Citizen CX-02, the best 6″ Dye Sub Photo Printer on the market…
Well, that’s at least what we think here at System Insight. The Citizen CX-02 packs a punch with an impressive print speed of just over 20 seconds for a 6×9, with a lightweight design of only 12kg and competitively priced consumables. The CX-02 is able to print 4×6, 5×7, 6×8 and 6×9 boasting features such as rollback technology, metallic media, panoramic and a high-quality mode allowing you to print at 600 dpi. All of this makes the CX-02 a perfect all-rounder for your instant printing needs.
The CX-02 benefits from Citizen’s high level of quality and precision, resulting in a reliable instant printer that produces incredible prints.
Key Printer Specs
First Impressions
The Citizen CX-02 is the ideal replacement for the Mitsubishi CP-D70DW now that Mitsubishi has announced they are withdrawing from the instant print market.
The robust, compact and lightweight design of the CX-02 makes it a great option for anyone looking for a good all-round printer. The CX-02 shares the same sleek, professional design as the larger CX-02W wide format printer which can print up to 8×12. If you are looking for a 6″ and 8″ printer, the CX-02 and CX-02W work very well sitting next to each other.
The CX-02 is a front-loading printer, meaning you open the front door on the printer to change the media. You’re also able to access the Thermal Print Head here to clean it. To change the media on the CX-02, you simply insert two paper spindles into the paper roll, and the ribbon is loaded onto a tray. This system allows you to purchase multiple ribbon trays and paper spindles, to preload media for quicker changes. The snip box is easy to empty, it just slots into the front of the printer once you’ve opened the door. Be sure to empty this box when changing the media, or before transporting it.
Four LED lights on the printer door (On/Standby Light, Ribbon Light, Paper Light and Error Light) will indicate the status of the CX-02, the On/Standby Light will display green when the printer is on, flashing ribbon light will indicate ribbon needs changing, flashing paper light indicates paper needs changing. A flashing error light will indicate the printer door is open or the snip box is missing, this is an easy mistake to make. You can review a full list of the error lights in the printer manual. The CX-02 is a USB printer, which means that it will connect to a Windows or Mac computer via a USB cable, the CX-02 does not support wireless printing. The USB and Power ports are located at the back of the printer next to each other. Quite handy when you’re reaching over the top of your printer, trying to find the ports (Not that we would ever recommend this).
Once you’ve managed to connect your Power cable, you can switch the printer on via the power switch located on the front of the printer, in the bottom right corner, which is more convenient than having it on the side, or at the back. The fan system on the CX-02 allows for a dust-free environment as it sucks air in from the back, and discards it out the side. We’d still recommend regular cleaning of the printer and its printhead
The Citizen CX-02 Specs Broken Down
Printer Design
The Citizen CX-02 is one of the smallest and lightest 6″ dye-sub photo printers on the market, this allows for easier transportation. The downside is print capacity, the CY-02 can hold 700 4×6 prints in comparison to the CX-02 400. Dimensions are 275(W) x 366(D) x 170(H) mm, which is smaller than the Mitsubishi CP-D70DW.
A clean, professional design is one thing, but the quality of craftsmanship on the CX-02 is what makes it stand out from the rest of the competition. The drawer opens and closes effortlessly, there is minimal lateral drawer movement when the drawer is open. The lever to open the drawer has little resistance, the closing mechanism of the drawer is a nice solid clonk, the panels fit closely together, all of these elements put together proves that the CX-02 is a quality printer.
If you are looking at the CX-02 as a home photo printer, bear in mind that an Inkjet “Photo” Printer in comparison is bigger, heavier, slower, with a higher consumable price.
Key Printer Features
Features
The CX-02 features Citizens rollback technology, allowing you to produce 6×8 and 4c6 prints from the CX-02 6×8 or 6×9 media pack, without any wastage. Sleep mode allows the CX-02 to reduce its power consumption by up to 98%.
Panoramic prints are possible with the CX-02, with the ability to print up to 8×32! although this is only possible with an SDK.
Print Manager is available for the CX-02. Print Manager is free software that monitors which media size is loaded in the printer and how many prints are left on the roll amongst other features. You have a Hot Folder function that will auto print any photo that you drop into it. That makes it ideal for a Print All event or PhotoBooths.
Print Speed, Print Size and Print Quality
The CX-02 is one of the quickest 6″ dye sub photo printers on the market. It can print a 4×6 in under 10 seconds, a 6×8 in under 16 seconds and a 6×9 in under 21 seconds.
In comparison, the CY-02 prints a 6×8 in 22 seconds!
The CX-02 has specific media to print 4×6, 5×7, 6×8 and 6×9, meaning no matter what size you decide to print, you can be sure that you are doing it the most cost effective way. With the rollback, purchasing the 6×8 media will also allow you to print 4×6 without any wastage.
Using the correct media, you can print 3.5×5, 5×5, 5×7, 4×6, 6×6, 6×8, 6×9!
This gives you a massive amount of flexibility to print the size you want. If you’re using the CX-02 as a home printer, you only need to purchase the 6×9 media to be able to print 4 different sizes! For businesses, you can offer a number of packages which previously you may not have been able to, without running two or more printers!
The CX-02 is able to finish the print off in Matte, Fine Matte, Luster or Gloss, giving you even more choice! You do not need to purchase different media for this, the print will simply adjust how it applies the final clear layer of the print.
Lastly, you also have the choice of 300 or 600dpi.
All of this gives you a great all-around printer, with the flexibility to offer the product that you want. A final note in this section about actual print quality, the CX-02 will produce an incredible print which is at least equal, if not better, than any other dye sub photo printer on the market today.
Warranty
The warranty period is 2 years.
System Insight is an authorised service centre for Citizen, this means that if you experience any issues with your printer, we will take a look at it first. This typically means a much quicker turnaround time.
Citizen printers are widely regarded as some of the most robust and reliable printers on the market today, which is a major factor when looking to purchase an instant photo printer.