Excellent image quality, integrated Pantone EC library and compatibility with Fogra/ISO colour standards

Complete solution represents Canon's commitment to the professional print market by working with best-in-class partners

First time that a colour management system has been integrated into this class of machine

Dubai, UAE, April 2nd, 2007 - Canon Middle East, world leader in digital imaging technology, and X-Rite (GretagMacbeth) today revealed details of a unique and exclusive colour management system for the revolutionary imagePRESS C1. The digital colour printing and proofing engine's unparalleled image quality, wide gamut, consistency and reliability, is coupled with the X-Rite i1 Process Control to create the most versatile colour technology in its class on the market today.

The X-Rite i1-Process Control solution is the first colour management system to be integrated in this class of machine, which illustrates Canon's confidence in the capability of the print engine. The proofing, short-run production and variable data solution, designed to meet the demands of today's graphic arts market, allows users to deliver certified Fogra proofs and accurate Pantone spot colours.

Nabil EL Hawary,  Product Manager, Canon Middle East said: "The imagePRESS C1 illustrates perfectly Canon's commitment to the graphic arts market by partnering with best-in-class partners to provide complete solutions that deliver a performance that's greater then the sum of their parts.  The combination of a high-quality and extremely stable print engine, EFI Q1 server, and unique, integrated colour management system, makes the imagePRESS C1 peerless in terms of its versatility, which is proven by the variety of companies that have already invested in the system."

The i1-Process Control software, developed specifically for the imagePRESS C1, ensures complete harmony between the print engine and colour tools.  The process control combines the best X-Rite i1 software components within an easy-to-use interface.  Included in the system is Fogra Media Wedge CMYK, which allows users to quickly and easily verify their output against the ISO 12647-2 international standard.  Canon has also included a library of Pantone EC colours, developed specifically for CMYK digital print devices, within the imagePRESS C1's i1-Process Control. 

"We are delighted to be in partnership with Canon and involved with the flagship imagePRESS brand, which has created a lot of excitement in the industry since it launched. We worked closely with Canon to develop this exclusive version of our i1-Process Control software to deliver something that's extremely user friendly without compromising functionality. We are dedicated to developing easy and efficient digital workflows in which true-to-life colour can be reproduced and controlled," says X-Rite Vice President of Imaging and Media, Iris Mangelschots.

"Historically the cost of this kind of advanced colour management software has been prohibitive as well as complicated to use. The imagePRESS C1 process control solution gives customers the confidence to deliver benchmark quality at a competitive price through a digital colour printing and proofing engine that integrates easily into their existing production processes. As a result customers can enjoy flexible production capacity and allocate jobs to the correct production technology, based on economies of scale and run lengths and not based on quality of output required," added EL Hawary.

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About Canon Middle East
Canon is a world-leading innovator and provider of imaging and information technology solutions for individuals and businesses. Canon provides both individual products and complete networked technology solutions for information input, management and output. Its product range is divided between Business Solutions (developing IT products, solutions and services for both the office and professional print environments) and Consumer Imaging (photography, video and digital camera, Bubble Jet printers).  Canon Middle East is the operational headquarters for Canon in this region, and is based in Dubai, UAE. Further information about Canon Middle East is available at: www.canon-me.com

Canon Contact:   
Sandra Hava
Marketing Department
Canon Middle East FZ-LLC
Tel:+ 971 4 3915050
Direct: + 971 4 3915071
Fax:+ 971 4 3916715
e-mail: havas@canon-me.com

Agency Contact:
Claire Liddell
G2 Dubai
Tel: (9714) 331 0331
Claire.liddell@g2dubai.com

© Press Release 2007