The new platform, which was showcased at Canon's Barcelona event on 16 September, spans a 30ppm office model in the C5000 series, up to a 70ppm device in the imageRunner Advance Pro range.

Canon is pitching the new machines at customers with lower-volume requirements than its imagePress models – ranging from SME clients up to larger corporates.

The higher-volume configurations fall into the C9000 Pro series, the C9060 and C9070, designed for print-for-pay businesses, Corporate Reprographics Departments, copy shops and commercial printers.

Both models offer maximum print resolutions of 1,200dpi and can handle stocks up to 300gsm.

David Preskett, director of professional print for Canon Europe, said the new series serves the rapidly evolving market for high-quality on-demand print at lower production volumes.

He said: "Indications are that this market has substantial scope for sustained growth, with some predictions that revenue from this segment will more than double by 2011."

"These new imageRunner Advance Pro models enable us to broaden our reach to these types of customer, offering them scaleable but resilient solutions that can grow in tandem with their digital print business."

The new series will be available from the fourth quarter of 2009.