Canon Australia expands its large-format portfolio

30,000 ink nozzles and a 12-colour process separate the Canon imagePROGRAF iPF5000 from all potential rivals

Sydney, 2 May 2006 - Canon Australia today announced the newest addition to its large-format printer (LFP) range, the Canon imagePROGRAF iPF5000, aimed at the graphic arts market. In order to become a dominant force within the large-format arena, Canon is launching a raft of newly developed products in the coming months. Each will deliver colour accuracy, consistency and speed while remaining reliable and user-friendly.

"Having launched a new product every year for the last five years Canon has become the product leader and fast mover with Australia's LFP market. The launch of the imagePROGRAF iPF5000 marks Canon's assertiveness within this sector as we continue to deepen our product range," said Steven Brown, Market Segment Manager, Production & Graphic Arts, Canon Australia.

The imagePROGRAF iPF5000 uses unique new technology that improves productivity and consistently delivers accurate high-quality output. This includes a new family of pigment inks called Lucia which bring lithographic quality to digital printing for the first time. This 17-inch (A2) desktop device combines an industry-first, high-density twin printhead with FINE (Full Photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering) technology to produce industry best image quality. The high-speed controller, and functions to automatically use ink corresponding with the selected medium, ensure output speed does not compromise quality.

The twin high-density printhead, a key feature of the imagePROGRAF iPF5000, uses 30,720 nozzles in two 1-inch printheads which enhances the speed of printing as well as the durability of the device. Using FINE technology the imagePROGRAF iPF5000 distributes its 4pl (picolitre) ink droplets with great accuracy, ensuring high definition and delicate colour graduation.

Canon's revolutionary 12-colour pigment ink system not only improves print quality but also media compatibility and colour range. The broad colour gamut is realised with the addition of red, green and blue inks, as well as separate grey and photo grey inks. These additional ink colours enable smooth colour graduation while realising a neutral and constant monochrome. In addition, the use of separate photo black ink and matte black ink guarantees extended media compatibility. By achieving the widest colour gamut in its class, the imagePROGRAF iPF5000 answers the market's strong demand for accurate colour reproduction on a variety of media, especially in the art and photographic arenas.

Efficiency is further increased thanks to a newly developed high-speed controller that processes images quickly and executes three types of processing: high-speed print processing, image processing and high-quality print processing with glossy/art paper. The flexibility of the imagePROGRAF iPF5000 is enhanced by four-way media feeder: via a cassette, roll and manual feed from the front and top of the device. This means that at any one time, two types of media are always available and so the device is as productive as possible.

"This device signifies our continued expansion into the LFP market. By considering every possible function and use of the imagePROGRAF iPF5000 - and not compromising speed or image quality - we have produced a device that is a cost-efficient answer to market needs. The imagePROGRAF iPF5000 combines market-leading technology with user-friendliness that will pave the way for Canon to further establish its presence to the large format sector," said Mr Brown.

The imagePROGRAF iPF5000 comes with Canon's PosterArtist and Digital Photo Print Professional software as standard. Also included are print plug-ins for Adobe Photoshop and Canon's own Digital Photo Professional software, which is supplied with its EOS range of cameras. PosterArtist was developed in Sydney at Canon Information Research Systems Australia (CISRA), Canon's largest research centre outside of Japan and one of Australia's largest private R&D facilities. The imagePROGRAF iPF5000 can be configured to an existing network and has been designed to ensure ease-of-use and effective print management.