Canon unveils its new large format roll-to-roll graphics printing platform, the Canon Colorado M Series, with a 1.6m web width. Designed to fit the needs of every printer, the M series, M for modular, offers multiple configurations.
"It looks like a single roll-to-roll printer, but it's actually a whole line of wide format printers." presented Jennifer Kolloczek, Marketing and Innovation Director of Canon Europe, at a press conference.
Nuray Isik Kapucu, EMEA product manager for the Colorado line continued, " This is unique in the market (...) Each M-Series printer is based on the same robust engine platform and printheads so the customer can start with the basic module and upgrade as their business grows."
The Canon Colorado M Series: speed, finish and choice of substrates
First of all, two printing speeds are available : 111 m 2 /h with the Colorado M3 and 159 m 2 /h with the M5. It is possible to increase the speed, either temporarily to meet production peaks, or permanently.
Printers also have the option of adding fLXfinish+ matt and glossy printing technology . With this technology from Canon, the printer offers a matte, glossy or mixed matte and glossy finish in a single pass on the same print run without adding lamination.
It is also possible to equip the Colorado with a kit for print magnetic media . There are options to activate double-sided printing or add a second roll for example .
And if their print volume and applications warrant, printers can upgrade their Colorado press to the UVgel Wallpaper Factory or UVgel Print factory for high volume jumbo to jumbo roll printing. The Colorado M-Series printers will be linked to cutting, rewinding, gluing or stacking systems, allowing for a minimum of 50,000 m 2 per year of printed materials.
The two variants, the Colorado M3 and M5, can also be enhanced with canon Uvgel white ink . The presses then named M3W and M5W will allow to produce a whole series of new applications such as window decorations or more creative labels and wallpapers.
The upgrade of the systems to the W version, with white ink, is done quickly by exchanging the print head when a Canon technician visits. The speed upgrade is done remotely in a digital way.
The advantages of UVgel with the Colorado M series
And with UVgel technology, the Colorado consumes up to 40 percent less ink to produce the same image quality and color intensity as other large format roll-to-roll printing technologies, according to Canon.
LED curing releases less heat, making the Colorado suitable for printing heat-sensitive materials. In addition, UVgel technology allows printing on PVC-free, paper-based or even uncoated substrate materials.
Canon also assures that UVgel prints have excellent dimensional stability, as well as above-average mechanical and chemical resistance, without the need to be laminated.
