BILLERICA, Mass., April 19, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Of the 1.2 trillion digital photos researchers forecasted would be taken in 2017, 85 percent were predicted to be captured on smartphones. Utilizing ZINK Zero Ink® printing technology, Canon U.S.A., Inc. has empowered this generation of mobile photo consumers to not only share and enjoy their everyday experiences, but to also create lasting memories.
ZINK Holdings today announced that Canon’s latest lineup of consumer printers, the IVY Mini Photo Printer, will use ZINK Zero Ink printing technology and paper. ZINK®, which stands for Zero Ink, is a full-color printing system that eliminates the need for ink cartridges or ribbons.
“The proverb ‘good things come in small packages’ couldn’t be truer for Canon’s IVY, the Company’s first 2x3 photo printer,” said Kazuto Ogawa, president and chief operating officer, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “It’s our smallest and lightest printer yet, and we’re truly excited about giving our customers more access to creatively connect and instantly share memories than ever before from the palm of their hands.”
The absence of bulky cartridges and ribbons align ZINK Paper with the needs of on-the-go smartphone photographers who want sleek, portable devices that fit in their pocket. All the color required for printing an image or text is embedded in the paper itself. ZINK Paper prints in less than one minute, does not smear or fade, and is water-resistant. It's also sticky on the back so users can turn their photos into stickers.
“Innovators like Canon keep a finger on the pulse of what their customers want, and provide convenient, highly-functional and budget-friendly solutions,” said Chaim Pikarski, CEO, Zink Holdings. “The IVY printer exemplifies why Canon is an industry leader.”
Demand for instant print images grows exponentially each day. Appropriately described as the selfie generation, tweens and millennials flock to image-based social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat, which, according to eMarketer, are the preferred mediums of more than 190 million social network users in the U.S.
“As people take more pictures, it’s only natural for them to crave hard copy images and actual prints to recall everyday experiences,” added Pikarski.
Although ZINK launched more than 10 years ago, advancements in wireless technology, as well as smartphone cameras, have ignited the demand for compact photo printers and the company’s explosive growth over the past few years.
“Devices like Canon’s IVY can easily connect to smartphones and other devices via Bluetooth, which adds to their appeal,” said J.C. VanDijk, president, Zink Holdings.
Devoid of ink cartridges, ribbons or toners needed, ZINK technology offers a compelling value proposition for device manufacturers like Canon: Affordable, reliable, fast, and easy to use, ZINK technology is applicable to a wide range of applications, from the smallest mini pocket-sized images to poster-sized prints.
ZINK projects an 85 percent increase in shipments of its award-winning Zink Paper, to more than 40 million bundles.
About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc., 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 markets. With approximately $36 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), ranks third overall in U.S. patents granted in 2017† and is one of Fortune Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies in 2018. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest level of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based service and support for all of the products it distributes in the United States. 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. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company's RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss and follow us on Twitter @CanonUSA. For media inquiries, please contact pr@cusa.canon.com.
ABOUT ZINK HOLDINGS
ZINK Holdings LLC (ZINK) is a privately-held company headquartered in Billerica, Massachusetts that invented ZINK Zero Ink® Technology. ZINK® is a full-color printing system that eliminates the need for ink cartridges or ribbons - all the color required for printing an image is embedded in the paper itself. The ink-free value proposition enables ZINK to provide full-color printing to the growing instant camera and mobile printer markets where other technologies have been unable to meet customer requirements.
For more information, visit www.ZINK.com.
CONTACT:
Mostafa Razzak
JMRConnect (for ZINK)
202.904.2048
m.razzak@jmrconnect.net