Epson America has announced several new printers, including the Epson Stylus Pro 7890/9890 wide-format machines, the Stylus Pro 4900 desktop printer, and the Stylus Pro 7900CTP with DirectPlate computer-to-plate technology.

The Epson Stylus Pro 7890 (24-in.) and Stylus Pro 9890 (44-in.) printers are aimed at photographers and proofing professionals. Both models are 8-color printers featuring the company’s MicroPiezo eight-channel TFP printhead with ink-repelling coating to reduce nozzle clogging. They utilize Epson’s UltraChrome K3 inks (CYck + Vivid Magenta + Vivid Light Magenta + light light black + matte or photo black, with an auto-sharing black ink channel); the three-level black ink technology is designed to improve gray balance while eliminating color casts and provide highlight-to-shadow grayscale accuracy.
The new machines offer a resolution up to 2880 x 1440 dpi, and they can output a 16 x 20-in. print at a top speed of 1:53 (3:47 is normal, reports Epson); top speed for a 40 x 60-in. print is 12:26 (normal is 24:20).

Additional features include: AccuPhoto HD Screening, an advanced screening algorithm for extremely fine blends and photographic transitions with accurate highlight-to-shadow details and consistent color balance; ePlaten Media-Loading, to simplify the roll and cut-sheet media-loading process; and an optional in-line SpectroProofer, developed in partnership with X-Rite, to automate the color-management process.

Price: Stylus Pro 7890, $2995; Stylus Pro 9890, $4995. Available in December 2010

Epson also has introduced the 17-in. Stylus Pro 4900, for proofing professionals, graphic designers, and photographers. The 10-color printer (CYOGck + VividM + Vividm + light light black + photo or matte black) features Epson UltraChrome HDR ink technology, automatic matte/photo black switching, and is certified by Pantone to cover 98% of the Pantone Formula Guide solid color palette, Epson reports.
The Stylus Pro 4900 also features a 360-nozzle Epson MicroPiezo TFP printhead, AccuPhoto HDR screening technology, automatic switching between roll and cut-sheet media, and an optional SpectroProofer for automatic color management.

Price of the Stylus Pro 4900: $2495 Standard Edition, $2995 Graphic Design Edition (with EFI eXpress RIP); available in December 2010.

And Epson has introduced the Stylus Pro 7900CTP system, which combines an Epson Stylus Pro 7900 printer (24-in.) with a plate curing device (PCU), an EFI computer-to-plate RIP software package, and plate guide attachment. Designed for printing press-duplicators and small to medium size printing-press businesses, the system incorporates Epson’s DirectPlate Aluminum technology enabling true aluminum lithographics press plates to be created by a standard Stylus Pro printer and Epson UltraChrome HDR inks. The plates, Epson reports, can be used to produce up to 20,000 impressions, and the water-based platemaking system eliminates the cleaning and handling of hazardous chemicals associated with standard platesetting solutions. Because the system uses no special inks, the 7900CTP can also be used for press proofs, imposition proofs, and wide-format graphics up to 24-in. wide. Price: $9999.

EPSON
www.proimaging.epson.com