Epson – Machinery Manufacturer Spotlight

Epson can trace their roots back to 1942 as a maker of precision watch components near Lake Suwa in Japan — this legacy drove the company to pioneer compact, efficient technologies like the world’s first digital printer (EP-101) in 1968.

1984 saw the launch of the SQ-200, the first commercial Epson inkjet printer for business use. It became the standard in offices, with lower noise and faster print speeds than most monochrome text printers.

In the 1990s, Epson transformed the printing industry with its proprietary Micro Piezo printheads with piezoelectric materials and micrometre-scale precision that could control ink flow, an inkjet innovation that brought superior quality to domestic and industrial printers that goes unmatched today.

At the heart of Epson’s current wide-format printing solutions are the advanced PrecisionCore printheads—true robotic marvels of microengineering. With ultra-thin 1μm piezoelectric actuators, these automated assemblies choreograph microscopic ink droplets with sub-micrometre displacements.

Whether printing signage, textiles, packaging, or décor, PrecisionCore’s choreography of inks achieves seamless, high-fidelity output on rigid or flexible media up to 5.2m wide—perfect for large-format printing.

Inks

Epson uses specially formulated ink sets like the UltraChrome UV, UltraChrome GS3, and UltraChrome RS inks.

These provide vivid colours, superior quality, and media flexibility for various applications with proprietary ink circulation/heating systems to maintain ink quality.

Quality is further enhanced with Epson’s latest PrecisionCore Micro TFP printheads, which use advanced micro-screening and halftoning to reduce graininess and banding for photorealistic output.

Printers

Epson’s wide-format printers include the SC-R, SC-V, and SC-S series.

The SC-S and SC-R series have the widest media compatibility, spanning wall and floor coverings, window graphics, soft signage, outdoor media, banners, wraps, and decals. The only thing they won’t print is rigid materials, but that’s where the SC-V series comes in.

The SC-V range prints rigid materials, including cardboard and plastic signage at scale, for a one-stop solution for displays.

Epson SureColor SC-V7000

UV flatbed printers don’t come finer than the SC-V7000 with its UltraChrome UV 10-color ink set and 2.5m x 1.25m print size for stunning results.

White ink enables printing on a wide range of products as a base layer on coloured media or for creating versatile backlit prints.

The varnish feature offers flexibility, too, as it can be applied all over the image or as a spot colour to accentuate specific textures and effects.

Epson SureColor SC-R5000

The SC-R5000 is a large-format printer with water-based and odourless resin ink, ideal for sensitive graphics and environments.

Epson’s halftoning, fully optimised lookup tables (LUT), and Micro-Weave technologies work together to reduce graininess and banding.

The fully controlled heating and curing technology and long-life PrecisionCore Micro TFP printheads ensure reliable colour consistency throughout the entire print run.

Innotech partnered with Epson UK to produce a collection of seven key products printed on the SC-R5000

Epson SureColor SC-S40600

Precision and accuracy are the hallmarks of the SureColor SC-S40600 bulk ink signage printer. It brings the class-leading AD-ATC system and sophisticated media feeding to the table for fast and accurate film, vinyl, and canvas printing.

PrecisionCore TFP printheads and UltraChrome GS3 inks have excellent clarity with a high-quality Precision Dot mode to further enhance quality.

Epson SureColor SC-S80600

The SC-S80600 is a signage printer with the same class-leading AD-ATC system as the SC-S40600 but with a more robust media feeding system and dual Epson PrecisionCore TFP printheads for unrivalled accuracy.

The UltraChrome GS3 with red inks deliver outstanding output with highly accurate colours on clear film, vinyl, canvas, and photographic paper, and you can maximise productivity with automated printhead maintenance and an ink mist collection system.

Manufacturing information

Epson’s HQ is in Suwa, Nagano, Japan, with factories in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines — these factories have Platinum status, meaning they hold the highest and best social and corporate responsibility ratings.

There’s also an Epson ink manufacturing plant in Telford, England, serving as the company’s European site for cartridge and bulk inks.

Innotech supplies a complete range of wide and grand-format print materials for Epson printers, including rigid, flexible, and display materials from roller banners to high-tack vinyl. Browse our complete range of digital print media here.