MELVILLE, N.Y. - Canon Solutions America, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Canon U.S.A., Inc., today announced that Houston, TX-based print leader, Alliance Graphics and Printing (Alliance), has opened the door to new inkjet business opportunities and markets with the installation of the Océ ColorStream 3700 full color inkjet printer.

In business for nearly 30 years, Alliance's core foundation is built around two things: innovation and complete customer satisfaction. As a true and resourceful print leader in the Houston area, Alliance offers its customers state-of-the-art technology coupled with imaginative and multi-faceted printing solutions. From traditional commercial and digital printing to online marketing and dynamic communications solutions, the full-service printing and graphics company is committed to providing its customers with a robust suite of solutions and unwavering support.

As the industry drastically evolved over the last 25 years, so too did Alliance and its approach to the market. From digital storefronts and commercial printing, to flexographic output and label-making, Alliance has sustained its success on the premise of adapting to industry changes, not ignoring them. Always looking – and primarily succeeding – in finding ways for its customers to secure more business, Alliance understood that inkjet and its impact was on the rise. As an early adopter of the now widely prevalent medium, the Houston print service provider continues to make pivotal investments in inkjet and its advanced technology, most recently culminating in the acquisition of an Océ ColorStream 3700 continuous feed inkjet press.

"We take pride in our print community and are firm believers that this industry is on the rise thanks to advancements in inkjet technologies and companies like Canon Solutions America that work with their customers to help push the standards of our industry forward," said Jeff Birmingham, president of Alliance Graphics and Printing. "Our newest installation of the Océ ColorStream 3700 is evidence of our pursuit of always staying on the cutting-edge side of emerging print technologies, and that is where we plan to stay."

A highly versatile and full color inkjet printer, the Océ ColorStream 3700 inkjet press offers productivity and flexibility for high-speed color and monochrome production of transaction, TransPromo, direct mail, book, and manual applications. With a vast and diverse customer-base ranging from mom and pop shops to Fortune 100 companies, Alliance knew it needed a versatile and productive inkjet web press that could meet the demands of both new and existing customers and match the quality of traditional offset printing. Equally important to Alliance's investment was time, quality, and the economics behind such a critical business decision.

"There is no doubt we considered many elements before deciding on the ColorStream, none more important than the ability to meet our demanding turnaround times, high-quality output, and cost-effectiveness," added Birmingham. "With the ColorStream, we have all three, and are now preparing for advancement in the long-run digital print environment."

Another keen investment made by Birmingham and Alliance was the decision to install the Océ PRISMAproduction server print workflow and output management system. Noting its high performance and reliability, Birmingham expressed appreciation of the versatility of the software and its ability to be completely scalable so as to add additional functionality if needed. Working as a cohesive unit, Alliance is now equipped with state-of-the-art inkjet technology on both the hardware and software side, and is setting its sights on a bigger future.

"The technology is as strong as advertised, but our future with Canon Solutions America is built on something stronger than hardware – trust," confirmed Birmingham. "From the beginning of our relationship some four years ago, we knew Canon Solutions America had a vision for us and we're happy to see it coming to fruition and excited for what's to come next."

"Trust is everything in business and what we have with Alliance and other customers around the country is a testament to Canon Solutions America's philosophy of merging technology and customer interaction," said Francis A. McMahon, senior vice president, Marketing, Production Print Solutions, Canon Solutions America. "We are proud to be a part of Alliance's past and present, now we look to the future and how we can continue to work together to yield great results."

Serving as yet another differentiator, Alliance's investment in two Canon imagePRESS C10000VP Color Digital Presses has allowed the company to produce shorter runs with quicker turnaround. Adding the ability to provide customers with booklet-making capabilities and the inclusion of a wide array of in-line feeding and finishing accessories, Alliance has vastly expanded its application offering.

The imagePRESS C10000VP Series was designed to provide the edge Canon customers need to exceed their own customers' expectations. It provides offset-like quality with 2400 x 2400 dpi output quality, tight registration, and stable color on long runs at 100 letter impressions per minute, and offers users easy operator maintenance giving way to powerful and sustained productivity.

"With the addition of these two technologies and PRISMA workflow, Alliance is in good hands," said Birmingham. "Our customers – and our entire company – are excited by the realm of new possibilities with these latest investments in breakthrough print and output management technology."