Canon put on an impressive show at drupa, with a wide range of products and applications on display – in fact, the entire Canon stand was printed on its equipment. The big news was the agreement between Canon and Heidelberg to collaborate on the sales and service agreement between Canon and Heidelberg for the new range of Canon B2 and B3 sheetfed inkjet presses: the varioPressiV7 (B2) and drupa-release varioPRINTiX1700.
Craig Nethercott, says, “The drupa-release varioPRINT iX1700 carries on from the phenomenal success of Canon’s earlier sheetfed inkjet products and will be a particularly good fit for Australia and New Zealand as it will meet the price point for many businesses and provide an ideal option for those wishing to enter the digital cut sheet market. Not only are the varioPRINT iX700 and varioPRESS iV7 affordable, but they also achieve the volumes, versatility and quality that customers require, so we’re very excited about this product for Oceania.’’
For many visitors, drupa was also the first chance to see the new LabelStream LS2000 water-based digital label press, only previously shown in Japan. The company says the new press demonstrates its commitment to becoming a trusted partner to the label and packaging markets, and was being demonstrated in a live production of a variety of label applications on the stand.
Meanwhile, wide format technology from Canon at drupa was all about the experience of print, with dimensional options showcased in an immersive experience at the stand’s centrepiece presentation theatre, The CORE, which featured the emotional response of a man with visual impairments to an image created using the company’s new FLXflow technology.
FLXflow dimensional print is available on Canon Arizona printers. The featured job was produced on an Arizona 2380 XFT with FLXflow, which is driven by Arizona PRISMAelevate XL software. With the ability to build the print surface up to 4 mm deep, FLXflow provides extraordinary additional dimension that can be used not only to elevate the experience and impact of print but to increase the range of applications.
Among a suite of new innovations for its Colorado M-Series printers was the FLXture feature, which can add micro texture of up to 0.3 mm to prints. Steven Badger, Head of Sales & Professional Services, Large Format Graphics says, “FLXture stacks five layers of Canon’s UVgel ink to add subtle surface detail to prints in a single pass. It’s the perfect way to highlight elements of an image, add texture to bring out detail to prints of surfaces like timber or leather. FLXture is a new addition to the FLXfinish+ technology to add a velvety matte or high-gloss finish – or a combined matte/gloss application – all using our unique UVgel technology, and all in a single pass.
“The highlight of this drupa for me was seeing the evolution of the application focus, the high levels of innovation and the confirmation of the continuing relevance and importance of print. Certainly, for us at Canon, it’s about creating relevant new technology enhancements that allow us to capitalise on the physical and tactile experience of print. These application enhancements are complemented by increased levels of automation and enhanced ease of use to allow print service providers to make the most of their valuable staff resources.
Craig Nethercott added: “For me, there were a few highlights. Automation was definitely a stand-out. The focus is very much on achieving the ultimate productivity, collaborating with partners in many cases to cut out processes and touchpoints, and enhancing ease of use. Sustainability is also a key. For us, that includes a range of advances, including delivering our inks in new ‘bag in box’ packaging. Above all, the highlight of this drupa after eight years is the confirmation that print is very much alive. We have missed the collaboration and connection of drupa. It’s good to be back.”
Caption:
Managing Director Canon Production Printing, Oceania Craig Nethercott with the drupa-release varioPRINTiX1700
Click here for more information on the varioPRESS iV7 series; click here for more information on the LabelStream LS2000 https://www.canon-europe.com/business/products/production-printers/production-printing/labelstream-ls2000/