Epson Stylus CX4600, Stylus CX5200, Stylus CX6400, Stylus CX6600, Stylus C64 Technical Brief
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Epson DURABrite Inks are an evolving pigment-based ink technology rst introduced in the Epson Stylus C80 ink
jet printer. DURABrite Inks are optimized for plain and matte papers, yet the newest formulation of DURABrite Inks
(currently featured in the Epson Stylus C66/C86/CX4600/CX6600) adds improved printing on glossy papers—especially on
the new DURABrite Ink Glossy Photo Paper. DURABrite Inks are featured in the Epson printers and all-in-ones designed
for dedicated productivity.
DURABrite Inks are water-, smudge-, and fade-resistant on all supported papers—plain, matte, and glossy. They are the
ideal solution for printing everyday text and image documents, yet also offer the exibility to print photos. DURABrite
Inks are useful where high quality, long-lasting output is desired.
This technical brief will provide detailed information on the goals and advantages of DURABrite Inks.
Goals of DURABrite Inks
DURABrite Inks are comprised of pigment-based inks. The goal of DURABrite Inks is to provide superb print quality,
water-resistance, and fade-resistance on a variety of media, including plain paper. The key differences among
conventional pigment ink, conventional dye ink, and DURABrite Inks are:
Key Differences Conventional Pigment Ink Conventional Dye Ink Epson DURABrite Inks
Characteristics
Color Gamut
Comprised of insoluble
pigment particles
Formed from color-forming,
water-soluble molecules
Comprised of insoluble
pigment particles
Poor Excellent Excellent on Plain and
Matte Papers; Very Good
on DURABrite Ink Glossy
Photo Paper, Good on other
glossy papers
Lightfastness
Water-Resistance
Media Selection
Pigment particles sink into
the valleys of the paper.
High scattering and uneven
light reection result in
reduced color gamut.
Excellent
Inks have excellent lightresistant properties.
Excellent
Pigment particles are
insoluble.
Poor
Not conducive to plain
paper printing due to poor
output quality on that
media; generally limited to
Coloring is high because ink
dyes the ber of the paper.
Light reects evenly off the
surface producing a superb
color gamut.
Fair to Good
The dye inks are dependent
on special paper to resist
.
fading.
Good
Inks are water-resistant on
many glossy photo papers
but not on matte papers.
Excellent
Widest media selection:
Plain, Matte, and RC (Resin
Coated) Photo and High
Gloss papers
Ink remains near the surface
of the paper so there is even
light reection, producing
an excellent color gamut.
Excellent
DURABrite Inks are
extremely light resistant,
even on plain paper.
Excellent
Inks are water-resistant on
a wide variety of media,
including plain paper.
Excellent
Wide media selection: Plain,
matte, and glossy papers
signage media
Epson Sales Training 09/2004
Advantages of DURABrite Inks—Wide Media Selection
DURABrite Inks are optimized for plain and matte papers, yet also produce quality results on glossy papers. The
newest formulation of DURABrite Inks produces improved output on glossy papers with the use of black ink in
addition to the three color inks. Epson’s new DURABrite Ink Glossy Photo Paper is specically optimized for use with
DURABrite Inks and delivers long-lasting color prints that are resistant to smudging and fading.
DURABrite Inks are compatible with a variety of papers, including1:
Matte Surface Papers Glossy Surface Papers Specialty Media
• Plain Paper
• Epson Premium Bright White
Paper
• Epson Photo Quality Ink Jet Paper
• Epson Matte Paper Heavyweight
• Epson Double-Sided Matte Paper
• Epson DURABrite Ink Glossy
Photo Paper
• Epson Glossy Photo Paper
• Epson Premium Semigloss Photo
Paper
Note: The Epson Premium Glossy
• Epson Photo Quality Ink Jet Cards
• Epson Ink Jet Transparencies
Photo Paper is not compatible with
DURABrite Inks
Advantages of DURABrite Inks—Durable Output
With its special formulation of pigment inks, DURABrite Inks offer water-, smudge-, and fade-resistance on all
supported papers, including plain paper. They have greater durability properties than conventional dye-based inks.
1. Water- and Smudge-Resistant Prints: Conventional dye-based inks are comprised of color-forming molecules
that are absorbed into the paper or captured in the coating of RC (Resin Coated) papers, much like a watercolor
paint. DURABrite Inks consist of insoluble pigment particles, much like an oil paint, that “rest” on the paper’s
surface. Although conventional dye-based inks are water-resistant on specic glossy photo papers, they do not
have water-resistance on matte papers. DURABrite Ink is water-resistant on glossy, matte, and even plain papers:
Conventional Dye-Based Ink
DURABrite Inks
Conventional dye-based ink particles
are absorbed into the bers of plain
paper and are soluble in water.
DURABrite Inks pigment particles “rest”
on the surface of plain paper and are
insoluble in water.
The water- and smudge-resistant properties of DURABrite inks prevent accidental damage caused by moisture
and spills. Many competitive printers use a water-resistant pigment black, but DURABrite Inks are the only ink
system that is pigment-based for black and color printing.
With competitors’ inks, only black is
water-resistant
2. Fade-Resistant Prints: DURABrite Inks are faderesistant2, so cherished photos and important
DURABrite Inks have water-resistant
properties for black and color
With pigment-based DURABrite Ink, even if the outer
surface fades, color remains within the particle
documents will stand up to harsh outdoor sun or
indoor lighting. What’s more, DURABrite Inks have
high fade resistance even on plain paper.
DURABrite Ink Technical Brief Page 2
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