The 64-inch Epson SureColor R5070 and SureColor R5070L wide-format printers are the first Epson signage printers to use resin ink technology.
Like wide-format printers that use latex inks, the Epson SureColor R series printers use water-based (aqueous) pigmented inks with an optimizer and onboard heating system. The key difference is the chemistry of the binding agent in the ink that helps the pigments form a scratch-resistant film on the surface of the many different materials used for indoor and outdoor signs and graphics. Latex is one type of binding agent; the resins in Epson RS UltraChrome inks are another type.
Epson’s 6-color resin-ink printers have been engineered to produce instant-dry, scratch-resistant, color-consistent output on materials such as wallpaper, fabrics, uncoated papers, adhesive vinyl, and other sign materials. Graphics good enough for everyday use can be output at a speed of 290 sq. ft./hr.
Many projects printed on R5070 and R5070L won’t need to be laminated. But for those jobs that do require lamination, users won’t have to wait several hours for the prints to fully dry before the laminating film is applied.
Sign shops equipped with both an Epson SureColor S eco-solvent ink printer and Epson R5070 or R5070L will be able to handle almost any type of print job a customer might want. The SureColor R5070 and R5070L use six colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, black, light cyan, and light magenta) for excellent image quality. Epson SureColor S printers can use red, orange, light black and white inks and hit 98% of the Pantone colors used in brand graphics. SureColor S printers can also use metallic inks.
“The SureColor R-Series printers further expand Epson’s presence in the roll-to-roll wide-format signage market by offering customers industry-leading Epson printhead technology coupled with the benefits of resin ink,” said Matt McCausland, product manager, Professional Imaging, Epson America.” The SureColor R5070 and R5070L use resin ink to address a true customer need — the confidence that each print –panel to panel or job-to-job — has repeatable, consistent color.
The key difference between the R5070 and R5070L models is their ink-handling system. The R5070 uses a 1.5-liter ink pack ($0.155 per milliliter), The R5070L can hold 3 liters of ink per color ($0.125 per milliliter) for uninterrupted printing of longer run jobs. The hot-swappable ink system automatically switches from an empty 1.5-liter ink pack to a second 1.5-liter ink pack while without stopping the print job.
Features
New, user-replaceable printheads. The Epson R-Series printers use new 2.6-inch PrecisionCore Micro TFP printheads that Epson developed specifically for use with the resin inks. Although these durable, long-lasting printheads aren’t considered a frequently changed consumable, a press operator could swap out the printhead in about a hour instead of waiting for a service technician to arrive.
A three-heater system for even drying. The pre-heater warms the media as it enters the printer, the platen heater maintains an even temperature for printing, and a post heater ensures that the print is fully dry before it hits the take-up roll.
High quality images. Epson’s variable-drop printing, proprietary RIP technology, vibrant inks, and optimizer enable the R-Series printers to produce exceptional image quality.
Reliable color consistency. The ability to produce repeatable, predictable color is critical to the successful production of multi-panel wall murals, signs with brand colors, and repeat jobs.
Powerful, easy-to-use software. The Epson Edge Print RIP software with an Adobe PostScript 3 engine makes it easy for newcomers to wide-format inkjet printing to set up print jobs. You can instruct the printer to match specified brand colors or automatically lay out (“nest”) the job files to get the highest number of smaller prints across the full width of the roll media.
The Epson R-Series printers can also be used with popular RIP software such as Onyx that control an integrated fleet of different types of wide-format inkjet printers.
4.3 inch touchscreen control panel. This built-in screen enables operator to control the quick-start heaters, select the media and color mode, and see the estimated print completion time.
Low maintenance. A replaceable fabric wiper system automatically cleans the printhead and removes dust prior to printing.
Versatility. Print on the wide range of roll materials available for making everything from indoor signs, posters, decorative wall art, and posters to durable graphics for floors, windows, vehicles, walls, and outdoor banners.
Immediate lamination. The prints are sufficiently scratch-resistant for many requirements. But for vehicle wraps and other jobs that require the extra protection of a laminating film, production doesn’t have to pause to allow outgassing of the printed inks.
Availability
The SureColor R Series printers were introduced and demonstrated on October 26, 2020 at the start of the PRINTING United Digital Experience. The printers are scheduled to be available in January, 2021 through authorized Epson Professional Imaging resellers. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) is $23,995 for the SureColor R5070 and $26,995 for the R5070,
For more information, visit: https://epson.com/resin-signage-wallpaper-fabric-printers
The Epson SureColor R5070 and R5070L printers were announced October 26,2020