Canon U.S.A. Inc. has introduced a new version of PRISMAproduction, a high-performance workflow and production management platform.

Complimenting PRISMAproduction, Canon also launched PRISMAsimulate Ultra, enabling digital layout proofing, ink estimation and production simulation features for graphic arts and business communication applications for maximized profitability and minimized waste.

PRISMAproduction supports automation and integration of data input and conversation — and prepress and production management — in a single platform to assist customers in achieving workflow efficiencies across their digital print platforms. Improved prepress capabilities rank among the numerous enhancements, affording customers flexibility for handling a variety of file types such as PDF, AFP, line data, PCL, Postscript, PPML, LCDS, RDO and VIPP.

As print jobs continue to become increasingly complex, print file sizes are also growing. The new capabilities of PRISMAproduction include tools to allow better data optimization to run any web-fed and sheetfed inkjet and toner presses at full speed, even for extremely large PDF files such as commercial photo applications. This not only helps maximize the throughput of the workflow and postal optimization, as appropriate, but also helps ensure that even the fastest of printers can achieve the highest level of productivity.

The new version of PRISMAproduction runs on SLES, (SUSE Linux Enterprise Server) addressing high security standards by working to improve separation between the application software and the operating system and enhance user management.

PRISMAsimulate Ultra, a successor to TrueProof, is designed to assist print providers with increased predictability to reduce make-ready times through an on-site application delivering by ink estimation, proofing and workflow simulation. PRISMAsimulate Ultra offers two independent optional modules when purchased with a PRISMAsimulate Ultra Server:

• The Universal PDF Estimator offers customers detailed ink consumption reports for Canon's web-fed inkjet presses, enabling quick and accurate quotations to be produced for print buyers without having to print the file first, to help save both time and resources. It supports the comparison of pre- and post-calculations against actual ink and media consumption, and the production of valuable management data for further optimization of quotations and ink-related settings. Print operators can also easily create reports with detailed estimates of the ink and media consumption based on engine-specific data. The intuitive reports can be automatically or manually exported as PDF or CSV files to allow further processing in other management applications.
• The Printer Simulation Packages, offered in combination with PRISMAproduction, provides layout proofing and production simulation for web-fed inkjet and selected toner presses to help ensure first-time-ready prints by checking the layout, registration and printability of each file before printing. This is useful for print providers when growing their applications portfolios so they can avoid trial and error, which takes up valuable printing time. Alongside seamlessly integrating it into the customer production workflow with PRISMAproduction, it can help customers save resources, cost and waste.

"It is important that print businesses have the ability to respond quickly and efficiently to meet challenges regarding process optimization, shorter run lengths, increasing productivity demands and the shortage of skilled labor," said Shinichi "Sam" Yoshida, executive vice president and general manager, Canon U.S.A. Inc. "Both PRISMAproduction and PRISMAsimulate Ultra bring key benefits that address these pressures and can result in in elevated efficiencies, optimized business growth potential, and a strategy to maximize digital investments into the future."

The new generation of PRISMAproduction is expected to be available to customers in the United States in Q4 2022 while PRISMAsimulate Ultra will be available to ship to customers in the U.S. in Q1 2023.

In other news, Canon U.S.A. Inc. has announced that 3M has recognized the quality of the Colorado 1650 and its UVgel 460 ink for approval in its 3M MCS Warranty program. This approval provides assurance that applications printed on the Colorado 1650 in combination with the UVgel 460 and 3M's approved media will achieve the highest quality standards. Applications covered by the 3M MCS Warranty include vehicle graphics, signs and displays, floor graphics and many others.

To qualify for the approval, the Colorado 1650 and its UVgel 460 inks, in combination with a variety of 3M media, successfully passed a series of rigorous tests carried out under 3M's stringent assessment conditions. Underpinned by the thorough testing of ink, printer and media combinations, including also 3M's elaborate weathering technology, the 3M MCS Warranty gives both print service providers and their customers peace of mind and confidence that their images will perform as expected for the intended lifetime of the printed graphic.

Widely recognized as a top industry standard and representing the most comprehensive, all-inclusive warranty for finished graphics, the 3M MCS Warranty provides non-prorated protection for the graphic's intended lifespan, including protection against fading, cracking, peeling, blistering, discoloration and many other aspects of graphic performance.

The Canon Colorado 1650 uses the unique UVgel ink technology, which incorporates all the best aspects of alternative ink technologies, such as the color gamut and light fastness of eco-solvent, the fit-for-indoor use and quick drying time of latex, and the productivity and low-temperature printing process of UV. UVgel technology also enables unique options, such as the production of output with a matte or gloss finish or even the two combined in one print.

UVgel inks produce odorless, ultra-robust output fully certified for indoor use, as well as being very durable for outdoor use. With customers benefiting from zero VOC emissions, zero hazardous air pollutants and a low average ink usage of 6.4ml/m2 across the more than 2,500 UVgel engines installed worldwide, UVgel has already proved itself to be a sustainable and cost-efficient alternative for latex and eco-solvent technology.

"At 3M we take pride in the ability to provide graphics manufacturers the widest selection of premier printing solutions," said Woonsik Shim, vice president of the graphics and personal auto business, 3M Commercial Solutions Division. "Extending the warranty through our partnership with Canon reinforces our commitment to quality and to our customers' success, which in turn inspires confidence in the printed graphics."

"UVgel is a breakthrough technology that is transforming the way wide format graphics and other applications are being produced," Yoshida said. "By securing the 3M MCS Warranty, we have passed yet another milestone in our long-term strategy to encourage adoption of the technology. By working together with key industry partners such as 3M, we will continue our mission to offer print service providers in this exciting market a wider choice of print technologies and demonstrate the significant difference UVgel could make to their businesses."

Canon is seeing a rapid growth in the uptake of its Colorado platform and UVgel technology and, in 2020, invested in a new, state-of-the-art ink factory at its headquarters in Venlo, Netherlands, which is now fully operational and increasing its production capacity continuously to keep up with demand.

Canon is currently setting up new labels and packaging so that the Colorado 1650 and its UVgel 460 ink will be available for the 3M MCS Warranty starting Jan. 1, 2023. At this time, customers will be able to register to apply for the 3M MCS Warranty Certificate for the Colorado 1650 and UVgel 460 ink.