Canon Colorado roll-to-roll range supported by SAi Flexi

Canon’s entire UVgel roll-to-roll printer range, comprising the Colorado 1600 series and the new Colorado M-series, is now compatible with SAi Flexi design, print and cut software for sign and print providers.

 “Canon Production Printing truly believes in open systems, which enables partners and customers to integrate Canon printers in their workflow by offering an Application Programming Interface (API) and a Software Development Kit (SDK). SAi, one of the largest RIP software vendors, has a huge network of highly satisfied sign makers and print service providers (PSPs) worldwide. I am extremely pleased that our sales partners, offering SAi as their preferred RIP software, can now provide their customers with an integrated solution – SAi Flexi driving our Canon Colorado printers. In addition, PSPs utilising SAi Flexi software can now capture the benefits of UVgel by adding Canon Colorado printers to their production floor without changing their workflow. SAi managed to create a driver for the Colorado printers, supporting the full functionality within the shortest timeframe. This proves that SAi is a true Canon Software Ambassador,”  says Mathieu Peeters, Senior Director of Strategic Marketing Large Format Graphics Worldwide at Canon Production Printing.

The Flexi 22 Service Pack 4 update adds drivers for the 1630, 1640, 1650, M3 [W] and M5 [W]) and supports both white and multilayer printing. The new software drivers also support Canon’s FLXfinish technology, which enables customers to print matte, gloss or mixed matte and gloss on the same print without the need for additional varnish.

Capable of driving up to five printers simultaneously and any number of cutters, SAi Flexi offers a complete all-in-one solution for designing, printing, cutting and print & cut. With the addition of the cross-platform ‘Flexi Designer’, it delivers a versatile experience, giving users a seamless workflow from design to production. An easy-to-use white printing workflow that allows for the creation and customisation of white layers comes as standard in all versions of SAi Flexi. The software incorporates a robust 64-bit RIP architecture that ensures optimal performance and precision in advanced colour management, spot colour mapping, Pantone matching, true-shape nesting, and banner finishing.

The Colorado M-series is a modular 1.6m roll-to-roll printer with two-speed configurations available with Canon UVgel white ink, boosting the printer’s exceptional productivity and substantially expanding the range of applications customers can create.

The unique formulation of Canon’s UVgel ink facilitates the fast build-up of dense and opaque white images in fewer passes than conventional printing technologies. At the same time, printed output retains its original whiteness over time. The particular properties of UVgel also eliminate many of the production, nozzle-cleaning and maintenance challenges commonly associated with white ink while delivering smooth, error-free printing, reducing ink usage and waste, and increasing productivity.

“We are proud to offer our wide customer base the full support of the Colorado UVgel roll-to-roll printer range. SAi Flexi software is omnipresent in sign and print shops worldwide. Hence, the ability for our customers to use their preferred software with their Colorado printers is a win-win partnership,” finishes Radisa Peric, Flexi Product Manager at SA International.