Precision Proco installs two Canon presses to boost capacity

Precision Proco has installed two Canon varioPRINT iX3200 sheetfed inkjet presses, marking its first partnership with Canon.

The UK print provider is moving into sheetfed inkjet to increase capacity and efficiency across its operations. The presses were installed at its production facilities after the company identified a need for more output while maintaining print quality in line with customer expectations.

Formed through the merger of Precision Printing, ProCo and Prime, Precision Proco has grown into a business with annual revenue of £76 million. It supplies commercial print, personalised print and single-copy book production, serving large corporate customers as well as smaller buyers through an online upload-and-print service and account-managed work.

The two presses also fill a gap in B2-format production, allowing more jobs to flow into the company’s existing finishing lines. Precision Proco operates across nearly 250,000 square feet of production and warehouse space, with finishing capacity already in place, so getting printed sheets onto the floor more quickly can speed up the wider manufacturing process.

The company points to rising demand for faster turnaround times across print and marketing work. Designed for short-run, high-volume production, the varioPRINT iX3200 can produce up to 320 A4 images a minute, giving Precision Proco a way to move jobs through its workflow more quickly.

Waste reduction

The investment is also linked to changing customer requirements around inventory and waste. Sheetfed inkjet can support print-on-demand models, allowing printers to produce shorter runs with less setup time and reducing the need to hold surplus stock.

Precision Proco expects this to help minimise waste by printing only what customers need, when they need it. In sectors where marketing materials, personalised documents and short-run books can become outdated quickly, reducing overproduction has become a stronger selling point for print suppliers.

Canon’s technical and service teams worked with Precision Proco during the installation to integrate the new presses into the wider production workflow. This included fitting the machines into existing processes so jobs could move from print to finishing without disruption.

The shift is notable because Precision Proco had monitored the development of sheetfed inkjet for several years before deciding to invest. The purchase represents a step change in its production mix rather than an incremental addition to its existing conventional print assets.

“Moving to sheetfed inkjet was a calculated step for us. We had been watching the technology develop for several years, and when we saw the quality and speed Canon had achieved with the varioPRINT iX3200, it was a clear investment for us. The device gives us the additional capacity we need while maintaining the quality our customers expect. The support from Canon’s team throughout the installation process has been exceptional, with their engineers working closely with us to ensure the presses were integrated smoothly into our wider production environment,” said Andy Skarpellis, Chief Operating Officer at Precision Proco.

Market shift

The investment reflects a broader shift in commercial print, as providers weigh how to handle shorter runs, more personalised output and tighter delivery schedules without increasing waste or idle stock. Sheetfed inkjet has become one option for businesses looking to bridge the gap between traditional offset work and digital production.

For Canon, the deal adds a new UK commercial print customer in a market where suppliers are under pressure to show that new systems can fit into existing production environments rather than require a complete overhaul. Precision Proco’s scale and range of work make the installation a visible reference point for that approach.

Stuart Rising, Head of Graphic Arts at Canon UK & Ireland, described Precision Proco as an established operator in the sector and said the two companies would continue working together following the installation.

“Precision Proco is a highly respected print provider with a strong reputation for innovation and production excellence. We’re proud to support their move into sheetfed inkjet with the varioPRINT iX3200 and look forward to continuing our partnership as they look to expand their capabilities,” said Rising.