Digital Press For Short-Run And Variable Data Work

New Leaf Printing Group has become the first printer in the UK to install a Canon Imagepress C7000VP, which was the world's first order for the digital colour press.

The Manchester (UK) firm will use the press to produce a range of short-run jobs, as well as variable data work.

The Imagepress C7000VP comprises a V-Toner, T-Developer and E-Drum in conjunction with an oil-less fusing system, to provide print quality that has the look and feel of litho, claimed Canon.

The press's digital engine, coupled with colour management tools, are claimed to provide a resolution of 1,200 dots per inch (dpi) at speeds of 70 colour pages-per-minute on to paper stocks up to 300gsm in weight.

New Leaf Printing Group managing director, Frank Unsworth, said: "When we first saw the Imagepress C7000VP at Ipex we knew it was exactly what we were looking for - a digital press that could produce litho-quality work at digital speed and flexibility.

We wanted a state-of-the-art digital press to put us at the forefront of the digital print market and I believe that Canon has provided that system." He continued: "We have built an excellent relationship with Canon over the years, especially with its professional print team and we have absolute confidence in its services.

I'm delighted that we are the first company in the country to install what I believe to be a truly revolutionary technology platform." The company, which was established 25 years ago, has four divisions.

New Leaf Press specialises in litho printing, Big Leaf, the group's large-format printing arm, is its services division, New Leaf Extra, as well as the company's digital print division, Quick Leaf.

The Imagepress C7000VP has joined Quick Leaf's arsenal of Canon digital equipment, which includes two monochrome I R8500s and a CLC 5151 digital colour printer.

The company also has EFI's web-submission tool, Digital Storefront, which links directly to the press to give New Leaf's customers the ability to update and order jobs online, added Canon.

Frank Unsworth added: "The ability to produce 70 litho-quality colour pages a minute digitally takes us in to new markets for high-quality, short-run and variable data work.

And feedback from our customers regarding the image quality has been extraordinary - we've already received a number of testimonials." Ben Milford, head of professional print marketing at Canon Business Solutions, said: "The first UK customer installation of the Imagepress C7000VP represents a major milestone for Canon.

It not only illustrates our commitment to deliver benchmark systems to the professional print sector, but shows that the Imagepress brand continues to go from strength to strength." And he added: "It's fitting that the New Leaf Printing Group, the world's first company to back the product when it signed up for one last year, is the UK's first owner of the Imagepress C7000VP.

This installation cements what is already a strong relationship between New Leaf Printing Group and Canon." Milford further commented: "At Northprint last April we announced that we would ship the Imagepress C7000VP to UK customers from July, so it's pleasing to see us deliver it earlier than anticipated.

Throughout the coming weeks we will complete the first tranche of UK installations of the machine.".

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