Canon Production Printing (CPP) has launched the corrPRESS iB17, its next-generation inkjet press engineered for industrial-scale corrugated packaging production, at the FEFCO (European Federation of Corrugated Board Manufacturers) Technical Seminar in Rome.
Capable of digitally printing up to 8000 m² per hour (15 million m² per year), the corrPRESS iB17 delivers offset-like quality directly onto corrugated boards up to 1.7 m wide, using water-based inks and primer suitable for indirect food contact.
The highly automated corrPRESS iB17 enables cost-efficient short- to medium-run production with ultra-fast turnaround times, while requiring fewer operators and lower skill levels.
According to the company, the corrPRESS iB17 addresses the evolving needs of corrugated converters facing increasing pressure to deliver shorter runs with more variants, faster turnaround, and premium quality—all without compromising cost efficiency.
“The corrPRESS iB17 is a game-changer for the Oceania market. It brings high-speed, offset-quality digital printing to corrugated packaging, helping converters meet growing demand for fast, flexible and sustainable production,” said Craig Nethercott, managing director of CPP Oceania.
“We’re excited to support our customers in transforming their operations with this breakthrough technology.”
Offering industrial-scale throughput at up to 8000 m² per hour, the corrPRESS iB17 allows converters to achieve cost-efficient production for runs up to 20,000 m², extending digital printing viability well beyond traditional short runs.
Supported by automated printhead cleaning and quality-control systems, the press minimises operator intervention while maximising efficiency.
The system design reduces waste through print-on-demand operation and eliminates the need for printing plates and chemicals. Unlike conventional technologies, the corrPRESS iB17 produces no contaminated water requiring filtration or disposal.
Featuring proprietary 1200 dpi piezo printheads and specially formulated water-based pigment inks and primer, which provide an extended colour gamut with CMYK and later OVG, the corrPRESS iB17 achieves offset-like quality in a post-print process. This improves production efficiency by eliminating the traditional lamination step while reproducing vibrant, consistent colours, sharp text and fine detail on both coated and uncoated topliners at rated speeds.
An advanced spot primer ensures optimal ink adhesion and colour reproduction across the full range of corrugated materials. Ink is jetted immediately after primer application, without drying in between, minimising board stress and ensuring reliability.
The drying system has also been optimised to reduce energy consumption and increase production efficiency.
“The announcement of the corrPRESS iB17 marks a pivotal milestone in CPP’s journey to becoming a key player in the packaging industry,” said Peter Wolff, chief marketing officer and senior vice-president of CPP. “By combining proven proprietary inkjet technology with an industrial board transport system, we’ve developed an innovative press that delivers offset-quality prints with outstanding productivity and digital flexibility, all developed for indirect food contact applications.
“Designed for seamless integration into existing production environments, the highly automated corrPRESS iB17 extends the economic benefits of digital printing far beyond traditional short-run applications.”
Covering approximately 80 per cent of retail packaging applications, the system supports coated and uncoated boards up to 1.7 m wide and 1.3 m long, ranging from 1 mm to 8 mm thick, at a linear speed of 80 m per minute.
CPP owns all key components in the printing process — printheads, inks and drying — enabling full optimisation of system performance. This high level of integration and synchronisation, the company said, delivers exceptional productivity and reliability.