On Monday September 23rd, 2019 in Las Vegas at Pack Expo:
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| Epson C6000 Launch at Pack Expo |
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| Epson C6000 Launch at Label Expo Europe: |
Epson launched a new series of 4, on-demand color label printers to
their ColorWorks lineup; The C6000A (4” version with Automated Cutter), C6000P
(4” version with Peel/Present), C6500A (8” version with Automated Cutter), and
C6500P (8” version with Peel/Present). Read
the Epson press release here:
Epson Press Release:
https://news.epson.com/news/colorworks-c6000-series-color-label-printersLearn more here on the Color Label Solutions page:
https://colorlabelsolutions.com/epson-c6000-and-c6500-color-inkjet-label-printers/
Epson page:
According to Epson, the C6000 series are the first color label printers
designed to replace black-only thermal transfer printers. Epson American has dubbed
them, “The Tough Guys”.
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| Epson C6500P |
Having worked with these printers briefly, I see the following
capabilities that make the C6000 series great new additions to the on-demand
color labeling world.
First, the C6000 series offers up to 1200 x 1200 dpi resolution;
providing high resolution, print output comparable to preprinted labels. Higher print quality has been one of the
missing elements from earlier printers, especially in the wider print widths.
Second, Epson has decided to offer the C6000 series at a very
affordable price; under $4,000. From
$2,580 for the C6000A to $3,980 for the C6500P (all preliminary pricing).
With an 8” wide version at this price, we see a real fit with many of
our customers.
Third, the C6000P and C6500P come with a Peel
and Present capability, making labeling easier to do for operators. Now, operators
can send a large batch print job; and then pull each label from
the printer already peeled. No other
color label printer offers this capability.
Watch the Peel/Present function here:
Fourth, the C6000 offers Remote Printer Management, enabling
organizations to manage fleets of printers.
Checking consumable status, updating firmware, confirming errors, etc.
is possible from a central location using the C6000 series of
printers. No other color label printer
offers this capability.
Fifth, the C6000 enables integration with ZPL
(Zebra Print Language). This capability
enables organizations to use the C6000 as a “Plug & Play” option
for applications normally reserved for thermal transfer printers. Users can upload images that would
normally be preprinted; and then send the same ZPL to print colorized labels on
demand. Learn more about how I did this
process using the C7500:
Further, the C6000 series integrates with SAP “out-of-the-box”.
Sixth, the C6000 offers I/O capabilities to enable integration into
automated workflows. Now, automated
label applicators can be built to integrate these color label printers;
especially with the “First Out”, Peel and Present capability in the C6000P
and C6500P. No other color label
printers offer this combined capability.
Together, the third, fourth, fifth and sixth capability discussed here make
the C6000 series a good option for thermal transfer printers; especially thermal
transfer users with a large number of preprinted labels in inventory. These customers can print labels on-demand
versus keeping them in inventory. According
to Victor Gomez, Group Product Manager for Color Labels at Epson, “the ink
costs of printing labels with the C6000 are less than or only slightly more
than using a thermal transfer ribbon; especially after the increase in resin prices.”
According to Andy Scherz, senior product manager, Commercial Label
Printers, Epson America, Inc. “The new family of ColorWorks on-demand label
printers provides an easy transition for customers looking to make the switch
from black-only, thermal transfer printers, with similar media handling
capabilities, speed, features, and connectivity options.” With the launch of the C6000 series, thermal
transfer users should consider moving to these new, on-demand color label
printers.
Seventh, the C6000 printers now come with both MAC and Linux print
drivers. Over the past several years, a MAC
driver has been a very frequent request.
Many graphic designers use MAC’s; and now they can print labels directly
from their MAC Books.
Eighth, the C6000 offer “Spot Color Replacement”
option. Now in the C6000 driver,
operators can easily change the RGB color without changing the original
artwork. Further, advance users will be
able to upload ICC Color Profiles. ICC
Color Profile is a set of data that characterizes a color input or output
device, or a color space, according to standards promulgated by the
International Color Consortium (ICC).
No other desktop or benchtop color label printers offers this
capability.
Ninth, the C6000 series comes with the same durability and reliability
seen with both the C3500 and C7500 printers.
Further, Epson service offers both Spare in the Air (SITA) and On-Site
warranty; making these printers easier to use and to keep running.
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| LX2000 Color Label Printer |
Combining
the points one, seven, eight and nine make the C6000 series a great alternative
to the LX900, LX910, LX1000, and the LX2000 from Primera. In the past, Primera printer’s higher print
quality has made them a good option; even with their higher ink costs. Read my earlier comparison of the C7500 to
the LX2000 here: https://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2017/09/lx2000-vs-c7500.html
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| LX900 Color Label Printer |
Also, ink costs for the new C6000 printers are lower than Primera
printers. According to Jacob Kalleris,
Product Manager for Epson Europe, “Current Primera customers will save a significant
amount of money for ink by moving to the new C6000 printers.”
In addition to alternatives to thermal transfer and Primera printers,
the C6000 series printers offer users of other label printers a good
option. The most obvious replacement target
for the C6000 are users of the C831 printer.
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| C831 Color Label Printer |
The C831 has performed well for chemical manufacturers to produce GHS
labels. Now the new C6500 (P or A
depending on the requirement for peel and present), makes printing GHS easier
to do (i.e. clearing any potential jams) and produces higher resolution print
quality. Plus, users will save money on
their labels as the C6500 doesn’t require pin-feed media. Moving to the C6500 from the C831 should be
an easy decision for most users.
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| C3500 Color Label Printer |
Besides the C831, certain users of the C3500 should consider upgrading
to the C6000P. The C6000P will offer
higher print quality, peel & present and Fleet Management capability. With these three advantages, many C3500
printer users should upgrade to the C6000.
Overall, the new C6000 and C6500 label printers offer users
several very key benefits. If you
currently use the C831 printer, a C3500 printer, one of the Primera desktop
printers (LX900, LX910, LX1000, and the LX2000) or a thermal transfer printer
who wants to colorize their print output, consider upgrading to one of the new
C6000 printers. Epson says we can begin
shipping the C6000 printers by January. Watch
our store for when we start taking orders for the C6000 printers:
Shortly, we will receive a demo C6000 printer; therefore, look for more
testing commentary from us.
If you are interested in learning more about the C6000 printer for your
operation, contact us. We look forward
to working with you to see how these exciting new color label printers fit your
operation.
Guy Mikel
855-962-7670
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