Widthwise 2024


Duncan Smith, Country director, production, Canon UK and Ireland


We understand that installing a wide-format device is not a small investment, and it’s important that businesses consider their unique needs when choosing which device to invest in. Our focus at Canon is matching customers to wide-format devices that are tailored to their needs - whether that be increasing productivity and automation, improving the quality of prints, or expanding the media versatility of their workflow.


Investing in a wide-format printer is a significant step for any business to take and should be a considered conversation between the customer and their print provider. With demand for wide-format print on a steady upwards trajectory, Canon has the support and service in place when businesses are ready to make the investment.


Kevin Jenner, European marketing manager, Fujifilm Wide Format Inkjet Systems


Since Covid print companies have curbed their capital spending. In our new Acuity range we have focused on hitting the sweet spot between print quality, output speed and machine price. We are working on a brand new system, the Acuity Triton, running a new water based UV ink system and due for launch in late 2024. The system is likely to retail at around £20k. This puts us back in the entry-level space.


We recognise we have to focus on more than print systems if we are to build relations with key customers, so we are putting a lot of effort into other areas - ink systems (like Aquafuze), data management, media qualification etc.


The quality and precision of UV curable printing makes it ideal for highly technical print jobs such as wallpaper - a key area of growth for us at Canon. The expansion of our UV curable range has helped us to reach customers in new and exciting markets. Our UVgel technology is at the core of every Canon Colorado roll-to-roll printer . To help bring UVgel capabilities to more customers, Canon’s UVgel Wallpaper Factory enables PSPs to break into wallpaper production, without significantly changing their existing workflow. With more brands and retailers looking for personalised, short-run wallpaper, there is a major opportunity for PSPs to invest in UV curable technology and stay ahead of this industry trend.


Automation is key to unlocking workflow efficiencies and PSPs require devices that fit seamlessly into an automated workflow. That is why we have worked on combining device capabilities, offering simultaneous print and scan functions on several of our production print devices.


As PSPs look to upgrade their workflow, we’ll see the industry respond with a greater focus on inkjet technology. Canon has recently expanded its portfolio of continuous feed inkjet devices with the launch of the ProStream 2000 series, providing customers with round-the-clock production.


Yes, we firmly believe LED UV will continue to be the dominant technology. The Acuity Prime, for example, is proving very popular in the UK market, with over 30 installs. We also believe that over the next two years hybrid platforms will become more popular than dedicated flatbed UV printers, being more versatile devices. However, as already stated, we are working on Aquafuze, our new water based UV ink technology. It brings together the benefits of UV and water-based inks. There is work to be done but this could open up new applications.


Erskine Stewart, Managing director, swissQprint UK


The cautious investment climate among UK PSPs presents both challenges and opportunities for swissQprint. Recognising the limited spending intentions, our R&D efforts have consistently focused on developing efficient, versatile, and long-lasting products. Our product range is designed to be retrofittable, allowing machines to evolve with the businesses, thus providing a lower initial cost. To further support cautious businesses, we have recently extended our standard warranty to 36 months.


In terms of sales strategies, we continue to emphasise the value proposition of our products. We also collaborate with finance companies to offer flexible financing options, making our technology more accessible despite budget constraints.


UV flatbed technology remains a core focus of our R&D efforts. The swissQprint Nyala has been a top-selling UV flatbed printer in Europe for the past nine years, and we have recently expanded our flatbed range to include the Kudu, designed to enable PSPs to take on more complex projects.


In addition to developing new models, we also invest in improving the features and performance of our existing product range. This includes advancements in printheads, ink formulations, and software solutions to optimise the printing process.


We are working on building a comprehensive suite of data for our machines.


We are continuously enhancing our solutions to streamline and optimise the entire printing process. One of our key strategies is collaborating with software providers, such as Caldera and PrintFactory, to allow us to integrate advanced Rip solutions with our systems and address various aspects of workflow management, from job preparation to final output.


In addition to our software enhancements, we keep innovating on the hardware front to further boost workflow efficiencies. Our new unloading system, currently in the concept phase and expected to be available in 2025, is a prime example.


Canon’s devices are designed to run on minimal energy levels, at maximum capacity. As well as reducing costs, PSPs are looking to invest in energy efficient printers to help them meet their sustainability goals, where it’s important to consider the broader life cycle of the device. At Canon, we have a process for recycling and reusing parts. For example, at least 85% of the material used in Canon’s new PlotWave large-format devices can be reused or recycled.


These are just some of the ways that energy efficiency should be reflected in the R&D process of manufacturers, to assure customers that they’re not only saving energy costs but contributing to a more circular print industry.


We focus on industrial build quality using the best quality materials. That build quality ensures smooth machine running which limits unnecessary power consumption. We use long lasting LED lamps which generate less heat and therefore consume less power. We constantly monitor the amount of power going through our machines and optimise performance.


We understand that rising energy costs are a significant concern for our customers so energy efficiency is a paramount focus. Our printers boast ISO-certified energy consumption ratings that are among the lowest in the market. For instance, the swissQprint range consume an average of just 2.2 kilowatt-hours of electricity, comparable to the power usage of an average household kettle.


The real-world impact of our energy-efficient designs is evident in customer experiences. For example, The Valley Group replaced a single flatbed printer with two swissQprint Kudu printers. Despite increasing their printing capacity, they now save hundreds of pounds on energy costs each week.


www.imagereports.co.uk | Widthwise 2024 | 25


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