Océ Launches New Touchstone Dimensional Printing Software
Realizing the appeal that dimensional printing can have in the graphics market, Canon U.S.A., Inc. announced the launch of Océ Touchstone dimensional printing software, positioned for large-format print solutions to streamline dimensional printing on the company’s Océ Arizona Series UV flatbed printers. Until now, creating these dimensional prints tended to be a laborious process involving significant file manipulation and iterative testing performed by the print provider. As a result, few end users are aware that this is even possible, let alone request this type of printing. To simplify this labor intensive workflow, Canon has tailored specific solutions to meet the needs of the two parties involved in the process: the designer who creates the files and the print provider that prints them.
Utilizing the highly-accurate ink drop placement and repetition provided by Océ Arizona UV curable flatbed printers, resourceful print providers have been able to print multiple layers of ink and produce dimensional effects ranging from common textures such as woodgrain to special effects such as varnish highlights, embossed type and logos or even braille.
“Our commitment to our customers and the drive to expand our large format capabilities, has led to the development of the Océ Touchstone Dimensional Printing Software,” says Toyotsugu Kuwamura, EVP and general manager, Business Imaging Solutions Group, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “We are thrilled to introduce this simple solution that will help print providers improve their workflow and create new possibilities for both their organizations and their customers.”
Through Canon-created Adobe CC Photoshop and Illustrator extensions, graphic designers can build the dimensional effects quickly and easily, preview and refine these effects on screen and then export the file as a single PDF file that can be sent to an Océ Touchstone enabled print provider for final print production.
To help streamline the process on the print production side, Canon worked closely with graphics RIP provider ONYX, a Canon group company, to marry the patented Océ ALPS (Advanced Layer Printing System) technology with a special ONYX Thrive printer driver so that the RIP could now interpret the height map contained within the PDF, convert that data into separate print layers and send it to the Océ Arizona printer as a single batch file containing all the layers in the correct print sequence. This provides the print provider with a familiar print workflow where they can print the entire job essentially with one push of the print button. Carriage height adjustment is automated and the multiple layers can be left to print unattended, thus enabling print providers to make additional revenue after business hours.
The commercially licensed Océ Touchstone software is offered exclusively by Canon Solutions America and available now. The software requires ONYX Thrive 12.2 or a newer edition and an Océ Arizona 1260, 1280 or 2200 series printer to use. The Adobe CC Océ Extensions are available for both Microsoft Windows and Mac OS operating systems.
