Consider Earth-Friendly Eco-Solvent Inks

As your customers’ and the industry’s attention continues to turn toward sustainable and eco-friendly print options, and with Earth Day right around the corner, it’s a good time to consider eco-solvent inks. Epson’s UltraChrome™ GS3 ink offers an alternative that addresses those concerns while also providing the print speed, durability and excellent color precision you demand from your solvent printer.

The new technology offered in Epson’s GS3 inks solve one of the biggest annoyances of solvent-based printing: the 24-hours needed for out-gassing. These inks will dry quickly and allow printers to add lamination when needed on the same day. And while the production speed of the Epson SureColor S-Series printers are a huge benefit for high-run projects, the GREENGUARD Gold certification adds another major benefit: Environmental responsibility.

GREENGUARD Gold is a nationally recognized certification that ensures that the tested product is safe to use in sensitive environments like schools and hospitals because they emit low chemical emissions while also complying with the State of California’s Department of Publish Health Services Standard Practice for Specification Section 01350. This gives designers and architects an edge to earn credits toward a LEED Green Building Rating — a big help when choosing canvas wrap materials and wallcoverings. The UltraChrome GS3 inks also meet the French-VOC A+ Class criteria for low chemical emissions.

Because Epson’s GS3 inks meet these stringent requirements, there is also no need for special ventilation or air purification required when operating the Epson SureColor S-Series printers.

“We’ve heard more and more from our print service provider customers that eco-friendly is in high-demand,” says our OEM product specialist, Shauna Malgieri. “I expect to see more sustainable products to come from our manufacturing partners this year, so stay tuned!”

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Epson S-Series Printers: Don’t Miss Out on Décor Opportunities

In the everchanging world of POP and temporary signage, there is a niche market that many print service providers have missed: décor. If you have an EPSON SureColor S80600, you know the color gamut is unlike any other printer available in the solvent market. With 98.2% Pantone coverage, color-critical art reproductions and wall décor are as easy to produce as banners and signage.

When it comes to creating the perfect art piece, it’s not just about the printer. These days, many people want their home décor to offer the same sophisticated ambiance of a fine art museum. To recreate that look, Print Service Providers turn to a printable canvas, such as EPSON GS Canvas Gloss and GS Canvas Satin, that can be quickly and easily finished with stretcher bars for the perfect, personal masterpiece.

With the introduction of the Epson S-Series printers came the debut of reformulated GS ink. The quick-drying UltraChrome GS3 inks don’t require a protective coating, which means PSPs can offer a quick turnaround on the production of these high-end requests – turning an idea into gallery wrap in one day.

The ability to work with a print immediately is important, especially with time-sensitive jobs. Josh King of Sacramento Giclee says that using his S80600 has improved his turn-around time. “We used to have to print one day, let it dry for a day, spray coat it one day, and let it dry before we could stretch it. Now, with the SureColor printer, within an hour, I can stretch a canvas,” says King.

Of course, what is a masterpiece without a perfect showcase? Having canvas prints professionally wrapped can be an expensive endeavor, which is why many of LexJet’s clients are using GOframe Stretcher bars to create gallery wraps for their customers.

The purpose of décor is to add warmth to a space. By creating personalized art pieces for your clients, you are not only offering them a print, you are helping them turn a house into a home.

Get the Most from Your Solvent Printer

One of the quickest ways to diversify your services as a print shop operator is to add a wide-format solvent printer. With a machine, such as one of the Epson SureColor S-Series printers, you can expand your horizons into everything from long-term outdoor graphics to customized interior décor. Check out how these printers can make an immediate difference in your shop:

Improve Image Output: After more than a year of testing, our Experience Center techs found that the Epson SureColor S-Series S60600 and S80600 provided extremely consistent print production, including photographic and fine art jobs. “I can attest that this is the best solvent printer technology available with regards to reliability, image durability, image detail/sharpness and color fidelity,” says our tech expert, Michael Clementi. “If you were to tell me five years ago that a solvent print would be approved by photographic/fine art consumers concerned with gamut and image quality and durability, I would have told you that we’d have a long wait to get to that point. We have arrived.”

5 Ways to Grow Your Business with an Epson S-Series

If you’re considering adding a wide-format solvent printer to your operation, you’re on the right track to increase production and add lots of new capabilities. We sat down with our printer training pro, Michael Clementi, to learn five top ways that an Epson SureColor S-Series printer (S40600S60600 and S80600) can help you grow your business.

  1. It’s two printers in one. Particularly with the S80600, you’re going to see a major uptick in production speed. So much so, that it is like having two printers instead of one. The print speed is nearly doubled in comparison to older model solvent printers. Plus, you’ll see the consistent, photo-realistic/fine-art quality that Epson printers are known for.
  2. Quick-drying solvent inks. The new ink formulation that Epson has introduced with these printers are so quick-drying that you can now use a take-up reel and save space and time on waiting for ordinary solvent inks to dry. The UltraChrome GS3  inks are low-odor and nickel-free and produce an enhanced color gamut. So, you’ll print faster and with better results.
  3. More pinch rollers = more material options. With 40 individual media rollers with five independent pinch rollers, you’ll experience better control of the media you’re printing to. The additional rollers prevent the material from bunching, causing fewer head strikes. Try it with polyester or other fabric solutions.
  4. More applications, indoors and out. With solvent, you’ll not only increase the longevity of your outdoor print jobs (aqueous may last a year, solvent lasts five times that), but you can also branch out into other growing markets, like décor. The recently launched LexJet Premium WallPro line, for instance, is solvent-compatible. Even more benefits: Solvent materials and inks are less expensive than aqueous, and typically don’t require a protective coating. So, you’re getting savings on savings!
  5. Less maintenance. Any printer knows that maintenance is a time-sink and production-killer. Epson’s eco-solvent inks will save you here, as well, because they are far less harsh than aggressive, volatile hard solvent inks. Your printheads will thank you. “You’re looking at once a month maintenance, rather than once a week,” Clementi says. “We ran the S80600 for four months, maintenance-free, with no problems.”

Join Us Nov. 9: Epson Webinar Featuring S-Series Printers

Printers looking to add high-speed, high-quality solvent print technology to their operation won’t want to miss the Epson S-Series Webinar, hosted by LexJet on Nov. 9, 2-3 p.m. EST.

During this webinar, Epson technology experts will illustrate the very latest in solvent print technology, as featured in the S-Series printers: SureColor S40600, SureColor S60600 and SureColor S80600.

This educational hour will be jam-packed with information on the newest generation of solvent inks, print accuracy, automated maintenance, a vast array of application opportunities and Epson’s reward program.

Plus, when you attend this webinar, you’ll receive an event discount up to $2,000 off your printer purchase, in addition to the standard Epson rebates offered each month.

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