Support for two-sided and variable data printing — plus new templates — are among the enhanced features for the online version of Canon U.S.A. Inc.'s PosterArtist. Additionally, version 1.1 can offer a way to improve value by featuring automatic photo color correction, provisional registration of templates and enhancements for sharing content via Google Drive.

PosterArtist, designed for all levels of users to create professional-looking posters, flyers, banners and signage, can provide additional options for creativity while offering flexibility in regards to printing options. Finished designs can be printed on Canon's imageRUNNER ADVANCE DX series of MFPs, the imagePROGRAF series of large-format printers and the PIXMA home printer series, in addition to MAXIFY printers and imageCLASS and imagePRESS models.

The latest version can support two-sided printing, facilitating the creation of items such as flyers for retails stores or menus, among many potential projects. Additionally, the variable printing function can assist in efficiently printing items such as certificates, where the contents of each sheet can be changed by importing text data from an Excel file.

The auto photo fix function enables an efficient editing process, applying auto-color correction, backlight corrections and fixes for lack of exposure, among others. Color tones and photo brightness can be automatically adjusted to aid in the creation of original designs.

Expanded templates and clip art can benefit a variety of users, both business and private, while also providing ways for unified two-sided designs and variable printing for customized pieces.

The easy-to-use PosterArtist application offers prepopulated templates in various categories, including education, business, health, travel, hospitality and many others that the user can customize to fit their needs, using just a few clicks.

In other news, Canon U.S.A. Inc.'s new Colorado M-series 64-inch roll-to-roll printer — featuring two speed configurations and optional UVgel white ink capabilities — is now available to help users produce high-quality applications and meet demanding productivity and turnaround standards.

Retaining Colorado's industrial build quality, the new M-series design, with in-field upgrades, is based on a single platform that can be configured to help meet customer needs. The scalable series features two speed configurations, optional UVgel white ink capabilities and a host of additional modular options to enable end users to customize their devices according to their business needs and to grow their printers as their businesses grow. The M3 BASE configuration can be expanded over time up to the M5W PRO configuration, which includes increased functionality such as speed enhancements, double-sided printing, dual-roll, white ink capabilities and FLXfinish+.

The M-series devices can be easily upgraded to "W" versions for white ink so customers can purchase the white ink option after their initial printer purchase. The M-series devices incorporate the latest printhead technology found in the Colorado 1630 devices, which relative to the Colorado 1650 devices have double the nozzles, a higher firing frequency, increased durability and a reduction in the number of print heads from eight to four.

The introduction of a white UVgel ink maximizes the scope for customers to benefit from UVgel's performance advantages for a full spectrum of premium graphics and décor applications — for example, window graphics, labels and wallpaper. With new media detection sensor technology for easy media handling for even non-white applications, Colorado M-series customers can expand product offerings using heavy structured, transparent, colored, metallic and magnetic materials.

The M-series outperforms its competition in terms of white printing speed, with two to three times faster output, while using 50% to 70% less ink. Together the non-evaporative UVgel inks, whose gel-like consistency helps keep the white pigments suspended and the printer's automated maintenance features ensure that the ink and nozzles are ready to print when you are. This eliminates the need to remove and store heads or shake ink bags before printing.

The unique gel formulation of Canon UVgel ink translates to fast build-up of dense and opaque white images with up to five layers in fewer passes than with conventional printing technologies, and printed output maintains its original whiteness over time.

Customers can also choose the popular FLXfinish+ option, allowing the ability 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 seamlessly integrates the Colorado M-series printer with cutting, rewinding, taping or sheet stacking to manage volumes of at least 500,000ft² per year with minimal operator time.

"The Colorado M-series offers many ways to help customers select the configurations and speed to best fit their needs," said Tim Greene, research director, International Data Corporation (IDC). “With upgrades available for speed and white ink options, the scalable series offers the flexibility to enhance after purchasing, adding to its ability to produce high-quality applications."

Canon UVgel ink delivers pin-sharp image quality and consistent color, while its instant drying properties enable immediate cutting and finishing, and its ultra-durability removes the need for lamination. Like previous Colorado configurations, 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. The new M-series Colorado printers are supported by PRISMAguide XL, the make-ready software that results in effortless production runs with consistent high quality, and is offered for free with each white ink-enabled device.

Compared to other ink technologies such as latex or ecosolvent inks, UVgel technology consumes up to 40% less CMYK ink to build up the same image quality and color intensity. The low-heat, energy-efficient LED curing system and "instant-on" operation results in reduced energy use compared to other technologies.

With UVgel technology, customers can print on environmentally responsible materials such as PVC-free and paper-based media. The Colorado M-series printer fits perfectly in a sustainability conscious organization, building on the Colorado 1650 UVgel 460's GREENGUARD Gold certification2 from UL Environment — a worldwide safety and certification company that establishes strict safety criteria with respect to use in environments like schools and health-care facilities that serve sensitive populations, such as children and the elderly.

"The Colorado printers already have established a reputation for speed, quality and all-around productivity, and the M-series' ability to offer modularity and easy-care white ink options will only help make it more attractive to customers who want to increase their capabilities for large-format graphics printing solutions," said Shinichi "Sam" Yoshida, executive vice president and general manager, Canon U.S.A. Inc.

The Colorado M-series is designed with low total cost of ownership and rapid return on investment in mind, thanks to the lowest operating costs in its category, the ability to produce high-value applications, and the unique modular upgrade options.

In other news, for those who need to scan large amounts of different-sized documents easily, Canon U.S.A. Inc. has introduced the imageFORMULA DR-M1060II office document scanner. This scanner is designed to help businesses stay organized, reduce paper accumulation, digitize useful information and help streamline workflows in multiple industries, including federal, state and local government, financial services, insurance, health care, education and manufacturing.

"Canon is excited to introduce the imageFORMULA DR-M10160II, expanding our range of solutions for our customers," says Shuji "Steve" Suda, vice president and general manager, Canon U.S.A. Inc. "This scanner can produce high-quality images and is compact enough where it can fit neatly on a desk or tabletop."

The imageFORMULA DR-M1060II is designed to handle letter, legal and ledger-sized paper, and can scan both sides at once. It includes a dual feeding path. The unique default "U-turn" paper path allows users to load and then remove paper in the front of the scanner, and creates a compact scanner design capable of fitting flat against a wall. The user-selectable straight-through path allows for handling of thicker, fragile or rigid documents such as a driver license or newspaper. The imageFORMULA DR-M1060II feeder design allows you to scan a range of different document sizes in a single batch, while minimizing the chance of a feeding error. You can digitize plastic cards, envelopes, postcards, artwork, industrial drawings, posters, maps and more. The scanner is compatible with Windows, and is able to save physical documents into Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, as well as PDF for easy editing and searchability.

The imageFORMULA DR-M1060II scanner's automatic document feeder can hold up to 80 sheets, helping to reduce the need to manually feed items one by one. The latest Canon CaptureOnTouch software is included and designed to provide advanced functionalities and user experience, such as bar code and metadata recognition, batch separation, adding pages via drag-and-drop, thumbnail viewing and more. The imageFORMULA DR-M1060II scanner is ergonomically designed for comfortable feeding in the front of the machine — there is no need to stand up or reach out to set documents in the scanner.

This new scanner includes a three-year limited warranty with advanced exchange service. Extended warranty options are also available through Canon. These, combined with Canon's U.S.-based technical support, can help maximize uptime throughout the product life.

"The Canon imageFORMULA DR-M1060II supports a range of scanning capabilities that can help organizations improve productivity in the office," says Lee Davis, senior analyst of software/scanners, Keypoint Intelligence.

The Canon imageFORMULA DR-M1060II office document scanner is now available for purchase via select Canon partners for an MSRP of $1,995.