Canon launches inkjet web for coated stocks

Canon Australia says it has launched a breakthrough in digital print technology with the new Océ ImageStream 3500 inkjet web able to print on coated stocks.

Tim Saleeba, sales director for Canon Professional Print in Australia, was present for the announcement at the Global Canon Commercial Print Days conference in Poing, Germany. He says, “This technology will usher in a new era for digital printing in Australia, enabling printers to take high speed inkjet technology from transactional printing and billing into high quality graphic arts applications such as brochures, catalogues, short-run magazines and marketing collateral.”

The Océ ImageStream 3500 is the first full-colour inkjet press that can print on coated stocks in the Canon portfolio. It prints a 762mm web at 80m/min with a resolution of 1200 x 1200dpi, and can run twice as fast in 1200 x 600dpi mode.
Canon is strengthening its position in publishing and commercial printing, and says it is giving commercial printers the competitive edge for their transition from traditional offset printing to profitable high-quality digital inkjet printing. The Océ inkjet webs are market leaders.

According to Canon high-quality output on inkjet printing systems has been dependent on specialised papers. Printing manufacturers have been restricted to the use of special inkjet treated papers or special add-ons such as bonding agents or primers to achieve the best possible print quality.

The Océ ImageStream 3500 enables graphic arts professionals to print on standard offset coated stock which they are already using on their offset presses. Canon says they will achieve excellent and consistent output quality over the whole print run.

The company says there is no need for two different paper stocks; one for digital and one for offset printing. The job (run length, turnaround, print window) determines the technology that is used and opens up a whole new world of business opportunities.

The printing system is equipped with the newly developed native 1200dpi print heads from industry-leading supplier Kyocera and a new aqueous pigment ink allowing small droplet sizes. This combination enables printing on a wider range of standard gloss offset stocks, as well as the use of lightweight papers.

Another advantage for pigment inks is the high output quality on standard offset papers as they provide higher edge sharpness due to less fray and dot gain in conjunction with increased optical density for a higher saturation resulting in sharp lines and vibrant colours. Furthermore, the perceived colour gamut on low cost standard offset papers is higher on pigment inks than on dye inks.

According to Canon this makes the printing system the ideal solution for a wide range of applications, including, for example, high-quality books, brochures, magazines and personalised catalogues.

Combined with Océ’s multilevel technology – a flexible droplet modulation with four contrast levels – the image representation can be augmented by means of smoother gradations of shades, crisper details and a heightened dynamic range, leading to an even higher perceived image quality.

Its 30″ (762mm) wide web provides the productivity of a traditional B2 press combined with the advantages of digital printing: print-on-demand and short runs to fulfill given orders instead of printing high amounts to be cost-effective per copy, customised content and quick job turnaround.

Saleeba says, “With increased productivity and the use of lower cost offset stocks, the Australian print market will be quick to capitalise on a more cost effective digital print technology. Quick turnaround for short to medium run applications, exceptional print quality, with the added benefit of variable and personalised data, offers the commercial printer offset quality at a scale and cost never before thought possible.”

At the end of May, Canon invited a select group of analysts and print suppliers from Australia and around the world to Tokyo in order to show them the Océ ImageStream 3500 for the first time. Marco Boer, Vice-President, IT Strategies, Inc, says, “The number one request for product improvements among current inkjet press owners is the ability to print directly on offset coated media in order to take advantage of lower paper cost. The Canon ImageStream 3500 is the first continuous inkjet press in development that we have seen print directly onto those stocks without the need for a pre-coat.”

Ralf Schlözer, director of the On Demand Printing & Publishing Consulting Service Europe, InfoTrends, says, “At InfoTrends we have been expecting inkjet to move into commercial markets such as books, magazines, advertising, high quality direct mail or catalogues for some time. Products like the ImageStream 3500 represent a major step forward in addressing these markets and have the potential to open up new growth opportunities in production colour digital print.”

 

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