NEW YORK--Sept. 14, 2005-- Canon U.S.A., Inc., the number one overall brand leader in the color copier/printer market in the U.S.(1), today announced the launch of a new digital color printing technology brand - Canon imagePRESS(TM) - to meet the digital color requirements of the commercial print and graphic arts markets. The introduction of the imagePRESS brand signifies Canon's highly anticipated entrance into the high-end, high-quality color digital press market. Canon is predicted to revolutionize digital color printing the same way the Company's first Color Laser Copier, the CLC 1, set the standard for color image quality in 1987 and, more recently, the way the imageRUNNER line has transformed the adoption of color into the enterprise. "Canon's legacy of innovative color technologies has uniquely positioned us to lead the color market for 18 consecutive years," said Tod Pike, senior vice president, Imaging Systems Group, Canon U.S.A. "As a true imaging solutions company, Canon's business direction is to combine the highest quality color output with unmatched media handling capabilities - differentiating us from the competition. As the market shifts dramatically toward the adoption of digital color - the introduction of the imagePRESS brand clearly announces our intention to expand our superior value proposition to commercial print and graphic arts customers - and further our influence within the digital color space." According to Charlie Corr, group director, InfoTrends/CAP Ventures, "Digital production color devices in the 60+ ppm class are positioned to become one of the highest growth segments in the market. In 2004, this equipment class produced 9.3 billion impressions and is expected to grow 53 percent through 2009, producing 76.9 billion impressions. Canon's strong color technology leadership and brand presence across the industry ideally position the Company to take advantage of this digital color shift and expand its foot-hold in the commercial and graphic arts markets." The new imagePRESS brand was developed to significantly expand Canon's presence in the production color market, where customers such as creative services companies, advertising agencies, design firms and marketing divisions require best-of-class color and image quality. Mr. Corr added, "It is expected that the equipment, service and supply revenue will grow 34 percent annually and the retail value of the pages produced on high-end digital color devices will increase from $3.3 billion in 2004 to $14 billion in 2009." "Canon's imagePRESS strategy represents a market breakthrough - a brand developed to create and expand commercial opportunities by offering a digital 'complement' to existing offset printing systems," added Mr. Pike. "This market has evolved to the point where - to remain competitive - print providers must offer their customers shorter run lengths and faster turnaround times at competitive pricing. Canon has consistently been at the forefront of digital imaging, and we see Canon's imagePRESS representing the sort of innovative and flexible solutions required to deliver customized, relevant documents. "The evolution of the color market calls for new solutions - for a new beginning," continued Mr. Pike. "Canon's imagePRESS technology is the result of one of the most significant Research and Development investments made by Canon and represents an unparalleled example of advanced digital color imaging technology and imaging superiority. Just as Canon pioneered the first digital color copier and digital color solutions for the enterprise market, we expect imagePRESS will transform the production marketplace, allowing commercial and quick printers, as well as in-plant and central reprographic department customers to grow their client base, volume and profits." As the color market evolves, so has the roadmap leading to Canon's new imagePRESS brand identity. "image" represents the unifying namesake of Canon's industry-leading product portfolio, including imageRUNNER, imagePROGRAF(TM) and imageCLASS. Combined with "PRESS," the brand highlights Canon's integrated and customizable solutions that continue to revolutionize workflow. "PRESS" also underscores the company's commitment to providing the commercial print and graphic arts industries with unrivaled benchmark image quality, reliability and productivity. Developed with significant customer input to reinforce the Company's legacy as an imaging technology leader, Canon's imagePRESS will provide advanced color consistency and quality as well as support the custom printing demands of the commercial, quick print and graphic arts markets. Canon will debut the new imagePRESS brand and preview core digital color press technology at an invitation-only exposition in New York City today through Friday, Sept. 16, 2005. The first color press technologies under the Canon imagePRESS brand are expected to be available for customer delivery the second half of 2006.