CASE STUDY

Cimpress and VistaPrint drive innovation with Canon

Learn how Canon and VistaPrint partnered to deliver a bespoke inline finishing solution harnessing the full power of the varioPRINT iX3200.
  • The Objectives

    VistaPrint sought a partner across small and large format printing to help it meet customer demands and future-proof its operations.

  • The challenge

    The chosen partner had to be trustworthy and reliable, while delivering an all-in-one solution to help VistaPrint achieve excellence for all its different applications, including complex jobs using different substrates and varnishes.

  • The key opportunity

    Creating a streamlined inline finishing workflow to deliver quality coated applications at high speed, with very little manual interaction.

Helping businesses build brands

VistaPrint helps small business owners create expertly designed custom marketing assets to ensure they look and feel professional, prepared and plugged in. VistaPrint’s parent company Cimpress plc invests in and builds customer-focused, entrepreneurial, print mass-customization businesses for the long term and generates annual revenue of over $3.2 billion USD.

Using the latest print technologies, VistaPrint offers a wide range of small business marketing products, along with real-time access to expert design support for those who need it. That means their customers can easily design a cohesive brand that carries across their entire business, whether they operate in-store, online, on-site or on the go.

The challenge

VistaPrint

VistaPrint’s priorities were:

• Building on its low throughput time, fast turnaround times, exceptional image quality and reliability
• Remaining lean and flexible
• Ensuring ease of use in terms of skills and competency requirements
• Delivering high reproducibility and repeatability for all output
• Adopting solutions supporting its ambitions to achieve end-to-end digitisation and adopt industry 4.0 processes

A challenge for every business is to create competitive advantage. We are continuously looking to improve ourselves by using and deploying technology. Ofcourse, to do so, we’re also looking for the right partners.”

Why Canon

  • Diverse full solution portfolio

    Canon’s broad production printing portfolio, with hardware, software, technology partnerships and services, meant it could offer a complete package to VistaPrint to help the business meet its varied requirements in small format and large format graphics.

  • Ease of use

    Canon’s technology is intuitive to use and easy to maintain. For VistaPrint, that was the first step to increased operational flexibility with no loss of quality. In particular, the varioPRINT iX3200 helps VistaPrint be flexible with its labour resourcing even in times of peak demand.

  • High quality and productivity

    The varioPRINT iX3200 sheetfed inkjet press has market-leading speed and consistency, enabling VistaPrint to boost productivity across the business. The Colorado M-series large format printer enables VistaPrint to print efficiently while also offering ultra-reliable white ink.

Canon’s role

Although Canon has been a supplier to Cimpress companies for many years, Canon’s partnership with VistaPrint in Venlo, the Netherlands, began in 2020, with the initial installation of a varioPRINT iX3200 sheetfed inkjet press.

VistaPrint was in close contact with Canon’s R&D departments across EMEA and HQ before the launch of the device, helping Canon understand the company’s requirements and influence the development of the end solution accordingly.

Following the success of that installation, this model was replicated with other printers – and the complement of Canon technology at VistaPrint Venlo has grown to deploy Canon technology into other market segments supporting customers in their marketing, signage and packaging needs.

Canon also partnered with VistaPrint to integrate an inline Plockmatic DigiCoater Pro 400 with one of the varioPRINT iX3200 presses, a crucial step in the development of the partnership.

klantcase Vistaprint Cimpress
Vistaprint Cimpress

Benefits for VistaPrint

VistaPrint’s investments have unlocked new ways of working within the business:

varioPRINT iX3200

VistaPrint made its first investment into sheetfed inkjet technology because Canon’s varioPRINT iX3200 was two to three times faster than what VistaPrint had used so far, and more reliable. It could be installed without major changes to the print room.

Thanks to its technology, VistaPrint can easily bring in extra support during peak demand periods, reducing production times and allowing a more efficient allocation of the team members.

A further consideration was the competitive running cost of the inkjet press compared to other technologies, providing a favourable total cost of ownership.

Combined with the consistent quality of the varioPRINT iX3200, this resulted in an extremely effective solution, with an increase in the overall end customer satisfaction rate.

A custom integration

The varioPRINT iX3200’s high speed, at more than 9000 SRA3 images per hour, meant it was challenging to create an efficient workflow with inline finishing for varnished applications such as calendars, flyers and postcards. VistaPrint requested an one-off workflow for coated applications, and Canon, VistaPrint and Plockmatic collaborated to achieve this.

As a result of this customised solution, VistaPrint could harness the full potential of its Plockmatic DigiCoater Pro 400 finishing equipment with the varioPRINT iX3200, enabling a fast end-to-end throughput with no manual interaction and a higher overall equipment effectiveness.

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Colorado
klantcase Vistaprint Cimpress

Colorado

VistaPrint uses Colorado M-series and the Colorado C1650 printers, all with UVgel technology.

VistaPrint uses its Colorado M-series exclusively for 2-layer white applications such as window films and car stickers. Canon’s innovative and unique white ink means VistaPrint can be confident in the reliability of the printer even after a weekend of continuous printing.

The Colorado C1650 printers are used for a range of applications, including stickers, canvas prints, posters on paper and plastic, and even wrapping paper.

With all the Colorados, VistaPrint benefits from good consistency in output and a high uptime, while the tissue wipe cassette enables low operator intervention with a fully automated printing process.

During production, the Colorado’s UVgel technology delivers odorless output which is instantly ready for post-processing such as cutting or lamination.

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ProStream R2_2

ProStream

In the offset department, VistaPrint Venlo has implemented webfed inkjet technology. VistaPrint Venlo invested in ProStream technology, offering digital versatility, very high productivity and offset quality.

VistaPrint uses its ProStream press to replace offset volume. The press is equipped with inline finishing capabilities for automated production of flyers, brochures and calendars.

ColorWave

A key use of VistaPrint’s ColorWave printers is producing cost-effective and accurate topsheets to support offset production and drive greater efficiency across the print room.

PRISMAproduce Tech

What’s next for VistaPrint and Canon?

Canon and VistaPrint have forged a deep partnership, ready to work together on future innovation. As print technology continues to evolve, this partnership stands to support faster delivery, fewer manual touchpoints, improved digital workflows, and above all, consistently high quality that inspires VistaPrint’s customers.

We are very excited to offer relevant and competitive offerings to our customers, to empower them through technology and remain their design and marketing partner of choice. Therefore it’s key to be able to count on valuable partners such as Canon.”

Explore further

  • varioPRINT iX3200

    The varioPRINT iX3200 sheetfed inkjet press revolutionises the commercial printing experience.

  • Colorado M-series

    Fully modular UVgel roll-to-roll printer for large format graphics. Configure the system to your needs, and upgrade later as your volumes grow. Many options available, including mixed gloss/matte printing and white ink.

  • ProStream 3000 Series

    Accelerate digital transformation with two versatile inkjet web presses ideal for a high-volume print environment.

  • colorWAVE T-series

    Canon colorWAVE T-series printers offer reliable, easy production of high-quality colour prints and a built-to-last design philosophy.

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Find out more about partnership opportunities with Canon