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Mark Vruno · The Cannata Report · Product Reporter & Editor · Fujifilm Revoria PC2120 reveal

At Fujifilm's Open House in Hanover, Illinois, just outside Chicago, Morten B. Reitoft speaks with Mark Vruno, Editor of The Cannata Report, about the evolving role of office technology dealers and the opportunities emerging as production print continues to grow. The Cannata Report serves the independent dealer channel in the United States, covering more than 1,500 office equipment dealers that increasingly look beyond traditional office printing and managed print services. As print volumes continue to change, many dealers are expanding into managed IT services, cybersecurity, production print, and other value-added business opportunities. In this conversation, Mark explains how dealers work with multiple manufacturers, why production print has become increasingly important, and how the traditional office technology market continues to evolve. The discussion also explores the role of industry media and how publications like The Cannata Report help dealers identify new revenue opportunities and adapt to changing market conditions. Morten and Mark also discuss one of the key themes from Fujifilm's event: the growing opportunity in digital embellishment. As embellishment technologies become more accessible and affordable, they offer dealers and print service providers a way to differentiate themselves, increase profitability, and move beyond competing solely on
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Ray Stasieczko · The End of Day With Ray · Industry Debater · Fujifilm Revoria PC2120 reveal

At Fujifilm's Open House in Hanover, Illinois, just outside Chicago, Morten B. Reitoft sits down with Ray Stasieczko for a candid conversation about the printing industry, media, journalism, and why healthy disagreement is essential if the industry is to move forward. Rather than focusing on technology, the discussion explores the role of industry media and analysts. Morten and Ray reflect on how differing opinions don't have to create division—they can instead lead to better questions, stronger reporting, and more meaningful conversations for the benefit of the industry. The conversation also touches on the continued convergence of commercial print, industrial print, and graphic communications, and how changing markets require both journalists and analysts to challenge conventional thinking. As manufacturers diversify and business models evolve, independent voices become increasingly important in asking difficult questions and encouraging debate. Having recently had an open and honest discussion themselves, Morten and Ray talk about the importance of respecting different viewpoints while remaining willing to challenge each other professionally. It is a conversation about constructive conflict, friendship, and why the best ideas often emerge from open dialogue rather than unanimous agreement. A refreshing and personal discussion about journalism, industry analysis, professional relationships, and why challenging the status quo is sometimes exactly what the printing industry needs.
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Mark Brown · Standard Finishing · Regional Sales Manager · Fujifilm Revoria PC2120 reveal

At Fujifilm's Open House in Hanover, Illinois, just outside Chicago, Morten B. Reitoft speaks with Mark Brown from Standard Finishing Systems about the important role finishing plays in creating value-added print products.

Most people know Standard Finishing Systems through its long-standing partnership with Horizon and its broad portfolio of finishing solutions, but as digital printing continues to evolve, finishing becomes an increasingly important part of the conversation. From booklet makers, saddle stitchers, perfect binders, and slitter-cutter-creasers to rotary die-cutting solutions, finishing is often the final step that transforms a printed sheet into a product with real impact.

The discussion explores how finishing and embellishment increasingly work hand in hand. As more printers invest in technologies that enable special colors, coatings, foils, textures, and other enhancements, finishing equipment must be capable of handling these applications without compromising quality. Mark explains how modern finishing systems are designed to work with even highly embellished products while maintaining productivity and precision.

The conversation also touches on how finishing can become a gateway to new business opportunities. Whether producing uniquely shaped products, premium business cards, packaging prototypes, direct mail applications, or specialty marketing materials, finishing technologies help printers expand beyond traditional applications and create products that stand out.

A particularly interesting part of the conversation is the discussion about where embellishment ends and finishing begins. From soft-touch business cards with gold foil to uniquely shaped printed products, Mark shares how finishing technologies help bring creative ideas to life and turn print into something customers want to touch, keep, and remember.

As vendors continue to bring new printing technologies to market, partnerships between press manufacturers and finishing suppliers become increasingly important. Mark also shares perspectives on the integration between printing and finishing technologies and why collaboration across the industry is essential to delivering complete solutions to customers.

A great conversation about finishing, embellishment, workflow integration, and why the final step in production is often where the real value is created.
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German Sacristan · Keypoint Intelligence · Analyst & Panel debater · Fujifilm Revoria PC2120 reveal

At Fujifilm's Open House in Hanover, Illinois, just outside Chicago, Morten B. Reitoft speaks with German Sacristan from Keypoint Intelligence about some of the biggest trends shaping the future of digital printing. Fresh from a panel discussion at the launch of Fujifilm's new Revoria PC2120, German shares his perspective on the technologies currently driving conversations throughout the industry. While faster presses, expanded color capabilities, substrate versatility, and automation remain important topics, German believes that Artificial Intelligence may ultimately have the greatest impact on the future growth of print. Interestingly, the discussion moves beyond AI as a production tool. While predictive maintenance, workflow automation, and efficiency improvements are already becoming reality, German sees an even bigger opportunity in using AI to simplify the creation of personalized marketing campaigns. For years, brands have recognized the value of personalized communication, but the complexity of producing highly targeted campaigns has often limited adoption. AI has the potential to remove many of those barriers and make sophisticated, data-driven print campaigns far easier to execute. The conversation also explores the relationship between toner and inkjet technologies. As inkjet quality continues to improve and manufacturers push into applications traditionally dominated by toner and offset, the question naturally arises: Will inkjet eventually replace toner? German explains why toner continues to play an important role for many print service providers, particularly where specific quality requirements, substrate flexibility, investment levels, and production volumes remain key considerations. Finally, Morten and German discuss how printers are currently adopting AI. While there is tremendous excitement around the technology, Keypoint Intelligence's research suggests that most print service providers are still in the early stages of exploration, experimenting with AI tools and learning how to apply them both operationally and commercially. A thoughtful conversation about AI, personalization, toner versus inkjet, and the opportunities that could help drive the next phase of growth for the printing industry.
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Mark Hinder · CEO · YourPrintStrategy.com

Morten Reitoft reconnects with Mark Hinder, CEO of YourPrintStrategy.com, for a candid conversation about strategy, data, investment decisions, publishing, and the future direction of the printing industry. After more than three decades in leadership positions with companies including Xerox, Konica Minolta, and Ricoh, Hinder has embarked on a new chapter focused on helping print companies make better-informed business decisions. Through YourPrintStrategy.com, he works with printers, publishers, and industry stakeholders to develop strategies based on business realities rather than technology hype. The discussion explores the importance of data quality, CRM systems, business intelligence, and why many companies still struggle to turn information into actionable insights. Hinder argues that technology investments should begin with a clear understanding of a company's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats rather than starting with the equipment itself. The conversation then moves into the publishing sector, where Hinder sees significant opportunities for digital printing to reduce waste and improve supply-chain efficiency. Using the example of bookstore returns, he explains how traditional publishing models continue to generate substantial inefficiencies and why digital production could play a much larger role in the future than many people realize today. Morten and Mark also discuss industry consolidation, procurement practices, artificial intelligence, changing business models, and the need for more open discussions about the commercial future of print. Throughout the interview, Hinder emphasizes that successful businesses need more than great technology—they need a clear strategy, strong data, and the discipline to continually reassess their direction as markets evolve. This is a thoughtful discussion about business strategy and the future of the printing industry from someone who has spent decades helping companies navigate change.
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Davy Verstaen · Appstore & Partner Manager · Enfocus · Power to Move

At Canon's Power to Move event in Venlo, Morten Reitoft speaks with Davy Verstaen from Enfocus about one of the hottest topics in the printing industry today: how AI, workflow automation, and mass customization are finally coming together to create real business opportunities. While many companies talk about personalization and mass customization, Verstaen demonstrates how to implement these concepts today using Enfocus Switch, AI-powered content generation, and integrated production workflows. Visitors to the Canon event receive highly personalized products, including posters, postcards, and AI-generated storybooks, all produced through automated workflows that combine technologies from Canon, Enfocus, XMPie, Onyx, and other partners. The conversation explores the practical realities behind AI-driven production. While the programming itself can often be completed surprisingly quickly, the real challenge lies in prompt engineering, consistency management, and the creation of repeatable processes that deliver predictable results at production scale. Verstaen shares how months of refinement and testing were required to ensure that AI-generated content consistently met quality expectations. Beyond the demonstration itself, the discussion examines how workflow automation is evolving from traditional rule-based systems toward intelligent automation. Increasingly, printers are connecting Enfocus Switch with AI platforms to automate tasks such as order processing, data extraction, job preparation, and workflow orchestration. Rather than replacing existing automation systems, AI is becoming an additional layer that helps organizations handle more complex and variable processes. The interview also addresses the economics of AI, the role of third-party integrations, and the opportunities available to printers willing to embrace new technologies. For Verstaen, the combination of workflow automation, AI, and personalization represents one of the most exciting developments the industry has seen in years. This is a fascinating conversation about moving from talking about mass customization to actually producing it.
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Hans Gut · Head of Global Partnering · Hunkeler/Müller Martini · Power to Move

At Canon's Power to Move event in Venlo, Morten Reitoft speaks with Hans Gut, one of the most respected figures in the finishing and postpress industry. With decades of experience helping shape the evolution of print production, Gut shares his perspective on the industry's transformation and the increasingly important relationship between printing, workflow, automation, and finishing. As production environments become more digital and more connected, the role of finishing has evolved from a downstream process into a critical component of the overall manufacturing workflow. The conversation explores how companies such as Hunkeler and Müller Martini continue to adapt to changing market demands, shorter run lengths, greater personalization, and the need for ever-higher levels of automation. Gut discusses why integration between printing and finishing is becoming essential for achieving productivity, quality, and profitability in modern print operations. The interview also touches on industry consolidation, technological innovation, and the opportunities created by digital printing technologies that continue to expand into new applications and markets. Throughout the discussion, Gut offers valuable insights gained from a lifetime spent helping customers improve production efficiency and build sustainable businesses. As always, Hans Gut combines strategic vision with practical experience, making this a fascinating conversation about where the industry has come from—and where it may be heading next.
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Bernd Zipper · GURU · Zipcon · Power to Move

At Canon's Power to Move event in Venlo, Morten Reitoft sits down with one of the printing industry's most recognized thought leaders, Bernd Zipper from Zipcon, to discuss the technologies and trends that may fundamentally reshape how print is bought, sold, and produced in the years ahead. Having delivered keynote presentations and guided attendees through Canon's technology showcase, Zipper shares his perspective on the industry's rapid evolution and why artificial intelligence has become a central connector across workflow, automation, e-commerce, and production. While many discussions about AI focus on tools and applications, Zipper believes the real transformation lies in how AI enables entirely new ways to connect systems, processes, and customers. A major topic of the conversation is the emerging Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) initiative and the work being undertaken by organizations such as Initiative Online Print, Intergraf, the BVDM, the Ghent Workgroup, and others to prepare print for a future where AI agents may become active buyers of print products. Rather than navigating websites and order forms, future customers may simply speak to their devices, with AI automatically sourcing, ordering, and delivering print products through standardized communication protocols. Zipper explains why this development could become existential for printers. As commerce becomes increasingly automated, print providers must ensure their systems can communicate with the platforms, protocols, and technologies that will power future purchasing decisions. Those who fail to adapt may find themselves disconnected from entirely new sources of demand. The discussion also explores market consolidation, changing business models, the growing divide between large platforms, niche specialists, and local heroes, and the challenges faced by medium-sized printing companies operating in an increasingly regulated and technology-driven environment. This is a wide-ranging and thought-provoking conversation about AI, e-commerce, automation, industry transformation, and why the next generation of print infrastructure may be very different from anything the industry has seen before.
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Maureen Grasser & Michael Stock · Business Development Workflow · Canon EMEA · Power to Print

At Canon's Power to Move event in Venlo, Morten Reitoft speaks with Cathy Bittner and Tino Waegelein from Canon EMEA about a topic that is becoming increasingly important in modern print production: workflow. While much attention in the industry is focused on presses and print quality, Bittner and Waegelein argue that the future of productivity lies in understanding and optimizing the entire production process—from order intake to final delivery. Rather than taking a print-centric view, Canon is encouraging customers to adopt an end-to-end workflow mindset that considers every step in the value chain. A fascinating part of the discussion revolves around Canon's "End-to-End Experience," a methodology that uses physical building blocks and gamification techniques to visualize workflows, identify bottlenecks, and uncover opportunities for improvement. Originally developed as a teaching tool, the concept has evolved into a practical framework for helping customers understand complex production environments and make better decisions about automation and integration. The conversation also explores workflow openness, software integration, cloud-based solutions, strategic partnerships, and the importance of connecting specialized technologies rather than forcing customers into closed ecosystems. Canon's approach, according to Bittner and Waegelein, starts with understanding customer requirements before recommending the right combination of software, services, and production technologies. Finally, the discussion turns to artificial intelligence and whether AI may one day design and manage workflows on its own. While both see enormous potential for AI as a productivity tool, they believe human expertise, decision-making, and oversight will remain critical components of successful print production for years to come. This is a thoughtful conversation about workflow, automation, integration, and why the future of print may be less about individual devices and more about how everything works together.
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Louis Van der Linden & Sander Hendrix · Business Development Workflow · Canon EMEA · Power to Print

At Canon's Power to Move event in Venlo, Morten Reitoft speaks with Sander Hendrix and Louis Van der Linden about one of Canon's biggest success stories in production inkjet: the varioPRINT iX3200. From the launch of Canon's first sheetfed inkjet platform in 2015 to nearly 900 installations worldwide today, the conversation explores the technological journey that helped create an entirely new market segment. Hendrix and Van der Linden explain the engineering challenges behind sheetfed inkjet, including paper handling, registration accuracy, and scaling a concept from prototype to industrial production platform. The discussion also examines why the iX3200 has gained traction across multiple market segments, from transactional printing and commercial print to online printing and, increasingly, the demanding photo products market. The ability to deliver high image quality, productivity, reliability, and media versatility has enabled customers to expand applications while maintaining the efficiency required for peak production periods. A significant part of the interview focuses on Canon's Prisma workflow ecosystem and the importance of open integration. Rather than forcing customers into a closed environment, Canon's approach is designed to connect with existing workflows, MIS systems, prepress solutions, and production environments. Hendrix and Van der Linden explain how scalable workflow architectures, automated processing, and flexible integration help printers transition from offset to digital production while maintaining operational efficiency. The conversation also touches on mass customization, RIP performance, workflow scalability, and the growing importance of software in modern print manufacturing. As run lengths become shorter and customer demands become more complex, workflow and automation are becoming just as important as the presses themselves. Finally, the discussion highlights Canon's unique portfolio strategy, spanning toner, sheetfed inkjet, B2 inkjet, and web-fed production inkjet, enabling customers to find the right technology for virtually any production requirement.
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Cathy Bittner & Tino Waegeleiner · Business Development · Canon EMEA · Power to Print

At Canon's Power to Move event in Venlo, Morten Reitoft speaks with Cathy Bittner and Tino Waegelein from Canon EMEA about the company's vision for the future of production printing and the technologies shaping the next generation of print manufacturing. The conversation explores how Canon is helping customers navigate a rapidly changing market where automation, efficiency, sustainability, and evolving customer expectations are becoming increasingly important. As print service providers look for new ways to improve productivity and profitability, Canon continues to invest in technologies designed to bridge the gap between traditional production methods and the opportunities offered by digital transformation. Bittner and Waegelein share insights into the role of innovation within Canon's strategy and discuss why events such as Power to Move are important platforms for bringing customers, partners, and industry experts together. Beyond showcasing technology, the event serves as an opportunity to exchange ideas, challenge assumptions, and explore how the printing industry may develop in the years ahead. The discussion highlights Canon's commitment to supporting customers throughout their digital transformation journeys while providing practical solutions that address real production challenges. Enjoy the interview.
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Alper Çifçi · Business Development & Sales · Meteksan · Power to Print

At Canon's Power to Move event in Venlo, Morten B. Reitoft speaks with Alper Çifçi, Deputy General Manager of Meteksan, one of Turkey's largest and most diversified printing companies. With approximately 400 employees and deep roots in both secure printing and educational publishing, Meteksan occupies a unique position in the Turkish market. Çifçi explains how his own journey from production management to business development has given him a practical understanding of both manufacturing operations and the strategic decisions required to guide a modern printing business through a rapidly changing industry. A significant part of the discussion focuses on Meteksan's role in producing secure examination materials and educational content for Turkey. Operating under strict security requirements, the company has developed extensive expertise in managing highly sensitive print production workflows. Beyond its domestic activities, Çifçi also sees opportunities for Turkish know-how to support educational and examination printing initiatives in other regions, including Africa, where demand for localized secure printing capabilities continues to grow. The conversation then turns to one of Meteksan's newest initiatives: book-of-one production. Working in collaboration with a government university, the company has launched a project that combines digital printing, efficient distribution, and sustainability objectives. Located in Ankara, Meteksan benefits from a central position that supports nationwide distribution, reduces transportation requirements, and improves responsiveness. As publishing markets continue to evolve, Çifçi believes digital printing has become increasingly important. Growing title counts, changing demand patterns, and the need for greater flexibility are pushing publishers toward digital production models that would have been difficult to justify only a few years ago. For Meteksan, this creates opportunities to expand both its publishing services and its production capabilities. The discussion also explores the technologies showcased at Canon's Customer Experience Center, including the VarioPress iV7 and the ProStream platform. Çifçi explains why the combination of high-quality sheetfed inkjet and high-volume roll-fed inkjet is particularly attractive for a company serving both educational publishing and commercial print markets. The ability to match production methods to specific applications while maintaining quality and efficiency is increasingly becoming a competitive advantage. Beyond technology, the conversation touches on Turkey's unique economic and geographic position. Situated between Europe and Asia, Turkey continues to serve as an important bridge between markets, cultures, and business opportunities. Despite economic challenges and periods of high inflation, Çifçi remains optimistic about growth opportunities, emphasizing that continued investment and business development are essential for companies that want to strengthen their position in the years ahead. Recorded at Canon's Power to Move event in Venlo, this interview offers insight into the ambitions of one of Turkey's leading print providers and highlights the growing role digital printing is playing in the transformation of educational publishing and secure print production.
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Pascal Gafner · Associate Director · Cavin Baudat · Power to Print

At Canon's Power to Move event in Venlo, Morten Reitoft speaks with Pascal Gafner from Cavin-Baudat, a Swiss printing company active in both offset and digital printing. Already operating Canon digital presses, Cavin-Baudat attended the event to better understand where production printing is heading and how emerging technologies may fit into the company's future strategy. A particular point of interest was the varioPRINT iV7, which Gafner wanted to evaluate firsthand in terms of production capabilities, print quality, speed, and overall business potential. As a company working with both offset and digital technologies, Cavin-Baudat is continuously assessing how production methods evolve and where digital printing may increasingly complement—or eventually replace—certain offset applications. The visit to Venlo provided an opportunity to see the technology in action and gather insights that can help shape future investment decisions. The discussion also touches on a broader industry challenge: understanding how customer expectations and communication channels may develop in the years ahead. While the concepts presented are relatively new to Cavin-Baudat, Gafner sees considerable value in exploring new approaches and challenging established thinking. He concludes by sharing his positive impressions of the event, highlighting the detailed machine presentations, the technical discussions, and the warm welcome from the Canon team. Enjoy the interview.
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Sara Milani · European Marketing Specialist · Canon · Embellishment · Power to Move

At Canon's Power to Move event in Venlo, Morten B. Reitoft speaks with Sara Milani, Canon Marketing Specialist, about an area of print production that continues to create opportunities for differentiation and added value: embellishment. While print quality has improved dramatically over the past two decades, the conversation focuses on what happens beyond the printed image itself. From foiling and soft-touch laminates to spot effects, packaging applications, and specialty finishing, today's production environments offer printers countless ways to create products that stand out and command higher margins. Milani explains how Canon works with a range of technology partners to help customers build complete production workflows that extend beyond printing. Rather than viewing embellishment as a niche application, she sees it as an increasingly important tool for helping print service providers differentiate themselves in competitive markets. Whether the application is direct mail, premium marketing materials, book covers, packaging, or personalized products, embellishment can play a significant role in increasing both perceived value and customer engagement. The discussion also explores the business case behind embellishment. Premium printed products often generate higher response rates, stronger customer engagement, and greater opportunities for brand differentiation. For printers, this can translate into higher margins and new revenue streams without necessarily increasing production volumes. Book production, personalized packaging, and short-run applications are highlighted as particularly interesting opportunities. Canon's toner-based production presses can handle a wide range of media weights and formats, creating possibilities for everything from customized book covers to highly targeted packaging applications. Combined with finishing solutions from Canon's partners, these capabilities allow customers to move into areas that were previously difficult or uneconomical to serve. Throughout the conversation, Milani emphasizes the importance of education and inspiration. Many customers attend events such as Power to Move not only to evaluate equipment but also to discover applications and business opportunities they may not have considered before. By showcasing complete workflows and finished products, Canon aims to help customers identify new ways to grow their businesses and create additional value for their own clients. Recorded at Canon's Customer Experience Center in Venlo ahead of the Power to Move event, this interview explores how embellishment, finishing, and creative applications continue to expand the possibilities of modern print production.
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Sébastien Chevalier · EMEA Marketing Manager · Canon EMEA · Power to Print

At Canon's Power to Move event in Venlo, Morten Reitoft speaks with Sébastien Chevalier from Cavin-Baudat, a Swiss printing company based in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Like many forward-looking print service providers, Cavin-Baudat operates both offset and digital printing technologies. Having worked with Canon inkjet production equipment for years, the company has seen firsthand how inkjet technology has matured in terms of print quality, productivity, and commercial viability. The conversation focuses on one of the most important questions facing the industry today: when—and for which applications—sheetfed inkjet will begin replacing offset production. For Chevalier, the latest developments are moving faster than many printers expected. His visit to the Power to Move event was driven by a desire to evaluate Canon's varioPRINT iV7 and better understand whether the technology is ready to take on work traditionally produced on offset presses. The discussion also touches on changing customer demands. While mass customization remains a relatively small market in Switzerland, partly due to the country's strong focus on privacy and data protection, the demand for shorter runs, faster turnaround times, and efficient production continues to grow. Throughout the interview, Chevalier shares his perspective on how quickly production technologies are evolving and why printers need to stay open to new opportunities. He concludes by praising Canon's event, the venue, the hospitality, and the opportunity to see the latest generation of production inkjet technology in action. Enjoy the interview.
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Harm Jan Hulleman · Sales Director EMEA · Tecnau · Power to Move

At Canon's Power to Move event in Venlo, Morten B. Reitoft speaks with Harm Jan Hulleman from Tecnau about the critical role finishing and paper handling play in modern inkjet production environments. The conversation takes place shortly after Canon's introduction of the new ColorStream 7000, a platform that represents both an opportunity for new installations and a replacement cycle for many existing continuous-feed inkjet users. As Hulleman explains, while a press may attract the initial attention, productivity, workflow efficiency, and profitability are often determined by everything that happens before and after the print engine itself. Tecnau has been closely involved with Canon's continuous-feed inkjet platforms for many years, and the discussion explores how unwinding, rewinding, cutting, stacking, and finishing solutions continue to evolve alongside advances in print technology. Customers upgrading from earlier generations of ColorStream systems are not only evaluating new print engines but also considering how modern finishing technology can improve productivity, automation, and application flexibility throughout their operations. A significant part of the conversation focuses on the growing importance of workflow integration. Rather than viewing printing and finishing as separate disciplines, many production environments now approach investments from a complete end-to-end perspective. According to Hulleman, increasingly sophisticated customers recognize that finishing requirements should be considered early in the decision-making process, often alongside the selection of the print engine itself. The discussion also covers Tecnau's expanding capabilities following the integration of Sitma into the group. By combining printing, finishing, packaging, and distribution technologies, Tecnau is increasingly able to support customers with complete production workflows that extend beyond the printed product itself. This is particularly relevant in markets such as books, transactional communications, direct mail, and other applications where packaging and fulfillment are becoming integral parts of the overall value proposition. Looking at broader industry trends, Hulleman points to continued growth in digitally produced books, customized production environments, and highly automated workflows. While technology continues to evolve, the underlying objective remains unchanged: helping print providers move efficiently from print to finishing, packaging, and ultimately profitability. Recorded at Canon's Customer Experience Center in Venlo during the Power to Move event, this interview offers insight into the often-overlooked but increasingly important role that finishing technology plays in the future of industrial print production.
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Louis Van der Linden & Jutta Henrikx · Canon EMEA · Canon iX1700 · Power to Move

At Canon's Power to Move event in Venlo, Morten B. Reitoft speaks with Jutta Hendrikx and Louis Van der Linden about the VarioPrint iX 1700, Canon's latest addition to its growing sheetfed inkjet portfolio. While Canon's larger sheetfed inkjet presses have attracted significant attention for their ability to replace higher-volume production environments, the VarioPrint ix 1700 has been developed to address a different segment of the market. Designed for monthly volumes starting around 300,000 A4 impressions, the press opens the door to sheetfed inkjet for print providers who may previously have considered the technology beyond their requirements or investment range. The conversation explores how the VarioPrint iX 1700 fits into Canon's broader strategy of providing customers with multiple technology options rather than forcing a choice between toner and inkjet. According to Hendrikx and Van der Linden, the market increasingly demands solutions that combine the flexibility traditionally associated with toner devices with the productivity and efficiency advantages of inkjet technology. The VarioPrint iX 1700 is intended to bridge that gap. The discussion also looks at the types of applications Canon expects the press to serve. Commercial print, brochures, postcards, greeting cards, and other high-quality applications are obvious targets, but the platform's quality also makes it relevant to markets such as photo products and premium print applications. At the same time, the machine's flexibility allows customers to configure paper input and output capacities to meet their specific production requirements. Another topic is the increasingly important role of long-sheet applications. With support for sheet sizes up to 364 × 660 mm, including duplex printing, the VarioPrint iX 1700 enables the production of products such as six-page brochures, larger-format covers, and a variety of value-added commercial print applications that traditionally required alternative production methods. Throughout the conversation, Hendrikx and Van der Linden emphasize that Canon's objective is not to replace one technology with another, but to provide customers with the widest possible range of choices. As print businesses continue to evolve, selecting the right technology becomes less about whether a device uses toner or inkjet and more about matching production volumes, applications, workflow requirements, and business objectives. Recorded at Canon's Customer Experience Center in Venlo ahead of the Power to Move event, this interview offers insight into how Canon sees the next phase of sheetfed inkjet adoption and where the VarioPrint iX 1700 fits within that vision.
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Sander Hendrix & Jutta Henrikx · Canon EMEA · Canon IV7 · Power to Move

At Canon's Power to Move event in Venlo, Morten B. Reitoft speaks with Sander Hendrix and Jutta Hendrikx about one of Canon's most significant developments in sheetfed inkjet printing: the new VarioPress iV7. The conversation explores the long journey that led to the launch of Canon's new B2 sheetfed inkjet platform. Building on years of experience gained from the VarioPrint i300 and iX3200 platforms, Canon has developed a press designed to address the growing demand for higher productivity, greater flexibility, and larger sheet sizes while maintaining the quality and workflow advantages that have made sheetfed inkjet increasingly attractive to commercial printers. Hendrix and Hendrikx explain how customer feedback has played a central role in the development process. As print runs continue to decline and turnaround times become increasingly critical, printers are looking for technologies that can streamline production from order entry through finishing. The VarioPress iV7 is designed to fit into that reality, offering the benefits of digital production while expanding the range of applications and volumes that can be handled efficiently. The discussion also examines the evolving relationship between offset and inkjet printing. Rather than focusing solely on ink costs or the press's speed, Canon emphasizes total production efficiency, reduced lead times, improved workflow integration, and the ability to move jobs seamlessly through the production process. According to Canon, the crossover point between offset and digital continues to move upward as both technology and business requirements evolve. A key part of the interview focuses on the technical innovations behind the VarioPress iV7, including Canon's own printhead technology, advanced automation, continuous ink circulation, and a newly developed flat paper path that supports a wider range of substrates while maintaining consistent print quality. Combined with technologies inherited from earlier platforms, these developments are intended to deliver the reliability, quality, and labor efficiency required in modern production environments. The conversation concludes with a broader discussion about the future of sheetfed inkjet, the importance of workflow optimization, and Canon's ambition to help commercial printers transition more offset work into digital production without compromising quality or profitability. Recorded at Canon's Customer Experience Center in Venlo ahead of the Power to Move event, this interview provides valuable insight into Canon's strategy for the future of commercial print and the thinking behind the development of the VarioPress iV7.
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Nuray Isik · Portfolio Director Large Format Graphics · Canon · Colorado XL · Power to Move

At Canon's Power to Move event in Venlo, Nuray Isik and Morten B. Reitoft discuss the evolution of Canon's Colorado platform and the introduction of the new Colorado XL. The conversation begins with the story behind UVgel technology, which has been at the heart of the Colorado family for nearly a decade. Isik explains how Canon set out to overcome the compromises traditionally associated with large-format printing by developing a technology that combines the advantages of multiple print processes while avoiding many of their limitations. The result is a platform capable of printing on a wide variety of media with excellent durability, low ink consumption, and consistent image quality. A significant part of the discussion focuses on the unique properties of UVgel technology. Unlike conventional inks, UVgel maintains its shape on the substrate, enabling precise image reproduction, reduced ink usage, and consistent performance across a broad range of applications. Isik also explains how the technology enables the creation of both matte and gloss effects with the same ink set, eliminating the need for additional varnishes or dedicated channels and giving print service providers new opportunities to add value to their products. The conversation also explores Canon's approach to color reproduction. While some competing technologies rely on multiple additional colors to expand the color gamut, UVgel achieves impressive results with a streamlined CMYK configuration and optional white ink. According to Isik, this simplifies operation while still delivering the color performance customers require. Attention then turns to the Colorado XL, Canon's latest addition to the portfolio. Building on the success of the Colorado M-series, the XL expands the platform into wider-format and rigid-media applications while maintaining the productivity, automation, and ease of use that have become hallmarks of the Colorado family. Isik explains how customer demand for larger formats and greater application flexibility helped shape the development of the new platform. The discussion concludes with a broader look at trends in the large-format graphics market. While speed remains important, Isik believes customers are increasingly focused on overall productivity, workflow efficiency, and application versatility. The ability to produce more work, on more substrates, with less complexity is becoming a key differentiator as print service providers look for new ways to grow their businesses. Recorded at Canon's Power to Move event in Venlo, this interview offers insight into the thinking behind one of Canon's most important recent product developments and the future direction of large-format graphics printing.
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Cindy Schramm · European Product Manager · Canon · ColorStream 7000 walkthrough · Power to Move

At Canon's Power to Move event in Venlo, Morten B. Reitoft speaks with Canon Europe Product Manager Cindy Schramm about the world premiere of the new ColorStream 7000. While the machine is officially positioned as the successor to the ColorStream 6000, the conversation quickly reveals that the story is much more about bringing proven technologies from the flagship ColorStream 8000 platform to a broader segment of the market. Schramm explains how Canon has combined more than fifteen years of customer feedback with the latest developments in web-fed inkjet technology to create a platform aimed at business communication printers, transactional printers, direct mail specialists, and selected book manufacturers. The ColorStream 7000 introduces several technologies previously reserved for higher-end systems, including advanced web cleaning and automation features designed to improve uptime, reduce maintenance, and make productive printing on recycled papers a realistic business proposition. The discussion also covers the changing requirements of print service providers, the replacement cycle now facing many first-generation inkjet installations, and the importance of balancing productivity, quality, security, and operational simplicity. As Schramm explains, not every customer requires the highest speeds or resolutions available in the market, but every customer expects reliability, profitability, and a platform that can evolve with future needs. The interview concludes with a guided walk around the new press, providing insight into the engineering decisions behind the ColorStream 7000 and Canon's strategy for continuous-feed inkjet in the years ahead.
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