Canon’s SELPHY Series of Compact Photo Printers Celebrates 20th Anniversary
HO CHI MINH CITY, 16 April 2024 — Canon Inc. announced today that its SELPHY series of compact photo printers, which enables users to easily print high-quality photos and continues to offer a wide range of ways to enjoy photo printing, will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2024.
The SELPHY series was created in 2004 in response to heightened demand for photo prints due to the rapid spread of digital cameras in the early 2000s. As of April 2024, the SELPHY series has launched 31 products [1] and sold a combined total of more than 17 million units [2] worldwide.
The name SELPHY, a combination of “self” and “photography,” was given to convey Canon’s hope that easily printing photos taken using a digital camera on one’s own would allow people to experience new ways of enjoying photography. SELPHY printers produce photo prints that possess both high-quality and excellent durability through the adoption of a dye sublimation printing process, in which ink is printed by vaporising it with heat. They are also easy to use and feature a small, lightweight body which makes them convenient for transport. The SELPHY series has earned support from a wide variety of users as it offers user-friendly photo printing on the spot, which not only helps to share memorable moments but can also be used to produce a work of one’s choice or in various situations from wedding decorations to ID photos.
Canon staked its claim as a pioneer in the market of photo printing when it introduced the CP-10 dye sublimation printer in April 2001. Then in 2004, it released SELPHY CP500 and SELPHY CP400 (October 2004). At the same time, in order to become more familiar to its users, Canon launched the SELPHY brand, weaving the product concept into the brand name.
From that point on, Canon continued to develop products in line with generational changes and technological advancement. SELPHY CP710, equipped with a colour LCD monitor and capable of printing photos directly from memory cards, was released in September 2005. Then, with the release of SELPHY CP900 in September 2012, SELPHY printers became compatible with wireless LAN (Wi-Fi®3) and achieved wireless linkage with smartphones and tablet devices. SELPHY SQUARE QX10, a compact and lightweight model equipped with an internal battery, making it ideal for carrying, was newly added to the lineup in April 2020. Following that, Canon continued to further develop product functions and designs and in September 2022 released the SELPHY CP1500, the latest model in the CP series which enables vivid colour expression through its automated colour correction function.
Additionally, the SELPHY Photo Layout application, exclusively for the SELPHY series, features a function to create collages by automatically combining several photos and makes it possible to produce images using filters and stamps, etc. as well as create layouts in various paper sizes such as for printable stickers. SELPHY printers also address demand that has risen alongside the popularisation of smartphones, by for instance producing prints in square formats which have become familiar thanks to social media.
Going forward, Canon will continue to provide new ways of enjoying and using photos and aim to make contributions to photo and video culture by continuing to expand the SELPHY series alongside the changing times while satisfying a wide variety of users.
[1] Model numbers may differ by market.
[2] As of 31 December 2023.
[3] Wi-Fi® is a registered trademark of Wi-Fi Alliance.
About Canon Marketing Vietnam Nam Co, Ltd
Canon products have been available in Vietnam since the 1980s through its authorized distributors. During the past years, it established a more significant presence when it set up four production facilities in Thang Long, Hanoi, Que Vo and Tien Son, Bac Ninh and Canon Marketing Vietnam Co. Ltd. Besides providing employment for more than 25,000 people, Canon also makes outstanding contributions to the country's development through its meaningful social activities. Canon Marketing Vietnam Co. Ltd was founded in July 2012 and have been operating under the guidance and support of Canon Asia Marketing Group and Canon Singapore Pte. Ltd., which is the regional marketing headquarter for Canon's South & Southeast Asia region.From 1st January 2024, Canon Marketing Vietnam Company Limited is assigned as the sole authorized distributor for Canon Imaging Products (i.e.: cameras, lenses, Selphy photo printers) in Vietnam, replacing Le Bao Minh Joint Stock Company.Le Bao Minh Joint Stock Company continues to be the authorized distributor of Canon office and printing products in Vietnam.
