This text will examine the Epson Stylus Professional 4900, introduced within the Fall of 2010, and its predecessor, the Stylus Professional 4880. Whereas the 2 printers share most of the similar options and are able to printing on media as much as 17″ in width, some vital modifications have been made when the Stylus Professional 4900 was launched that ought to profit many customers. Amongst these modifications are the print head, ink set and the pace at which prints might be produced.
Print Heads, Ink, and Auto-Switching Black Ink
The Epson 4900 has a single ten-channel piezo print head that permits auto-sharing of the black ink channel. The Epson 4880 had a single 8-channel piezo print head that compelled customers to have both a Photograph Black or a Matte Black ink put in. To alter black inks, one must drain the black ink line, utilizing greater than $30 of ink to make that change. Whereas the 4900 does have each the Matte Black and Photograph Black inks put in, customers lose not more than $2.00 in ink in the course of the automated change.
The ink used within the Stylus Professional 4900 is the UltraChrome HDR Ink Set. This set consists of the identical eight colours included within the 4880 ink set, but in addition provides an orange and inexperienced ink, along with having each the matte black and picture black ink on board. The full variety of inks loaded on this printer is 11, with 10 getting used at anybody time. The general result’s an expanded shade gamut over the 4880.
The opposite distinction is the capability of the ink cartridges. Cartrdiges for the Stylus PRo 4900 are provided in a single measurement – 200 ml. The inks for the 4880 are provided in two sizes 110 ml and 220 ml.
Media
The Epson 4900 and 4880 can print to the identical kinds of media. Photograph paper, tremendous artwork paper, canvas and specialty media can be utilized. Each printers are able to printing on media that’s as much as 17″ in width. Borderless printing is supported by each printers for the most typical roll widths – 8″, 10″, 16″ and 17″ amongst others.
Pace
The pace at which the Epson Stylus Pro 4900 can print can be a big enchancment over the 4880. The 4900 can produce an 8 x 10 in regular mode (SuperFine – 1440 dpi HS) in about one minute and 30 seconds. A 16 x 20 might be produced in a bit greater than 4 minutes. In the identical print mode, the 4880 produces an 8 x 10 in two minutes and a 16 x 20 in a bit greater than six minutes. Primarily based on this, the Stylus Professional 4900 can print at speeds at the very least 25% quicker than the 4880.
Conclusions
The Epson Stylus Professional 4900 is a welcome improve over the 4880. With a wider shade gamut, capability to auto-switch black inks and improved print speeds, the Stylus Professional 4900 will meet the wants of the skilled photographer and tremendous artwork printer that’s in search of to provide top quality prints which can be as much as 17″ in width.