In October, Epson is releasing their SureColor P-Series, which includes four large-format, The EnergySTAR-compliant printers suitable for graphic designers, photographers, and commercial printing companies.

The P6000 through to P9000 aqueous ink jet printers roll out some exciting new features, and maintain or fine tune some old Epson favorites as well.

There are two distinct differences between the four models:

• P6000 and P7000 have a maximum print width of 24", while the P8000 and P9000 have a print width of 44".
• P6000 and P8000 use a print head with 8 dedicated ink channels, while P7000 and P9000 use the 10-channel print head.

PRINT HEAD

This increase in channels corresponds with one of the great new features: the 11-ink, 10-color configuration of Epson's new UltraChrome HDX inks, which feature the eight colors previously available from the UltraChrome HD inks, along with additional orange, green, and violet ink. The P6000 and P8000 offer a less costly option with all the other upgrades, but still using the HD inks:

• Cyan
• Light Cyan
• Vivid Magenta
• Vivid Light Magenta
• Yellow
• Light Black
• Light Light Black
• Photo Black / Matte Black, interchangeable

Resolution with the PrecisionCore print head is the same as earlier models, at a maximum of 2880x1440 dpi resolution (minimum resolution: 720x360 dpi).

ULTRACHROME INKS

Photo and matte black share a channel in both versions of the new print head, but an automatic switch from one to the other can be set ahead of time. It takes the printer 2 to 3 minutes to purge one ink and fully load the other. When switching from matte to photo, approxmiately 7.2 ml of ink is used. From photo to matte, waste is approximately 1.13 ml.

Improvements in colors and inks translates to increased longevity on most Epson fine art papers. Color prints have been calculated with a permanence of 200 years (with the exception of Epson's Velvet paper at 150 years), while black and white prints are expected to stay true as long as 400 years.

All UltraChrome HD and HDX inks are now available in three cartridge sizes: 125ml, 300ml, and 700ml. This is useful for sporatic users of the machine, as it is not advisable to leave unused ink in the printer for more than a few months. These various sizes offer a more economical choice for commercial printers, and a less wasteful, more affordable choice for individual printers.

PHYSICAL FEATURES

The printers are capable of creating border-free printing for standard roll widths of 10", 11.8", 13", 16", 17", 20.3", 23", 24" (as well as 33", 36", and 44" for the P8000 and P9000). Margins can be set to a minimum of 3 mm.

A high-speed rotary cutter can be set to automatic or manual to trim rolls after printing. Additionally, the printer will alert the user if there is not enough paper on the roll to complete the current job. When a roll is removed the printer adds a barcode to the edge so that, when the roll is reinserted, the printer knows the qualities and remaining length.

Print speeds and printer size remain approximately the same as older models like the Stylus Pro 9890. The smaller P6000 and P7000 measure 54" wide x 48" tall x 26" deep x 48", with an average weight of 223 lbs; the P8000 and P9000 are 74" wide x 48" tall x 26" deep, and 298 lbs.

All P-Series printers offer a 1-year warrenty, with an available additional one or two years. Commercial or high-frequency users also have the option to add Epson's SpectroProofer color management system, and a 320 GB server for added saving space.