Comparing printer types.
This week we are talking about the Epson expression and workforce printers that Epson are promoting as a replacement for the traditional laser printer in the office environment.
Epson inkjet printers have always been a favourite with home users and have a reputation for printing excellent photos.
Changing the perception that ink is for home and laser is for the office will take time however their sales pitch, at betterthanlaser as set out below, and the potential cost savings in consumables and power usage make a compelling case for change.
Ink Post has been supplying inks and toners to Sydney businesses for over 15 years and over the last few years we have seen a change from laser to inks particularly in the small to medium size businesses we supply.
Will this filter over to the larger businesses only time will tell!
What is PrecisionCore?
It is only natural that the time for inkjet to take its place in the laser dominated office has arrived.
The PrecisionCore journey started in the 1980s when Epson adopted a piezo process, in which a thin crystal flexes when an electric charge is applied to it. As the crystal contracts, it acts as a pump to push the ink through a nozzle. This process has the advantage of being able to handle almost any fluid with great precision and durability.
In 2003, Epson set its sights on truly realizing the potential of piezo printhead technology. To achieve high-speed, high-quality, high-reliability, and high-efficiency printing, it was necessary to develop the thinnest possible piezo element for maximum control over ink drop size.
Epson merged micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) processes with its advanced piezo material science to develop the MicroTFP print chip, which uses piezo crystal films 1-micron thin-one hundredth the thickness of a human hair. This next-generation print chip is the heart of PrecisionCore.
The MicroTFP (Thin Film Piezo) print chip allows the maximum output of ink from the smallest print engine, meaning a big increase in the density of print nozzles. Combined with precise ink channels and nozzles, TFP print heads are able to place almost perfectly round dots on media with great precision.
The ability to pump larger amounts of fluid through densely packed nozzles yields a multitude of small, round, precise dots. This means better and faster output for you.
Dramatic Speed
PrecisionCore print heads can be fast and powerful at the same time, with the ability both to fire quickly and deliver multiple drop volumes on demand.
Fast: No need to warm up like a laser, which means less energy consumed.
Professional Quality
PrecisionCore’s MicroTFP print chip enables it to deliver both large and small drop volumes even at high resolution.
PrecisionCore nozzles can reconfigure themselves in around 1/10,000 of a second to deliver small and beautifully round drops, allowing for sharp text, smooth edges and gradations, and fast area fills.
In summary, PrecisionCore with Epson inks delivers fast speed, amazing colour quality, dark, sharp text, leading durability and fast drying with off-the-shelf media. These newest inks raise the bar again.
Epson inks contain additives with properties that enable inks to adhere to a wider range of materials. This means Epson printers can be designed to print on anything from plain paper to glossy labels to synthetics, and from three-point text fonts to large format signage.
Outstanding Durability
The flexibility in ink formulation also gives PrecisionCore a dramatic advantage in print durability. Business documents printed with PrecisionCore and Epson’s business inks deliver durability that exceeds that of laser printed pages, all without special paper formulations. Use a highlighter or spill a little water and the text won’t blur. Also, the text won’t fade when the document is rubbed. Write on it, fold it, erase pencil marks – do all the things that you would do with a laser printed page to a PrecisionCore printed page and you’ll find that the laser printer doesn’t have the durability advantage any longer.
The Epson technology used in PrecisionCore allows for fast drying pigment ink that provides fade-resistant, water-resistant, and smudge-resistant business documents without premium priced paper.
Cost Effective Production
Epson’s no-heat technology saves power by eliminating the fuser required for toner-based printing technologies, resulting in up to 70% less energy consumption. Add in faster start-up time because a PrecisionCore powered printer does not need to warm up like a laser printer does
• 1 Up to 50 percent lower printing costs compared with best-selling, colour multifunction laser printers priced at $499 (USD) or less, as of June 2013. Calculation based on continuous printing with highest capacity individual cartridges sold in retail. Actual savings will vary based on print task and use conditions.
• 2 Print yields stated are based on ISO/IEC24711 and 24712 test suite, using 786XL ink cartridges on an Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4630/4640.
• 3 Compared to best-selling, colour laser multifunction printers priced at $499 (USD) or less, as of July 2013, based on manufacturers’ specifications and independent testing. Actual power savings will vary by product model and usage.
• 4 Up to 40% lower printing costs compared with best-selling, colour laser multifunction printers priced at $499 (USD) or less, as of June 2013. Calculation based on continuous printing with highest capacity individual cartridges sold in retail. Actual savings will vary based on print task and use conditions.
Conclusion
Advances in printing technology are challenging our perception of the printer that is the most cost effective solution for your printing needs.
Before you buy ring our friendly Ink Post team on 1300 793 593 for advice on printers and printer consumable costs before you make that purchase!