CHICAGO--Sept. 29, 2003-- Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc., unveiled today its latest color imaging systems, the new CLC 5100 - a high-volume, full-color digital printing solution engineered to meet professional-grade workflow demands, and the CLC 4000 - specially tailored for the entry level and mid-volume production market. Reinforcing Canon's 16-year ownership of the No. 1 market position in color copier/printer solutions*, the new CLC models each feature significant increases in speed, media flexibility and enhanced control technologies. Designed to optimize production and increase profitability in serious on-demand print environments such as print-for-pay (PFPs), corporate reprographic departments (CRDs), graphics firms and commercial printers, the CLC 5100 introduces speeds up to 51 page-per-minute (PPM) and the CLC 4000 a 40 PPM engine**. Both the CLC 5100 and CLC 4000 offer Canon's renowned image quality and dramatic advances in paper handling options, workflow management and economics for faster turnaround and increased Return on Investment (ROI). Three key design "themes" define the new CLC models - speed, media weight versatility and output management - respectively demonstrated by the CLC 5100 and CLC 4000's new delivery system, Paper Deck R1 and offset stacker options supporting media up to 253 gsm/140-lb Index. Both models also distinguish themselves from predecessors by approximately doubling heavy media productivity with speeds up to 22 PPM for 253 gsm. "With higher quality office color printers and MFPs, plus the complexity of jobs combined with an overall growing reliance on digital print in the expanding workgroup market, production environments are put under great pressure to offer their clients something unique - something creative and cost-efficient," said Mark Suzuki, director and assistant general manager, Canon U.S.A. Graphic Arts Systems Division. "The new CLC 5100 and CLC 4000 models address the need for production 'differentiators' by offering more media flexibility, higher speeds and professional-grade imagery." Replacing the CLC 5000+ and CLC 3900+, Canon's new CLC models help entry- to high-level production houses cut costs via accelerated jobs, less waste, reduced operator involvement and easier off-line finishing. The new CLC 5100 and CLC 4000 feature new delivery and fixing unit systems plus advanced internal color management technology for overall system efficiency, accelerated production turnaround and increased color consistency. In addition, the implementation of Canon's new Paper Deck-R1 with Air Assist enables marked improvements in heavy stock and coated media workflow. Finishing options for the CLC 5100 and CLC 4000 include Canon's Nagel Finisher, a production-level saddle-stitch finishing device for professionally finished booklets and the High Capacity-TS100 Stacker, supporting 2500 sheets for extended runs. Featuring a combination of four-drum technology and Canon's exclusive Finer Brighter (FB) toner and Automatic Image Refinement, the CLC 5100 offers print resolutions up to the equivalent of 800 x 400 dots-per-inch (dpi) and a maximum recommended monthly volume of 200,000 letter-sized impressions. The CLC 4000 features up to the equivalent of 800 x 400 dpi resolution and a maximum recommended monthly output of 150,000 impressions. The base suggested retail price of the CLC 5100 and CLC 4000 is $63,000 and $54,000, respectively***. To provide exceptional flexibility and productivity, Canon offers four versatile controller options geared towards those environments handling full-speed variable data printing. Adaptable to unique applications depending on production and workflow requirements, Canon customers can select from the T/R Systems MicroPress for Canon, ColorPASS-Z6000 (CLC 4000 only), ColorPASS-Z7000 and the new ColorPASS-Z7400. The CLC 5100 and CLC 4000 main units and supporting ColorPASS-Z7000, ColorPASS-Z6000 and other optional accessories for the device will be available through authorized Canon U.S.A. dealers and Canon Business Solution locations towards the end of October 2003. Contact Canon authorized dealers for T/R Systems MicroPress Series X pricing and availability. The new ColorPASS-Z7400 and Offset Stacker-B1, for use with both the CLC 5100 and CLC 4000, will be available in the first quarter of 2004.