The Stylus Pro GS6000, which will make its European market debut at FESPA Digital in early April before appearing in the the UK at Sign later in the month, is a 64in large-format printer with an eight-colour set of inks.

Epson claims that this gives it the widest colour range to date in a printer aimed at both indoor and outdoor applications; and that its ability to print at high resolution will enable copy and sign shops to move into more premium services, such as exhibition graphics, point-of-sale printing, marketing, photo applications and fine art reproduction.

Integral to the Stylus Pro GS6000's capabilities is Epson's newly developed UltraChrome GS eight-colour ink set, comprising cyan, magenta, yellow, black, light cyan, light magenta, orange and green. Available in 950ml cartridges, the colour palette is suitable for branded applications.

Epson said that the environmental credentials of the eco-solvent type ink set mean that it will not spread harmful volatile organic compounds and is the first major solvent ink set to be launched without the need for a hazard symbol.

The machine can attain printing resolutions of up to 1440 x 440dpi and has a smallest droplet sized of 3.7 picolitres. It prints at speeds of up to 25 square metres per hour using Epson's Variable-sized, Ink Droplet and MicroWeave half-toning technologies. It delivers fast-drying, scratch-resistant prints that are water and UV resistant for up to one-and-a-half years without lamination.

The standard machine comes with Giga-Ethernet and USB2.0, allowing high-speed connectivity. Options include support for heavy rolls of up to 30kg and an auto-take-up reel.

In a statement, Martin Johns, senior business manager pro-graphics at Epson UK, said: "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."

The Stylus Pro GS6000 is priced from 29,995 euros (£23,559). It will appear at FESPA Digital in Geneva between 1 and 3 April and in the UK at Sign between 22 and 24 April.