Page 32 - Print21 Jan-Feb 2022

Revolution in Print
New markets
new solutions
Pioneering print systems developer Epson has label presses designed to enable print businesses to exploit the evolving market opportunities.
No-one can doubt Epson’s role in the revolution of print. Its wide format inkjet systems enabled the rapid uptake of CTP a
quarter of a century ago, which would have been impossible without the proofing prowess that they provided. Since then the company has been
a major player in print technology development, and in other areas from which it leverages knowledge. It is, for instance, one of the world’s leading developers of industrial robots. Epson manufactures all the components
of its systems itself, underpinning
its technological drive, and its proprietary PrecisionCore print head technology – for which it has just built an entire new factory – forms the basis of its printing systems.
That technology is designed to enable print businesses to capitalise on new printing opportunities, one of which is in labels. The latest research from analysts MarketsandMarkets says that the labels market will grow by 30 per cent over the next five years, with on-demand short-run labels growing the most of all. To address this market Epson has its SurePress.
The Epson SurePress range has been designed for label converters seeking to move into the digital age, either
for the first time or as an expansion, with the systems providing, it
says, enhanced customer service, marketability and operational profit.
Presses combine digital image processing with the latest ink and drop-on-demand print technologies for flexible production with print quality. They produce labels on a wide range of industry standard substrates, without the need for special coatings or pre-treatment. SurePress comes in either aqueous or UV versions, with the UV press more suited to those looking to print on
a wide range of substrates and add different effects, while the aqueous version is aimed at those looking to enter the short run labels market.
PrecisionCore: technology
on the Epson SurePress L-6534VW
They are particularly suited to medium, short and ultra-short length jobs where, according to Epson, they offer rapid and cost- effective turnaround. Epson says they deliver a premium product with low running costs, minimum maintenance, and low downtime.
The L-6534VW is the UV version, while the L4533A is the aqueous press, which also comes with a white ink version, the L4533AW. Epson uses its proprietary Nozzle Verification Technology (NVT) and automatic head maintenance on the presses to minimise operator interventions.
As the L-6534VW label press supports a wide range of label applications, including food and beverage, the labels it produces are also weather resistant. Durable labels on industrial products are a key target market.
Standard features for the L-6534VW include corona treater, web cleaner, ioniser and additional UV curing kit for increased ink adhesion on difficult substrates, all of which combine to help the press provide the highest level of versatility in print production.
According to Epson the PrecisionCore linehead is the key behind the high performance and
reliability of the SurePress. On the L-6534VW each of the six lineheads are comprised of PrecisionCore print chip modules (printheads), delivering what Epson says is precise quality with accuracy and high resolution.
It says smooth and natural gradation and colour tone, from highlight to shadow, can be reproduced with 600 x 1200 dpi resolution, using
a minimum droplet of 3 picolitres and Variable Sized Droplet Technology.
Epson says its PrecisionCore linehead, the “highly accurate” web feeding technology, and Epson- developed UV ink, enable high-speed printing up to 50 m/min with “high reliability and reduced down time”. It says the L-6534VW saves time on every job with its many automated and efficient productivity features.
Epson says its own LED UV pinning system semi-cures and stabilises, controlling ink spread for finer tonal gradation, sharp images and vivid colour. UV light is applied immediately after each colour is printed. This allows “perfectly round drops to be placed in their correct positions”.
The L-6534VW has the Epson digital varnish ink. A gloss or matte finish can be printed selectively as
a varnish. High value and appealing accents can be added to lift the visual appearance of specific areas. The different finishes are achieved by changing the way the digital varnish is jetted from the printhead.
Epson says this means brand owners now have digital flexibility with spot varnishes. Digital varnish delivers smooth and even gloss, matte and spot finishes. The auto gloss varnish control function enables the appropriate amount of digital varnish to be applied to select areas according to the amount of WCMYK ink. The company says this achieves a smooth, even and glossy finish.
The single-pass, high-opacity, white ink provides “high-density performance” equivalent to screen printing and the ”ideal base layer”
for printing vivid colour on clear or metallised substrates. The bright white ink also gives the ability to print opaque, fine text and lines, even when printing clear labels for clear packaging. It offers the flexibility to print white on top of colours.
Clear film can be printed with colour ink first, followed by white ink using a printing method that allows you to view the results from the back of the film – reverse printing. 21
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Epson manufactures all the components of its systems itself, underpinning its technological drive.