NEW YORK--April 23, 2002--Leveraging their long term partnership and development expertise in color laser engines and print controller systems, Canon U.S.A., a subsidiary of Canon Inc. and Electronics for Imaging (EFI) today introduced the new ColorPASS-Z400E and ColorPASS-Z650, two print controller options for Canon's new CLC 1140 and 1180 mid-range color copier/printer systems. The new ColorPASS models provide Canon, as the U.S. market share leader in color laser copier/printers(a), the opportunity to further its market presence with graphic arts professionals, particularly in environments such as pre-press and commercial printing, where the new CLC 1140 and 1180 can be used for short production runs and intermediate proofing. The new CLC and ColorPASS models will be on display at the Canon Digital Solution Forum, taking place at New York's Jacob Javits Convention Center April 23-25. "Canon is very pleased to work with EFI in developing ColorPASS platforms that allow us to enter new market segments where color accuracy and consistency are absolutely critical," said Mason Olds, director and general manager, Canon U.S.A. Graphic Systems Division. "Our leadership positions in engine and print controller development have combined to provide one of the most robust mid-range color solutions available for pre-press and commercial purposes." Boosting the power of Canon's ColorPASS-Z650 controller is EFI's Fiery Z5 technology and Fiery System 5 software, a powerful new offering providing customers with a comprehensive printing solution featuring the best of EFI's technologies. Fiery System 5 delivers cutting-edge color management. "EFI and Canon have partnered again to deliver high quality solutions to demanding customers in the printing market," said Bernie Lepore, director of Sales for EFI. "Fiery System 5 and the Fiery Z5 controller technology that provides the foundation for the ColorPASS-Z650 allows Canon to strengthen their position in the professional printing and graphics arts markets. Enhanced engine technologies, such as Real Time Calibration, allow a 70% improvement in color consistency over previous models. The CLC 1140 and 1180 produce full color laser output at 11 pages-per-minute (ppm), and black-and-white output at 42 ppm. For corporate to graphic arts use, the devices incorporate Color Automatic Image Refinement screening technology, which improves the resolution to 800 dpi x 400 dpi in appearance, and Finer Brighter Toner (FB-Toner), which is comprised of toner particles that are much smaller than conventional color copier/printer toners. Canon ColorPASS-Z400E As an entry-level controller solution, the architecture of the ColorPASS-Z400E features an Intel Celeron 566 MHz processor, 192 MB of RAM, and 20 GB Hard Drive. Windows NT is the resident operating system. Basic color management functionality comes standard, with new features including tray alignment for simplex and duplex output, and member printing for job accounting purposes. With ECT file compression, raster image processor (RIP) performance is dramatically enhanced without any data loss. Canon ColorPASS-Z650 The Canon ColorPASS-Z650 is powered by a high-speed 1 GHz Intel Pentium III processor, a 60 GB hard drive, 256 MB of RAM, an internal 250 MB Zip drive, and CD-ROM, all for transporting a wide range of files across virtually any network, platform, or application. ColorWise 3 color management includes Post-RIP calibration, to separate the calibration process from the RIP process, ColorCal, an improved two-step calibration process, gray component removal for giving black areas a sharper look, and Auto Gray to improve consistency when using multiple CLCs in one location. A new version of Fiery Remote Scan for the first time enables use of the CLC Re-circulating Document Feeder (RDF) for scanning documents to the ColorPASS hard drive, or for sending e-mail attachments remotely to the printer or Internet via use of NetWise 3. An optional Graphics Arts Package (MSRP $5595) available for the ColorPASS-Z650 is specifically designed for the color critical user, and includes: Soft Proofing, for facilitating customer approvals; Spot-on Color Matching for easier color management, customization, and adjustment of named Pantone colors; Hot Folders setting to automate the printing process for anything from job imposition to media thickness; Halftone screening capabilities to simulate the final screened result that will be imaged on films or plates; and Paper Simulation to simulate the media that will be used when printing i.e. newsprint. Pricing and Availability The new CLC and ColorPASS models are available today through all Authorized Canon U.S.A. Dealers and Canon Business Solutions locations. The ColorPASS-Z400E and ColorPASS-Z650 have suggested retail prices of $7,495 and $21,000, respectively. The CLC 1140 and 1180 have base suggested retail prices of $22,150 and $25,350, respectively.