Canon Production Printing has expanded its roll-to-roll printers portfolio with Colorado M-series, a modular 1.6m machine with two speed configurations and Canon UVgel white ink support.
The new large format printer has been developed to boost productivity and substantially expand the range of applications, supporting business growth with diverse graphics and décor applications.
Retaining Colorado’s industrial build quality, the new M-series design is based on a single platform that can be configured to customers’ needs and grow with their business with easy in-field upgrades.
The scalable series includes M3 and M5, two base models offering a choice of an output cruising speed of 29sqm/h and 40sqm/h and maximum print speed of 111sqm/h and 159sqm/h, respectively. Both printers can be easily upgraded to W versions for white ink (M3W and M5W).
Introducing a white UVgel ink maximises performance for a full spectrum of premium graphics and décor applications, such as window graphics, labels and wallpaper.
Colorado M also features new media detection sensor technology for easy media handling, offering customers expansion of their typical product with heavy structured, transparent, coloured, reflective and magnetic materials.
The unique gel formulation of Canon UVgel ink translates to a fast build-up of dense and opaque white images in fewer passes than with conventional printing technologies, with printed output maintaining its original whiteness over time.
According to Canon, it also eliminates many production issues commonly associated with white ink, such as nozzle cleaning and maintenance, offering smooth, error-free printing and minimising ink usage and waste while maximising productivity.
Customers can also choose the FLXfinish+ option to add matte, gloss or mixed matte and gloss on the same print without additional varnish.
High-volume customers can automate the print-to-finish process with a UVgel Print Factory or UVgel Wallpaper Factory configuration, which integrates the Colorado M-series printer with cutting, rewinding, taping or sheet stacking to manage volumes of at least 50,000sqm per year with minimal operator time.
“Ever since they burst onto the market, Colorado printers with UVgel ink have set the highest bar for speed, quality and all-round productivity,” Craig Nethercott, managing director of Canon Production Printing Oceania, said.
“On top of these business-critical performance criteria, customers today want to make smart, environmentally-responsible investments in large format graphics printing solutions that can evolve with them and help them tap into lucrative creative applications, products and markets.
“With the addition of an easy-care white ink option, the new modular Colorado M-series is the growth engine that businesses need to level up their capabilities and turn ideas into reality.”
Canon says UVgel ink delivers pin-sharp image quality and consistent colour, while its instant drying properties enable immediate cutting and finishing, and its ultra-durability removes the need for lamination.
According to the company, compared to other ink technologies, such as latex or eco-solvent inks, UVgel technology consumes up to 40 per cent less ink to build up the same image quality and colour intensity. The low-heat, energy-efficient LED curing system and instant-on operation reduce energy use compared to other technologies. With UVgel technology, customers can print on environmentally responsible materials, even uncoated, PVC-free, paper-based media. This means the Colorado M-series printer fits perfectly in a sustainability-conscious organisation.
Like previous Colorado models, the M-series is designed to handle the workload of multiple legacy roll-to-roll printers, with industrial-grade round-the-clock reliability and unattended printing with minimal operator intervention.
It is supported by PRISMAguide software and designed with a low total cost of ownership and rapid return on investment in mind, thanks to the low operating costs, the ability to produce high-value applications, and the modular upgrade options.
The Colorado M-series is immediately available via accredited partners and Canon’s regional direct sales organisations.
