Security and graphic arts printer, Persona recently became the first print company in Ireland to install Canon’s Océ VarioPrint i300 inkjet press with Colorgrip, which enables high quality output on coated offset stocks, as well as uncoated stocks. To enable full bi-directional integrity, Canon also installed Océ Prisma production software for managing all output to the Canon imagePress, and now Océ varioPrint printers. The Persona installation is only the third installation of this technology in the UK and Ireland and brings the number of Océ VarioPrint i300 installations across Europe to 18. Canon launched the first high-speed sheet-fed inkjet printer in the company’s portfolio of production printing solutions in 2015. “The Océ VarioPrint i300 fills the speed and capacity gap that exists between conventional high-end toner-based cut sheet printers and entry-level continuous-feed inkjet presses,” says Donnán Cullen of Canon’s Industrial and Production Printing Group. “By doing so, Canon helps print businesses to find the right print solution for their needs and creates new market opportunities and applications.” Persona (Aluset) are one of the most prominent security and graphic arts printers in Ireland. Their work includes litho, digital and scanning/document management. “Persona and Canon have worked very hard over the last three years to uncover what our customers are going to need in the future,” says Carolyn Keogh, General Manager, Persona. “Data integrity in the printing process, faster turnaround times, and speed of communication to our customer’s customers were some of the key areas that we worked on together. Throughput was always going to be important, but Canon showed us that the real gains for our customers are to be found in workflow. Canon were the only organisation that spoke our language and were able to stretch our understanding of the market we operate in. There is an excellent working relationship in place and our customers are the beneficiaries, which is the most rewarding part.” Donnán Cullen points out that, rather than wait for the market to adapt over time, Persona decided to adopt the latest inkjet technology and output management from Canon. “This is a significant step as it enables Persona to cost effectively bridge the enormous gap between digital toner systems and litho,” he says. “This new capability will also mean that Persona can react to its customers’ day to day needs even faster than before.” As well as Océ Colorgip technology and an output of 18,000 images per hour, the Océ varioPrint i300 features ‘sentry’ control on paper input, automated print head cleaning, and an Océ BLM600C booklet maker. With Canon’s assistance, Persona will be demonstrating its new capabilities to its customers over the coming months.