Give Your Old Printer a Second Life by Donating or Recycling

You may be excited about upgrading an outdated printer, but what do you do when it comes to proper disposal of the old printer? The options are seemingly limited. It turns out, however, that there are a few ways to give your old printer a second life.

Donate it – if it is still working, just not giving you the desired results or is simply not efficient anymore, reach out to some local schools, colleges or other organizations to see if they would be able to use your printer for educational purposes.

Recycle it – While OEM recycling programs differ by printer, company and state, it’s best to reach out to the manufacturer directly to see what recycling options are available based on your location and printer model. Here are some links to help you get started:

Other companies do recycling, as well. You can check with your local waste management company for information on e-waste, while smaller printers may be accepted at stores like Office Max/Office Depot.

Replacing your printer can often seem daunting, but remember, with new or improved technology, the speed and efficiency – and sustainability – of the printer will increase. If you would like more information on current printer technologies, call your LexJet printer specialist at 800-453-9538.

Epson’s New Four-Color, 64-Inch Solvent Production Printer Due in April

Epson production solvent inkjet printerThe EPSON SureColor S30670 is scheduled to ship and ready for sale this month. The new 64-inch, four-color solvent printer turned heads at the recent International Sign Expo for its combination of production speed and output quality.

Epson’s product manager, Reed Hecht, says the new printer is not being sold as a replacement for the Epson Stylus Pro GS6000. “We’re keeping the printers in the market together because we see applications for those who require the wider color gamut that can hit very specific spot colors with the GS6000, and those who want more production while producing high-quality prints,” says Hecht.

“It’s the most cost-effective and reliable printer that utilizes the newest technology at an entry-level solvent printer price. It changes the way you look at an entry-level solvent printer,” adds Hecht.

That new technology is Epson’s MicroPiezo TFP printhead, designed to deliver droplet sizes as small as 4.2 picoliters while doubling the nozzle density of the GS6000. The inks are Epson’s new UltraChrome GS2 solvent-based inks in four colors (CMYK), including a newly formulated yellow ink that Epson says based on initial testing can produce prints with up to three years of outdoor durability without lamination.

Epson ink sets for solvent printing
The EPSON SureColor S30670's ink system is four colors, CMYK, that's delivered through Epson's MicroPiezo TFP printhead. It's a very cool and advanced technology, but what it ultimately means is faster printing and better quality prints.

Prints dry immediately, according to LexJet product manager Alex Ried, who notes a drying mechanism that takes the pain out of waiting for prints to dry. Ried says he’s excited about the opportunity to provide the new Epson solvent printer to the various wide format print markets served by LexJet.

Billed as low solvent, Epson says the inks provide virtually odorless printing without the need for external dryers, special ventilation or air purification systems, and do not contain Nickel compounds, thereby reducing the printer’s environmental impact.

Speaking of that impact, Epson has also engineered the printer to use less energy. Energy Star certified, the SureColor S30670 uses about 650 Watts or less energy when operating, which is almost a quarter of other comparable printers, says Epson. Moreover, it uses standard 110V power outlets so there’s no need to bring an electrician in to install 220V outlets.

Other important features to keep in mind when evaluating this printer include:

  • Print speed: Epson bills the print speed at 619 feet per hour in draft mode with a recommended production speed of 205 square feet per hour for normal signage production
  • Reel system: The take-up reel is designed for unattended production of large print runs, supporting both wind-in and wind-out; a standard motorized heavy roll support system in the rear that will support up to a 90-pound roll; and an optional high-capacity roll support available for rolls up to 150 pounds
  • Roll media loading: A new spindleless design with a manual EPSON LiftAssist allows for easy loading and unloading of heavy roll media
  • High capacity ink system: Individual cartridges up to 700 ml enable users to avoid production downtimes and maximize profitability
  • Media versatility: EPSON UltraChrome GS2 ink works on virtually all standard coated or uncoated solvent media, including adhesive-backed vinyl and banner media. It also prints on solvent-compatible canvas for fine art printing

The list price for the EPSON SureColor S30670 is $16,995, and is expected to be available for purchase at LexJet this month. For more information, and to pre-order your printer, contact a LexJet customer specialist at 800-453-9538.

LexJet Adds Latex: HP’s L25500 Latex Inkjet Printer Now Available at LexJet

HP's environmentally friendly HP L25500 latex inkjet printersHewlett-Packard has selected LexJet as an authorized reseller of the 60-inch and 42-inch wide HP Designjet L25500 latex inkjet printers. With the addition of the L25500, LexJet expands its portfolio of inkjet printing technology, fitting perfectly into a range of LexJet printable inkjet media already developed to be compatible with latex inks, including LexJet’s Simple line of vinyl for vehicle, specialty, window, wall and other sign and display applications.

The HP L25500 can print on a wide range of media, papers and textiles, including media optimized for solvent and low-solvent inks. Designed for both indoor and outdoor graphic production, the HP Latex Inks are durable, odorless and emit very low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) so that no special ventilation is required. Moreover, the inks do not require special handling, are non-flammable and non-combustible. The printer uses internal radiant heaters and forced airflow to cure the inks, speeding up turnaround times on printed graphics.

The HP L25500 utilizes six ink colors with print resolutions up to 1,200 dpi, combined with HP Double Swath technology with three pairs of HP 789 Designjet Printheads and the HP Optical Media Advance Sensor for saleable output up to 246 square feet per hour.

The printheads have a simple snap-out, snap-in design for easy replacement. A built-in automatic printhead service station and automatic nozzle testing system, plus large 775 mil ink cartridges, eliminate the need for daily maintenance and ensure long periods of uninterrupted production. Used HP 789 Designjet Printheads and HP 780 Latex Ink Cartridges may be returned and recycled through HP’s free and convenient Planet Partners Program.

For more information about the HP L25500, and to find the right printer for your business and its applications, contact a LexJet customer specialist at 800-453-9538.