Canon Announces Expansion of its Production Inkjet Portfolio with New B2 Sheetfed Press, the varioPRESS iV7

Drupa, Düsseldorf, Germany, 27^th May 2024 – Canon, a global leader in production inkjet presses, announces today an expansion of its production inkjet portfolio and its entry into the B2 sheetfed inkjet market with the varioPRESS iV7, a new inkjet press capable of producing 8,700 B2 4/0 sheets per hour (4,350 B2 4/4 sheets per hour). Printing up to 4.5 million B2 images per month, the varioPRESS iV7 aims to set a new standard in the digital B2 segment, delivering an outstanding combination of eye-catching quality, unparalleled productivity and versatile media support. Based on new and existing Canon inkjet innovations, a new hardware platform and a new Canon controller developed specifically for the requirements of the B2 market, the varioPRESS iV7 will empower commercial printers to migrate jobs from existing digital devices and shorter runs from offset. Visitors to the Canon stand in Hall 8a at drupa can experience an interactive animation of the varioPRESS iV7, which will be commercially available in the second half of 2025.

Building on the continuing success and the proven technology of the varioPRINT iX-series B3 digital sheetfed inkjet press, the new Canon varioPRESS iV7 has been engineered to address the increasing pressures of general commercial print service providers (PSPs), online and publishing printers and book producers. Its exceptional print quality, productivity and extensive media support will enable these print businesses to meet tighter deadlines and produce shorter runs and more jobs, including more premium applications.

Unparalleled Productivity

Printing 8700 B2 4/0 sheets per hour, regardless of media weight, the varioPRESS iV7 delivers continuous industrial productivity with minimal operator intervention, as printhead and image quality control are automated and ink can be refilled without stopping the print run. Consequently, the varioPRESS iV7 enables customers to easily meet demanding service level agreements and turnaround times, while increasing production capacity, cutting costs and boosting efficiency. Ideal for short-run, just-in-time production, it also allows general commercial printers to support their customers to reduce overproduction and print inventory.

Versatile media range

With a sheet size of up to 750 x 614 mm, the varioPRESS iV7 actually offers a B2+ production capability. This enables the profitable production of a diverse range of applications, from magazines, catalogues, books and marketing collateral to direct mail, postcards and business cards. With its air-supported, straight paper path with innovative two-step fixation process, the press supports a wide range of coated and uncoated media from 60gsm to 450gsm, including selected paper boards, and can handle heavy media at full rated speed for the smooth, high-speed production of premium applications. In combination with the press’s media handling innovations, its reliable feeding and stacking technology further improves runnability and continuous production. The varioPRESS iV7 also features Canon proven, two-step drying and fixation process, which reduces deformation and increases robustness on media.

Eye-catching quality

The varioPRESS iV7 features innovative 1200 dpi piezo printheads and water-based polymer pigment inks that, combined with Canon’s ColorGrip conditioning liquid, reproduce vibrant colors, fine text and precise line detail on all media at high speed. In addition, multilevel drop size modulation allows different droplet sizes, producing high print quality and excellent ink efficiency. Customers can therefore print high-quality applications first time right at high speed with consistent color and less waste, increasing their efficiency and reducing overall production costs.

Peter Wolff, Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President at Canon Production Printing, comments, “Canon has led the evolution of inkjet for over 15 years, helping customers worldwide to manage their business challenges. With a large global base of both web-fed and sheetfed inkjet presses installed, we’ve accumulated deep expertise and experience that we have channeled into the development of this B2 sheetfed press to address printers’ production challenges and open up further application opportunities. The varioPRESS iV7 aims to be the future landing point of high quality, high production B2 output, whether it comes from existing digital or short-run, time-critical offset jobs. The new Canon varioPRESS iV7 has been designed to be the Ultimate B2 Sheetfed Factory.”

Additional product details for the varioPRESS iV7 will be provided in due course.