Canon launches Kick Start wide-format booster

Canon Production Printing is providing a Kick Start package of up to $40,000 with all new Arizona printers, in what it says is an initiative designed to assist Australian printers adapt to new market trends by evolving their wide-format application set and productivity.

The Kick Start campaign bundles up to $40,000 of additional software and upgrades with the purchase of an award-winning Arizona flatbed printer – the world's biggest selling flatbed.

The upgrades include Touchstone, which Canon says enables graphic producers to easily create printed effects that mimic textured and raised surfaces and lettering. There will also be a complimentary two-ink-channel upgrade, to increase flexibility of colour gamut, quality, and open the doors to potential increased production speed.

Craig Nethercott, managing director, Canon Production Printing Oceania, said, “The coronavirus pandemic has provided arguably the most challenging and demanding period that Australian business has faced within the last decade. As the forerunner in the print industry, it’s up to us to help it thrive.”

“Kick Start is designed to help those looking to evolve their businesses by taking on a new and wider range of wide-format applications that suit the current demands of consumers and industry.

“We have listened closely to the feedback of our customers and have carefully considered this option to assist the evolution and success of the print industry as a whole. We’re continually encouraged and inspired by the forward-thinking businesses of the industry, and together we must continue to work towards a prosperous and bright future. So, we’ve decided to put our money where our mouth is to make this happen, despite taking a cut to our own bottom line,” he said.

Kick Start: new Arizona flatbed printer

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic is likely to see demand for floor graphics, wall graphics and window graphics continue to grow.

In addition to the Kick Start initiative, the company has released a Flatbed Buyers Guide, to assist businesses already considering the addition of a flatbed printer. The Flatbed Buyers Guide, the company says, helps makes sense of the myriad of complexities and considerations in selecting the appropriate flatbed printing technology.

For businesses after a roll-to-roll solution, Kick Start also features 16 litres of free ink with the purchase of a Colorado roll to roll printer, which has the ability to print matte or gloss via a single substrate, with its exclusive UVGel ink set.