By Alin
Canon Colorado wallpaper printing uses UVgel, a “print-then-cure” roll-to-roll process in which a gel ink is jetted by piezo printheads, pins in place on the media almost instantly, and is then cured by UV LED light into an odourless, dry print. Canon’s 2024 Colorado M-series specification sheet lists roll widths up to 1,625 mm, low-temperature curing suitable for thin and heat-sensitive media, and a certification set that includes GREENGUARD Gold, Indoor AgBB, EN 15102 for decorative wall coverings, and ASTM F793 Type II. In practice, Colorado beats eco-solvent when a job must ship and install the same day, beats latex when the stock is heat-sensitive or the client wants a velvety matte finish, and beats a Canon Arizona flatbed whenever the output is roll wallpaper rather than rigid panels. Every figure below comes from Canon’s own spec sheets and press releases.
How Canon Colorado Wallpaper Printing Works: The UVgel Mechanism
Canon Colorado wallpaper printing relies on a gel ink rather than a free-flowing liquid, and that single difference drives most of its wallpaper advantages. Canon explains that a gel lets the printer deposit more ink in fewer passes without the ink flowing in and over the medium, which keeps dots sharp and output repeatable over time and across machines.
The process runs in three stages, per Canon’s product page and spec sheet:
- Jetting: UVgel 425 high-frequency drop-on-demand piezo-electric printheads place Canon UVgel 460 ink at up to 1,800 dpi.
- Instant pinning: The gel stops spreading on contact, which Canon calls instant pinning and dot gain control.
- LED curing: A low-heat UV LED system cures the ink, producing what Canon describes as an odourless and instant-dry printout.
For wallpaper, the practical result is that prints come off the take-up reel ready to cut, roll, and ship. Canon’s UVgel Wallpaper Factory page describes the output as certified for immediate indoor use.
Colorado M-Series Specs That Matter for Wallpaper
The Colorado M-series is the current 1.6 m (64-inch) platform for Canon Colorado wallpaper printing, announced by Canon U.S.A. on March 30, 2023 with two speed configurations and optional UVgel white ink. The figures below are taken from Canon Production Printing’s 2024 specification sheet.
| Spec | Colorado M3 / M3W | Colorado M5 / M5W |
|---|---|---|
| Max roll width | Up to 1,625 mm | Up to 1,625 mm |
| Roll weight / diameter | Up to 50 kg / 220 mm | Up to 50 kg / 220 mm |
| Media thickness | Up to 0.8 mm | Up to 0.8 mm |
| Gloss, High Key (fastest) | 111 m2/hr | 159 m2/hr |
| Matte, Production | 22 m2/hr | 31 m2/hr |
| Matte, High Quality | 18 m2/hr | 27 m2/hr |
| Printheads | 4 (M3), 5 with white (M3W) | 4 (M5), 5 with white (M5W) |
Read the matte rows, not the headline. Wallpaper buyers usually want a flat, non-reflective surface, and Canon’s matte Production mode on the M5 is 31 m2/hr versus 159 m2/hr for gloss High Key. Capacity planning for Canon Colorado wallpaper printing should start from the matte figures.
Certifications for Canon Colorado Wallpaper Printing
Certification depth is where Canon Colorado wallpaper printing is strongest on paper, because Canon lists wallcovering-specific standards rather than general indoor-air claims alone. The 2024 spec sheet lists these environmental and safe-use certifications for the Colorado M-series:
- Indoor AgBB and Émissions dans l’air intérieur A+ (European indoor-air schemes)
- GREENGUARD Gold, which Canon’s 2023 announcement ties to use in schools and healthcare facilities (UL GREENGUARD program)
- CE EN 15102 for decorative wall coverings
- ASTM F793 Type II (the ASTM F793 standard classifies wall coverings by use characteristics)
- M1 and B-s1d0 (European emission and fire classifications)
One caution for B2B buyers: these certifications apply to printed output on qualified media, so a specifier should request the media-and-printer test documentation for the exact stock being quoted. Canon also lists the 3M MCS Warranty and Avery Dennison ICS Performance Guarantee as media warranty programs.
When Canon Colorado Wallpaper Printing Beats Eco-Solvent and Latex
Canon Colorado wallpaper printing wins against eco-solvent and latex in three documented situations: same-day install, heat-sensitive stock, and matte or mixed finishes. The comparison below uses each manufacturer’s own published description of its curing method.
| Factor | Canon UVgel (Colorado) | Eco-solvent | HP Latex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cure method | Gel pins, then low-heat UV LED cure (Canon) | Solvent evaporates; Epson cites a 6-hour outgassing period for its GS3 ink when ventilated | Radiant heat and airflow cure a water-based ink (HP) |
| Ready to handle | Odourless, instant dry (Canon) | After outgassing | Dry, ready-to-use prints (HP) |
| Heat on the media | Low-temperature cure, suited to heat-sensitive media (Canon) | Heaters dry the solvent | Heat is part of curing |
| Finish control | Matte, gloss or mixed via FLXfinish+ without varnish (Canon) | Depends on media | Depends on media |
Eco-solvent still has a place for outdoor graphics, and latex remains a proven wallcovering workhorse. Canon’s own claim that UVgel uses up to 40% less ink than comparable technologies is a manufacturer figure, so test it against your own image mix before building it into a cost model.
Colorado Roll-to-Roll vs. a Canon Arizona Flatbed
The Colorado vs. Arizona choice is simple once the output format is clear: Canon Colorado wallpaper printing is built for rolls, while the Arizona 1300 series is, in Canon’s words, a true flatbed for rigid media with an available Roll Media Option.
| Factor | Colorado M-series | Arizona 1300 series |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Roll-to-roll, 1 or 2 rolls with automatic switching | True flatbed; Roll Media Option for flexible media |
| Max media | Rolls up to 1,625 mm wide, 0.8 mm thick | Rigid up to 125 x 250 cm (GT) or 2.5 x 3.08 m (XT), 50.8 mm thick |
| Roll capacity | Up to 50 kg | Roll option 90 to 220 cm wide, up to 50 kg |
| Best wallpaper use | Roll wallpaper and mural panels at volume | Rigid wall panels, tiles, wood or glass decor |
For a shop printing rolled wallcoverings every day, the Colorado is the fit. An Arizona earns its place when the wall product is a board, tile, or panel. Canon also announced a 3.4 m Colorado XL-series on September 30, 2025, with availability in select countries starting Q1 2026; that announcement did not mention wallpaper, so verify wallcovering certifications with Canon before assuming they carry over.
Scaling Up: The UVgel Wallpaper Factory
The UVgel Wallpaper Factory turns Canon Colorado wallpaper printing into an automated line. Canon lists a Colorado M-series or Colorado 1650 paired with a Fotoba Jumbo Roll JRL 170 feeder, a Fotoba Cutter XLD 170WP, and a Fotoba Rewinder REW 162, running from bulk media input to finished rolled output.
That configuration only pays off if media supply is as consistent as the printer. A jumbo-roll line exposes every coating variation across a long run, so substrate batch control becomes part of color control. For panel and bleed rules on mural jobs, see our custom wall mural artwork file rules.
FAQ
What is UVgel ink in Canon Colorado printers?
UVgel is Canon’s gel-based UV ink. Piezo printheads jet the gel, it pins on contact with the media to control dot gain, and a low-heat UV LED system cures it. Canon describes the result as an odourless, instant-dry print suited to indoor wallpaper.
Is Canon Colorado wallpaper printing safe for schools and hospitals?
Canon lists GREENGUARD Gold and Indoor AgBB among Colorado M-series certifications, and its 2023 announcement ties GREENGUARD Gold to schools and healthcare use. Ask for the certification documentation that covers your specific printed media before specifying.
How fast is the Colorado M-series for matte wallpaper?
Canon’s spec sheet lists matte Production mode at 22 m2/hr on the M3 and 31 m2/hr on the M5, and matte High Quality at 18 and 27 m2/hr. The 159 m2/hr headline applies to gloss High Key mode.
Should I buy a Canon Colorado or a Canon Arizona for wallpaper?
Choose the Colorado for rolled wallpaper and murals, since it is a roll-to-roll printer with up to 1,625 mm roll width. Choose an Arizona flatbed for rigid wall panels, tiles, or boards up to 50.8 mm thick.
The Bottom Line
Canon Colorado wallpaper printing combines a gel ink that pins before it cures, a low-heat LED cure, and a wallcovering-specific certification list, which makes it a strong fit for same-day indoor wallpaper and matte murals. Plan capacity from matte speeds, confirm certifications for your exact media, and match the format (roll vs. rigid) to the right Canon platform. RunpWell supports print shops and brands with printable wallpaper media, custom and OEM wall mural production, consistent batch color, and scalable orders for FBA/FBM, dropshipping, or project delivery. Explore our wall murals range and printable wallpaper media checklist, then email support@runpwell.com with your printer, finish, and MOQ.
Sources: Colorado M-series specification sheet (Canon Production Printing, 2024); Colorado M-series (Canon Production Printing, official); UVgel Wallpaper Factory (Canon Production Printing, official); Canon Announces New Colorado M-series (Canon U.S.A., March 30, 2023); Canon Colorado XL-series announcement (Canon U.S.A., September 30, 2025); Arizona 1300 Series Data Sheet (Canon Production Printing); Epson Avery Dennison ICS announcement (Epson, 2017); HP Latex Printing Technology (HP, official).
