This article is sponsored by Canon as part of WhatTheyThink’s Print Product Spotlight series. In preparing this article, the WhatTheyThink Print Product Section editors conducted original, in-depth research into Canon’s varioPRINT 6000 series TITAN. This Product Spotlight describes what the editors feel are the product’s strengths in the marketplace. Canon previewed the final article for accuracy but had no editorial control over the content.

(Watch David Zwang’s interview with Colleen Molkenbur, Sr. Mgr. Product Planning, Canon USA, about the varioPRINT 6000 series TITAN here.)

The competitive global market for color digital and inkjet production presses has been growing as a result of the analog-to-digital transformation and with that, Canon has established itself as a leader worldwide. In the monochrome cut-sheet digital print space, they have consistently led the market in productivity since the initial introduction of the varioPRINT 6000 series. In fact, with this press they have not just set the bar, they have raised it. Their continued investment and development of high-volume monochrome with the introduction of the varioPRINT 6000 series TITAN in 2017 and most recently advanced in varioPRINT 6000 TPxp series TITAN offering.

The Océ VarioPrint 6000 series was initially introduced in 2006, and rapidly became the leader in high-volume, sheetfed, production monochrome printers. Since its initial introduction, the varioPRINT 6000 series has evolved to address the changing market requirements with the latest technologies. Today, while some print applications are moving to color printing, the monochrome segment still dominates the market, accounting for more than half of global cut sheet revenue, according to Mordor Intelligence; Production Printers Market Size & Share Analysis Growth Trends & Forecasts (2024–2029).

The updated Canon varioPRINT 6000 series TITAN presses are designed to meet those monochrome needs in various markets and are designed to help produce quality commercial print materials, books, and transactional documents with a lower production cost.

Imaging Quality

The varioPRINT 6000 series TITAN is designed to produce offset-quality monochrome printing with state-of-the-art imaging technologies. Gemini technology images both sides of a page at the same time, helping to ensure faster throughput, with tight front-to-back registration of 0.5mm, helping to providing lower operating costs and less waste. With a print resolution of up to 600 x 1200 dpi, Canon has upgraded this LED printer with SuperCell technology which ensures that the printed content is produced with sharp image details and smooth gradations. It also uses ScreenPoint technology which automatically converts color images into grayscale with excellent resolution and contrast without sacrificing detail. The presses use a monocomponent toner for oil- and developer-free imaging which helps ensure image quality in a clean environment, without the need of costly ventilation systems or special filters. The unique CopyPress technology presses the toner into the substrate, providing a matte, offset-like look and feel to text and images.

Media and Productivity

The varioPRINT 6000 series TITAN consists of four models: varioPRINT 6180, varioPRINT 6220, varioPRINT 6270, and varioPRINT 6330, which provide a range of options to meet most plant and application needs. The rated speed of the press is based on continuous printing and ranges from up to 177 ipm up to a maximum of 320 ipm for a duplex letter size page. The presses support paper sizes of 8 x 8-in. up to 13.8 x 19.7-in., with plain paper weights from 13-lb. bond to 110-lb. cover (50 to 300 gsm). An optional lightweight media kit can extend the range to 30-lb text/12-lb bond (45 gsm). It also supports coated weights from 20-lb. bond to 90-lb. cover (80 to 250 gsm).

The presses can support monthly volumes which range from 300,000 pages up to 10 million pages based on the model selected. Canon also offers the optional Speed Pass program which allows the device license to be upgraded during peak season or permanently, so you don’t need to over purchase on your initial investment and can right size your production as needed on demand.

The efficiency of the presses can be attributed to its design and construction. There are two different types of paper input modules, PIM-B1 and PIM Flex-A1, with each PIM containing four paper trays supporting up to 4,600 sheets. The varioPRINT 6000 comes standard with one PIM, but can support up to three PIMs which can be attached for a maximum capacity of 13,800 sheets or 24,000 letter sheets with Duo Tray Options installed. Using the optional Tecnau SheetFeeder, you can feed up to 60,000 sheets from one roll to increase throughput and reduce downtime and operator involvement. This is ideal for high-volume environments with minimal paper variety.

Like an offset press, varioPRINT 6000 Paper Input Modules use suction feeding with air separation including ultrasonic double sheet detection for increased reliability. Paper Input Modules (PIM) supports sheets sizes from 8 x 8-in. up to 12.6-in. to 19.2-in. The PIM Flex-A1 option can hold media up to 13.8 x 19.7-in. to enable on demand book printing. There is also an optional statement kit for applications needing 7 x 10-in. sheets. Thanks to a cold paper path, every paper tray can also be used to interpose color inserts, increasing the capacity for inserts while reducing footprint requirements by eliminating the need for a post process insertion module.

The varioPRINT 6000 TITAN is also equipped with Paper Logic technology which allows the operator to load media as they would read it, making it easier for operators to quicky and correctly load oriented media like tabs.

Finishing to Your Requirements

The varioPRINT 6000 series TITAN is designed to handle a wide range of monochrome production requirements for applications like books, manuals, transactional documents, direct mail, reports, forms, and sell sheets. As a result, there is a need for a wide range of finishing options. The standard High Capacity Stacker holds up to 6,000 sheets with an unload while printing capability. Fully configured with three High Capacity Stackers it can support up to 18,000 sheets for longer unattended printing. An optional set finisher supports stapling for sets up to 100 sheets.

The press is designed for optional integration with third party finishing solutions. These include an assortment of SDD and Plockmatic booklet makers. Depending on your needs, you can select a model which will provide you a solution that can produce up to and over 200 page booklets. With the modular designs, many of these solutions provide rotators, square folding, and two-knife trimmers for professional full-bleed finish.

Sustainability and the Environment

The varioPRINT 6000 series TITAN’s unique technologies also help it deliver on today’s need for more environmentally conscious production. CopyPress technology works at a lower temperature than electrophotography, helping to reduce energy consumption as well as heat output of the device. Its two fastest speed models are EnergyStar® rated, It also produces minimal ozone emissions, has virtually no waste toner, and thanks to the monocomponent toner, the varioPRINT 6000 series TITAN does not use developer. Add to this, that for a large engine, it is quiet, coming in 64 dB while printing, generating no more noise than a regular washing machine. Always looking to improve on environmental impact, Canon is moving to six-bottle packaging for toner to help reduce packaging waste as well as moving to 50% PCRP bottles to help reduce use of virgin plastic.

PRISMA Pulls It All Together

The varioPRINT 6000 series TITAN comes with Canon’s PRISMAsync print server, which provides workflow integration with machine control. It is powered by Adobe® PDF Print Engine with Mercury RIP architecture for parallel processing. PRISMAsync supports industry standard file formats like PDF as well as VDP workflows including PDF/VT-1 and PPML as well as transactional workflows like IPDS for host printing applications such as checks, invoices, or claims, etc. PRISMAsync offers productivity tools for production planning and monitoring, including job scheduling for up to eight hours of production planning. Web based PRISMAremote Manager allows operators and administrators to manage queues and submit and reroute print jobs. It integrates with JDF and JMF tools to help streamline and accelerate processes, to help reduce costs, and manage and control your operations. There are also available options for integration with many third-party workflow systems to streamline your plant production.

The varioPRINT 6000 series TITAN can also be connected to the optional PRISMA Home cloud based platform which includes a wide range of applications and tools to optimize print production workflows and systems. PRISMA Home provides customers one central access to the supported PRISMA cloud workflow applications and tools.

Setting the Bar

The competitive global market for color digital and inkjet production presses has been growing as a result of the analog to digital transformation. With that, Canon has established itself as a leader in digital presses. This is a result of their technological expertise, attention to detail in their products, and most importantly listening to their customers. In the monochrome cut-sheet digital print space, the varioPRINT 6000 series has been a leader in productivity since the initial introduction. In fact, with this press they have not just set the bar, they have raised it.

Specifications and availability subject to change without notice.