Epson aims to launch ten inkjet printers for professional print applications over the next 18 months as part of Seiko Epson president Minoru Usui's vision to become number one in all the markets it has now broken into.
Over the last two years Epson has entered various sectors with the SureColor SC-S, SureColor SC-F, SurePress, SureLab and latest SureColor SC-T range of machines. By 2016, the intention is to have a portfolio of 33 professional production printers for the sign and display, textile, label/packaging and production photo markets.
“We are aware that we’re relatively new to some of these markets and have started off with a relatively small offering but we’re committed to enlarging the portfolio,” said Phil McMullin, UK sales manager, prographics, Epson UK. Asked about Epson’s development of latex and flatbed UV technologies his reply was to “watch this space”, adding: “If we want to be number one that means taking on some big players and we need to be involved in all the technologies. We won’t do it overnight but we’re in this game for the long term”.
The Epson SureColor SC-F7100 64in dye-sublimation transfer printer first shown at Ipex last month is now commercially available via distributors iSub and RA Smart, which are also selling it bundled with post print systems. The new roll-fed CMYK printer is aimed at those wanting to produce short to mid volume polyester coated textile print (and polyester coated fibreboard, metal, plastic etc.) and costs £15,695 (printer, take up, set of inks, Ergosoft Rip and warranty). It will be shown at Sign and Digital UK and Fespa Digital. Epson also hopes to have another new printer for the POS market at the latter, details of which are expected later this month.
The SC-F7100 works with all major dye sub transfer papers and substrates with polyester coating. Productivity is up to approximately 58m2/hr - or typically 30m2/hour in two-pass production mode. It uses Epson’s piezo TFP printhead technology and UltraChrome DS ink (1.5l bulk ink system and 1l pouches). The machine has an auto take-up reel, post-platen heater and an optional print drying system.