Canon has launched a new version of its web-based design software for the creation of posters, banners, and signage.

PosterArtist v1.1, which enables two-sided and variable printing as well as offering new templates to support the creation of a wide array of applications, is suitable for both private and business use.

It allows users to create professional-level designs which can then be printed on Canon’s imageRunner Advance DX, imageRunner, i-Sensys X, and the imagePress C270 series of multifunction printers for office use.

The software is also compatible with the i-Sensys series for small business use, the imagePrograf series of large-format printers, and the Pixma series of home printers.

PosterArtist v1.1 allows users to create flyers for retail stores, menus for restaurants, and various other applications.

By combining the two-sided printing and the variable-data printing function, Canon said users can efficiently print double-sided personalised applications, such as certificates, by importing text data from an Excel file and then adding it to the design.

Jennifer Kolloczek, European planning, marketing and innovation senior director for Production Print at Canon Europe said: “In the age of screen fatigue, the tactile nature and visual appeal of a printed application has the power to cut through digital noise – helping brand communications to be more powerful, especially when personalised.

“The new version 1.1 of PosterArtist has an easy-to-use interface and an array of new templates – helping our customers to create double-sided, variable designs for both business and personal use.”

Canon said it has increased the number of available templates for applications such as flyers, menus, calendars, and photo collages, in addition to a variety of existing poster designs.

The new templates feature complete front-and-back design options, “making it easy to create a unified two-sided design”. In addition, Canon has added clip art, including stamps like ‘Big Sale’ and ‘Limited Time Offer’ plus illustrations in a handwritten style.

Version 1.1 also supports Auto Photo Fix, which Canon said streamlines the design process further, allowing the photo colour tone and brightness to be adjusted to help create high quality and original designs.

The business has separately launched the imagePrograf TC-20M, a CMYK large-format desktop printer that is equipped with an A4 flatbed scanner.

Canon said the user-friendly design of the printer enables users to easily create large-format copies for a wide variety of applications without a computer – such as promotional posters for retail stores and restaurants, educational materials for schools, and customised wrapping paper, up to A1-plus in size.

The device is also suitable for creating technical construction, design and survey drawings at home or small offices – making it relevant for the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) markets.