May 2008 Epson have launched a new Photoshop Plug in.

This is available as a free download and will support a limited number of previous Epson printers:

Epson Stylus Photo 1400
R1800
R1900
R2400
R2880
Stylus Pro 3800

The new Epson Print Plug-In will be available as a free download from Epson Europe.

It supports Mac OS 10.4.3 – 10.4.10 (Tiger), Mac OS 10.5 (Leopard) and Windows XP SP2 and Vista.

23rd May 2008 – Imaging specialist Epson has today launched an innovative new print plug-in for the Adobe Photoshop family of products that provides users with enhanced functionality and flexibility, making colour-managed printing quicker and easier. Engineered specifically for the popular Adobe Photoshop CS and Elements products, Epson designed the software to meet the needs of the users of its Stylus Pro 3800 and its A3+ printers, including the new Epson Stylus Photo R2880. Mark Robinson, Senior Product Manager at Epson UK commented: “The new Epson plug-in provides an invaluable tool for the keen photographer, allowing them to increase their efficiency when printing a wide variety of projects. “As an independent resource, the Epson Print Plug-In allows users to switch easily between its interface and Photoshop. This allows them to add images to the multi-image print easily and keep temporary images for reprint even if the plug-in window is closed. For many users, this functionality is highly valuable and could significantly enhance productivity.” The Epson interface splits the printing workflow into three steps; image selection, layout selection/definition and printer settings and previewing, making the printing process simple and efficient. The window of each step is modular and can be minimised to optimise space on-screen. The layout function automates the layout process, allowing users to select from three layout types; template, index and free layout, which can be arranged over multiple pages. Over 170 templates, ranging from credit card sizes to A2 are available as standard and users can even create custom templates and save them for regular use. Once the layout is selected, images are simply dragged and dropped into the template and can even be cropped as needed. Colour management can be automated for both direct colour management using the printer driver, and ICC profile-based colour management. Users can also specify their own ICC profiles for specific print media. The preview function provides a fast and easy way to proof the final print layout before printing begins.

Epson's A3+ printer line gets an upgrade with the Stylus Photo R1900.

This incorporates new UltraChrome Hi-Gloss2 Ink technology for enhanced colour gamut, better skin tones and improved glossy finish.

The new system replaces the blue ink (of the 1800) with orange, in addition to modified magenta and yellow pigments. The printer also features a new LUT (look up table) developed in conjunction with the Munsell Colour Science Laboratory.

The Epson Stylus Photo R1900 is priced around £400

Download PDF Brochure

Epson Stylus Photo R1900 with groundbreaking technology for smoother images and colour control

Incorporating revolutionary colour processing technology and UltraChrome Hi-Gloss2 Ink, the Epson Stylus Photo R1900 offers a new level of quality for photo enthusiasts, who demand the big picture.

03 October 2007 – The Epson Stylus Photo R1900 incorporates the latest developments from Epson to provide durable, superior quality, Hi-Definition photos up to A3+ on a wide range of media. It includes groundbreaking image processing algorithms to manage colour combinations and ensure beautiful prints. It also features a new formulation of Epson UltraChrome Hi-Gloss Ink technology. UltraChrome Hi-Gloss2 represents the evolution of photographic printing, offering a wider colour gamut, natural skin tones and consistent colour with a smooth gloss finish.

In addition to cyan, magenta and yellow inks, UltraChrome Hi-Gloss2 features matte black, photo black, red, orange and gloss optimiser. The new orange ink replaces the blue ink previously used with UltraChrome Hi-Gloss. It allows Epson to offer significant enhancements in colour reproduction for natural skin tones. Output also features more vivid oranges and an expansion in the red colour gamut. The magenta and yellow inks have been reformulated and contribute to accurate blue and green tones. The resin coating of the gloss optimiser and colour inks has been redesigned to create even smoother and glossier prints. The individual ink cartridges mean only the colour that is used needs to be replaced.

The eight-colour inkset featured in the Stylus Photo R1900 creates a staggering 18,446,774 trillion colour combinations. To calculate which combination should be used to deliver the tones and colours required for the images, Epson has developed new Look Up Table (LUT) technology in partnership with one of the world's leading centres of colour science, the Munsell Colour Science Laboratory of the Rochester Institute of Technology. In conjunction with the Micro Piezo print head the Epson LUT technology decides how much of each colour is used to translate a RGB source file into a print. The mathematical algorithm effectively optimises colour matching to ensure the printed image is consistent with the original photograph. The end result is prints with smooth gradations, reduced graininess, wide colour gamut and low colour inconstancy*; all of which combine to create clear and beautiful, Hi-Definition photographic images.

Other printing technologies in the Stylus Photo R1900 include Epson's Variable-sized Droplet Technology. The smallest droplet of 1.5pl is used for areas where fine detail is required and bigger droplets where larger blocks of colour are needed.

The flexibility of the Stylus Photo R1900 is further enhanced with its increased media support. It will print onto glossy, matte and fine art paper in cut-sheet and roll format. It prints directly onto printable CD's and DVD's. For printing photos without a computer photographers can connect their digital camera or picture viewer using Pictbridge. The comprehensive software package includes Epson Print CD and Epson Creativity Suite including Epson Easy Photo Print, FileManager, Web to Page and Camera RAW Plug-in.

Mark Robinson, Senior Product Manager, Epson UK commented, "The new Epson Stylus Photo R1900 is a truly advanced printing system that is easy and fun to use. The extensive research and development required to develop Epson Micro Piezo inkjet printers and ink technologies is fully illustrated in the launch of the Stylus Photo R1900. The UltraChrome Hi-Gloss2 Ink works in harmony with the Epson LUT technology and Epson paper to deliver outstanding photo quality for sale, for display and for archiving."

Epson Stylus Photo R1900 key features summary:

Print Hi-Definition durable photos and album pages on various media up to A3+
Achieve vivid colours and natural skin tones with Epson UltraChrome Hi-Gloss2 ink
Advanced colour processing for smooth and accurate colours with Epson LUT technology
Achieve a range of photo finishes with Epson glossy, matte and fine art papers in cut-sheet and roll format
Personalise inkjet printable CDs and DVDs Prints are lightfast for 80 years** on Epson Premium Glossy Photo Paper
Borderless printing at a resolution up to 5760 x 1440dpi for stunning Hi-Definition photos
Print photos on A3+ at 1440 x 720dpi (Photo Mode) in only 106 seconds***
Efficient printing with individual ink cartridges, only replace the colour used
Enhanced connectivity with Dual Port USB 2.0 Hi-Speed
Bundled with sophisticated photo software including Camera RAW plug-in for Creativity Suite for fast, easy printing of camera RAW files
Epson Stylus Photo R1900 RRP including VAT £399.99 – available November 2007

Specifications (from Epson)

Print technology
Printing method	8-colour inkjet photo printer, Epson Micro Piezo™ print head
Nozzle configuration	1440 nozzles/180 nozzles per colour (Photo black, matte black, cyan, magenta, yellow, orange, red, gloss optimizer)
Droplet size	1.5pl (minimum) with Variable-sized Droplet Technology with Ultra Micro Dot™
Ink system	Epson UltraChrome™ Hi-Gloss2 ink

Print Resolution
Print resolution	Up to 5760 x 1440 optimised dpi on suitable media using RPM (Resolution Performance Management)

Print Speed
8x10" Photo bike image on A4 size	64 seconds Note that print speeds may vary depending on print conditions

Standalone connectivity
Interface	USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed) Dual port for PC and Mac connection
PictBridge	Yes

Paper Handling
Paper handling	Automatic sheet feeder Roll paper holder (Supported width A4, A3+) Fine Art Paper holder CD/DVD printing slot
Capacity	120 sheets (A4 plain paper); 30 sheets (A4 Premium Glossy Photo Paper)
Media size	A3+/SuperA3/B, A3, 12x12", B4, A4, A5, A6, 11x14", 20x25 cm (8x10"), 11x17", 13x18 cm (5x7"), 10x15 cm (4x6"), 16:9 wide size, 9x13 cm (3.5x5")
Media weight (cut sheet)	64-90g/m2 for plain paper, Premium Glossy Photo Paper is 255g/m2
Media thickness (Auto sheet feeder)	0.08 mm-0.27 mm
Print margin	0 mm top, left, right and bottom – via custom setting in printer driver. Otherwise 3 mm top, left, right, bottom
Supported media (selection)	Premium Glossy Photo Paper, Premium Semigloss Photo Paper, Glossy Photo Paper, Archival Matte Paper, Enhanced Matte Paper, UltraSmooth Fine Art Paper, Velvet Fine Art Paper, Watercolour – Radiant White, Matte Paper Heavy Weight, Double sided Matte Paper
ICC profiles standard	Yes

Ink Cartridges
T0870	Gloss Optimizer
T0871	Photo Black
T0872	Cyan
T0873	Magenta
T0874	Yellow
T0877	Red
T0878	Matte Black
T0879	Orange

Operating Systems
Operating systems	Mac OS 10.2 or later with USB Windows 2000/XP/XPx64/Vista

General
Dimensions	Storage: 214x616x322 mm (HxWxD) Printing: 415x616x797 mm (HxWxD)
Weight	12.0kg without AC cable/bundled ink cartridges
Noise level	5.0dB (according to ISO7779 pattern with Epson Premium Glossy Photo Paper/Best Photo mode)
Memory buffer	256kB
Bundled software	Epson Creativity Suite incl. Epson Easy Photo Print, FileManager, Web to Page, Camera RAW Plug-in for Epson Creativity Suite, Epson Print CD

Electrical specification (UK spec)
Power consumption	Approx. 20 W during printing (230V) Approx. 4,0 W in sleep mode (230V)
Voltage	AC 220-240 V
Energy Star	Energy Star qualified printer

Environmental conditions (operating)
Temperature	10-35°C
Humidity	20-80% Relative Humidity

Warranty
Warranty	Standard: 1 year repair or replace. Optional: extension to 3 years

This product meets the strict ENERGY STAR guidelines set by the European Commission. Epson is a global manufacturer committed to protecting the environment for future generations by offering a range of ENERGY STAR products. This is achieved by significantly reducing electricity usage, which saves energy, money and the environment, without compromising quality.

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