Canon, RIT Partner to Create Media Certification Program for imagePROGRAF Systems

MELVILLE, N.Y.—October 22, 2015—Creating great works of art not only requires advanced technology, but also the proper media. For the first time, Canon U.S.A., a leader in digital imaging, has announced it will join Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Printing Applications Laboratory, in offering a streamlined media certification process. This collaboration will help photography, fine art and paper vendors determine and promote compatibility with the imagePROGRAF portfolio, including the newly announced imagePROGRAF PRO-1000.

As part of this Canon Alliance Partner Program (CAPP), an initiative that allows third-party suppliers and vendors to align their business goals with Canon products, RIT will test media with imagePROGRAF systems to confirm compatibility. The testing looks into both paper properties and print properties. A few of the attributes tested include grammage, caliper, opacity, registration, line raggedness and optical density, among many others.* Upon passing the test, vendors will receive a certification enabling them to advertise media compatibility with imagePROGRAF systems.

In addition to helping photographers identify high-quality media, the certification can also unlock a realm of new possibilities for vendors, including the potential to expand the customer base, opportunities to be included in future imagePROGRAF portfolios, company presence on the Canon U.S.A. website, partnership with Canon for trade shows and access to imagePROGRAF systems.

RIT's Printing Applications Lab provides the print industry with empirical approaches to control and improve the quality of their products and expand on the knowledge of industry professionals. From media certification programs to assistance with product development and corporate education programs, RIT's Printing Applications Lab has the tools to educate industry professionals, and help companies improve existing products.

Click here for more information and to apply for the certification.

About Canon U.S.A.
Canon U.S.A. is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions to the United States and to Latin America and the Caribbean (excluding Mexico) markets. With approximately $31 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), ranks third overall in U.S. patents granted in 2014† and is one of Fortune Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies in 2015. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest level of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes.

Canon U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility. In 2014, the Canon Americas Headquarters secured LEED Gold certification, a recognition for the design, construction, operations and maintenance of high-performance green buildings.

About Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester Institute of Technology is home to leading creators, entrepreneurs, innovators and researchers. Founded in 1829, RIT enrolls 18,600 students in more than 200 career-oriented and professional programs, making it among the largest private universities in the U.S.

The university is internationally recognized and ranked for academic leadership in business, computing, engineering, imaging science, liberal arts, sustainability, and fine and applied arts. RIT also offers unparalleled support services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The cooperative education program is one of the oldest and largest in the nation. Global partnerships include campuses in Croatia, Dubai and Kosovo.

† Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.

* Canon does not impose a fee for certification, but applicants are subject to a testing fee imposed by RIT.

Source: Canon U.S.A.