Canon Displays New imagePRESS Digital Color Printers for Commercial and Graphic Arts Markets

PHILADELPHIA, May 16, 2006 Canon U.S.A., Inc., the number one overall brand leader in the color copier/printer market in the U.S.i, today showcased the companys new digital color press solutions for the high-end digital graphic arts market, the imagePRESS C7000VP*/** and imagePRESS C1*/**.  Targeting the high-quality, high-volume professional printing environments, the imagePRESS C7000VP previewed at Canon EXPO 2005 in New York as imagePRESS X will rival offset print quality at price and productivity levels that have yet to be seen in todays digital press market.   The new imagePRESS C1 also previewed at Canon EXPO 2005 in New York as imagePRESS Y exemplifies breakthrough technologies that can bring accurate and consistent color to the forefront of graphic arts markets.  

The imagePRESS digital press technology represents one of the most anticipated breakthroughs in recent Canon history, and we look forward to product releases later this year, said Tod Pike, senior vice president, Imaging Systems Group, Canon U.S.A., Inc. Canons strategy for this production color market is to provide imagePRESS production color systems that will help to deliver users increased productivity and the opportunity to drive higher profitability into their businesses.  

A Cost-Effective Alternative to Offset
Poised to revolutionize digital printing, Canons imagePRESS C7000VP digital press is expected to deliver consistent print speed at 70 pages per minute (ppm) for letter-sized output in both color and black-and-white.  The imagePRESS C7000VP will maintain the various rated engine speeds for Letter, Ledger, 12-inches x 18-inches, 13-inches x 19.2-inches media sizes regardless of media weight or coverage.  Using new toner technology from Canon, the digital press will print consistent color at resolutions up to 1200 dpi.  The companys new finer grain toner coupled with the elimination of fusing oil results in the look and feel of offset printing. Along with the new toner, a new advanced-fusing technology allows for Gloss Optimization, a technology that helps match the gloss of the toner to the gloss of the paper.  The effect is spectacular output that challenges the quality from offset.   Once released, the modular C7000VP digital press will offer customers a range of options providing the flexibility to match the needs of the fast paced production environments.  On the front end, Canon will offer the option of a Canon controller or one of two imagePRESS servers co-developed with EFI that will tackle various levels of production workflow and the integration into existing workflows through the support of open standards.  At AIIM On Demand, Canon will be previewing its own production make ready solution, imageWARE Prepress Manager.

When released, the marking engine will come standard with two paper trays holding 1,000 sheets each. The CP7000VP digital press will offer multiple input and output options including up to two Print On Demand paper decks, two high capacity stackers, and either a plain or saddle finisher with optional trimmer.  The POD decks will hold up to 4,000 sheets each, bringing the maximum input capacity to 10,000 sheets.  Anticipating some customer needs, an optional image reader and digital automatic document feeder (DADF) will be available at time of product release.  All the above capacities are based on 20lb bond letter-sized paper.  

Engineered with versatility and productivity (VP) in mind, the imagePRESS C7000VP digital printer will allow users to add toner, add paper, and empty waste toner all on the fly without interruption to the print job.  In addition, when configured with the POD deck, the digital printer will be able to feed any acceptable media and any acceptable weight (64gsm to 300gsm) from any paper source.  This new paper feeding capability is accomplished through both air suction and air assist technologies, thereby helping to enhance the reliability of the system for increased uptime and productivity.

Proofing/Print/Press
The imagePRESS C1 model has been designed to help produce outstanding image quality that is markedly approaching offset.  Targeting the proofing, short-run, and production color printing market, the imagePRESS C1 digital press will be built with advanced technologies that bring the focus back to quality.  Breakthrough quality will begin with the new V Toner.  A large color space helps allow for accurate color reproduction while the small toner particle size, which averages 5.5 microns in size, produces brilliant and sharp details.  The oil-free V Toner, coupled with new fusing technology, will produce Gloss Optimization for the look and feel of offset printing.  Gloss Optimization excels even on high gloss media that carries high dense areas to help ensure no three-dimensional appearance.

Ranging from color business document applications and critical design proofs to collateral materials and reprints, the imagePRESS C1 digital printer, when available, will help provide the quality and reliability to achieve success from the first run.  Facilitating fast turnaround on project approvals and customer projects, the imagePRESS C1 is expected to produce high quality output at speeds of up to 14ppm for color and up to 60ppm for black-and-white, based on letter-sized output and resolution up to 1200 x 1200dpi, 256 gradations.  Media flexibility goes beyond just traditional handling of thick and coated media by the new Advanced Image Transfer Belt (AITB) technology, maintaining a high level of quality for creative and production environments.  Media sizes up to 13-inches x 19-inches will be capable of feeding from all standard trays as well as an optional paper deck, specifically designed for coated media, that can hold an additional 3,500 sheets.

The imagePRESS C1 digital press is being built on the new Canon imagePlatform for imagePRESS delivering flexibility never seen before in creative environments.  Depending on the level of applications, imagePRESS C1 users are anticipated to have a choice of one of three controller options two imagePRESS Servers co-developed with EFI as well as a new Canon controller.

Ideal for creative service companies, advertising agencies, design firms, marketing divisions as well as production environments, the first imagePRESS models will be demonstrated at the Canon Booth #1624 during AIIM On Demand in Philadelphia May 16 -18th, 2006.  The Canon imagePRESS C7000VP and imagePRESS C1 are expected to be available in the fourth quarter of 2006. 

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and industrial imaging solutions. The Company is listed as one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies in America and is rated #35 on the BusinessWeek list of "Top 100 Brands." Its parent company Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ) is a top patent holder of technology, ranking second overall in the U.S. in 2005, with global revenues of $31.8 billion. For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com.

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* This device has not been authorized as required by the rules of the Federal Communications Commission.  This device is not, and may not be offered for sale or lease, or sold or leased, until authorization is obtained. 

** A Product Report required by 21 C.F.R. 1002.10 has not been submitted to the United States Food and Drug Administration for this product.  This product is not, and may not be, offered for sale or lease, or sold or leased, until the required report has been submitted.   

Availability dates and specifications are subject to change without notice. 

i Source Gartner Dataquest Printer Quarterly Statistics United States Database, Camille Iorns, February 2006