Print.IT - issue 50

Epson targets small workgroups with new WorkForce Pro business inkjets Epson has expanded its range of WorkForce Pro inkjet devices with six new models designed for small workgroups. These include three new A3 colour devices (the WF- C8690/8610 MFPs and the WF-C8190 printer); and three new A4 mono devices (the WF-M5799DWF MFP and WF- M5299DW/5298DW printers). All six devices feature the established benefits of Epson’s business inkjet technology i.e. low energy consumption, low environmental impact, low maintenance and economical consumables, all of which contribute to a significantly lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) than comparable laser devices. The WF-C8000 series has been developed for business customers that have a need for both A4 and A3 output but not in the volumes catered for by Epson’s very high yield Enterprise or RIPS devices. In addition to A4 output in colour and mono at speeds of up to 34 pages per minute (ISO 24ppm), with a First Page Out Time (FPOT) of 5.5 seconds, the WF-C8000 is suitable for the printing of larger A3 documents such as leaflets, brochure drafts, Excel spreadsheets, construction site plans, worksheets for classrooms, booklets etc.. It has a maximum paper capacity of 1,835 pages and cartridge yields of up to 11,500 pages (mono) and 8,000 pages (colour). For businesses that only require A4 black and white output, the WF-M5000 series is a valuable addition to Epson’s range. Featuring the highest print yield in its segment (40,000 pages), it is an economical solution for small workgroups with high print volumes. With a cool, non-contact printing process, it also supports a wide range of media. The WF-M5000 series uses at least 90% less energy than comparable laser models, yet still manages to deliver a first page out time of 4.8 seconds. To help businesses make the most of the devices they come with useful tools and software, including Epson Print Admin, Document Capture Pro and Epson Device Admin. Support for the Epson Open Platform lets users add third party solutions such as PaperCut print management software. www.epson.co.uk BULLETIN 8 PRINT.IT 01732 759725 Envelope printing for added impact One of the highlights of OKI Europe’s stand at FESPA 2018, held in Berlin in May, was the Pro9000 Series Envelope Print System. Perfect for direct mail and short-run, variable data printing, the system gives businesses and print shops the opportunity to create eye- catching envelope designs in brilliant colour and/or white (in the case of the Pro9542) in a single pass. It combines an OKI Pro9000 printer with an envelope feeder and conveyer and can print onto a broad range of standard and custom envelopes in sizes from 2.5 x 3.5in to 13 x 15in at speeds of up to 500 DL envelopes in 12 minutes. www.oki.com/eu Your chance to win a Risograph Managed print services provider Midshire is giving artists, illustrators and graphic designers the opportunity to win a RISO digital duplicator, also known as a Risograph. As part of the RISO Roadshow, running from May to October, Midshire is inviting six designers to trial a Risograph for a month and then submit artworks created on the device. The creator of the best sample pack will win the machine. As well as being a high speed, economical method of printing multiple copies of documents, RISO duplicators can be used to create eye- catching prints by printing different colours, one at a time. RISO says its 21 standard inks, including metallic gold, can be layered to create almost any colour. One company making the most of this capability is Glasgow-based RISOTTO Studio, which since 2012 has been using Risographs to create highly designed calendars, stationery and posters on over 80 different types of recycled stock. Studio Director Gabriella Marcella said: “As soon as I saw the kind of work that can be produced on the Risograph, I was hooked on the process. Its ability to layer inks to create vivid patterns with spot colours is so distinctive and cannot be replicated on any other digital print process.” Midshire is a subsidiary of Sharp Electronics Europe. www.risottostudio.com www.midshire.co.uk/ compete-in-midshires-riso- roadshow/ 03300 414 574 Printed memories Ricoh has launched a postcard service to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Research and help people connect with friends and family members suffering from dementia. The fully automated, end-to-end Printed Memories platform enables users to upload a favourite photo and personal message for printing and mailing at Ricoh’s facility in Telford. A donation of £1 will be collected for each postcard sent, with all proceeds going to Alzheimer’s Research. www.printed-memories.com Voice control for AltaLink MFPs Xerox has introduced a new app that allows users of Xerox AltaLink MFPs to copy, scan, print, fax or place a service call via spoken commands. Powered by IBM Watson, Gabi Voice from Gabi Solutions consists of the Gabi Smartbox, which communicates directly with AltaLink MFPs and software- as-a-service offerings. In the interests of security, Gabi Voice only performs functions that are pre-programmed and only begins to listen for pre-programmed commands when the user says “Gabi…”. Initially, Gabi Voice is only available to Xerox customers in the US.