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Epson Introduces Large-Format SureColor Printers
14 September 2015
Epson has introduced its SureColor P-Series of large format ink-jet printers in eight or ten ink configurations and 24-inch or 44-inch sizes. The new models use Epson UltraChrome HD and HDX ink which features a 1.5x deeper matte and photo black.
Replacing the Epson Stylus Pro 7890 and 9890 are the SureColor P6000 and SureColor P8000 printers. Replacing the Epson Stylus Pro 7900 and 9900 are the 24-inch SureColor P7000 and 44-inch SureColor P9000. That leaves just the 4900 in the old Stylus line.
The simplest description of the new P-series is to think of them as either 8-color printers or, for a thousand dollars more, 10-color printers. Which you can get either in 24-inch or 44-inch wide sizes, as illustrated below.
Epson recently briefed us on the differences between the new P-Series printers, so let's take a closer look.
EIGHT-COLOR PRINTERS
The P6000 and P8000 replace the Epson Stylus Pro 7890 and 9890 24- and 44-inch printers as Epson's entry-level professional products.
8-Color Printers. P6000 and P8000. Black-and-white print by Rodney Smith, color print by Steve McCurry.
With a similar print engine to the 9900 and its angled feed path, which provides for a straight paper path, both of these models deliver a noticeably deeper black for both black pigments (matte and photo black).
The controller board has been updated as well with a more intuitive control panel and streamlined operations.
The new printers feature automatic print head maintenance cycles to avoid clogging, which will run the printer at least every 60 hours.
TEN-COLOR PRINTERS
The 10-color P7000 and P9000 replace the Epson Stylus Pro 7900 and 9900 and are distinguished from their 8-color cousins by a black top roll cover.
10-Color Printers. P7000 and P9000. Color print by Steve McCurry, black-and-white print by Elizabeth Carmel.
The paper margins are still different on the leading and trailing edges but the new drivers can center the sheet automatically. Previously you had to do a little math to move the image.
Among the 10-color models, you can select one of two ink sets:
- Standard Edition configurations are shipped with the Light, Light Black ink set for photographic reproduction
- Commercial Edition configurations use the Violet ink set for commercial printing proofing. This option can reproduce 99 percnet of the PMS system (compared to 93 percent from the company's closest competitor).
The additional two inks are orange and green. Yellow is the pigment that is most fugitive but the chemists were able to deliver an Standard ink set with a longevity of 200 years in color or 400 years in black and white. The Commercial ink set doesn't last quite as long.
In addition, Epson told us that they tested a number of photographic images with both ink sets and found that no perceptible difference between the prints.
ACCESSORIES
Epson pointed out two accessories available for any of the models.
The familiar SpectroProofer by X-Rite remains an option, particularly useful for the graphic arts market.
And a $399 optional internal print server can be installed to add 320-GB to queue print jobs. You can optionally set a job to print after it has been transmitted to avoid pausing the print head.
Epson told us they were able to send the famous Burt Monroy Times Square image, a 44x25-foot 2-GB file that is 20-GB rasterized, to the print server 30 times without a hiccup.
PRICES, AVAILABILITY
Epson said the SureColor P-Series will be available in October through authorized Epson Professional Imaging resellers in the following configurations.
P-SERIES PRINTER EDITIONS 8-Color Printers P6000 24-inch Standard Edition $2,995 P8000 44-inch Standard Edition $4,995 10-Color Printers P7000 24-inch Standard Edition
Commercial Edition$3,995
$3,995P9000 44-inch Standard Edition
Commercial Edition$5,995
$5,995Note that Standard Edition configurations are shipped with the Light, Light Black ink set for photographic reproduction while the Commercial Edition configurations use the Violet ink set for commercial printing proofing.
For more information see the news release below.
Epson Introduces New SureColor P-Series Large Format Printers
Eight-Color and 10-Color Printers Set New Standards for Color Gamut, Color Matching Accuracy and Black Density
CHICAGO -- Epson is once again redefining large format commercial ink jet printing with the announcement of the SureColor P-Series line-up. Incorporating the latest imaging technologies, including Epson's PrecisionCore TFP printhead, the new P-Series printers deliver extraordinary performance for the professional printing industry along with unparalleled color matching capabilities. Leveraging Epson's UltraChrome HD eight-color ink set, the 24-inch SureColor P6000 and 44-inch SureColor P8000 are designed for graphic designers, commercial printers and photographers. Successors to the award-winning Epson Stylus Pro 900-Series, the 24-inch SureColor P7000 and 44-inch SureColor P9000 incorporate a reformulated Epson UltraChrome HDX 10-color ink set for both commercial and flexographic printers, as well as graphic designers, photographers and fine art reproduction houses.
Poised to set new industry standards for commercial and flexographic proofing applications, the SC-P7000 and SC-P9000 are available in a Commercial Edition featuring an all-new Violet ink for expanded color gamut delivering output matching 99-percent of the PANTONE FORMULA GUIDE Solid Coated. In addition, the printers are configurable with an optional Epson SpectroProofer UVS in-line spectrophotometer designed to provide automated color management and verification-related tasks for a range of proofing applications.
"Epson is committed to bringing the most advanced printing and proofing solutions to market for creative, graphic arts and printing professionals," said Larry Kaufman, product manager, Professional Imaging, Epson America, Inc. "The new SureColor P-Series family brings together the most sophisticated printing technologies available to deliver extraordinary results, whether for graphic design, contract proofing for commercial and flexographic printing, fine art or photography."
More about the SureColor P-Series
The complete SureColor P-Series printer family -- the SC-P6000, SC-P7000, SC-P8000 and SC-P9000 -- redefine wide-format, aqueous imaging applications with a vast array of workflow solutions and robust media handling. All models seamlessly integrate with industry leading workflow software solutions to meet the needs of the proofing and graphic arts community. Additional features include:
- Epson UltraChrome HD and HDX Ink: The SC-P6000/P8000 leverage the eight-color UltraChrome HD ink and the SC-P7000/P9000 use the 10-color UltraChrome HDX ink. Both professional ink sets deliver outstanding color with improved black density; new Black ink is 1.5 times denser than previous ink formulation, providing significant improvements to overall contract ratio and optical clarity and improved Resin Encapsulation Technology delivers superior gloss uniformity. All SureColor P-Series printers are designed to work exclusively with Epson UltraChrome HD and HDX ink1.
- Epson PrecisionCore TFP Printhead: The SureColor P-Series delivers consistent, high- performance with variable size ink droplet technology as small as 3.5 picoliters for remarkable print quality. New enhancements include a new wave form, improving dot placement and accuracy. User-scheduled cleaning cycles improve print head health.
- The Proofing Standard: Ideal for all commercial and flexographic proofing, the SC-P7000/P9000 Commercial Edition printers include an all-new Violet ink for expanded color gamut targeting improved spot color matching accuracy.
- Robust Media Handling: Supports virtually any media type in roll or cut-sheet, from photographic paper to 1.5mm thick fine art media and poster board. New roll media handling offers user-selectable 3mm top and bottom margins and improved guide rollers for reduced media surface impressions. High-speed rotary cutter included.
- Optional Internal Print Server: Internal 320-GB print server boosts workgroup productivity by quickly transferring print jobs to free-up workstations; adds print queue management and print job save and reprint functionality.
- Optional SpectroProofer UVS: Developed jointly with X-Rite, the in-line spectrophotometer provides automated color management and verification-related tasks for a range of proofing applications. It supports all current illumination standards for UV and UV-Cut measurement and is UV selectable between M0, M1 and M2.
The Epson SureColor P-Series will be on display at Graph Expo, Sept. 13 to 16 at McCormick Place in Chicago in Epson's booth, #841, highlighting graphic design and commercial proofing applications.
Support and Availability
The Epson SureColor P-Series will be available in October through authorized Epson Professional Imaging resellers:
P-SERIES PRINTER EDITIONS P6000 24-inch Standard Edition $2,995 P7000 24-inch Standard Edition $3,995 P7000 24-inch Commercial Edition $3,995 P8000 44-inch Standard Edition $4,995 P9000 44-inch Standard Edition $5,995 P9000 44-inch Commercial Edition $5,995 The SureColor P-Series offer a standard Epson Preferred Limited Warranty, a one-year program that includes toll-free advanced telephone access Monday through Friday and usually next business-day on-site service in the unlikely event of any hardware failure. For additional information, visit http://www.proimaging.epson.com.