Canon has unveiled the Colorado XL-series, a new platform of 3.4-metre printers that expands its UVgel technology into the 3.2-metre graphics market.
Announced on 1 October, the new printer range offers both roll-to-roll and hybrid models, designed to deliver productivity, versatility and automation for large format print providers.
Canon says the XL-series was designed in response to customer feedback and broader market shifts. Print providers face pressure to handle more diverse applications, from retail experiences and décor to packaging and soft signage, while also coping with labour shortages and rising expectations for sustainability. By building in automation, modular upgrades and eco-efficient UVgel technology, Canon says it is positioning the XL-series as a future-proof investment that helps providers “say yes more often” to new business opportunities.
The XL-series comprises two models – the Colorado XL7 roll-to-roll and the Colorado XL7 hybrid – built on a modular platform that can be field-upgraded as business needs evolve. Options include a dual-roll system that allows two 1.6m rolls to run side by side, helping operators maximise throughput and flexibility while keeping the investment future-proof, the company says.
Steven Badger, head of Sales & Professional Services at Canon Production Printing Australia, said the XL-series was built to meet key market needs.
“Large format print providers in the 3.2m graphics market are looking for systems that deliver high productivity, versatile applications, and reliable quality while addressing the challenge of finding skilled operators,” Badger said.
“The Colorado XL-series meets all these needs with an advanced platform that combines the significant advantages of our unique UVgel technology with extensive automation and a modular design that can grow with a customer’s business.”
Performance and versatility
With print speeds reaching 211m² per hour in express mode, the XL-series is designed for high-demand environments. It accommodates rigid substrates up to 52mm thick and a broad range of flexible media including vinyl, textiles, films and paper, enabling providers to diversify into new applications without multiple machines.
According to Canon, the system introduces several innovations including UVgel FullBeam Curing for uniform colour across the full 3.4m width, new UVgel 850 printheads with automated performance monitoring, and a TRIdrive vacuum belt system that automatically corrects skewing and wrinkling for razor-sharp results.
Optional extras such as white ink, FLXfinish+ matte-to-gloss effects and FLXture textured finishes expand creative possibilities.
Sustainability built in
Canon has also designed the XL-series with sustainability in mind. UVgel inks are GreenGuard Gold certified, low-VOC and odourless, suitable for indoor applications, while eco-friendly substrates including PVC-free and paper-based media are supported.
Features such as recyclable two-litre ink packaging, low-temperature curing, and automated quality control reduce waste and energy use, contributing to a lower total cost of ownership.
The Colorado XL-series will be available in Oceania from mid-2026.