Print Your Legacy.
As an artist, you have the unique ability to inspire change. You have the
responsibility to remind us of our past, while making us excited for our future.
At Epson, we understand the importance of what you do.
That is why we strive to develop imaging technology that never highlights itself
within your work. It’s why we insist your work remain as beautiful as the day it
was printed. And, it’s the reason we push the limits of imaging technology to
ensure your work is never limited by the technology used to print it.
Introducing the Epson SureColor P-Series Printers
Hands
on review of the new Epson SureColor P6000 by John Zax of Lotus Color
Out of the Box:
The form factor of this machine is identical to the previous
Generation of large Format Epson Printers, the x900
Series. This is a good
thing because it is a well- engineered and ruggedly constructed printer, with
an excellent rotary paper cutter, well designed paper feed system that did away
with the awkward spindles, effective ink supply system that gives the user a
choice of large capacity cartridges, and very good printing speeds at the best quality
of printing.
If this is an upgrade it will be very familiar and if this is a
first LF Epson, the most important instruction is that four people really are
required to get it out of the box and on to its included stand. The way
everything is packed and the quick start booklet make initial assembly and
start up very easy to accomplish. Software
and drivers were not included with the printer but are quick and easy to
download from the Epson Website with the included URL.
Using the printer:
The printer has connections built in for USB, Firewire 800, and Ethernet.
In our studio the Ethernet is the
preferred interface which the printer and driver instantly
established on its own. We run a Mac studio with
Several generations of computer, OS’s and versions of Photoshop
but had no problems making it all run.
The on board control panel is bright, colorful and easy to read.
The initial screen shows ink quantities,
paper feed setting, and platen gap setting. The menus that are
accessible are more comprehensive and
easier to use that on previous models. There is no longer a need
to shut down the printer and restart to enter
a “secret menu” for advanced maintenance issues, most of these
choices are now included in the main menus.
Most notably, the more
rigorous cleaning routines:
It’s no secret by now that the x900 series printers suffered
from more severe clogging problems than any
previous generation of Epson printers. There are several things
on these new printers that have been done to address this issue. Epson has built into the printers a
comprehensive set of self-cleaning routines. While many people on the forums
have complained about the most rudimentary self-cleanings
that previous models had, this is a kind of shortsighted thing
to take arms up against. Anyone who has suffered through a serious clog can
attest to the fact that much more expensive ink goes down the maintenance tank
than is used to keep the problem from happening in the first
place.
The SureColor P series will activate itself several times during
the day if left unused and do a short quick
head clean. The control panel will light up and the pump can be
heard doing a small cleaning. And every
24 hours it will initiate a standard cleaning cycle, this is actually a
parameter that can be set in the menu but I feel is best to leave at the default.
If roll paper has been placed in the printer or the black ink has been changed
over and a nozzle check has not been run, the printer will do so automatically.
These are all beneficial changes in the programing of the printer. There has
been much debate over whether or not it is best to leave the printer on or turn
it off between uses. These changes make me believe it truly is better to leave
the printer on.
Improved Ink Set that
Pops
The most significant improvement in this series of printers
however is in the actual ink set that they print with.
Epson had indicated that the black inks would be blacker and
that they had worked on the Yellow ink, a weak link in almost all printing
technologies. A simple look at the profiles supplied with the printers shows
this to be a major advancement, even over the 12 ink system of the 9900. The
narrow pedestal of the black part of the profile of all previous models has
become a sturdy base of darker blacks and more substantial dark colors around
the spectrum. the advances in the yellows not only extends the yellow itself
but adds significantly to the reds and greens that the printer is capable of
rendering. I am truly excited by this.
At the current time, I have not found any third party paper
companies that have updated their sites with profiles for these new machines,
the P600 and P800 are showing up so it’s just a matter of time. In our studio
we make custom profiles for all our papers any way and we have noticed an
improved gamut across the board.
In conclusion I feel
these printers are a significant step forward for Epson.
Reviewed by John Zax, Lotus Color, Oakland CA
