GRAPH EXPO, CHICAGO, IL, September 29, 2003 - Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc., today announced that it has gained SWOP certification for its Color Laser Copier (CLC) 1140/1180 when used with the Kodak Polychrome Graphics (KPG) Matchprint Professional Server and Publication base proofing media. The Canon / KPG certification offers graphic arts professionals significant opportunity to save money, reduce turnaround time, and be confident in color accuracy when presenting proofs and comps to clients at any stage in the production process. SWOP - Specifications for Web Offset Publications - is the publishing industry's premier standards organization. SWOP maintains recommended specifications for materials supplied by advertisers, publishers, printers, advertising agencies, and prepress service providers to ensure color accuracy and the highest image quality in printed publications. "Together, this system delivers accurate and consistent color that meets SWOP specifications for proofing applications at critical stages of the document workflow," stated Mark Suzuki, director and assistant general manager of Canon U.S.A. Graphic Arts Systems Division. "Our graphic-intensive publishing customers can now efficiently produce color output that will simulate the final proof, eliminating costly rework and improving their ability to handle peak production deadlines." The Canon CLC 1140/1180, KPG Matchprint Professional Server, and approved Publication Base media will be on display in Canon booth #3451 during Graph Expo 2003 at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, Illinois, September 28 - October 1, 2003. Receiving SWOP certification is the culmination of a partnership between Canon and Kodak Polychrome Graphics. In 2002, Canon, recognized as the leader in color laser copier solutions for the past 16 years*, joined with KPG to develop the front-end RIP and print media that would closely simulate contract proofs. "When you marry the CLC 1140/1180 print engine, with its real-time calibration, press-like density curve, and tag-bit support technologies to KPG's Color Locking technology, Color Fidelity Module, and spectral profiled Device Links built into the Matchprint Professional Server, graphic arts professionals can achieve accurate, consistent colors that simulate the final production color," continued Suzuki. "This certification validates our efforts in the pre-press environment, and we are excited to expand our penetration into the professional publishing market." The CLC 1140/1180 produces up to 11 (8.5" x 11") full-color pages per minute, (42 ppm for monochrome output), and supports media as large as 12" x 18", allowing for the production of 2-up bleeds. The KPG Matchprint Professional Server includes multiple color profile simulations including: Kodak Approval, Matchprint, Fuji ColorArt, Dupont Waterproof, TR001, as well as Japanese and Newsprint press simulations, Business Graphics, Short-run Color, and Internet Color proof simulations. Color libraries for PANTONE-coated and uncoated colors are also included. The KPG Matchprint Professional Server, Publication and Commercial Base media are available today through all authorized Canon U.S.A. dealers and Canon Business Solutions locations. The suggested retail price of the KPG Matchprint Professional Server is $27,300. Please consult an authorized Canon sales representative for complete pricing on KPG media and Canon CLC 1140/1180 product configurations. The Matchprint Professional Server joins the KPG family of SWOP certified products, including the Kodak Approval Digital Halftone Proofing System, the Matchprint Virtual Proofing System, the Matchprint Inkjet Proofing System, the Matchprint Digital Halftone System, and the Matchprint Analog Proofing Systems.