Printing technology has made significant strides in recent years. Designed to provide consumers with a more convenient, efficient, and eco-friendly user experience, the print industry is buzzing with the latest innovations, writes Timothy Thomas, Consumer Channel Sales Manager at Epson SA.
Technology is constantly evolving to meet growing market needs and improving how people accomplish tasks – whether at home or in the office – and the print industry is no exception. From systems designed to help users save money on monthly overheads, to innovative ideas that contribute towards a greener planet, printing technology has made significant strides in recent years. Here are just four innovations that have recently made a major impact on the printing industry.
- Ink tank technology – The introduction of ink tank technology caused a shift in the industry that saw printing for small or home-based business become a great deal more cost-efficient and eco-friendly. This ultra-low-cost printing solution is designed to increase print capacity without compromising on quality, with a variety of ink tank options available on the market. Epson, a leading tech brand across the globe, was the first to introduce its EcoTank ITS printers to South Africa in 2014.
The Epson EcoTank range reduces printing costs by up to 90%, and comes with up to three years’ worth of ink included in each box – that’s the equivalent of up to 60 cartridges worth of ink. With the innovative ink tank systems, users can print as much as 14,000 pages in black and white and 11,200 pages in colour before needing to refill. Users welcomed the move, particularly small business owners relying on bulk-printing solutions.
- The rise of 3D printing – Once people mastered the art of two-dimensional printing on flat sheets of paper, the next logical step was of course to create a way to bring those prints to life. Using raw materials such as plastic, metal and glass, 3D printers turn digital files containing 3D data into three-dimension renderings using an innovative ‘layering’ process.
The technology was first introduced in the early 1990s and intended mainly for commercial use, but 3D printers are becoming a lot more affordable to the mainstream market. While their uses are virtually endless, with applications from spare car parts made on demand and architectural design, home furniture, jewellery and novelty items, they could one day even drive the democratisation of industry and their full potential remains to be seen.
- Kinder to the environment – Whatever the scale of digital innovation, there will always be a need for hard copy prints in a variety of environments – whether it’s official documents in the workplace or photographs of your favourite family memories at home. However, there are ways to lessen the impact that printing has on the environment without having to do away with it completely.
For instance, the toner found in laser printers uses tiny plastic particles that are heated up to melting point, a process consuming considerable energy, and limits the recyclability of printed material. Ink tank systems are not only a cost-effective solution, but also help conserve the environment by utilising inks that are easy to break down in the recycling process.
In addition, innovative papermaking systems like Epson’s ‘PaperLab’ (not currently available in SA) allow businesses and government offices to recycle waste paper without using water[, where it would ordinarily require about a cup of water to make just a single A4 sheet of paper. The waterless system also allows businesses to produce paper of various sizes, thicknesses, colours and even scents on-site, optimising the paper delivery and purchasing process.
- Wi-Fi capability – Printers that allow users to connect and print wirelessly are by no means a revelation, but this functionality is still one of the biggest conveniences to happen within the industry. Considering the ubiquity of smart phones and other devices, not to mention the growth in popularity of platforms like Instagram, having a quick and convenient way to print straight from your device makes a world of difference, especially for the busy, on-the-go consumer.
Users can easily connect all their devices to a wireless printer without the use of pesky wires that get in the way, with the added benefit of being able to print from the next room or lounging by the pool across the country. For those who prefer having all their documents, pictures and even event tickets stored on their smart phones in the palm of their hands, wireless printing is one of the greatest innovations to hit the market.
