The firm claims they're 20% cheaper than Epson inks and also less than some third-party products while also offering better quality, longevity and performance. They are also available in 1l bulk packages.

"People can rely on us where colour is important," said Pantone European vice president Helmut Eifert. "In my opinion we have a great opportunity, it's a better product and a better price. The combination of the Pantone brand and the prices are unbeatable."

Current products are compatible with Epson's professional desktop and wide-format printers and Pantone claims they can provide "a colour gamut similar to Epson UltraChrome without having to buy a new printer" for users of earlier Epson machines.

They will also work in other machines that use Epson heads including Mimaki, Mutoh and Roland. Eifert said the firm is looking at expanding the range from these piezo machines to thermal machines such as Hewlett-Packard and Canon.

In the UK B&P Lightbrigade will distribute the inks, which it showed at Sign UK/Digital Expo.

Story by Barney Cox