Epson SureLab D860 - Dry-film Minilab

The Epson® SureLab™ series is a versatile range of commercial photo printers. Designed for fast and cost-effective production, they suit a wide range of applications including studio and event photography, in-house ID and brochure production, in-store kiosk and print-for-pay operation. They can produce a wide range of material including consumer and professional photo images, business cards, greeting cards, invitations, awards, menus, order forms, cards, and calendars. Unlike traditional Silver Halide 'wet-lab' technology, they require minimal space, consume very little power, and employ no chemicals. SureLab printers are simple to install, easy to operate, and require minimal maintenance. Unlike competing Thermal Dye Sublimation technology, they are inexpensive to run, easy to load, and provide high durability. Print quality is exceptional and the output format can be adjusted ‘on-the-fly’.

The SL-D860 Dry-film Minilab is designed for low-medium volume production. It can be operated as a stand-alone machine or in multiples for saleable production. It incorporates a high precision Epson Micro Piezo™ Thin Film Print™ (TFP) head that enables accurate and consistent output in resolutions up to 1440 x 720 dpi. It features an upgraded 6-colour ink set that is applied using Variable Sized Droplet Technology (VSDT), for outstanding image quality with an enhanced gamut and dMax. Staying true to the SureLab series, the D860 is compact, relatively light, and requires minimal operational space. It can produce up to 545 prints per hour using cost-effective, roll-based media that comes in sizes ranging between 3.5" to A4, with a variety of surface finishes. The printer ships with a powerful Windows® and Macintosh® driver to enable operation with standard photo and graphic software. It can also be used with optional Order Controller software to provide a full production system complete with costing, image editing, job scheduling, and load balancing.

Quality Results at High Speed

The SureLab range has been designed to facilitate high-speed photo production with superior image quality and control. Printers feature a solid construction, with a convenient roll-based media supply and a fast print engine. When used as intended, they provide durable operation without the cost or inconvenience of periodic maintenance from a specialist. All models incorporate Epson's patented Thin Film Print™ (TFP) heads with self-monitoring micro-fine nozzles that enable high resolution output with consistent and predictable performance. Integrated Variable-size Droplet Technology provides enhanced clarity and half-tone performance with fine image control. Prints are more consistent and feature superior resolution, colour, intensity and gloss levels over alternative technologies such as Thermal Dye Sublimation and Silver Halide.

Epson UltraChrome D6r-S ink was developed specially for the D860. It features an advanced dye-based formulation with an enhanced Gamut and DMax to enable imaging with superior colour and brightness. Image quality is outstanding and prints feature high durability with good light and ozone stability. A media output heater ensures that prints exit dry with a high gloss finish that is resistant to damage through rubbing and moisture exposure.

 

Maximising Business Potential

The SureLab range has been designed to provide maximum production flexibility. They can be used to print standard commercial grade photos in a wide range of sizes, with or without borders. They can also be used to print ID and passport photos. They can even be used to produce premium grade portrait prints, as well as specialist banner and panoramic artwork.

SureLab printers will accept files from many of the common photo editing, graphic design and imaging applications. With appropriate software it is possible to produce a wide range of material including calendars and awards, invite and name cards, product fliers and restaurant menus, and celebratory and event notices. Epson SureLab Paper has been designed to ensure premium quality results. It can be ordered in a choice of Gloss, Lustre, and Matte varieties, in a range of widths to suit different applications, including A4. The D860 includes additional 3.5" media support for production of ultra-small items including passport photos, business cards, and gift tags.

 

Easy Installation with Flexible Configuration

The SureLab range has been designed for simple and easy installation. Unlike competing commercial photo equipment they need minimal operational space, connect to a standard power supply, and do not require special ventilation. They generate minimal noise and can be operated in a wide range of business environments. The D860 supports stand-alone PC operation and connects via a high speed USB 2.0 interface. Multiple SureLabs can be combined for scalability and optionally augmented with additional Epson Large Format photo printers for an integrated production platform covering everything from passport photos up to large canvas prints.

All consumables on the D860 are cartridge based and loaded from the front. It uses inexpensive ink and has a front mounted paper cut waste bin that is simple and easy to empty. The printer features a light and compact design that is small enough for transport to events and has reduced power requirements for operation on cruise ships and in mobile / temporary locations. The printer can be operated on a desk or mounted in a kiosk enclosure2.

 

Easy Operation with Low Maintenance

SureLab printers have been designed to enable easy, low-cost production. All models feature front loaded consumables and use roll media with spindle loading. The D860 ships with one spindle and additional spindles can be ordered separately for simplified media storage with rapid exchange. It has an optional output tray that is adjustable to suit prints with lengths from 5 to 30cm.

SureLab printers are quick to start up and simple to shut down. They require minimum power when operating and have automatic power saving when idle. Unlike traditional commercial photo equipment, they do not require expensive periodic servicing from specialists. Maintenance is simple and can all be done by the operator with easy-to-follow instructions that are presented on-screen. Printers require minimal training to operate and can be driven with a wide range of common workflow, graphic design and photo applications. The D860 ships with a powerful Mac/Windows driver that includes an adjustable colour space for precision premium work.

The D860 can also be driven with optional Epson Order Control software. The software features a simple and functional interface that provides facilities for image upload, editing, job costing, production scheduling and control. When operated with multiple SureLab printers it can be configured to split and balance job loads3. Adjusted images can be saved as a file or output to an optional Epson CD/DVD duplicator. The licensing is site-based, with a single copy able to support multiple SureLab printers. The software can even be used to drive a range of Epson Large Format printers to enable a full production environment for photos, posters and canvas work3.