Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced the Canon PRISMAsync Color Print Server for imagePRESS color digital presses has received the G7 Certified System designation from the International Digital Enterprise Alliance (Idealliance), a not-for-profit membership organization and the leading certifier of skills, systems, materials, and facilities requiring state-of-the-art media production.

Idealliance's G7 System Certification program evaluates the ability of a software system to calibrate a printing device to meet the G7 grayscale definition, certifying that the systems meet or exceed established industry tolerance for excellence.

With this certification, the PRISMAsync Color Print Server is recognized as the first embedded complete closed loop G7 system for electrophotography and the first color print server that provides an integrated color profiler and G7 calibration method. Drawing on the idea that digital press calibration should be a simple procedure that every operator can execute, Canon is the first digital press provider to implement this calibration directly at the digital front end.

One of the key concepts of G7 is the idea of having a calibration target to achieve predictable print results, which allows for a much easier match from proof to print and across disparate technologies and substrates. Print shops that desire these benefits of G7 calibration on their digital engines historically had to perform complicated steps in order to achieve a G7 state. This often required the use of creating output profiles, specialized knowledge of the DFE and external software just to achieve G7 greyscale conformance.

With the G7 Calibration feature of the PRISMAsync Color Print Server[i] the complexity of G7 calibration for a digital device is simplified, enabling users to calibrate within minutes using a unique, wizard-driven procedure directly at the Canon imagePRESS' console. These DFE-based tools require no additional investment in software, hardware or training for the average end user to help them achieve high standards of quality and color consistency and get their digital press up to color in a short period of time, generating revenue potential with more print time per day.

“Since the launch of the G7 methodology by Idealliance in 2006, technology partners have created innovations to build-in G7 into the print workflow. PRISMAsync's process of closed loop G7 calibration ranks as a key development in the evolution of our industry's leading print quality and validation program,” commented David J. Steinhardt, president & CEO of Idealliance. “Idealliance applauds Canon U.S.A. for its foresight in developing the capability, and their partnership and commitment to our industry.”

“We are honored that Idealliance has recognized Canon with G7 System Certification. This distinction demonstrates our commitment toward providing a solution that can help users achieve more print time per day, through fewer make-up prints, easy re-prints and fast proofs,” said Toyo Kuwamura, executive vice president and general manager, Business Imaging Solutions Group, Canon U.S.A., Inc.“Calibration is the foundation upon which good digital print output quality is built. As technology and standards in the industry advance, we expect PRISMAsync G7 Calibration to increase the accessibility of G7 calibration for printers using digital presses and decrease barriers to profile creation for users. This accessibility will empower even small print shops to keep up and adapt quickly, raising the bar on quality in as little as five minutes.”