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This technical brief provides detailed information on the core technologies used in Epson printers and all-in-one
printers.
Print Quality—Core Printing Technologies
The core technologies used in Epson ink jet printers work together to produce award-winning print quality, and
each component is equally important in delivering exceptional print quality.
Epson MicroPiezo® technology
Produces precise ink droplet size
and placement
High Resolution Printing
High resolution allows the printer
to produce greater detail in photos
and sharper text and line art
Epson’s core printing technologies work together to produce
brilliant Photo Quality color, sharp text, and incredible print speeds
Small Ink Droplet Size
Small ink droplets produce
smoother gradations and greater
tonal control
Epson Papers
Epson papers are designed to receive
Epson inks and offer the optimal
output quality
High Quality Halftoning
Generates fast, color-accurate
results with smooth transitions and
true photographic image quality
Epson Inks
Epson innovates ink solutions
tailored to the needs of specifi c users
instead of offering a one-size-fi ts-all
ink solution.
Detailed information on each of these core printing technologies is on the following pages.
This combination of core technologies used in Epson ink jet printers produces:
Greater detail in highlights,
without visible printed “dots”
Greater detail in shadows, with
higher optical density and contrast
Smooth gradations with
precise color control and
Better fi ll in solid areas
superior density
Crisp line art
Epson Sales Training 5/07
Crisp text
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1. Epson MicroPiezo Technology: Epson Micro Piezo print heads use high-precision mechanical pumps to
Piezo Crystal
Deformation
Ink
Nozzle
Droplet
Ink
Resistor
Bubble
Nozzle
Drople
t
produce ink droplets, and no heat is involved in printing. Here’s how it compares to thermal ink jet technology,
used in other ink jet printers:
Epson MicroPiezo Technology Thermal technologies
Mechanical method:
Precise electrical pulses
cause the ink reservoir wall to
defl ect inward, projecting ink
through the nozzle.
Epson’s MicroPiezo technology results in consistent
ink droplets without satellites (unwanted ink spray)
Heat method:
Heat produces a vapor
bubble in the ink reservoir
which expands and is
ejected through the nozzle.
Some thermal printers produce more inconsistent
droplets with satellites and misting.
or misting.
2. High Print Resolution: Resolution, which is generally measured in dots
per inch (DPI) is an important factor in achieving print quality. Epson
printers are unique in combining very small, variable-size ink droplet
Effect of Print Resolution and Small,
Variable-Size Ink Droplets
sizes with high resolutions to precisely print crisp details in photos
and laser sharp text. Also, Epson’s variable ink droplet sizes and high
resolutions combine to improve color ranges and accuracy because Epson
printers can use halftone algorithms with more color combinations and
smoother color gradations.
3. Small ink droplet size: Most Epson printers produce ink droplets so small
you cannot see them with the naked eye. A smaller ink droplet allows
the printer to produce a greater number of different colored “printed
dots” because a wider range of tiny droplets can be combined to create a
Gradations and blends become
smoother as resolution and droplet
control are increased
larger color palette. Additionally, smaller ink droplets produce less visible
printed dots, especially apparent in the lightest areas of a photograph.
Epson printers use Variable Size Droplet Technology, where the printers can produce a number of different ink
droplet sizes. The size and number of droplets varies by model, but offers these benefi ts:
• Different ink droplet sizes can be combined to achieve more tone representations
• The smallest ink droplets can be used in the low-density or highlight areas, reducing the visibility of printed
“dots”
• Large ink droplets are used in dense coverage areas to improve print speed
With this technique, Epson printers can produce high print quality without sacrifi cing print speed and without
having to increase the number of nozzles on the print head.
Smallest ink droplets produce smooth photos, especially
benefi cial for highlights and detailed areas
Variable sizes combine to achieve
more tone representations for
smoother gradations
Ink Jet Printer Technical Brief Page 2
Large droplets are used in dense
coverage areas allowing Epson to have
fast print speeds without increasing the
number of print head nozzles
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4. Ink System: Epson offers a
Increasing Brand Strength
variety of ink systems to meet
every printing need. Whether the
customer is most interested in the
everyday printing of documents
and the occasional photo, is an
amateur photographer looking to
primarily print photos with stellar
image quality and durability, or is a
professional photographer staking
his reputation on breathtaking large
format prints, Epson has the right
ink for the job.
Additionally, unlike competitive
printers tht require special or
optional inks, with Epson printers
there are no added costs for
optional cartridges, and you never
have to swap an ink cartridge to
get sharp black text, superb photo
quality photos, or both on the same page.
You can fi nd detailed information, comparisons, and FAQs on the Epson ink sets in the Ink Solutions
document.
5. Epson Papers: In general, Epson printers will deliver their best output quality when used with Epson papers.
Epson papers are designed in conjunction with Epson printers and genuine Epson inks so when all three
elements are present and used, the best possibly print quality is achieved.
• The Epson printer driver optimizes ink density based on the resolution and type of media selected
• Epson printers are designed to produce their optimal print quality using genuine Epson inks on Epson
papers
• Epson ink jet papers are specifi cally designed to receive Epson inks.
Fine
Art
Pro
Advanced
Amateur
Photo Enthusiast
Chief Memory Offi cer
General Purpose
®
Epson Printer + Epson Ink + Epson Paper
Delivers Epson Quality
6. High Quality Halftoning: Every ink jet printer uses a method referred to as halftoning, that places ink droplets
to create printed “dots” in various patterns so you see continuous tone color. Epson printers use a halftoning
module that produces fast, high-quality, color-accurate output. The Epson printer drivers use an advanced
error diffusion technology to determine the most effi cient pattern for applying ink droplets to the page, based
on the content, selected output quality, and paper type.
Epson, Exceed Your Vision, MicroPiezo, AcuPhoto Halftoning, Claria, Epson UltraChrome K3, Epson UltraChrome Hi-Gloss, and PictureMate
are registered trademarks or trademarks of Seiko Epson Corporation. DURABrite and Chief Memory Offi cer are registered trademarks of Epson
America, Inc. Other product names used herein are for identifi cation purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners. Epson
disclaims any and all rights in those marks. Specifi cations subject to change.
©2006 Epson America, Inc.
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