Exclusive: Voices of drupa 2024 -Epson Middle East (CISMETA)

In conversation with Anke Brandts, Manager Product Management – Commercial & Industrial, Epson Middle East (CISMETA)

Can you share your thoughts on Epson’s participation in drupa 2024 and what this event means for the company?

Since the last drupa, eight years ago, a lot has happened in the world and digital technology has developed further. We are using this platform and the uniqueness of drupa to showcase how Epson has reinvented itself and moved away from old analogue towards a more sustainable digital inkjet future.

At the show, Epson is demonstrating the full capabilities of its commercial and industrial digital inkjet range – from large industrial label presses, wide format direct-to-fabric, dye-sublimation and signage machines to smaller, compact devices, designed for high quality colour printing on a wide variety of materials and substrates.

The pursuit of ever greater efficiency, compactness, and precision that Epson has embraced for many years goes well beyond just technology. ‘Efficient, compact, and precise’ or “Sho-Sho-Sei” as known in Japan, encompasses an enduring philosophy of eliminating waste, reducing dimensions, and increasing precision.

What is the main vision behind Epson’s theme “changing the model for localised production” at drupa this year?

People are looking for more personalised, bespoke products; produced where they live and work. On the stand, Epson is showing how our newest digital printing technologies can help businesses produce high quality, colourful, and uniquely designed printed products at the point of demand.

How has Epson extended its new product design concept across multiple platforms, and what are the key improvements seen in the 64-inch print format?

The design of the new products follows Epson’s pursuit of ever greater efficiency, compactness, and precision. More information on the new products will be released later in the year.

Can you discuss the new industrial SurePress labeling concept and how it strengthens Epson’s leadership in the label press market?

Epson has a strong commitment to provide innovations in the Aqueous and UV ink label market; delivering higher quality, more automation, and increased productivity. Further information about the new product will be revealed at a later stage.

What makes the new Monna Lisa 13000 direct-to-fabric printer a significant addition to Epson’s product lineup, particularly in terms of sustainability and print quality?

The Monna Lisa ML-13000 is an innovative textile printing solution that requires no additional equipment for pre and post treatment, steaming, and washing. The new direct-to-fabric printer comes equipped with three types of pre and post processing chemicals (pre-treatment, over-coating, and density enhancer) in addition to seven colour inks. This makes it possible to integrate pre and post processing in a single step printing solution and contrasts with other conventional textile printers that require separate processes.

How does the new SureColor F10000 with jumbo roll enhance productivity and efficiency for dye-sublimation printing?

The Epson SureColor F10000 allows productivity of up to 255 m2/hour, and the optional jumbo roll enables higher continuous productivity through fewer roll changes; 300 kg jumbo roll vs. 60 kg standard rolls.

What are the latest Epson printers designed for the personalization and micro-production market, and how do they cater to the needs of small back offices and retail spaces?

As mentioned earlier, people are looking for more personalised, bespoke products; produced where they live and work. Epson enables small businesses and retail spaces to start and expand with multiple applications on a wide variety of substrates that can be personalised. From photos produced on the SureLab printers D1000 and D500, to t-shirts printed on the SureColor F1000; and promotional items like golf balls, luggage tags, pens, and magnets to name just a few, printed on the SureColor V1000.

Can you explain the benefits of the hybrid DTG/DTFilm SureColor F1000 and the A4 UV flatbed SureColor V1000 for the personalization market?

The hybrid DTG/DTFilm functionality across our DTG range, allows customers a higher productivity as they can use the same printer for large images using the DTG setting and batch logo printing using the DTFilm setting.

SureColor V1000 is Epson’s first small-footprint UV flatbed printer for the promotional goods industry. The SC-V1000 offers small businesses a compact and affordable way to produce high-quality images on a wide range of substrates. It can print directly on a wide range of substrates with a thickness of up to 70 mm, including acrylics, polycarbonates, PVC, aluminium, metal, polyester, foamboard, styrene, wood, and stone.

How do Epson’s Edge Color Lite and Edge Print software enhance the capability to manage distributed printing with high quality and consistency?

Epson EDGE print is our RIP software that customers can use to easily produce print jobs with the perfect settings for each printer. Together with its colour management plug-in Epson EDGE Color Lite it can drive our colour measuring device SD-10 with the automated scanning table, securing consistent colour output throughout our whole range of printers.

Can you describe the functionalities of the new SD-10 scanning table and SD-10 spectrophotometer, and how they improve colour management and media profile creation?

Epson’s highly compact and flexible SD-10 portable spectrophotometer is designed to enable better ink performance and ensure precise and predictable colour reproduction. The introduction of the SD-10 Automated Scanning Table makes it even easier for users to create ICC media profiles for Epson Edge Print and create superb colour profile on various media using Epson printers. In addition, the solution enables customers to verify and calibrate Epson print output.

What are the key components of Epson’s product reconditioning program, and how do they contribute to a more sustainable business model?

The Product Reconditioning Program is currently under investigation in Japan. With the program, Epson is aiming to extend the life of the printer for the benefit of the user.

Can you elaborate on Epson’s Dry Fibre Technology and its potential impact on sustainable fashion, as demonstrated by Japanese fashion designer Yuima Nakazato?

With the Dry Fibre Technology Epson is stepping into the recycling segment. Customers can do recycling on-site in their office, reducing waste and time, saving water, and lowering their carbon footprint. In addition, they can securely destroy sensitive information. Dry fibre for textile is still in its concept phase.

How does Epson’s focus on localised production and point-of-demand manufacturing address current industry trends and customer needs?

As mentioned earlier, people are looking for more personalised, bespoke products; produced where they live and work. Additionally, there is a demand for less waste and lower logistic requirements. Epson is providing solutions to produce the right product, at the right time and the right location.

What are the key messages and takeaways you hope visitors will leave with after experiencing Epson’s booth at drupa 2024?

At this year’s drupa, Epson is showing a wide variety of stunning products that illustrate how our printing technology encourages creativity and allows businesses and individuals the creative freedom to realize their dreams working with numerous materials and surfaces.

From colourful custom-designed t-shirts, photos, phone cases and coasters, to golf balls, surf boards, deck chairs, towels, car wrappings; beautifully designed wallpapers and labels as well as imaginative home furnishings and fashion.