It is now about 3 years that Epson intorduced it's
Ultrachrome Ink printers. First the consumer 13" Epson Stylus
2200, then the 7600/9600 Pro machines and finally in 2004 the 17" 4000.
So it is no real surprise that Epson announces a new line of printers
that are based on a modified new ink set. This time all four sizes
are announced at the same time (even if the 7800/9800 will ship later
than the R2400 and 4800.
Ultrachrome K3 Pigment Inks
The new inkset includes 3 blacks (that is why it is called
K3). There is a new Light Light Black in addition to the Black and
Light Black.
We have not had any chance to try a K3 printer ourselves
but they seem to very interesting at least:
Here are Epson's claims:
- High-gloss Microcrystal Encapsulation™ Technology for reduced
gloss differential
- Depending upon media – produces a black density up to 2.44
with an L* value of 3.17
Both are very welcome properties.
B&W from K3 inks This seems to be the first Epson ink set that will allow B&W and Color
form the same inks and from the Epson drivers.
B&W driver options
Here are Epson's claims:
- Simultaneously uses Black, Light Black, and Light Light Black inks
- Significantly
improves the printer’s gray balance while eliminating
color casts
- Dramatically reduces the metamerism and bronzing of
basic pigment chemistry
- Enhances the ICC profiling process for
ColorSync™ and
ICM™ workflows
The new K3 Printers
Ships in May: EPP $849
- Epson UltraChrome™ K3 Ink Technology
- Media Handling up to
13” Wide
- True Cut-Sheet BorderFree® Printing
from 4”x 6” up to 13” x 19”
- Includes Sheet,
Roll, and Thick Paper Paths
- Maximum Optimized Resolution of
5760 x 1440 dpi
- Variable Droplet Micro Piezo® Technology
- High-Performance Print
Engine Speeds
- Eight Individual Ink Cartridges
- USB 2.0 and IEEE1394 (FireWire®)
Support
- Four free filters from NIK Multimedia Color Efex Pro 2.0
- Epson RAW
Print Software
- X-Rite Color Guide with Monaco EZ Color Demo
Ships in May: EPP $1,995
- Epson UltraChrome™ K3 Ink Technology
- Professional Media Handling
up to 17” Wide
- Built-in High-Capacity Paper Tray from Letter
up to 17” x
22”
- Maximum Resolution of 2880 x 1440 dpi
- Variable Droplet Micro Piezo® DX3™ Technology
- High-Performance
Print Engine Speeds
- Epson Colorimetric Calibration™ Technology
- Eight Individual
High-Capacity Ink Cartridges – 110ml
and 220ml
- Standard Roll Feeder with Built-in Media
Cutter
- Automatic Head Alignment and Cleaning Technologies
- USB 2.0, FireWire®,
and Optional 10/100 BaseT Ethernet
- Epson PrintJob™ Information
System
- One-Year Epson PreferredSM Protection Plan
| Note: The cartridges of the 4800 cannot be used
on the 7800/9800 printers as the 7800/9800 cartridges are pressurized
to keep the ink flowing fast enough to the print head because the
wider format designs require the ink to travel a longer distance
through the tubes from the cartridge to the head. The 4800's smaller
design doesn't need the pressurized system. |
Ships in Fall: EPP $2,995 (includes stand)
- Epson UltraChrome™ K3 Ink Technology
- Professional Media Handling
up to 24” Wide
- Handles Roll or Cut Sheet Media from Letter
up to 24” Wide
- Maximum Resolution of 2880 x 1440 dpi
- Variable Droplet Micro Piezo® DX3™ Technology
- High-Performance
Print Engine Speeds
- Epson Colorimetric Calibration™ Technology
- Eight Individual
High-Capacity Ink Cartridges – 110ml and
220ml
- New Pressurized Ink Cartridge Technology
- Built-in Media Cutter
- Automatic Head Alignment and Cleaning Technologies
- USB 2.0, FireWire®,
and Optional 10/100 BaseT Ethernet
- Epson PrintJob™ Information
System
- One-Year Epson PreferredSM Protection Plan
Ships in Fall: EPP $4,995 (includes stand)
- Epson UltraChrome™ K3 Ink Technology
- Professional Media Handling
up to 44” Wide
- Handles Roll or Cut Sheet Media from Letter
up to 44” Wide
- Maximum Resolution of 2880 x 1440 dpi
- Variable Droplet Micro Piezo® DX3™ Technology
- High-Performance
Print Engine Speeds
- Epson Colorimetric Calibration™ Technology
- Eight Individual
High-Capacity Ink Cartridges – 110ml and
220ml
- New Pressurized Ink Cartridge Technology
- Built-in Media Cutter
- Automatic Head Alignment and Cleaning Technologies
- USB 2.0, FireWire®,
and Optional 10/100 BaseT Ethernet
- Epson PrintJob™ Information
System
- One-Year Epson PreferredSM Protection Plan
| Note: The
cartridges of the 4800 cannot be used on the 7800/9800 printers
as the 7800/9800 cartridges are pressurized to keep the ink flowing
fast enough to the print head because the wider format designs
require the ink to travel a longer distance through the tubes from
the cartridge to the head. The 4800's smaller design doesn't need
the pressurized system. |
We hope to receive soon one of these printers to share our experience
with our readers. Clearly a line of printers to watch.
Epson press releases
Other Previews or Reviews
|
