Technology Overview

Print head technology that’s ahead of its time

All new, 9-channel MicroPiezo TFP print head

• Print head designed to handle 9 separate ink channels
  
• One-inch wide, high-performance print head with 360 nozzles per channel
  
• Low vibration meniscus control for highly accurate dot shape and placement
  
• All-new ink repelling coating to reduce nozzle clogging

All new Epson AccuPhoto HD screening technology

• Advanced screening algorithm resulting in prints with superior color and clarity
  
• Maximum resolution of 2880 x 1440 dpi for incredibly sharp text and line art
  
• Extremely accurate, fine blends and photographic transitions

Variable-sized droplet with TFP technology

• Variable-sized droplets as small as 3.5 picoliters to greatly decrease print times while optimizing photographic quality
  
• Exotic Thin Film Piezo (TFP), along with low vibration meniscus control technology, to precisely control the curvature of every ink droplet within each nozzle before releasing it onto the media
  (The result is extremely sharp and accurate placement of ink droplets for class-leading photographic print quality.)

Epson PreciseColor™ manufacturing
In order to ensure consistent printing between multiple Epson Stylus Pro printers of the same model, Epson has enhanced the manufacturing process to include colorimetric calibration. Eliminating the need for internal calibration devices, this system evaluates and adjusts each printer’s performance at the manufacturing stage, producing consistent color output from printer to printer.

Automatic print head alignment technology

• Built-in sensor that reads printed data for highly precise alignment of all color channels
  (aligns both single and bi-directional print modes)

Automatic nozzle verification and cleaning technology

• Built-in sensor that quickly verifies nozzle status without using any media;
  automatically cleans the print head if any problems are found – even partially clogged nozzles

Epson UltraChrome K3 with Vivid Magenta ink technology

Industry-defining, 8-color, pigment-based ink system

• High-density pigments for an extremely wide color gamut
  
• Radically new formulation of Magenta pigments for extremely vibrant blues and purples
  
• Professional print permanence ratings for truly sellable prints
  
• High-gloss Microcrystal Encapsulation™ technology for reduced gloss differential
  
• Superior scratch resistance from improved pigment and resin chemistry
  
• Color that’s stable immediately after printing – no short-term color shifting
  
• Black density up to 2.5 with an L value of 3.9* (depending upon the media)
  *Data based on Epson Premium Luster Photo Paper (260)

Three-level Black ink technology

• Simultaneously uses Black, Light Black, and Light Light Black ink
  
• Significantly improves the printer’s gray balance while eliminating color casts
  
• Delivers outstanding midtones and highlights for a smoother tonal range
  
• Virtually eliminates the metamerism and bronzing of basic pigment chemistry
  
• Enhances the ICC profiling process for ColorSync™ and ICM™ workflows

Automatic, real-time Black ink mode switching
Printers can automatically utilize two different Black ink modes – Photo Black or Matte Black. This innovative solution optimizes the Black ink density for various media types, dramatically improving the final print quality.

The standard Photo Black ink mode can be used for any media type with professional results.  However, for certain Epson media such as Velvet Fine Art, Enhanced Matte, and UltraSmooth® Fine Art, using the optional Matte Black ink mode instead will dramatically increase your black optical density for even better print quality.

Professional media handling

• Versatile media handling — prints on virtually any media type, in roll or cut-sheet format, up to 64 inches wide
  
• Unique, front-loading, straight-through media path through which all media is loaded
  
• Accurate loading of cut-sheet media up to 64 inches wide in a variety of weights, including posterboard up to 1.5 mm thick
  
• Automatic media bar code tracking and identification system for efficient use of roll media
  
• User-adjustable, dual-tension roll media spindle that accepts either 2- or 3-inch media cores
  
• Built-in automatic cutting system that supports most media types
  
• Standard, automatic roll media take-up reel for unattended production of large print runs
  
• Optional, retractable, fabric-based media bin that safely captures multiple prints up to 64x36

Unique printer activity lighting system

•Nine individual, amber LED lights that provide live feedback about ink and printer activity

Here is the Original 11880 Epson UK Press Release:

Epson® launches the world’s first 64” printer to feature a Micro Piezo TFP™ printhead and new UltraChrome™ K3 inkset

The 64” Stylus Pro 11880 is the world’s first large format printer to feature Epson’s latest printhead technology and UltraChrome K3 ink with Vivid Magenta.  It is designed for professionals in the photography, fine art and proofing markets.

17 July 2007 – The Stylus Pro 11880 is the first 64” large format printer from Epson. It includes the latest Micro Piezo Thin Film Piezo™ (TFP) printhead for superior printing performance and is optimised for pigment ink technology. The eight-colour inkset features a new formulation of UltraChrome K3 with Vivid Magenta, widening the colour gamut and further strengthening Epson’s award winning UltraChrome K3 ink as the choice of professionals.  The Stylus Pro 11880 incorporates nine 700ml high capacity individual ink cartridges, with automatic switching between Photo & Matte Black inks, and also ink status LED’s for each cartridge.  The new Gigabit Ethernet interface delivers fast data transfer speeds, coupled with the on-board data processing module. Epson Super Halftone technology, a new screening algorithm, further improves image tone and definition. The combination of features and inkset make the Stylus Pro 11880 the most advanced digital large format printer on the market. 

The new Micro Piezo TFP™ printhead fulfils all the requirements of a professional printer – quality, durability and speed. The nozzle density has increased from 180 to 360 dpi for each colour, the world’s highest for an inkjet printhead using piezoelectric technology.  Epson has doubled the number of nozzles on the printhead, while maintaining the same size of ink droplet and accelerated print speeds.  Despite the microscopic size of its elements, this next-generation Micro Piezo head retains all the advantages of the current printhead, including Variable-sized Droplet Technology.  Meniscus control helps to produce perfectly spherical dots and manages the degree of droplet impact. It also improves the speed of jetting, further enhancing the print speed.

UltraChrome K3 with Vivid Magenta further expands the already wide colour gamut of UltraChrome K3 and is a breakthrough in pigment chemistry. The full inkset includes nine ink cartridges: photo black, matte black, light black, light light black, cyan, light cyan, yellow, vivid magenta and vivid light magenta. The two magenta inks use new high-density pigments that create more vibrant colour, especially blues and magenta, for example those found in seascapes or landscapes.  Both photo black and matte black cartridges are installed at the same time so there is no need to exchange. The most suitable black ink is automatically chosen depending on the media type used.

The UltraChrome K3 ink with Vivid Magenta, enables superb grey balance and precise colour without any colour cast. It also maintains the superior features of the UltraChrome K3 ink such as great colour accuracy of neutral and dark colours, excellent short-term colour stability and smooth tonal gradation from shadow to light. Metamerism is virtually eliminated with this new inkset. The permanent Epson Micro Piezo printhead also offers unrivalled consistency in each print. Every print will be the same as the first, even if the artwork is printed months apart, making it ideal for studios producing limited edition print runs.

The Stylus Pro 11880 is compatible with a wide range of Epson media up to 1.5mm in thickness, including glossy paper, matte paper, matte board, fine art paper and plain paper. It features an automatic take-up reel to support heavy-duty production for improved usability. It will also support flexible paper handling for cut sheet printing from A3 up to 64”. The optional paper basket stores prints cleanly and securely.

Epson is also launching MyEpsonprinter.eu.  The new online portal allows Epson Stylus Pro owners to retrieve up-to-the-minute technical information and monitor the performance of each printer. The secure website allows users to view print job activity, hardware information and historical data, and tracks key performance indicators such as cost of ownership and cost per print. MyEpsonprinter.eu can also be accessed remotely by service contractors to quickly identify the cause and scope of any queries, which saves time and unnecessary call-out fees. 

Martin Johns, Business Manager Pro Graphics, Epson UK, says, “Epson’s leading research and development into pigment chemistry has long set its professional printers apart, and along with its high-quality output, Epson has become widely known as the choice of professionals.  The launch of our new 64” inch printer means that as well as going larger with Epson, quality and productivity is also further enhanced for truly vibrant, first-class output.”

Epson Stylus Pro 11880 key features summary: 

Professional paper handling up to 64” wide
Consistent output with Epson Micro Piezo TFP™ Printhead Technology
High-density Epson UltraChrome K3™ with Vivid Magenta Ink Technology
Standard USB 2.0, and Gigabit Ethernet interface
Flexible paper handling with roll or cut-sheet media from A3 / tabloid up to 64” wide. BorderFree™ roll printing from 10” up to 64” wide
Accepts media up to 1.5 mm thick poster board
Productive printing with built-in automatic media cutting system and take-up reel system
Record information about paper with media bar code tracking and identification system
Superior image processing with Epson Super Halftone Screening Technology
Easy to use and maintain with Auto Ink Droplet Detection System
High-quality printing with maximum resolution of 2880 x 1440 dpi
Nine individual high-capacity ink cartridges – 700 ml
Automatic change from photo black to matte black
Pressurised ink cartridge technology
High-performance print engine speeds
Large 2.5” back lit LCD control panel
Ink status LED system
MyEpson Printer™ network compatible
Stylus Pro 11880 RRP excluding VAT from £9995 – available September 2007

About the Epson Group
Epson is a global leader in imaging products including printers, 3LCD projectors and small- and medium-sized LCDs. With an innovative and creative culture, Epson is dedicated to exceeding the vision and expectations of customers worldwide with products known for their superior quality, functionality, compactness and energy efficiency.
Epson is a network of 87,626 employees in 117 companies around the world, and is proud of its ongoing contributions to the global environment and to the communities in which it is located. Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corp., the Group had consolidated sales of 1416 billion yen in fiscal 2006.