Canon has announced that 3M has recognised the exceptional quality of the Colorado M-series and approved its UVgel 460 white ink as part of the 3M MCS Warranty program, following its successful introduction earlier this year.
The 3M MCS Warranty program provides assurance that applications printed on the Colorado M-series in combination with UVgel 460 inks and 3M’s approved media will achieve the highest quality standards. The applications it covers include vehicle graphics, signs and displays, floor graphics, as well as transparent film and multilayer applications, such as window graphics and many more.
In combination with a variety of 3M media, the Colorado M-series and its UVgel 460 inks, including the new white ink, had to pass a series of rigorous tests carried out under 3M’s stringent assessment conditions to qualify for the approval. Recognised as a trusted industry standard and representing the most comprehensive, all-inclusive warranty for finished graphics, the 3M MCS Warranty provides non-prorated protection for the graphic’s intended lifespan, including protection against fading, cracking, peeling, blistering, discoloration and many other aspects of graphic performance. In doing so, the warranty gives both print service providers and their customers the confidence that their images will perform as expected for the intended lifetime of the printed graphic.
The Canon Colorado M-series was launched earlier this year and is designed as a single, fully modular platform that can be configured to graphics providers’ needs and grow with their business, with easy in-field upgrades. The scalable series includes two base models (M3 and M5) that offer a choice of output speeds and the option to upgrade from one model to the other. Both printers can also be upgraded to include white ink (M3W and M5W).
The Colorado series is Canon's most productive 64-inch printer family and uses the unique UVgel ink technology. It incorporates all the best aspects of alternative ink technologies, such as the colour gamut and light fastness of eco-solvent, the fit for indoor and outdoor use, due to there being no odour and quick drying time associated with latex and the productivity and low-temperature printing process of UV.
The inclusion of the white UVgel ink for the 3M MCS Warranty program maximises the scope for customers to benefit from UVgel’s renowned performance advantages across a full spectrum of premium graphics, including window graphics, labels, interior décor and many multi-layer applications.
UVgel inks produce odourless, ultra-robust output, fully certified for indoor use as well as being very durable for outdoor use. Customers benefit from zero VOC emissions, zero hazardous air pollutants and a low average ink usage of 5.9ml /m2. And with more than 3,000 UVgel engines installed worldwide, UVgel has already proven itself to be a sustainable, cost-efficient and highly productive alternative for latex and eco-solvent technology.
Woonsik Shim, Vice President, Graphics and Personal Auto Business, 3M Commercial Branding and Transportation Division, says: “At 3M we take pride in the ability to provide graphics manufacturers the widest selection of premier printing solutions. Extending the warranty through our partnership with Canon and their growing UVgel portfolio reinforces our commitment to quality and to our customers' success, which in turn inspires confidence in the printed graphics.”
Mathew Faulkner, EMEA Director, Marketing and Innovation, Wide Format Printing Group at Canon Europe, comments: “We’re committed to working with large format graphics producers to evolve their production and enable them to exploit new growth opportunities. With the new Colorado M-series, which has Canon’s UVgel technology at its core, we’re helping our customers to do just that by providing a fully modular printer platform capable of effortlessly handling high-value, white ink applications. Through collaborative efforts with key partners such as 3M and by acquiring the highly regarded 3M MCS Warranty for the M-series including white ink, we’re better equipped than ever to empower print service providers to meet the highest quality standards, achieve boundless creativity, improved efficiency and grow their profitability.”
The Colorado 1630, Colorado 1650 and also the new Colorado M-series with the UVgel 460 ink set, which includes white ink, are now all approved for the 3M MCS Warranty program.
Canon is seeing a rapid growth in the take-up of its Colorado platform and patented UVgel technology and, in 2020, invested in a new, state-of-the-art ink factory at its HQ in Venlo, Netherlands, which is now fully operational and increasing its production capacity continuously to keep up with demand.
