Venlo, The Netherlands; Tokyo, Japan - Océ today announced the launch of an innovative printing system that accelerates the transition at digital and offset printing operations from black & white printing to very high volume digital color within the same printing system. The Océ ColorStream 3500 was developed at the Océ R&D technology facility in Munich (Germany). It is being launched as one of the highlights of Canon Expo that opened today in Tokyo (Japan). The first Océ ColorStream 3500 system placement is planned for early 2011. Océ, an international leader in digital document management and delivery, expects general availability by mid-2011.

Ongoing transition from black & white to digital color

Over the next five years, independent research suggests that customers across a broad spectrum of segments relevant to Océ will increasingly make the transition from black & white to digital color printing.
1. The number of A4 sheets to be printed in color in the financial services industry, amongst others, is expected to leap from 10 billion today to approximately 50 billion in 2014 as customers move from pre-printed offset forms to a plain paper solution;
2. In the direct mail and collateral markets (flyers, brochures etc.), a surge is anticipated from 20 billion printed A4 sheets today to approximately 50 billion in 2014 as customers move from limited to increased personalization; and
3. The number of book pages to be printed in color is expected to double to 20 billion A4s by 2014 as customers move from long-run mass production (with all the associated inventory and stock issues) to short-run on-demand production.

ColorStream 3500

Customers can start small and grow color business

While the majority of the digital print volume is still black & white, the market is trending towards full color plus additional colors. An entry-level black & white configuration of the Océ ColorStream 3500 system allows print providers to start with small volumes while at the same time, as their business grows, preparing for future color business including potentially fifth and sixth color printing. The transition to color often comes gradually, and typically not all print volume switches to full color immediately.
A reliable and flexible solution

The high-speed Océ ColorStream 3500 ? at over 1,000 A4 size images per minute using both engines ? combines inkjet print quality, processing power and simplex-duplex flexibility in a unique, environmentally-friendly way. It offers customers a reliable solution for statement printing, direct mail, books and manuals.

A highly attractive business model

“With the new Océ ColorStream 3500 printing system, we listened to the market: we have expanded our inkjet offering with a solution that combines the quality, flexibility and full-color productivity of well-established Océ products,” said Sebastian Landesberger, Executive Vice President, Océ Production Printing. “By consistently expanding our color portfolio, we can cover the widest range of market requirements. Now, offset printers can move to full color with a minimal impact on their infrastructure. They can then extend their range of print services, resulting in a highly attractive business model. This will help our customers build their business and reinforce the market leadership position we have held in the black & white continuous feed segment for more than 15 consecutive years.”