New Canon imageRunner Advance Pro series rounds off portfolio of professional digital output solutions

The new models have been developed on Canon's brand new imageRunner Advance technology platform.

The two new models, individually named imageRunner Advance C9070 Pro and C9060 Pro, have been designed from scratch to address the needs of professional print service providers with lower volume production requirements than those of imagePress customers. Examples might include copy shops and other 'print-for-pay' customers, central reprographic departments (CRDs), small or new-to-digital commercial printers, as well as established digital print service providers looking to increase back-up or flexibility.

The imageRunner Advance C9070 Pro and C9060 Pro offer high productivity and image quality (maximum image resolution 1200 x 1200 dpi), with running speeds for full colour output of 70 or 60 pages per minute respectively. The new printers can handle coated and uncoated stocks up to 300gsm, with sheet sizes larger than SRA3, including duplex. A stacking capacity of 4250 sheets optimises productivity. The devices can be fitted with either a production-quality on-board ImagePass-A1 RIP, or a stand-alone ColorPASS-GX300 RIP for more demanding production environments. Both RIPs have been co-developed by Canon and EFI for the new engines.

With the needs of professional production environments in mind, the new imageRunner Advance Pro models also offer a range of finishing options, including professional punching, stapling up to 100 sheets, saddle stitching up to 20 sheets, booklet trimming, and five types of folding on weights from 52 to 105gsm (Z-fold, letter fold in, letter fold out, half fold and double parallel fold).

A modular design allows each imageRunner Advance Pro installation to be configured to the customer's specific production requirements, and the printers can be readily integrated into established digital print workflows alongside other devices. The imageRunner Advance Pro series has been designed to offer customers maximum uptime and flexibility, and environmental considerations have been prioritised in the design process - for example, with the use of plant-derived bio plastics.

Ayman Aly, Product Manager for Canon Middle East, comments:

"Canon is a market-leading, customer-focused company providing a complete range of business solutions, based on customer needs. The market for high quality on-demand print at lower production volumes is evolving rapidly. Indications are that this market has substantial scope for sustained growth, with some predictions that revenue from this segment will more than double by 2011."

He continues, "What's clear from our conversations with customers is that in certain environments printers are looking to achieve high productivity and quality, but with lower capital outlay, reduced risk and more rapid return on investment. They're asking for increased flexibility to upgrade their capabilities as their customer profile and work mix changes, or as digital volumes grow. And of course they want optimum uptime to maximise profitability and meet customers' demands for ultra fast job turnaround. These new imageRunner Advance Pro models enable us to broaden our reach to these types of customer, offering them scaleable but resilient solutions that can grow in tandem with their digital print business."

The new imageRunner Advance Pro series models will be sold through Canon's accredited channel partners in the Middle East, with the ability to provide the quality of consultancy, service and after-sales support associated with the Canon brand.

For professional printers in Middle East, Canon can now deliver an unsurpassed range of applications through its comprehensive portfolio of digital print engines optimised for production environments. The range of colour devices spans the highly specified Canon imagePress C7000VP, C6000VP and C6000 colour digital production presses, and the new imageRunner Advance Pro series printers. Coupling these five colour engines with the range of monochrome iR and imagePress devices, the C1+ printer and the imagePrograf large format output portfolio, Canon has a complete - and now most technologically advanced - hardware offering for all types of professional customer.

Ayman Aly concludes, "Combining these output capabilities with proprietary and third-party workflow and applications software - such as Helix Production Workflow, in-line and near line finishing solutions, our Canon Essential Business Builder Program and Canon's best-in-class after-sales care, we're confident that Canon is better placed than ever to work hand in hand with Middle Eastern print service providers to embrace digital growth opportunities and boost their business performance."