Canon has identified production printing as a central pillar of its Phase VII strategy, targeting higher growth in commercial and industrial print as digital adoption accelerates. With new B2 and B3 inkjet platforms, expansion into labels and corrugated packaging, and a strategic alliance with Heidelberg, Canon is scaling its reach across the production ecosystem. Backed by AI-driven workflow integration and disciplined financial targets, Canon aims to industrialize digital print at scale.

Canon’s production printing business is emerging as a core growth driver under the company’s Phase VII strategy. While overall corporate growth is targeted at approximately 3% annually through 2028, Canon expects commercial and industrial printing to outperform, with the commercial print market projected to expand at roughly 5% per year as analog processes transition to digital. Production momentum was already visible in fiscal 2025, where drupa-driven demand lifted production print sales by nearly 15% in yen terms, reinforcing confidence in continued digital migration across books, direct mail, labels, and packaging.

The roadmap reflects that ambition. The upcoming varioPRESS iV7 (B2 sheetfed inkjet, 8,700 B2 sheets per hour) and varioPRINT iX1700 (B3 inkjet, 170 A4 images per minute) are positioned to bridge the gap between toner and high-volume inkjet, targeting mid-sized print service providers moving toward industrial workflows. In packaging, the LabelStream LS2000 water-based inkjet press expands Canon’s presence in premium and food-safe label markets, while the corrPRESS iB17 drives entry into digital corrugated production. The Colorado XL-series strengthens large-format UVgel capabilities. Canon’s alliance with Heidelberg further amplifies this strategy, opening a significant B2 inkjet distribution channel from 2026 and embedding Canon technology more deeply into offset-centric markets.

Beyond hardware, Phase VII emphasizes AI-enabled platforms, centralized data management, and software-led value creation across business groups. In production print, this translates into integrated workflows, automation, and high-margin applications such as textured and elevated print powered by PRISMA innovations. Canon’s financial targets, including a 15% operating profit ratio and 15% ROE by 2030, underscore disciplined execution. For production print customers, Canon’s direction is clear: digital transformation is not just incremental adoption, but scalable industrialization supported by technology, partnerships, and ecosystem integration.