Cimpress and VistaPrint drive innovation with Canon

• Building on its low throughput time, fast turnaround times, exceptional image quality and reliability
• Remaining lean and flexible
• Ensuring ease of use in terms of skills and competency requirements
• Delivering high reproducibility and repeatability for all output
• Adopting solutions supporting its ambitions to achieve end-to-end digitisation and adopt industry 4.0 processes

Although Canon has been a supplier to Cimpress companies for many years, Canon’s partnership with VistaPrint in Venlo, the Netherlands, began in 2020, with the initial installation of a varioPRINT iX3200 sheetfed inkjet press.

VistaPrint was in close contact with Canon’s R&D departments across EMEA and HQ before the launch of the device, helping Canon understand the company’s requirements and influence the development of the end solution accordingly.

Following the success of that installation, this model was replicated with other printers – and the complement of Canon technology at VistaPrint Venlo has grown to deploy Canon technology into other market segments supporting customers in their marketing, signage and packaging needs.

Canon also partnered with VistaPrint to integrate an inline Plockmatic DigiCoater Pro 400 with one of the varioPRINT iX3200 presses, a crucial step in the development of the partnership.

VistaPrint’s investments have unlocked new ways of working within the business:

VistaPrint made its first investment into sheetfed inkjet technology because Canon’s varioPRINT iX3200 was two to three times faster than what VistaPrint had used so far, and more reliable. It could be installed without major changes to the print room.

Thanks to its technology, VistaPrint can easily bring in extra support during peak demand periods, reducing production times and allowing a more efficient allocation of the team members.

A further consideration was the competitive running cost of the inkjet press compared to other technologies, providing a favourable total cost of ownership.

Combined with the consistent quality of the varioPRINT iX3200, this resulted in an extremely effective solution, with an increase in the overall end customer satisfaction rate.

The varioPRINT iX3200’s high speed, at more than 9,000 SRA3 images per hour, meant it was challenging to create an efficient workflow with inline finishing for varnished applications such as calendars, flyers and postcards. VistaPrint requested an one-off workflow for coated applications, and Canon, VistaPrint and Plockmatic collaborated to achieve this.

As a result of this customised solution, VistaPrint could harness the full potential of its Plockmatic DigiCoater Pro 400 finishing equipment with the varioPRINT iX3200, enabling a fast end-to-end throughput with no manual interaction and a higher overall equipment effectiveness.

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VistaPrint uses Colorado M-series and the Colorado C1650 printers, all with UVgel technology.

VistaPrint uses its Colorado M-series exclusively for 2-layer white applications such as window films and car stickers. Canon’s innovative and unique white ink means VistaPrint can be confident in the reliability of the printer even after a weekend of continuous printing.

The Colorado C1650 printers are used for a range of applications, including stickers, canvas prints, posters on paper and plastic, and even wrapping paper.

With all the Colorados, VistaPrint benefits from good consistency in output and a high uptime, while the tissue wipe cassette enables low operator intervention with a fully automated printing process.

During production, the Colorado’s UVgel technology delivers odorless output which is instantly ready for post-processing such as cutting or lamination.

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Canon and VistaPrint have forged a deep partnership, ready to work together on future innovation. As print technology continues to evolve, this partnership stands to support faster delivery, fewer manual touchpoints, improved digital workflows, and above all, consistently high quality that inspires VistaPrint’s customers.