Duncan Ferguson, Vice President of Epson Europe’s Commercial and Industrial printing division, addressed journalists at a pre-drupa press conference in Dusseldorf on 25 March, 2024 where he outlined what visitors can expect from Epson this year on its stand at drupa (Hall 5 Stand D20) from 28 May to 7 June. 

Entitled ‘changing the model for localised production’ Duncan explained how Epson is gearing its manufacturing to deliver ever more compact and efficient printing solutions and how a key focus for the business will be personalisation and developing technology aimed to deliver production at the point of demand. His presentation covered the following areas:

• Epson’s latest industrial highly robust printhead, the D3000, designed for aqueous and UV ink applications. Special features include high speed, single-pass, 1200 dpi resolution with nozzle-level re-circulation and is tailored to a range of applications such as flexible and corrugated packaging, folding cartons, label, textile and décor.

• Extending Epson’s new product design concept across multiple platforms, which began with the award-winning design improvements made on the SureColor 44-inch T and P Series. Duncan explained how the new space-saving design in Epson’s 64-inch print format will include replaceable printheads, improved environmental standards with more use of recycled plastic and ensure reduced packaging. The new platform will also be easier-to-use with a large 4.3-inch user interface display, low profile and flat top design, media cleaner and a media lifter allowing for single person set-up.

• Duncan introduced Epson’s new industrial SurePress labelling concept which is strengthening Epson’s leadership in both aqueous and UV ink-based label presses. He explained how the new machine will deliver even greater productivity and image quality with real-time nozzle detection, compensation, additional enhancement fluids and optimizers.

• Duncan announced the new direct-to-fabric printer - Monna Lisa 13000 – a new digital fabric printing solution that integrates pre- and post-processes. The new ML-13000 is an affordable single-step printer with smaller footprint that delivers in-line printing using sustainable pigment inks. It deploys three pre- / post-treatment fluids for enhanced print durability and offers a wider colour gamut ensuring even higher print quality.

• Duncan introduced the new SureColor F10000 with jumbo roll, Epson’s most productive dye-sublimation printer to date. The latest advanced dye-sublimation printer delivers productivity up to 255m²/h, 10L hot-swap inks (LcLm/FyFp) and has self-replaceable parts for easy maintenance. The new printer now comes with optional 300kg jumbo roll (previously 60kg) ensuring continuous production and minimal machine downtime. 

• Duncan presented the latest Epson printers designed for the growing personalisation and micro-production market. This included the recently launched hybrid DTG/DTFilm SureColor F1000 and the A4 UV flatbed SureColor He introduced the A3 UV flatbedSureColor V2000 and new micro-production SureColor F2200 and showed the complete range of mini-lab (D1000, D500) and smaller dye sublimation printers (SureColor F500 and F100). He explained how these multiple technologies deliver multiple applications on a wide variety of substrates for the personalisation market and, with compact designs, can easily be accommodated in small back offices and tight retail spaces.

• Duncan talked about Epson’s supporting software and process management tools. This included the launch of the new SD-10 Scanning Table along with mentions of Epson’s Edge Color Lite and Edge Print software that further the capability to manage distributed printing at the highest quality and consistency. Duncan explained how colour management is enhanced with Edge Color Lite and how the SD-10 photo spectrophotometer is accurate, easy-to-use, quick and portable and enables better ink performance that ensures precise and predictable colour reproduction.

• Duncan announced the new SD-10 scanning table – a portable, automatic colour reading table that makes the creation of media profiles quick and simple and delivers automated media verification and calibration. The combination of the SD-10 scanning table, SD-10 spectrophotometer and Edge Color Lite can create a profile by scanning 379 patches in under 5 minutes.

• Duncan also explained how Epson is delivering successful product reconditioning programmes to extend the life of Epson printers and creating a more sustainable business model. He talked about Epson’s reconditioning programme which aims to repair, repurpose and upgrade products on its customers‘ premises. He mentioend how Epson has established a central facility for technical refurbishment work and is collecting and returning customer products; how it reuses cartridges and printer parts and collects cartridges which can be refilled with genuine Epson ink.

• Finally, Duncan revealed future developments including support for more sustainable fashion using Epson’s unique Dry Fibre Technology (DFT). DFT produces highly durable printable fabric from used garments without any water. The renowned Japanese fashion designer Yuima Nakazato is using DFT to experiment with batches of cotton, polyester and silk and plans to commercialise his range in 2024. Some examples of Dry Fibre fabric fashion items were on display at the presentation. 

• Duncan also discussed Epson’s new Direct-to-shape technology and explained how the company is developing its expertise with inkjet technology to print on complex shapes using automation with its own robots. 

Duncan Ferguson concluded: “This year will prove to be a pivotal year at drupa as the company demonstrates significant advances in its core digital inkjet technologies and shows how it is delivering a range of highly innovative, compact and efficient printing solutions that meet the growing need for personalisation and micro-production with localised product at the point of demand. We welcome all visitors to come and see us at drupa in Hall 5, stand D20.”