New features on its multifunctional 914mm and 1.12m-wide aqueous SureColor SC-T series printers with integrated scanners will be demonstrated for the first time at Drupa, which will take place in Düsseldorf from 31 May to 10 June.
The high-speed, four-colour, wide-format SureColor SC-T7200MFP and SC-T5200MFP printers are designed for graphics, commercial print, copy shop and CAD/GIS applications.
The technology is said to give users the flexibility to digitise hard copies and scan-to-file, scan-to-email or scan-to-share with other SC-T Series printers. The models were first launched two years ago.
Epson is targeting the kit at busy print-production environments and said an A1 original can be scanned and printed in under 40 seconds on media up to 1.5mm thick.
Printers are also available in double-roll configurations, offering more productivity and the flexibility to switch quickly between different media.
Epson sales manager for professional graphics Phil McMullin said the changes were made in February but Drupa would be the 'shop window' and first big opportunity for people to see the new models.
“The big change is improved productivity: previously if you printed a 24x33in (610x838mm) print for posters or POS material using the full width of the entry-level machine it would take 37 seconds to print.
“Now you can do it in 29 seconds, which may not sound a great deal for one print but for multiple images those productivity gains soon add up.”
McMullin said “smaller level improvements” included ease of scanning enabling users to reproduce a 30m print in one go, which he called a “unique proposition”.
The 1.12m SC-T7200MFP costs £2,795 and the 914mm SC-T5200MFP costs £2,500.
Speaking of the SureColor range, McMullin said: “It's a very successful volume model for use in corporate, education and general-use markets.
“Many find their way into schools, colleges and hospitals where people print large posters.”
Features of the new models include “fastest in-class” print and scan speed, almost 400% faster in grayscale at 340mm/second and almost twice as fast in colour at 150mm/second.
Through faster carriage motion and fewer printing passes Epson has added a special ‘production’ mode for images on photo-glossy type media, making it almost twice as fast.
The printer can handle rolls up to 150mm and features 700ml ink containers.
SureColor SC-T series printers use Epson’s four-colour UltraChrome XD aqueous inks which, with the permanent PrecisionCore TFP printheads, are said to ensure quality and precise, repeatable performance.
UltraChrome XD inks deliver deep blacks and crisp, dense lines needed for detailed technical graphics and the vibrant colours necessary for high-quality prints and posters.
They are water-resistant and smudge proof, producing prints suitable for short-term outdoor use as well as indoor applications.
In addition to using water-based inks, the SC-T Series printers are 'energy star' certified for good power efficiency.
The range was made up of three models, the 1.12m SureColor SC-T7200, the 914mm SC-T5200 and the 610mm-wide SC-T3200.
