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Canon U.S.A. and DigiTech Launch New Compact UV LED Flatbed Printer

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Canon U.S.A. announced along with partner DigiTech the launch of the Texas ST2/X1 UV LED flatbed printer, a new, large format UV flatbed printer with 4’x8′ bed size that’s engineered to bring heavy-duty, high-volume production to space-constrainted print shops. 

Positioned under the banner “Big shop capability, smaller shop footprint,” the Texas ST2/X1 draws on the same structural engineering as the larger LT3 series, giving space-constrained shops access to industrial-grade stability and reliability once reserved for far larger investments. The launch gives shops a scalable growth path, delivering heavy duty industrial performance with a 50”x100” bed size that’s optimized for space-conscious shop floors.

Using 2-Pass Coro Sign Mode, the Texas ST2/X1 achieves maximum production speeds of up to 2,024 square feet per hour, which Canon says lets shops bid on high-volume, tight-deadline contracts once out of reach for their footprint. A zoned 50”x100” flatbed vacuum table enables rapid media setup, and a 1.75-liter reservoir capacity per color reduces the frequency and labor required for ink replenishment. The Texas ST2/X1 features a six-color channel configuration, standard CMYK with the flexibility to add white, orange, gray, or varnish. This provides  high-margin specialty applications, from vibrant day/night backlits and direct imaging onto non-white materials, to spot matte and gloss effects on rigid substrates up to 6” thick.

Designed for versatile, high-output production, the Texas ST2/X1 provides several key benefits for print service providers. This includes:

  • High-Speed Productivity: Maximum production speeds of up to 2,024 square feet per hour with a six-color configuration for expanded, high-margin applications.
  • Industrial-Grade Durability.
  • Exceptional Image Quality: Kyocera Dual Channel/Single Row print heads deliver precise dot placement and smooth gradients at high speed.
  • Automation-Ready Handling: A standard integrated auto-unloader and pneumatic registration pins reduce manual labor and free up staff time.

Built for high-volume production, Canon says the new Texas ST2/X1 delivers exceptional mechanical precision and image quality, a key market differentiator that lets print service providers (PSPs) command premium pricing. The printer achieves this through Kyocera Dual Channel/Single Row print heads that use four-level grayscale technology and fire 4, 6, 10, and 14-picoliter droplets, ensuring precise, repeatable dot placement, smooth gradients, and the sophisticated transitions vital for high-end retail work. It’s also said to produce imagery that stands up to close-range scrutiny, backed by a high-performance ink set formulated for durability and resistance to smudging and fingerprints.

The Texas ST2/X1 is also automation-ready, featuring an integrated auto-unloader as standard equipment. Capable of offloading standard finished boards in as fast as 10 seconds, the system reduces operator fatigue and frees a single staff member to prep the next job or manage finishing as the printer keeps producing. Additionally, pneumatic registration pins and a reversible airflow vacuum make securing and removing heavy substrates effortless. Canon says that although the larger LT3 series remains the preferred solution for fully integrated, multistage print-to-cut lines, the Texas ST2/X1 delivers the handling efficiency shops need where floor space is at a premium and throughput is crucial.

Designed by Technicians to Eliminate the Need for Technicians

The philosophy behind the machine’s design – “designed by technicians to eliminate the need for technicians” – serves as a labor risk mitigation strategy for business owners. Canon says that by simplifying maintenance and maximizing reliability, the Texas ST2/X1 reduces the single point of failure risk often associated with specialized staff members. The combination of Canon’s national sales and service infrastructure and DigiTech’s technological innovation helps streamline workflow and reduce third-party bottlenecks, giving customers a seamless experience from acquisition through decades of high-performance operation.

For more information about the Texas ST2/X1 UV LED flatbed printer, visit Canon here.

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