31 Jan 2024

Epson debuts SurePress and ColorWorks solutions at Labelexpo

Epson debuts SurePress and ColorWorks label solutions at Labelexpo 2023 Hall 9, Stand A50.

Epson will debut its recently extended range of SurePress label presses at Labelexpo in Brussels, 11-14 September 2023. This is the first time the L-4733AW — a major upgrade to the SurePress 4000 series — will appear at a trade show in Europe.

It will be shown alongside the SurePress L-6534VW, which is available with CMYK and white ink plus either orange ink or in-line digital varnish.

Building on the renowned success of its industry-leading predecessor, the SurePress L-4733AW short-run label press offers a combination of quality, consistency, repeatability, and higher speed print modes. Using Epson’s newly improved AQ4 ink-set — CMYK with green, orange, and white — it delivers a wider colour gamut and precise colour matching on a greater variety of substrates. It also offers simplified, automated maintenance features designed to maximise uptime with minimal operator intervention, meaning a faster, more efficient, reliable workflow and shorter turnaround times.

The SurePress L-6534VW will also be shown in combination with an inline GM DC330 Mini all-in-one compact label finisher. Built to optimise productivity, the SurePress L-6534VW delivers print speeds of up to 50 meters per minute for high volume production. Being able to finish inline offers a complete end-to-end, high quality solution which significantly reduces overall production time on longer runs.

Also debuting at Labelexpo are Epson’s new cloud enabled ColorWorks label printers. This follows a partnership announcement between Epson and Loftware, the world’s largest cloud-based enterprise labelling and artwork management provider. By connecting to the systems of enterprise businesses across multiple locations, cloud enabled ColorWorks printers are meeting the rise in demand for high-productivity colour labelling solutions in the chemical, pharmaceutical, electronics, automotive, aerospace and retail sectors.

Epson will also demonstrate an innovative automated labelling application using two ColorWorks printers, a smart camera, and an Epson robot. It showcases a medical industry application requiring bespoke labelling of different size drug containers. The automated process eliminates human handling, which is necessary for certain medications, and also any potential human labelling errors.

Other stand highlights include a demonstration of Epson’s new prototype RFID printer. The first of its kind, the printer produces colour, on-demand RFID labels which offer significant benefits over black and white counterparts, such as easy differentiation between products and the ability to clearly highlight information.

Marc Tinkler, Head of Product Marketing, Commercial & Industrial, Epson Europe says: “Epson’s SurePress range of label presses has a worldwide reputation for quality, reliability and versatility. We’re excited to return to Labelexpo and to be able to demonstrate our new L-4733AW in person. We continuously develop our technology and this significant upgrade to our SurePress 4000 series is testament to our unwavering commitment to the evolving needs of our customers.”

Further information:

SurePress L-4733A/AW

The SurePress L-4733A/AW is a significant upgrade to the 4000 series. The 4000 series is widely recognised for delivering high levels of quality and reliability and is unique in using water-based ink that can print on both paper and film substrates.

With the SurePress L-4733A/AW the AQ ink system has been further developed to offer improved wettability, offering several advantages, such as improved image quality and colour stability. This allows label converters and commercial printers to achieve higher productivity and dependable performance on a greater variety of substrates.

It uses a CMYKOG ink set, offering a large colour gamut for excellent colour accuracy and saturation, and the inclusion of white and uncoated black inks expands substrate flexibility. Newly automated maintenance features further reduce downtime to improve productivity and reliability.

SurePress L-6534VW

The SurePress L-6534VW range of digital label presses deliver print speeds of up to 50 meters per minute for high volume production. Designed for precision, reliability, and stability, these highly versatile presses provide consistent and repeatable results. The innovative drum platen ensures accurate colour to colour registration and dot placement in all print modes and the range features Epson’s LED UV pinning system to control ink spread for finer tonal gradation, sharper images, and vivid colours. Its exceptional colour accuracy and consistency provides increased revenue opportunity across a broader range of applications.

Epson UV inks print on a wide variety of paper and film substrates and offer low running costs and high productivity. The touch panel interface simplifies operation, and Epson’s proprietary Nozzle Verification Technology (NVT) and automatic head maintenance reduces wastage and minimises manual intervention by the operator.

Configuration
L-6534VW standard configuration is CMYK plus a high opacity white with either:

  • In-line digital varnish that can be printed selectively or overall to give a gloss or matte finish.
  • Orange ink for an expanded colour gamut. Using CMYK plus orange ink and a high-opacity white ink included as standard, means spot colours can be reproduced more accurately.

Loftware and Epson cloud enabled label printing

Epson’s partnership with Loftware brings important benefits for customers by allowing them to move their labelling into the cloud. Using cloud-enabled Epson ColorWorks printers, businesses can print colour labels on-demand, efficiently and quickly without missing production and shipping deadlines. Waste is reduced by eliminating leftover and unused label stocks when a label’s format changes and customers can use low-cost standard blank label stocks.

Benefits include:

Scalability: Easily add or remove printers as needed. Ideal for businesses with fluctuating label printing needs or experiencing growth. Start with one printer locally and grow globally.

User-friendly interface: Simple to set up, customise and manage printing tasks.

Remote access from anywhere: With cloud connectivity, access and manage label printing tasks from anywhere. Convenient for businesses with multiple locations or remote employees.

Decreased label inventory cost: Eliminates label scrap due to design changes. No need for ordering an extra 10% of pre-printed labels.

Centralised control: Manage and monitor multiple printers from a single interface ensuring consistency of label printing across an organisation. Eliminates need for individual software installation on each device.

Reduced IT overhead: Less need for on-site maintenance and troubleshooting.

Highest level of security: Print directly to local devices without security risks.

Print directly from ERP/WMS: Integrates seamlessly with other systems such as inventory management or e-commerce platforms.