Canon to enter commercial photo printing market

According to a press release, Canon’s new DreamLabo 5000 will go on sale in Japan in September 2011, targeting the retail photo and printing industries which offer over-the-counter and web-based print-services such as the production of photo prints, photo albums and other high-value-added photo materials.

The DreamLabo 5000 features a newly developed high-density print head enabling the printing of output up to 305 mm wide. Incorporating Canon’s FINE (Full-photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering) technology, the print head enables the achievement of both high image quality and high productivity, the company said, adding that the system realizes color representation that comprehensively surpasses that of conventional silver halide photography. According to Canon, the unit is designed to deliver high productivity for the printing of high-quality photos and detailed text to support a variety of high-value-added output, from photo merchandise to high-quality POD (Print on Demand).

In addition to FINE print head technology, which ensures the accurate placement of microscopic ink droplets, and a seven-color dye-based ink system and exclusive paper that realize smooth gradation expression with vivid coloration, the DreamLabo 5000 employs image processing technology that makes use of the full range of Canon’s unique inkjet printing color gamut, the company said.

The DreamLabo’s newly developed wide print head delivers high-speed One-Pass Printing, requiring only a single pass of the printing paper while the print head remains in a fixed position. When used in combination with the automatic double-sided printing function, a standard feature included in the printer, the DreamLabo 5000 is capable of printing the contents of a 20-page A4-size photo album in just 72 seconds. The system also realizes high productivity by enabling paper and ink tank replacement during printing, supporting the extended operation times required for production printers. The Canon DreamLabo 5000 and optional paper deck will go on sale in Japan in September 2011 priced at Yen 50 million (approximately Euro 440,000/US$ 600,000) plus delivery and installation costs, operation training fees, and other follow-up charges.