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Canon Previews New Colorado XL Wide-Format UV Gel Printer

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Canon U.K. today previewed the Colorado XL-series, a 3.4m roll-to-roll and hybrid graphics production printer designed to handle both flexible and rigid media. It uses Canon UVgel for printing, and features two configurations, a hybrid and a roll-to-roll configuration. Applications include printing signage, décor, point of sale. and packaging. The Colorado XL-series will be available in the beginning of 2026 via Canon’s direct sales organizations as well as from Canon partners.

Two Configurations

The two configurations consist of the Colorado XL7 roll-to-roll printer and Colorado XL7 hybrid printer. 

Canon says the new series brings the benefits of UVgel to a new market segment with exceptional application versatility across a range of media – from banner, paper, vinyl and films to soft signage, heat-sensitive materials, foam board, fluted polypropylene, acrylic, aluminium composite boards, and cardboard.

Print speed is up to 70m per hour in quality mode, 106m per hour in production mode, and up to 211m per hour in express mode. The printer also accommodates substrates up to 52mm/2 inches thick for rigid applications.

New Platform Features

The new platform includes multiple technology features, such as the UVgel 860 ink set, which has been optimized to cover a wide variety of both rigid and flexible applications. It also provides the proven benefits of UVgel that include odourless and instant-dry prints, high mechanical and chemical robustness, dimensional stability due to low-temperature curing, excellent color consistency, TPO1 – and VCL2 -free, and matte and gloss finish without the need of a separate varnish.

UVgel 850 Print Heads

The Colorado XL-series incorporates new Canon UVgel 850 print heads. Each print head has 4,544 nozzles and features automated built-in nozzle performance monitoring and compensation. A single print head supports two colors simultaneously, so that only two print heads are required to print CMYK, plus an optional third if white is configured.

Additionally, the Colorado XL-series is said to have an agile and precise print-head carriage that features UVgel DynamicMotion Control to ensure exceptional print quality even with challenging media.

UVgel FullBeam Curing

Taking the UV LED curing process to the next level, the Colorado XL-series introduces UVgel FullBeam Curing. This technology uses a unique 3.4-meter-wide LED curing array that, combined with a mirror system, delivers consistent UV light dosing across the entire print width, guaranteeing exceptional print uniformity over large surfaces and enabling a wider color gamut.

Media handling is optimized by the new UVgel TRIdrive vacuum belt system, which features three interactive rollers and multiple vacuum zones that reduce wrinkling and skewing by automatically detecting and correcting the media positioning. This results in highly repeatable media transport through the printer, ensuring accurate positioning both longitudinally and laterally and enabling razor-sharp applications.

Optional features for the Colorado XL-series, which are already available for the Colorado M-series, include:

  • UVgel White for hassle-free white printing,
  • FLXfinish+ for creative effects using matte or gloss or mixed matte and gloss on the same print without additional varnish, and
  • FLXture for textured finishes that mimic materials like leather, wood or fabric.

Duncan Smith, country director for Production at Canon UK & Ireland, commented:  “This innovative solution brings the proven advantages of our unique UVgel technology to the 3.2m market for the first time, combining it with extensive automation and a modular design that will enable customers to extend their application possibilities into markets such as packaging and décor. 

“Print service providers already producing high-value signage and graphics can now leverage UVgel’s distinctive finishes, including mixed gloss and matte effects and textured printing, at scale to stand out in these new markets. And with its hybrid capabilities, users can print both roll-to-roll and rigid applications on the same device, using the same ink, the same colour profiles and the same unique features and finishes,” Smith said.

For more information about the Colorado XL-series, visit Canon here.

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