With S-Series, Epson Delivers “Fastest Solvent Printers Out There”

While some in the industry may have typically used Epson printers for photographic, graphic arts and proofing needs, the introduction of the new SureColor S-Series machines have started to shift how people think of Epson in the signage printer realm.

“You can print non-stop, two to three times the speed you would normally print in comparison to prior generations or even other technologies,” says LexJet’s tech expert Michael Clementi. “Right now, these are the fastest solvent printers out there.”

The video above, produced by Epson, explains how the new Epson SureColor S40600, Epson SureColor S60600 and Epson SureColor S80600 64-inch solvent printers are geared to provide a wide variety of solutions, with the ability to print adhesive vinyl, banners, canvas, stickers, labels, package proofing and backlit.

“And not only have they sped up production, but they’ve increased the quality of the print as well, with the new ink formulas and printheads,” Clementi says.

“If your main business is banners and adhesive vinyl, there’s no doubt you should own one of these printers.”

To read more in-depth about these printers, available from LexJet, see these blogs:

First Take: Epson SureColor S60600 Solvent Printer Review

Overview_S60

By Michael Clementi

As I’m writing this review, my mind continues to be blown just thinking about what I’ve witnessed: An eco-solvent printer that can harness incredible speed (up to 550 square-feet per hour) and quality while using only a dual CMYK ink set. Further than that, I’ve never seen a printer that can print two-pass or four-pass modes without a single ounce of banding throughout a full-color graphic … until now.

So now that I’ve wet your whistle a bit on some of the juicy details, I can underline for you what the fine people at Epson have done to bring a new revolutionary printer to the outdoor printing industry, namely the SureColor S60600.

Introducing: All New Epson SureColor S-Series Printers

For high-production speed and top-of-the-line quality, Epson’s new line of SureColor S-Series printers introduce newly formatted inks that deliver great results in record time. The three new printers are 64-inch solvent machines with varying ink sets:

Epson SureColor S40600
Epson SureColor S40600

Epson SureColor S40600, 64-inch solvent printer with 4-color CMYK ink set. This entry-level solvent printer replaces the SureColor S30670 with a faster-dying UltraChrome GS3 Ink that has improved outdoor durability. The Dual-Array PrecisionCore TFP Print Head was designed for high speeds with greater resistance to head strikes and banding as well as all an new dot precision for crisper prints.

Now Available: LexJet’s Digital Catalog

Catalog cover

Now available online is LexJet’s Digital Catalog, a flipable product guide that includes all of the media, printers, ink, laminates, and accessories available at LexJet.com.

The catalog is organized by printer type: aqueous, solvent, and latex. Within each section, you can flip page by page to find papers, canvas, coatings, framing systems, films, adhesive-backed materials, fabrics, inks, and printers. A wide variety of brands are featured, including LexJet, Sunset, HP, Canon, Epson, Fredrix, Kodak, and many others.

Each product page features multiple items within the category as well as imagery of the products in use. Next to the individual product names, click on the plus sign to read more details about that particular item, see the variety of sizes it is available in, and add it to your shopping cart. Click on the product name to go directly to purchase.product example

New and best-selling products are highlighted throughout. If a media is available for more than one type of printer, it will be noted with a small black tab with letters that indicate A=aqueous; S=solvent; U=UV; L=latex.

Because the catalog is digital, you’ll be able to stay right on the page and watch informative videos on several of the products. But the interactivity doesn’t stop there. You can click through the table of contents, search for a product by name, and visit the catalog regularly for the latest updates on new and existing products.

Take a look through the new LexJet Digital Catalog now. If you have questions, please feel free to call a LexJet print specialist at 800-453-9538.

Tip of the Week: Is It Time to Upgrade My Printer?

We tapped Michael Clementi, who heads up our Experience Center, for some guidance on this one:

Q: What are some of the symptoms of an aging printer?

A: For aqueous piezo technology (like Epson or Roland), you’ll experience vertical banding running the length of the print, errors that you cannot navigate past or an increase in the number of cleanings needed to produce a healthy nozzle check. For aqueous thermal user-replaceable printheads (such as Canon or HP), you may come across errors related to hardware on the machine. A LexJet representative may be able to diagnose what the problem is, but if you need service, it would be best to contact the printer manufacturer for quotes or trouble shooting.

Q: Which repairs are worth the cost vs. purchasing a new printer?

A: If you are repairing a machine that initially cost you more than $15,000 five to seven years ago, a repair in the $1,000 to $3,000 range is reasonable. If it’s an aqueous printer that initially cost $5,000 or less and is older than five to seven years, I wouldn’t spend more than $500 or so on a repair, but get a quote first. If it is an older Epson or Roland and it needs a full printhead replacement (more than $600 for the part alone, plus labor) you are better off putting that money towards a new printer that is more cost effective, has newer technology and is covered under a warranty.

Q: What’s the typical lifespan of a printer?

A: The average lifespan for aqueous machines is five years. Solvent and latex printers are in the six- to eight-year range.

Q: When is it a wiser investment to upgrade rather than repair?

A: If quality, efficiency, cost per print and reliability have become concerns with your current model, you should research newer options. As printers grow older, the inks become more expensive (cost increases due to lower volumes produced and increased ink waste). Plus, you may experience more work stoppages.

Q: What are some examples of ROI I’ll see with a new printer purchase? 

A: If you are looking into a different technology (such as moving from aqueous to latex or solvent), the variety of applications you can offer your customers increases. New avenues for printing will generate new customers and excite your current customers. Adding new printers not only increases production instantly, it also gives you a reason to market yourself and your business. Branching into different markets or simply being the best in your current market relies heavily on the quality of the equipment you use to get the job done.

Q: How can LexJet help me out with a new printer purchase?

A: If you purchased the ink for your current printer from us, we’ll pick up your remaining stock and give you a credit when you buy a new printer. (Read more about that here.) We also offer tons of monthly printer rebates you’ll want to check out. Plus, our specialists are happy to set up a time to consult with you about the various printer technologies. Give us a call at 800-453-9538.

Only Two Days Left to Take Advantage of Epson S-Series Instant Rebates

Epson SureColor S30670Epson Professional Imaging will not run any S-Series rebates or promotions in June, which means that if you’re looking to purchase one of Epson’s low-solvent printers, now is the time to take advantage of the current slate of instant rebates:

Epson SureColor S50670: $4,000

Epson SureColor S70670: $3,000

Epson SureColor S30670: $1,800

These instant rebates end on Friday, May 30. Click on the printer models listed below or call a LexJet customer specialist at 800-453-9538 for more information about each printer and what LexJet can do to help you.