When does it make sense to update your printer?
Earlier this year Epson announced the launch of two new Epson SureColor P-Series printers – the P7570 and P9570. You may have read our blog detailing the latest improvements, but are you still wondering if there is justification for a proofing upgrade? (Check this link to read our Epson's New SureColor P-Series Printers blog.)
With each new launch, Epson has consistently made improvements to its print head and ink technology. The question is often whether the improvements are enough to warrant purchasing the latest and greatest proofer. With the release of the SureColor P-Series in 2015, an ink set option that included a violet marked a significant shift in the potential proofer color gamut. The user still had the option to spec their device with the same ink colors as were used in the legacy Stylus Pro 7900 proofer; however, at the point of purchase, they could instead choose to trade out the light, light black for the new violet ink cartridge. Depending on the media type and media optimization, an ink set that included violet could yield a color gamut increase of 9% to nearly 20%.
But was it a "Game Changer"?
If we are honest, the Stylus Pro 7900 with its 10-color ink set (no violet option), was already pretty good. The color gamut for this unit was already larger than most CMYK printing press gamuts like GRACoL 2006. But what about all the other non-CMYK inks? In Flexo for sure, spot-only and combo jobs (using both spot and CMYK inks) are far more common than CMYK-only work. This is where the violet ink set really stood out. For spot colors, like Pantone swatches and brand colors in that blue/purple sector, the violet provided a color gamut boost that actually paid off. Also as more printers have implemented Expanded Color Gamut (ECG) printing, digital printing, and hybrid-Flexo presses, so has the process color gamut expanded for those presses. So you need a proofer that stays ahead with a larger gamut.
So here were are again... What can you do for me now?
With the new 12-color print head, the two newest devices are not only more than 2 times faster, but there is another small increase in the color gamut. Is that enough to run out and buy one? Well if you are struggling with productivity or find the proofing process is a frequent bottle-neck, it should certainly give you pause to consider an upgrade! However, if you need more incentive, well... Epson didn't stop there. They included many more improvements that hit on some of those common proofer frustrations. Most notably, they have a few mechanical and service changes that will help keep those print heads from clogging as much. Yay! To hear all the ins and outs...
This discussion compares the P7570 and P9570 to previous Epson devices. We explore several key considerations to justify a proofing upgrade.