C4000 Launch

Epson announced this week the new replacement for the 8-Year Old, C3500 Color Label Printer; the C4000.

C4000 Replacement For The C3500

Read about the new C4000 from the Epson press release here.

And the webpage for this new printer.  And overview video here.

This new printer will offer several key features that I believe will fit many of our customer’s applications.  In this post, I’ll review the 5 key features as I see them; and present who should consider this new printer.

5 Key Features

C4000 Improved Print Quality

First, the most important feature of the C4000 compared to the C3500 is improved print quality.  The C4000 will offer up to 1200 x 1200 dpi print; much higher than the C3500 which offered up to 720 x 360 dpi.  More importantly, the C4000 will offer significantly higher print quality than a very expensive, 600 dpi thermal transfer printers such as the ZT610 which can cost over $4,000.  Or even a less expensive, lower dpi printer such as the ZT410:

C4000 Print Quality Comparison

In addition to the improved font print quality (even on plain paper above), the C4000 offers plug and play into ZPL.

Easier to use compare to thermal ribbons; ability to print color codes and images; more durable images; and probably lower ink costs especially compared to resin or resin/wax ribbon costs.

C4000 Remote Device Management

Second, the C4000 will offer Remote Device Management capabilities. For larger, multi-site deployments, device management will save Operations and/or IT time enabling them to Configure all printers, Check Printer Status, Update Firmware and Create Alerts.  This device management capability will save large organizations significant time and money ensuring their label printers are running as required.

C4000 Larger Ink Cartridges

Third, the C4000 will offer larger ink cartridges; 67% larger than the C3500. These larger cartridges will increase the label yield per cartridge; and thus, reducing the number of cartridge changes.

C4000 User Replaceable Cutter

Fourth, the C4000 will offer user replaceable cutters. User replaceable cutter will save users (and us) time and money.  No more sending in a printer to replace the cutter.

C4000 WiFi Capability 

Fifth, the C4000 will offer WiFi connectivity.  No other color label printer we sell offers this capability.  I can see many operations connecting to the C4000 via WiFi.

The C4000 offers other features that you may find of interest (i.e. small footprint, durable ink, etc.), but the 5 features mentioned above will make the C4000 a very valuable tool in your operation.

3 Potential Applications

Electronics Manufacturing Labels

As to whom should consider the C4000, I see 4 key uses.  First, manufacturing operations that need to print high resolution and durable text/fonts. Up to now, most manufacturers used a 600 dpi thermal transfer printer for these applications.  Now the C4000 will save money and produce even higher quality print. Many Medical or Electronic manufacturers would seem to fit into this category.

Color-Coded Labels

Second, manufacturers who want to add color codes or images to their labels.  Or even the combination of colors and images. 

Color and Images

These types of labels maybe important in health care; in compounding and regular pharmacies for example.  For example, pharmacy labels.

On-Demand Color Pharmacy Labels

 The C4000 would print these types of labels and tags easily; and affordably. 

On-Demand Color Badges

Third, tradeshow/registration operations should consider the C4000 for their badges. The higher print quality makes attendee pictures much better for identification and to prevent pass along.  Device management capability makes operation of these devices much easier for larger deployments; such as CES.   

On-Demand Color Food Labels

And fourth, Food Retailers who need to print a simple logo and variable data on prepared meals labels; such as retail outlets. The affordability combined with the Remote Device management capability makes the C4000 a great option to print color labels on-demand in retail stores.

One area that I would not recommend the C4000 is for any manufacturer printing full-bleed labels.  The C4000 uses a similar media handling as the former C3500 printer.  For anyone printing full-bleed, I’d recommend the C6000 series printers instead given the more precise media handling/feeding which makes printing to the edge more precise.

Further, I’d recommend the C6000 series over the C4000 printer to anyone printing circle labels as well.  The C6000 series offers a movable blackmark/gap sensor, eliminating the need for marks preprinted on the labels.  This feature saves money and makes circles easier to print.  

New C4000 Color Label Printer

According to Epson, the C4000 will become available in the Spring of 2022; with a price of $1,750.  Place your advance order for theC4000 printer here .  And ink here. See our main page for the C4000 here. 

Once ordered, we’ll get one reserved for you with Epson.  And be sure to watch for more information from us on the new C4000.

For us, we find new color label printer technology exciting; especially when it replaces an eight-year old printer like the C3500.  If you are interested in the C4000 label printer, contact us to learn more or to place an advance order.

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com