Which Canon imagePRESS Model Is Better for High-Volume Printing?

The ABT Breakdown

When you’re investing in a digital production press for your business, choosing between the Canon imagePRESS V700 and Canon imagePRESS V800 can feel like splitting hairs—they look similar on paper, they’re part of the same advanced Canon lineup, and both are built for demanding print environments. But when you look closer, important distinctions emerge that directly impact how efficiently you can handle high‑volume printing.

In this post, we’ll break down the key differences in performance, duty cycle, workflow, and scalability between these two exceptional machines. Whether you run a busy print department in Denver, manage marketing production in Boulder, or oversee enterprise‑level document output across Colorado, you’ll leave this guide with a clear answer to one simple question:

👉 Which Canon imagePRESS model is truly better for high‑volume printing?

Understanding the Canon imagePRESS Lineup

Canon’s imagePRESS V‑series is designed for businesses that require professional‑grade color output with exceptional consistency, reliability, and speed. These machines aren’t office copiers—they’re production‑class color presses engineered to deliver precision output for demanding workloads like:

• Marketing collateral

• Brochures, catalogs, and booklets

• Direct mail pieces

• In‑house design and promotional materials

• Corporate documents requiring brand‑consistent color

The V700 and V800 occupy the mid‑range tier of the series, offering a balance of compact footprint, robust output, and intelligent automation. While they share many core features—such as Canon’s hallmark 2,400 × 2,400 dpi resolution and flexible media support—the real difference comes down to speed, volume capacity, and scalability.

Head‑to‑Head: Canon imagePRESS V700 vs V800

Before we discuss which is better for your business, let’s break down their technical specs side by side so you can see exactly where the differences lie.

Now let’s unpack what these specifications mean for you, the end user.

1. Print Speed and Productivity

When it comes to high‑volume environments, speed directly translates to productivity.

The V700 can produce up to 70 pages per minute, while the V800 pushes that to 80 ppm—a roughly 14% performance boost. That difference might seem modest at first glance, but it compounds quickly.

For example:

• Over a 10,000‑page print job, the V800 will finish roughly 14 minutes faster.

• Multiply that by multiple runs or client jobs per day, and you could reclaim hours of production time each week.

If you frequently face tight deadlines, multiple overlapping print runs, or require consistent turnaround times, the V800’s faster engine will give you more breathing room.

👉 Verdict: For high‑volume, deadline‑sensitive operations, the V800 wins on raw speed.

2. Monthly Volume and Duty Cycle

Canon rates the V700 and V800 for different workload tiers.

• The V700 is optimized for a recommended monthly volume up to 190,000 pages.

• The V800 raises that to 220,000 pages, with a maximum duty cycle approaching 400,000 pages per month.

That means the V800 is built for sustained heavy output and can comfortably handle more demanding workloads without compromising lifespan or quality.

If your Colorado business prints consistently at—or above—200,000 pages a month, or you anticipate scaling up soon, the V800 provides the necessary durability and duty headroom. Running a machine consistently near its maximum rated volume (as might happen with the V700) can accelerate wear, increase downtime, and raise maintenance costs.

👉 Verdict: For ongoing high‑volume printing, the V800 is engineered for the load.

3. Media Flexibility and Finishing Options

Both the V700 and V800 support an impressive range of paper weights (52 gsm to 350 gsm) and long‑sheet capability up to 13″ × 51.2″. This makes them ideal for a broad spectrum of applications—everything from simple letter runs to banners and booklets.

Where the two align:

• Automatic duplex (two‑sided) printing

• Support for coated, uncoated, textured, and specialty stocks

• Optional finishing modules such as saddle stitchers, binders, and hole‑punch units

• Advanced media sensing to reduce jams and misfeeds

So, if your workload includes varied print sizes or heavy cover stock, both will perform admirably. The choice here depends more on volume throughput than media handling.

👉 Verdict: Tie—both deliver exceptional media versatility.

4. Colour Accuracy and Consistency

One of the biggest advantages of Canon’s imagePRESS line is its automated colour calibration.

Both the V700 and V800 feature:

• Canon’s Inline Spectrophotometer (ILS) for automated colour control

• Multi‑Density Adjustment Technology (Multi‑DAT) for continuous real‑time calibration

• Translucent CV Toner that provides smoother gradients and vibrant, consistent colour

This combination means you’ll enjoy virtually identical print quality between the two models. Whether you’re printing high‑end brochures, brand materials, or variable data jobs, both will deliver professional, predictable results.

However, because the V800 is tuned for longer, uninterrupted runs, it tends to maintain calibration stability slightly better under sustained workloads—another advantage for large production environments.

👉 Verdict: Both excel in colour precision, but the V800 maintains consistency longer during extended high‑volume jobs.

5. Workflow Efficiency and Automation

Both machines integrate seamlessly into digital workflows, including print management, variable data printing, and automated finishing. You can store job presets, apply advanced colour profiles, and control the entire process through Canon’s intuitive user interface or Fiery controllers.

However, the V800’s enhanced job scheduling and processing engine is optimized for larger simultaneous queues—an important distinction for print shops or enterprise teams handling multiple jobs per hour.

If your operation runs 8–10 large projects per day, that additional processing headroom can reduce bottlenecks and idle time between runs.

👉 Verdict: For multi‑job workflows or production environments with heavy job queues, the V800’s stronger workflow processing provides a noticeable edge.

6. Cost Efficiency and Total Ownership

Here’s where strategy comes in.

The V700 generally carries a lower upfront cost and slightly lower operating costs (toner, consumables, service contract). It’s ideal if your volume hovers below 150,000–175,000 pages per month.

But if you outgrow it—running 200,000+ pages per month consistently—you’ll quickly offset those savings with increased service needs, downtime, or accelerated wear.

The V800, while slightly more expensive to lease or purchase, is more cost‑effective over the long term for true high‑volume operations. It’s built to sustain that level of workload efficiently.

👉 Verdict: For smaller print environments, V700 = best value.
For consistent high volume, V800 = lower long‑term cost of ownership.

7. Scalability and Future‑Proofing

If there’s one universal truth about printing in growing businesses, it’s that volume rarely goes down.

Choosing the V800 gives you headroom to expand—whether that’s new clients, new internal departments, or expanded in‑house production. It can grow with your business through:

• Additional input trays and finishers

• Higher processing capacity

• Optional long‑sheet and envelope printing kits

The V700 is scalable too, but it’s not designed for sustained, industrial‑grade output. If your Colorado business expects steady growth, the V800 provides a longer lifecycle before needing replacement.

👉 Verdict: For future‑proofing, the V800 wins hands‑down.

8. Service, Support, and Reliability

In the Colorado business landscape, reliable service is everything—especially when print uptime drives revenue.

Both V‑series presses share Canon’s reliable engineering and support network. However, because the V800 is typically deployed in production environments, Canon and certified dealers tend to prioritize these installations for faster service and consumable replacement.

So, beyond the specs, you’ll want to work with a local authorized Canon partner who can:

• Guarantee same‑day or next‑day service

• Keep toner and parts in regional stock

• Offer managed print services and preventive maintenance

At ABT (or your trusted local provider), for instance, service teams across Denver, Boulder, and the Front Range ensure your production press keeps running like new.

👉 Verdict: Both are reliable, but V800 customers often receive production‑priority service coverage.

Which Model Should You Choose for High‑Volume Printing?

Let’s bring this all together:

In short:

• The imagePRESS V700 is your best fit for medium‑volume, high‑quality production environments that need color consistency and flexibility without over‑investing.

• The imagePRESS V800 is the clear choice for true high‑volume, high‑demand operations that prioritize throughput, uptime, and scalability.

Final Thoughts

Both Canon imagePRESS models are extraordinary in their class. The V700 offers remarkable precision and speed for its size, while the V800 pushes performance further for growing businesses and full‑scale print operations.

If your Colorado business handles heavy workloads, large marketing campaigns, or rapid job turnover, the Canon imagePRESS V800 is the smarter investment. It delivers higher output, better endurance, and superior long‑run stability, ensuring that your business never slows down because your printer couldn’t keep up.

Get Started With A Demo Today!

Ready to determine which Canon imagePRESS fits your workflow best? Let’s make that decision easy.
Reach out today for a personalized print assessment—we’ll review your current monthly volume, job types, and growth goals, then recommend the right device, configuration, and support plan for your Colorado business. Whether you’re producing 100,000 or 400,000 pages a month, we’ll help you implement a system that drives productivity, cuts downtime, and maximizes ROI.

Connect with our Canon production specialists today—and see how the right imagePRESS can power your business forward.