Canon named Leader in IDC's high-speed inkjet study

Canon has been named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide High-Speed Inkjet 2025 Vendor Assessment, placing it in the top tier of vendors reviewed in the latest global study.

The assessment examined suppliers on factors including innovation, product portfolios, service and support, customer experience, and long-term strategy in high-speed inkjet. IDC said Canon had maintained a strong market presence, with growth in new installations and page volumes, and noted that the company could support its performance claims with production and utilisation data from customer sites.

The report said Canon had strengthened its position since the previous edition of the study, when it was also listed in the Leaders category. It pointed to updates across established high-speed inkjet products, the development of Canon's own 1,200 dpi piezo inkjet printhead platform, and changes to service delivery aimed at giving end users more control and reducing downtime.

IDC also highlighted Canon's work with industry partners on finishing options and its development of PRISMA digital front-end tools for managing workflows, file processing, and operator interfaces for high-speed presses.

Portfolio range

Canon's high-speed inkjet line-up spans both continuous feed and sheetfed systems. In sheetfed, the range includes the B3-format varioPRINT iX1700 and varioPRINT iX3200, as well as the B2-format varioPRESS iV7. In continuous feed, the portfolio includes the ProStream 2000 and 3000 and the ColourStream 8000.

These products are aimed at production print customers shifting work from analogue to digital processes. Canon's wider press portfolio also covers both inkjet and toner systems for commercial printers handling different application types and output volumes.

Beyond commercial print, Canon has begun extending its production print plans into label and packaging markets. It has announced the LabelStream LS2000 for digital labels and the corrPRESS iB17 for corrugated printing.

Technology focus

In its comments on Canon's equipment, IDC said the manufacturer uses its own printhead technology and ink systems. The report cited water-based polymer inks, 1,200 dpi printheads, proprietary waveforms, inline colour profiling sensors, and automated maintenance features.

According to IDC, these elements combine to deliver print quality, colour consistency, and flexibility across different substrates. The firm also highlighted Canon's image processing, media transport, image quality control, and splice handling technologies, and said the varioPRINT iX1700 brings together Canon inks, printheads, paper feed, drying, and fixing systems to support a broader range of media.

Service infrastructure was another area singled out in the assessment. IDC cited Canon's scaled supply chains and extensive global service network, with fast response times and reliable parts availability. It also referenced programmes designed to train print service providers to carry out different levels of service on Canon equipment.

Market context

The high-speed inkjet segment remains a closely watched area of the production print market as printers respond to demand for shorter runs, faster turnaround, and more tailored output. Vendors are under pressure not only to improve print quality and media range, but also to show that installations can run consistently in commercial environments.

That emphasis on measurable uptime and field performance featured strongly in IDC's comments on Canon. The analyst firm said real-world production and utilisation data supported the company's uptime claims, a point that may carry weight for buyers evaluating whether to replace or supplement analogue production lines.

Duncan Smith, Country Director, Production, Canon UK & Ireland, said the ranking reflected the company's experience in the segment as well as its customer support model. "We believe the recognition of Canon within the IDC MarketScape report reflects both the depth of our heritage in high-speed inkjet, our long-term commitment to our customers and our relentless pursuit of setting new standards through continuous innovation. We believe what differentiates us is not only the performance of our presses, but also the reliability and business development support we deliver as a trusted partner. And we've built that reputation on more than a decade of experience in sheetfed inkjet, an investment of around 8% of our revenue in research and development, and a service organisation that consistently delivers the uptime and support our customers depend on. It's through a combination of proven technology, deep application expertise and true partnership that we enable print service providers to access new levels of quality, efficiency, versatility and productivity, and to scale their operations with confidence today and in the future," Smith said.