Anyone out there using the new WT7900 that will print white? If so:
1. Can it print on proofing paper as well as other Epson printer such as the 4880? I have been told is was optimized to print on clear and metallic media and does not print color managed proofs on paper as well as the printer such as the 4880.
2. Any other feed back would be appreciated. If we purchase one we will be driving it with a CGS rip.
WT7900 doesn't use the light blacks and the matt black is not on board also (the space is used by the white ink and the 2 cleaning cartridges). Probably this is why there are claims that proofing on paper is not as good as on other models. What I can say is that it was very easy to match Fogras criteria (based on ISOCoated_v2) on a semigloss paper and the customer was very happy with the result. Also, printing is slower compared to other models (half of the printhead is reserved for the white ink even when you print on paper) and a bit more expensive since on shutdown of printer (which is mandatory) 3 or 5 ml of white ink is dispossed.
Have a look here : Epson WT7900,
another thread with the same topic.
From demo and salespersons pitch, not very good for proofing only. When used to its main purpose (white ink), substrates are an issue. Dramatic density losses on clear, worst on ultra-clear and I beleive foil media is still not available. I had an eye on that machine beeing in the flexo industry, but I decided to let the product mature for a while.
On Epson Clear Proof film the results are excellent. Vivid colors, almost opaque white (without adjusting it), excellent gradations. On Tecco clear film the results were poor but I didn't expect anything more. So yes, substrates are an issue if they are not Epson. Keep also in mind that the printing order is important as it affects density, saturation and overall appearance.
Luc, when you say "not very good for proofing only" are you referring to process images on paper? Have you had a chance to compare a proof from the WT7900 using one of your profiles against your present solution using the same profile?
I am in the process of doing that with my CGS representative and am looking forward to comparing the proofs.
WT7900 is excellent for proofing Flexo, have not yet tested others..
Originally Posted by billw@mlode.com
Luc, when you say "not very good for proofing only" are you referring to process images on paper?
We have access WT7900 demo unit. We will have one in the Sacramento offices in a few days. We drive it with using Compose Star Proof, and the Compose team at corporate and our partner developer have had access to this unit for several months. It is a great device, and we have amazing samples to share showing the actual dots, trapping, overprint and pantone simulations - on the clear plastic.
To be totally honest - I have not loaded the PAPER we sell to customer interested in simulating GRACoL, so i cannot speak directly to this.
If you have never heard of Compose Star Proof, here is a link...
I will say that I believe it will print on paper, but because it's missing light black, the it may be that if you are sending greyscale only images (thats is 265 levels, black only) that i would think that the results might not be as photographic - but this is me making a wild guess.
In the blog we speak about and show images of PDF - this PDF has many Pantone colors and has white ink -- for those of you not familiar with such things in a PDF - i attached that white ink PDF to this message - enjoy !
Hope this helps, will share more detail here as I gather it.
Michael Jahn - Slightly used PDF Evangelist
Simi Valley California
While we are a flexo printer, the location that is considering the WT7900 install is really more interested in expressing as many of the pantone colors (as well as accurate process images) over being able to print white on clear.
Any testing been done to see if the removal of the blacks on the WT7900 has compressed the pantone gamut compared to the 4880?
Pantone simulation / Marking Engine, Ink set & Software
Originally Posted by billw@mlode.com
...the location that is considering the WT7900 install is really more interested in expressing as many of the pantone colors (as well as accurate process images) over being able to print white on clear...
Hi Bill, if i am to understand your question correctly - if the location is looking for a proofing solution that simulates Pantone colors on paper, I am not sure I am understanding why they would not look more closely at the EPSON 7900 (as opposed to the EPSON WT7900).
Is this a SUBSTRATE concern - it should not be a thickness issue, they both handle the 12 lb bond up to 1.5 mm posterboard...
O, G, C, Lc, VM, VLm, Y, Lk, LLk + PK or MK - EPSON 7900 - offers a lot of options to get satisfactory simulations of Pantone colors - I just blogged about this here;
When I sais not fairly as good for a contract proof, my main concern was black density. I generally proof simulations for flexo. Black is also an issue on my Epson 9600 and 9800 (reddish black). I believe the WT is a very interesting product, not quite there yet.
When I sais not fairly as good for a contract proof, my main concern was black density. I generally proof simulations for flexo. Black is also an issue on my Epson 9600 and 9800 (reddish black). I believe the WT is a very interesting product, not quite there yet.
I would be very happy to take a PDF file - or set of 1 bit TIFF files - and pass it though the Star Proof application - to see if the black it creates is to your requirements.
I assume that you might understand that I would either need spectro data from the printed piece - or the printed piece. I will ship you a proof from the EPSON 7900, then later - when we have the WT7900 - send you a proof from that.
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Originally Posted by billw@mlode.com
