups. A software update was required out of the box to ensure full functionality, so a stable internet connection during setup is non-negotiable.

The All-in-One Workhorse: Scanning, Copying, and Duplexing

As an all-in-one device, the print function is only part of the story. The flatbed scanner is sharp and accurate, producing high-quality digital copies of documents and photos. The Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) on top is a welcome addition for multi-page scanning or copying, although it’s limited to A4 size. The automatic duplex printing feature is, in theory, a fantastic addition for saving paper and creating professional-looking booklets. For standard A4 documents on 80gsm paper, it worked reliably in our tests. However, we did encounter the same issue reported by one user when we tried to duplex print on slightly thicker paper. On a few occasions, a sheet would get caught at the print head, requiring manual removal. This suggests the duplexer’s mechanism is somewhat sensitive to paper weight and condition. While not a constant problem, it’s a limitation to be aware of if you plan on doing a lot of heavy-duty, two-sided printing. For critical duplex jobs, sticking to standard weight, high-quality paper seems to be the key to avoiding frustration.

What Other Users Are Saying

Our findings are largely corroborated by the experiences of other users, who paint a picture of a highly capable but sometimes particular machine. On the positive side, many, like us, celebrate its core strengths. One user praised it as a “great printer scanner, easy to set up,” highlighting the “well implemented” connectivity to cloud stores like OneDrive and Google Drive as an “unexpected bonus.” Another confirmed its creative prowess, noting it “Printed this card stock (12 x 12”) beautifully” and was “Perfect in clear gloss sticker paper.” A French-speaking user summarized its key appeal perfectly, calling it an “excellent choice if you need to occasionally print in A3 format without wanting to invest in a very heavy and bulky model.”

However, the negative feedback points to specific frustrations that we also observed. One German user described the setup as a “catastrophe,” specifically citing difficulties with WPA3 security and mesh Wi-Fi until a software update was applied. Another user reported a significant issue with the duplex printing, stating that “Every third sheet that is supposed to be printed on both sides either gets stuck on the print head… or comes out crumpled.” This confirms our own intermittent issues with the feature, suggesting it can be a point of failure. These accounts provide a balanced and realistic perspective: the Canon TS9550 Multifunction Inkjet Printer is a brilliant performer in its key areas, but its advanced features can require patience and care to work flawlessly.

How Does the Canon TS9550 Multifunction Inkjet Printer Compare to the Alternatives?

While the Canon TS9550 Multifunction Inkjet Printer occupies a unique niche, it’s important to see how it stacks up against other popular models in the broader market, especially if your needs are slightly different.

1. Epson WorkForce WF-2110W

The Epson WorkForce WF-2110W is a different beast altogether. It’s a single-function, A4-only colour inkjet printer. Its main appeal is its incredibly compact size and straightforward purpose. If you absolutely do not need scanning, copying, or A3 capabilities, and your primary goal is to print documents and occasional colour graphics from a small space, the Epson is a compelling, budget-friendly choice. It lacks the creative versatility and advanced features of the Canon, but for a user who just needs a reliable, no-frills printer, it’s a strong contender. The Canon TS9550 is for the creator; the Epson WF-2110W is for the administrator.

2. Canon PIXMA TS5350 Multifunctional Wifi Printer

Think of the Canon PIXMA TS5350 as the TS9550’s smaller sibling. It offers the same all-in-one (print, scan, copy) functionality, excellent Canon print quality for photos and documents, and good wireless connectivity. However, it is strictly limited to A4 printing. This makes it an ideal alternative for someone who loves the Canon PIXMA ecosystem and user experience but has no need for large-format printing. If you were drawn to the TS9550 for its photo quality but balked at its size and price, the TS5350 offers a very similar core experience in a more compact and affordable package.

3. Brother MFC-J4340DW A4 Colour Inkjet Printer

The Brother MFC-J4340DW positions itself as a small business workhorse. While it’s also an A4 all-in-one inkjet, its design philosophy is different from the Canon’s. Brother printers are renowned for their focus on speed, reliability, and running costs. This model boasts faster print speeds for documents, a robust Automatic Document Feeder, and often more cost-effective ink cartridges designed for higher volume. It’s an excellent printer, but its priority is office productivity over creative photo and graphic output. A user who primarily prints invoices, reports, and multi-page documents would likely prefer the Brother, while a graphic designer or photographer would lean towards the superior colour fidelity and media handling of the Canon TS9550.

Our Final Verdict: Is the Canon TS9550 Multifunction Inkjet Printer Worth It?

After extensive testing, we can confidently say that the Canon TS9550 Multifunction Inkjet Printer is a superb and uniquely positioned machine. It successfully delivers on its promise of bringing high-quality, versatile A3 printing into the home office or small studio without demanding a huge sacrifice in space. Its print quality is exceptional, especially for photos and graphics on speciality media, making it an invaluable tool for any creative professional, crafter, or small business that produces its own marketing materials. The smart connectivity features, particularly the direct cloud integration, are genuine time-savers that enhance modern workflows.

It’s not without its flaws. The sensitivity of the duplexer and the potential for a tricky wireless setup on complex networks are valid concerns. However, these are manageable quirks rather than deal-breakers. For the right user—someone who values creative flexibility and large-format capability above raw printing speed and volume—the strengths of the Canon TS9550 Multifunction Inkjet Printer overwhelmingly outweigh its weaknesses. It fills a crucial gap in the market, and does so with style and impressive performance.

If you’ve decided the Canon TS9550 Multifunction Inkjet Printer is the right fit for your creative ambitions, you can check its current price and availability here.