Signs of the Times - July 2013 - (Page 34)

TECHNOLOGY REVIEW By Chris and Kathi Morrison Chris and Kathi Morrison own and operate The Image Specialists, a full-service graphics company based in Clements, CA. Chris is also a Microsoft-certified systems engineer. Epson’s Dye-Sub Transfer, SureColor F-Series Printers Fast, high-quality imaging with new dye-sub technology I f you market,entry into the softwant signage Epson has designed, built and introduced two dye-sublimation printers that will allow you to create low- or high-number orders of banners, flags, tradeshow graphics, table covers, promotional items, cut-and-sew athletic wear and more. Typically, soft signage is handled by screenprint shops that require mass-quantity orders to gain costeffective print runs. Low-quantity, custom work wasn’t feasible. Not surprisingly, dye-sublimation inkjet printers entered the market as inkjet-print technology developed, but most dye-sub print machines were thermal-inkjet systems modified to handle dye-sub inks. Epson chose to dispense with existing dye-sub print technology and, instead, create a new system that would outperform its in-class competition in such important areas as image quality, productivity and machine reliability. The four-color, 44-in.-wide SureColor F6070 and 64-in.-wide F7070 printers, built for roll-fed, digital-textile markets, will image up to 1,440 x 720 dpi at 618 sq. ft./ hr. They easily produce one-off or high-volume promotional items. For production runs, you can load extra-long – up to 328 ft. – Key Information Epson America Inc. 3840 Kilroy Airport Way Long Beach, CA 90806 (800) 463-7766 www.epson.com Contact: Patrick Gevas (408) 369-7200, X1051 pgevas@walt.com F6070 F7070 rolls of media and Epson’s 1.5-liter, bulk-ink system. Essentially, all dye-sublimation images print onto paper media and are then heat-transferred to a substrate. Epson offers two paper types, both developed for the SureColor F-Series. The standard, multi-purpose transfer paper is for use on such products as fabrics, ceramics, mousepads and metal. The second, nonstandard paper features a low-tack Specifications: Epson’s Dye-Sub Transfer SureColor F6070 and F7070 Printers Print Width 44 and 64 in., respectively Printheads Advanced MicroPiezo TFP; 10-channel DOD; 720 nozzles/color DPI 1440 x 720; 720 x 720; 720 x 360 dpi Ink Technology Epson UltraChrome DS ink (industrial-level, dye-sublimation ink) supply Ink Colors CMYK RIP Wasatch (Adobe PostScript Level 3) 34 SIGNS OF THE TIMES / JULY 2013 / www.signweb.com adhesive that’s designed for cut-andsew fabrics and apparel production. Epson’s proprietary, UltraChrome DS inks feature an increased, CMYKcolor gamut with intensified blacks. The company says to expect vibrant colors and smooth tone gradations. The prints are dry to the touch, and lamination isn’t necessary. Its MicroPiezo TFP printheads create a precise, repeatable ink dot. Further, the heads feature an inkrepelling coating that helps prevent clogged nozzles. This feature also extends the printheads’ life expectancy. Your SureColor printer arrives with a Wasatch® SoftRIP®; it’s ready for out-of-the-box printing. Epson said several years of development preceded the introduction of its innovative F6070 and F7070 printers. We think this effort demonstrates the company’s commitment to the digital-textile industry. By the way, the printers will run 24/7 – so you should see a quick return on your investment. http://www.epson.com http://www.signweb.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Signs of the Times - July 2013

Signs of the Times - July 2013
Contents
ST Update
Technology Update
Vinyl Apps
Strictly Commercial
Lighting Techniques
The Moving Message
Technology Review
Technology Review
Design Matters
New Products
Vehicle Graphics Contest Entry Form
Public Displays of Affection
Electric-Sign Company 1 on 1’s
Screenprinting for Signmakers
A Century of Going Places
Industry News
Advertising index
Editorially speaking

Signs of the Times - July 2013