• Canon helping print customers along the Path to Profit by capitalising on burgeoning digital photo merchandise market

• Canon teams up with Transeo Media to introduce new photo album solution

• Complete range of high end photo print products available including photobooks, calendars, greeting cards, signs and posters

LONDON, SEPTEMBER 25 , 2008 - Canon Europe, world leader in imaging and professional photography solutions, today announced the introduction of its Photo Print Services portfolio to help commercial, print-for-pay printers and professional photographers generate extra revenues through the sale of photobooks, calendars, greeting cards, signs and posters.

The rapid uptake in digital photography and expansion of broadband internet services has led to a significant growth in the photo merchandise industry. In 2007 the market for photobooks, calendars and gifts grew 67% to EUR 378 million and it is expected to grow a further 44% to EUR 545 million in 2008*. Canon's Photo Print Services offer an extremely attractive option for printers who are keen to tap into this expanding market by diversifying their operations, helping them to add new revenue streams and stand out from the competition.

Canon is working alongside market-leading software partner Transeo Media to provide print customers with highly attractive, easy to use products for their clients. The agreement provides end users with the tools to produce bespoke digital photo albums, calendars and greeting cards using simple drag and drop software. Canon's PosterArtist software also provides templates, fonts, clip art and hi-res royalty-free images to design head-turning signs and posters in a few simple steps.

In addition to world-class software, the Photo Print Services portfolio includes Canon's highly acclaimed imagePRESS range of digital colour printers and imagePROGRAF large format printers, as well as flexible in-line and off-line finishing options. Customers can capitalise on Canon's heritage in photography and digital printing techniques and are supported by professional services to deliver complete, end-to-end workflows.

Professional printers will be able to use Canon's Photo Print Services to target the consumer market and a range of trade sectors such as education, housing, leisure and tourism. Typical applications include wedding albums, birthday cards, personalised posters for use in schools or at work, signs and calendars. For print businesses, the new services offer an exciting way of reaching new customers with a genuine value added offering. As well as increased margins and incremental profit, print customers can also benefit from quick and low cost implementation and a dramatic return on investment.

Mark Lawn, Canon European Marketing Manager said: "The addition of Photo Print Services offerings to our portfolio is another significant milestone for Canon as we continue to combine state-of-the-art technologies with leading software solutions. We have built on the success of our Path to Profit initiative, introduced at drupa 2008, enhancing our compelling value proposition and helping Print Service Providers grow their businesses through new digital print services.

"Photo Print Services will help our customers to diversify into new markets by taking advantage of the growing digital imaging and merchandising markets. They not only enable our customers to gain a competitive advantage and generate additional income, but also give Canon the opportunity to strengthen customer relationships even further through the provision of genuine end-to-end solutions. Photo Print Services are the perfect addition to our professional print portfolio as we continue to support our customers along the Path to Profit."

-ENDS -

* Source: Futuresource consulting Ltd - Photobook & Photo Merchandise Market Report: Western Europe

About Canon Europa
Canon is a world-leading innovator and provider of imaging and information technology solutions for individuals and businesses.

A subsidiary of Canon Inc. of Japan, Canon Europa is the operational headquarters for Canon in Europe and is based in Amstelveen, the Netherlands. Canon Europa supports the activities of the entire Canon in Europe organisation, including all the national sales organisations based in countries throughout Europe. The main focus for Canon in Europe business activity is in two clearly defined markets: Business Solutions (developing IT products, solutions and services for both the office and professional print environments) and Consumer Imaging (Input solutions: photography, video and digital camera; and Output solutions: Bubble Jet Printers). Canon Europa employs almost 500 people in Amsterdam.

Further information about Canon Europa is available at:
http://www.canon-europa.com