The Big Interview It’s about testing out
the market, making sure we can add value and do something diff erent to what everyone else is doing. We are constantly assessing how we can take our printers to the next level and Epsonise them to give operators the highest print quality consistently with no compromise. That’s always what the Japanese designers have in mind
– Phil McMullin, head of sales commercial and industrial, Epson UK
constantly assessing how we can take our printers to the next level and Epsonise them to give operators the highest print quality consistently with no compromise. That’s always what the Japanese designers have in mind.” Another new printer released recently by Epson is the SC-P20500, which builds on the manufacturer’s presence in the high-quality photo and fi ne-art aqueous printer markets. The new 64in printer includes a number of enhancements such as a 12-colour inkset with orange, green and violet and a switchable black-enhanced overcoat for improved contrast, better tonality and bronzing reduction on glossy media. “What we are trying to do is say to a photographer, if you take a picture with your camera, it’s not a photograph until you’ve printed it,” explains Phil.
Piezo print heads
What makes all of these printers so popular within the sign and graphics industry is the print heads used within them. All of Epson’s printers use Micro Piezo technology. The print heads
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utilise piezo crystals that pulse when electrical signals are sent to them by the printer. Incredibly consistent droplets, both in shape and size, are produced to deliver clear and sharp prints. Other alternative print heads on the market use a heating element to boil the ink, creating an air bubble which ejects the ink through a nozzle, resulting in prints which can be less accurate. No heat on the Epson piezo print head means less stress on the print head and consistent print quality for the life of the print head. Is it any wonder that other manufacturers opt to use Epson piezo print heads whenever possible?
As such, in August Epson is moving from its current home in Hemel Hempstead to a purpose-built premises in Watford called Clarendon Works. This new Grade A sustainable building will utilise 100% renewable energy, single use plastics will be banned, the company’s carbon footprint and energy consumption reduced and many other environmental benefits will be instilled. Epson published its Environmental Vision 2050 statement in 2008 and over the years has adapted its goals in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. This vision sets out Epson’s strong commitment to addressing major societal issues such as decarbonisation and resource recycling. As part of this commitment, Epson made the global switch to 100% renewable energy in December 2023.
The latest generation PrecisionCore piezo print head
A pledge to the environment The concept of Kaizen doesn’t just stop at the printers that Epson manufactures. This philosophy is carried right through to everything from ink cartridges, to packaging, to the buildings that Epson staff work from. 82 years ago, when Epson was founded near to the shore of Lake Suwa in Japan, the company’s founder pledged to never pollute the lake. And it’s this pledge that means Epson is continuously looking at ways to improve the company’s and customers’ impact on the environment – no matter how small the changes.
“We have been conscious of our environmental impact for the last 20 years and actively minimising this, we just haven’t shouted about it,” says Phil.
Limited only by imagination As with every market, the opportunities presented to sign makers are endless and only limited by imagination. Phil encourages PSPs to speak to their media partners and fi nd out how to translate the myriad of options available into profi table revenue streams. “There’s a booming profi table market out there if you can reach it,” says Phil. “If you’re not printing it for your customers, you can guarantee somebody else is.”
With the introduction of various new products in this sector this year alone, it is clear that Epson has belief in the longevity of this market.
Epson’s new Grade A sustainable premises in Watford called Clarendon Works July/August 2024 |39 |
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