PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Estimated Yield From Wide Printer

The Stylus Pro name—among the best-known graphic arts proofing brands—is about to grow, quite literally, as Epson enters the large-format sign market. The new, 64´´ Stylus Pro GS6000 printer features production speeds up to 180 sq.ft. per hour, reportedly, with no banding.

Unlike Epson's aqueous offerings, there's no driver built into this new, solvent-based machine. Instead, hardware and software combine to provide a functional product with flexibility, including front-end, raster-image processing solutions from ColorBurst (bundled), EFI/VUTEk, Onyx, ScanVec-Amiable and Wasatch. Despite a wider, 8-color gamut (CMYK+LcLm+Or+Gr), the big device's most distinguishing feature may be its network compatibility via www.myEpsonPrinter.com.

Soon to be available as an opt-in standard on the GS6000 and most other Stylus Pro models (4880 and up), the Web-based profit-analysis system provides detailed job costing information. Data is derived from the printer's network card, so it “comes right out of the printer, as opposed to the RIP's estimation,” says Reed Hecht, product manager for Epson Professional Imaging. Job cost data—including ink and media usage per print job—is sent into a secure Website. And it's not only local, Hecht notes. One person at corporate headquarters can analyze reports over time for all distributed printers.

The GS6000 includes the ColorBurst Professional Production RIP: the new Postscript 3 compatible RIP and print server. This RIP is Pantone-licensed, offers support for ICC output profiles and incorporates a new multi-threaded/multi-processing architecture for fast job processing. While the printer will ship with PC-based RIP software, Mac users can print via Leopard Drivers and hot folders.

The printer includes ink in the box and handles 64´´ wide roll media (3´´ or 2´´ cores up to 88 lbs.). It supports multiple, third-party solvent media, including Avery Graphics digital media and the 3M pressure-sensitive Controltac Graphic Marking System. There may be an Epson-branded media solution going forward.

Its UltraChrome GS ink technology is a solvent-based chemistry developed in Japan by Seiko Epson. This newly formulated ink prints on all standard solvent-receptive media, with no special coatings required. It's extremely resistant to scratching—think grocery cart wheels on POP floor signage—and offers better color matching due to a gamut that's wider than both EFI VUTEk hard solvent (3360) and UV-curable (QS2000), as well HP low-solvent DesignJet 9000s, claims Epson.

Corporate branding and spot logo colors, such as Verizon and Coca-Cola Red, pose no problems in the wider format, particularly in its L* 50 color space.

Advanced, dual-array MicroPiezo AMC variable-droplet print heads (1´´ wide) are designed for speed and durable, around-the-clock print production. These robust heads are like the heads on the 4880 and other Stylus Pro models “on steroids,” says Hecht. Varying the droplet sizes improves overall quality, he adds. With two heads per machine and two channels per color (translation: 180 nozzles per inch and 360 nozzles per color), maximum resolution is 1440×1440 dpi at 3.7 picoliters—one of the smallest droplet sizes available.

The heads also feature advanced Active Menscus Control (AMC), ink-repelling coating technology, with auto nozzle check/cleaning to come. High-capacity ink cartridges (950 ml. each) swap out while still hot for non-stop production.

Seiko Epson brings its print head engineering reputation to bear. Most solvent-based heads need to be replaced every two months or so. “This could be the first … that never has to be replaced,” Hecht boasts.

And then there's the GS6000's green angle: It's virtually odorless printing with no pungent, chemical smell. And no special ventilation or air-purification systems are required, so it can be run in an office-building setting. (Only working air conditioning is necessary for circulation.)

Nickel (Ni) and other heavy-metal compounds have been removed from the ink itself. Traditionally used for light-fast reasons, Nickel is listed as a material for incidence of cancer. Epson chemists have found a way around it, ensuring a healthier workplace for operators while reducing lawsuit concerns for employers. The inks perform well on various media.

Outdoor durability may be the new people-friendly ink's only concession. Early test results show up to two years vs. three years for most traditional, solvent-based inks. Epson is quick to point out this is rendered moot when signage gets laminated.

UltraChrome GS inks meet the new regulations set by: the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the National Toxicology Program, California's Proposition 65 and Europe's REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals). Hecht says the firm is working on EPA certification, too.

Functionality built into the firmware keep hose/ducting replacements and other gloved operator maintenance to a minimum. A new intelligent preventative maintenance procedure includes the cleaning of head wipers, nozzles and pressure rollers, with supplies free of charge the first year. Total maintenance time is about five minutes per month versus 15 minutes per day for competing products, says Epson. With failure issues, maintenance on the new Epson could go up to a half-hour per month.

The estimated North American ship date for the GS6000 is July. Individually controlled pre-print, print (platen) and post-media heaters make for fast drying times—so special, external dryers (costing up to $3,000) are not required for high-speed printing.

Ink cost is 25¢ per ml., making for a competitive total cost of ownership, according to Epson's breakdown.

Unit pricing, including the production-based RIP, is projected at under $27,000.

Hecht says Epson's bigger vision is to take solvent where it hasn't been before. Down the road, watch for decorative fine art on canvas, fabric and backlit film.

ONLINE: www.proimaging.epson.com