The iR125VP and iR150VP, which print black-and-white at 125 and 150ppm respectively, are aimed primarily at in-plant use, as well as the transactional and print-on-demand markets. The iR150VP on show at DPW has already been sold to existing client Portsmouth University.

But Trevor Dodsworth, marketing manager, professional, said that the launch of the two printers was "not just about the hardware".

"They are significant in their own right but more than that they show our commitment to the professional print marketplace," he said.

He said that Canon plans to sell 40 of the machines, which start at just under 200,000, in the next year.

The two machines can run either sheet- or roll-fed and can handle paper from 60 to 266gsm. Like the 110ppm Canon iR110 the machines are built for Canon by NexPress.

Canon has also launched an upgrade to its existing colour 32ppm CLC3200 machine, the CLC3220, at the Olympia show.

Story by Josh Brooks