Epson to expand SureColor SC-P series with faster addition

Epson has unveiled the latest addition to its SureColor SC-P series, the 1.62m-wide (64in) SC-P20000.

The machine, which prints at speeds of up to 17.5sqm/hr, is designed for commercial printers, copy shops, photo labs and high street photo outlets.

It can be used to produce high-quality large-format POS, short-term outdoor and interior signage, exhibition and display graphics, promotional graphics and photographs.

The device will be shown at Fespa Digital in Amsterdam from 8 to 11 March and will be commercially available the same month. Pricing is yet to be confirmed.

The machine comes with a permanent PrecisionCore MicroTFP printhead that produces print up to a 2,400x1,200dpi resolution.

This is coupled with high-precision media feed technology, including a newly developed camera-based paper feed stabiliser and media inductive roller system, to ensure the printer operates smoothly even when unattended.

The SC-P range, which was launched last September, also includes the SC-P6000, SC-P7000, SC-P8000 and SC-P9000 inkjet printers, which are available in 61cm (24in) and 1.12m (44in) widths.

Epson said the SC-P20000 is a “significantly superior successor” to the Epson Stylus Pro 11880, which this machine will replace.

Epson UK sales manager for pro graphics Phil McMullin said: “As our 64-inch aqueous production printer, this completes the range for us at the higher end. The key attribute of this printer is the extremely high quality that is expected of a SureColor SC-P printer, but for the production environment.

“The time to produce a print is extremely rapid on the new printer compared to some of the other units out there at the moment.”

Other features of the device include a new Epson UltraChrome Pro 10-colour inkset.

Epson said blacks will be deep and rich thanks to new high density Photo and Matte Black inks while better gradation with reduced graininess can be achieved due to the inkset containing four shades of black ink, and Multi Size Droplet Technology (MSDT).

Additionally, a new printhead structure means fewer vibrations and more accurate ink droplets and dot placement.

The Epson Colour Calibration utility allows users to easily manage their colour reproduction and maintain consistency.

During printing, a transparent printer cover window and roll cover window allows users to check the status of printing and remaining media. After printing has finished, the position of the printhead means it can be cleaned by the user, along with the ink cap, which Epson said helps to save on maintenance costs.

An optional hard disk drive (HDD) enables jobs to be reprinted directly from the printer panel, without the need for a PC.

Last week Epson launched its new SureColor SC-S series of three wide-format printers aimed at businesses serving the signage and display graphics markets.