LFP - Large-Format-Printing
Epson Stylus Pro GS6000 makes UK debut at Sign & Digital UK
Thursday 10. April 2008 - New UltraChrome GS ink delivers widest colour gamut for indoor and outdoor applications
On stand H51 at Sign UK, Epson has teamed up with Colourgen to showcase new technology that will deliver higher levels of quality into the digital signage market adding value to POS (point of sale) advertising, marketing and photo/fine art production.
The Epson Stylus Pro GS6000, a 64″ large format printer with an 8-colour ink set will be demonstrated, offering the widest colour gamut to date in a printer designed for both indoor and outdoor applications. The new ink set allows production of high-impact, high-quality, durable prints enabling printers, copy-shops and sign shops to extend their business into higher quality demanding applications such as airport and exhibition graphics, as well as fine-art reproduction. Furthermore, the Epson Stylus Pro GS6000 enables operators to switch easily between a range of different coated and non-coated substrates such as vinyl, making it an ideal, flexible production solution for multiple commercial applications.
Colourgen is distributing the Epson Stylus Pro GS6000 in the UK and will be on the Epson stand to provide the benefit of its 20 years experience of delivering printing solutions to the sign market. Colourgen also has unrivalled experience of working with solvent based printers and how signmakers can maximize their investment in the technology and in this new printer.
Jeff Biggs, Managing Director of Colourgen, comments, “For signmakers, the key benefits of the GS6000 are its reliability and ease of use. The inks are odourless so they will not need to worry about air purification. The printer itself does not require daily cleaning or maintenance, an issue that has historically put signmakers off solvent printers. In addition, the print head is included in the warranty, adding greater overall confidence for signmakers that their investment is very well protected.”
Jeff Biggs continues, “Simply having the Epson badge on the printer speaks volumes and the printer itself backs this up by having the best image resolution and colour gamut of any other solvent printer currently on the market. The overall combination of reliability, ease-of-use and high quality image output points to a real winner and Colourgen is delighted to be supporting the UK launch of the printer at Sign UK.”
Integral to the quality and durability of print output is the new Epson UltraChrome? GS, an 8-colour eco-solvent type ink set (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, Light Cyan, Light Magenta,+ Orange and Green) available in efficient 950 ml cartridges. It has an exceptionally wide colour gamut which provides enhanced support for commonly used spot colours, making the Stylus Pro GS6000 ideal for branded applications. Importantly for the environment and operators, Epson UltraChrome? GS ink doesnt spread harmful VOCs (volatile organic compound) and is the first major eco-solvent type ink set to be launched without the need for a hazard symbol. This makes the Stylus Pro GS6000 both environmentally- and user-friendly. As additional ventilation isnt required, it can be situated in the most convenient location for the business. Furthermore, Epson has focused on significantly reducing the need for time-consuming daily operator maintenance thus increasing available production time.
The Epson Stylus Pro GS6000 has a resolution up to 1440×1440 dpi and a smallest ink droplet size of 3.7 picolitres. Production speeds of up to 25m2/hour using Epsons Variable-sized Ink Droplet and MicroWeave half-toning Technologies deliver fast-drying, scratch-resistant prints that are water and UV resistant for up to 1.5 years without lamination but can be laminated for applications exposed to intensive mechanical stress or abrasion. Support for heavy rolls up to 30kg and an auto-take-up-reel enable versatile media management and standard Giga-Ethernet and USB2.0 allow high-speed connectivity. The Stylus Pro GS6000 will be supported by all major RIP vendors.
Martin Johns, Senior Business Manager Pro-Graphics at Epson UK says, “We are very excited that Epsons knowledge and expertise in ink development and its core Micro Piezo? print head technology have enabled us to develop solutions for production-oriented applications. The quality, flexibility, speed and reliability of the Stylus Pro GS6000 enables it to add real value to the highest-quality signage, exhibition graphics, point-of-sale, marketing and photo applications as well as making it ideal for fine-art reproduction.”
He adds, “We are very pleased to invite Colourgen, the UK distributor, onto our stand to help visitors understand the product and its capabilities even better. Colourgen has exceptional experience of the sign making industry and is an established and hugely respected name for signmakers. Their knowledge and understanding of the specific issues of the industry will be a real benefit to visitors and we fully expect to enjoy a busy and vibrant three days at Sign UK.”
Also featured on the Epson stand will be the Epson Stylus Pro 11880 64″ (1.6m) large format printer. Designed for professionals in the photography, fine art (reproduction) and proofing markets, the Stylus Pro 11880 features a MicroPiezo Thin Film Piezo? (TFP) printhead for superior printing performance and also benefits from being used with the new formulation of UltraChrome K3 with Vivid Magenta.
Epson UK looks forward to welcoming you to its stand H51 at the NEC, Birmingham 22-24 April 2008 where it will provide a more in-depth look at these new technologies and products.