Canon U.S.A. Inc. has announced the new upcoming varioPRINT iX1700 B3+ size inkjet digital sheetfed press, designed to deliver a combination of high print quality and fast, efficient production for the demanding commercial, in-plant and direct mail print markets.

Introduced as an expansion of Canon's broad digital press portfolio, the varioPRINT iX1700 color inkjet production press joins the varioPRINT iX-series within Canon's sheetfed inkjet portfolio, combining the flexibility of sheetfed printing with production inkjet. Engineered for reliable, high productivity and consistent, high quality, the new press will be based on a compelling blend of brand new and proven Canon technologies.

As advancements are made across the commercial printing industry, there has been an increased demand to improve production and labor efficiency coupled with the quality and personalization of printed materials to support the growth of on-demand printing and shorter delivery times. The new varioPRINT iX1700 prints at a speed of up to 165 letter images per minute and provides built-in utilization optimization features to meet these demands.

varioPRINT iX1700 inkjet digital press highlights include:

• High-definition printhead — Thanks to Canon's state-of-the-art, cutting-edge, high-definition printhead, the varioPRINT iX1700 is designed to image a B3+ size sheet in one pass at 2,400-by-1,200 dpi and features a continuous ink circulation technology designed for optimized uptime.
• Automated printhead cleaning — Designed for reliable, high-quality production, printhead maintenance and quality control have been automated enabling continuous high-quality printing for longer uninterrupted production runs.
• Reliable feeding — The built-in registration correction mechanism and air feeding system is engineered to simultaneously correct paper skew and horizontal misalignment helping achieve high image alignment accuracy. The air feeding system improves separation performance and helps transport paper stability regardless of paper type or size, helping achieve highly reliable printing.
• Innovative inkjet technology — To ensure high-performance print quality, the press uses a new water-based polymer pigment ink that contains a highly saturated pigment and produces a wide color gamut. Together with conditioning liquid, a thin ink layer is formed that maintains the integrity of the paper texture resulting in printed output that closely resembles the look and feel of offset print, helping support the reproduction or migration of offset-printed applications. Output quality is further boosted by pairing this ink technology with an efficient fixing and drying system that enhances the robustness of the print.

"We are thrilled to announce the upcoming varioPRINT iX1700 inkjet digital press, a testament to Canon's commitment to innovation in the digital production inkjet arena," said Shinichi "Sam" Yoshida, executive vice president and general manager, Canon U.S.A. Inc. "In response to the evolving needs of the commercial, in-plant and direct mail print markets, the varioPRINT iX1700 press will offer a powerful combination of high-speed production, impeccable print quality and operational efficiency. As digitalization continues its march forward, Canon is proud to lead the way, addressing the demands for enhanced productivity and superior printed materials."

The varioPRINT iX1700 color sheetfed production press is currently expected to be generally available to the U.S. market in early 2025.

In other news, Canon U.S.A. Inc. has announced an upcoming product, the LabelStream LS2000 inkjet press, which is being designed to serve the surging demand for digital, high-quality label converting. This inkjet press implements many newly developed Canon technologies highlighted by high-density aqueous ink, printhead, advanced fixing system and a variety of automation features to support efficient production. The entry into the U.S. label printing market is a natural evolution to support current multidiscipline print providers and expand into new markets. Canon's entry is built on the success of delivering high-quality roll-to-roll and sheet-fed inkjet solutions via a network of strong customer support.

The highlights of the LabelStream LS2000 inkjet digital press include:

High-Density, Pigmented Aqueous-Based Ink

The new water-based ink contains a highly saturated pigment and is designed to produce a wide color gamut. The ability to apply a thin layer of ink helps enhance quality and complements the distinct textures of specialty media. Precisely engineered conditioning liquid and ink delivery promotes adhesion on industry standard substrates. The aqueous-based ink is designed for printing a wide range of industrial, consumer and food-labeling applications.

Newly Developed Canon Printhead

Imaging through Canon's high-definition printhead, integrated inkjet nozzle and circulation system, a precise ink flow path is established for even distribution and dependable print quality. The automated maintenance system cleanses the printhead while helping to optimize performance and maximize press uptime with little operator intervention.

Designed to Support a Wide Range of Label Applications

The LabelStream LS2000 will support an imaging width of 90-340 mm and is designed for reliable operation at speeds of up to 40 m per minute. Equipped with four-color printing and a high opacity white ink integrated with low-temperature fixing, the press will be suitable for a broad range of label applications. Features like automated adjustment for color, registration, and imaging are designed to help streamline production. Additionally, media wind-back, job recall with media referencing, an intuitive user interface for on-press operation, analytics, and service contribute to the efficiency of the process.

"We are excited to be expanding our offerings into the label converting market and bring our inkjet innovation to support the digitization in this segment," said Shinichi "Sam" Yoshida, executive vice president and general manager, Canon U.S.A. Inc. "The LabelStream LS2000 is designed to excel in delivering high-quality, efficient and versatile label converting."

The LabelStream LS2000 color continuous feed inkjet digital press is currently expected to be available to the U.S. market in early 2025.