Canon XL-series: Innovation Just Got a Lot Bigger

Inside the Technology That Powers the Canon Colorado XL-series

When evaluating a new printer, most conversations focus on speed, image quality, or the applications it can produce. Those factors matter, but they don't always explain why one platform performs differently from another.

The Canon Colorado XL-series was built around a different philosophy. Rather than assembling technologies from multiple suppliers, Canon developed the core technologies that power the system itself- from the ink and printheads to the media transport, motion control, and curing systems.

The result is a fully integrated platform designed to support consistent print quality, application versatility, and high-productivity printing across both rigid and flexible media.

What Makes the Canon Colorado XL-series Different?

At the heart of the Colorado XL-series are five proprietary Canon innovations.

UVgel 860 Ink 

The Colorado XL-series introduces UVgel 860 Ink, engineered to support both rigid and flexible applications using a single ink set.

The ink is designed to provide:

• Excellent color consistency
• Instantly dry output
• Low-odor prints
• Matte and gloss finishes without varnish
• Dimensional stability through low-temperature curing

Because the ink was developed specifically for the Colorado platform, it functions as part of a coordinated system rather than an independent component.

For print providers, that means greater flexibility when moving between different media and applications without changing workflows.

UVgel 850 Printhead Technology 

At the center of the Colorado XL-series is UVgel 850 Printhead Technology, developed and manufactured by Canon.

Each printhead contains 4,544 nozzles and incorporates automated nozzle monitoring and correction. Canon's PAINT (Piezo Acoustic Integrated Nozzle Technology) continuously monitors nozzle performance and automatically compensates if an issue is detected.

The goal is simple: maintain image quality while minimizing production interruptions.

UVgel TRIdrive Vacuum Belt System 

Media handling plays a significant role in print quality, especially when working across a variety of substrates.

Canon developed the UVgel TRIdrive Vacuum Belt System to help improve media positioning, reduce wrinkling and skewing, and support reliable unattended operation.

The system combines:

• Three interactive drive rollers
• Multiple vacuum zones
• Automatic media alignment
• Self-steering belt technology

Together, these technologies help maintain accurate media transport across both flexible and rigid applications.

For shops producing a wide range of graphics, reliable media handling helps reduce variability and improve consistency from job to job.

UVgel DynamicMotion Control 

The Colorado XL-series uses UVgel DynamicMotion Control to actively monitor media movement during printing and make real-time positioning corrections.

Using high-speed machine vision technology, the system tracks micro-movements in the media and adjusts printhead positioning on the fly.

This helps ensure precise dot placement and image quality, even at higher print speeds.

UVgel FullBeam Curing 

The final piece of the system is UVgel FullBeam Curing Technology.

Unlike traditional curing approaches, FullBeam Curing uses a printer-wide LED curing array combined with a proprietary mirror system designed to deliver consistent UV light across the full print width.

This technology helps support:

• Outstanding print uniformity
• Wider color gamut
• Matte or gloss finishes
• Specialty texture effects with FLXture technology

The result is greater creative flexibility without requiring separate inks or complex finishing processes.

The Advantage of a Fully Integrated Platform

Each of these technologies delivers value on its own.

What makes the Canon Colorado XL-series unique is that they were all developed to work together as part of a single Canon ecosystem. From UVgel 860 Ink and UVgel 850 Printheads to TRIdrive Media Transport, DynamicMotion Control, and FullBeam Curing, every major component was designed as part of the same platform.

That level of integration helps create a competitive advantage that is difficult to replicate through third-party components and assembled technologies.

For print providers looking to expand applications, improve consistency, and invest in a platform built for long-term growth, the Canon Colorado XL-series delivers something increasingly rare in today's market: 100% proprietary technology. Zero compromises.

To learn more about the Canon Colorado XL-series and determine whether it's the right fit for your business, contact an Equipment Specialist at 800-453-9538 or visit Capital Equipment.