A Sweet Showcase of Coating with Canon at thINK 2026

Vibrant color may capture attention, but the right coating determines how a printed piece looks, feels, and performs in the hands of the customer.

Released at thINK 2026, the Canon varioPRINT iX3200 Coating Capabilities Pack was created to demonstrate how different coating finishes can transform high-quality inkjet print. Featuring rich confectionery imagery, the collection gives printers a hands-on way to compare soft touch, gloss, matte, and other coating effects across the same application.

Printed for Color, Finished for Impact

The sheets were printed by Medius in Morgan Hill, California, on the Canon varioPRINT iX3200. Colorful images of macarons, chocolates, pastries, fruit, and other confections provided the perfect foundation for demonstrating coating performance.

Gloss coating strengthens contrast and gives fruit, chocolate, and glazed desserts a bright, polished appearance. Matte coating provides a refined surface with reduced glare, allowing color and detail to remain the focus. Soft touch introduces a smooth, tactile feel that can elevate premium packaging, direct mail, marketing collateral, and other high-value applications.

Placed side by side, the samples make it easy to see how coating can influence both visual impact and perceived quality.

Coated on the Harris & Bruno ZR Gen2

Every piece in the pack was coated on the Harris & Bruno ZR Gen2.

The ZR Gen2 uses H&B’s proven chamber and anilox technology to deliver consistent coating coverage across the sheet. Its modular design supports a wide range of coating applications while helping printers maintain efficient production, dependable results, and fast changeovers between finishes.

The samples demonstrate an important advantage of flood coating: one printed image can take on several distinct personalities depending on the finish selected. A gloss surface can make an image feel energetic and vibrant, while matte or soft touch can create a quieter, premium presentation.

The Right Paper Makes a Difference

The pack was produced on 111 lb. Pacesetter Gloss Cover supplied by Kelly Spicers. The 300 GSM, FSC-certified stock provided a substantial surface that supported the print quality, coating laydown, and tactile differences showcased throughout the collection.

Selecting the right combination of paper, print, and coating is critical. Each component influences the finished result, from image reproduction and drying performance to gloss level, texture, durability, and overall feel.

This pack gives printers a practical example of what can be achieved when those elements are selected and tested together.

Built Through Partnership

A project like this depends on collaboration at every stage. Together, these partners produced a sample that helps printers evaluate coating through real printed applications rather than specifications alone. This collaborative approach is what made the thINK 2026 release possible and what continues to drive new opportunities in production inkjet finishing.

Discover What the Right Coating Can Add

Coating can protect the printed surface, change how colors are perceived, create tactile differentiation, and help a finished piece communicate greater value. The best way to understand those differences is to experience them firsthand.

Contact Harris & Bruno to explore coating options for your workflow or request a closer look at the thINK 2026 Coating Capabilities Pack.

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