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Giclée Prints Explained
The Epson 9000
This printer was Epson's first 44-inch commercial proofer and the first system to combine wide format with a 1330x720 dpi [dpi=dots per inch] for photographic output. Great progress over what existed before! Its photographic dye inks provide maximum gamut range, giving amazingly great photo quality.
In addition, the 9000's text and line art rivals an imagesetter, and its 11-nanogram Dual Density Droplet technology and Micro Piezo® six-color ink delivery make for vibrant prints. Epson upgraded and enhanced the inks in this printer to increase the lightfastness rating from seven years up to 26 years ~ a big improvement.
The 9000 does have a few drawbacks ~ especially for printing fine collectible art. Remember the words of wisdom about photo ink dye? Although 26 years sounds like quite awhile, that rating reflects ideal conditions. Sun and fluorescent lights are devastating to photo dye ink. This type of ink is also water soluble, and should be avoided for certain applications.
The Epson 10000
Ah, now this printer is an artist's dream! With the same 6-color inking and high resolution as the 9000, the 10000 is a 100% pigment inkjet printer ~ the first of its kind ~ producing waterproof prints with a lightfastness rating of 200+ years. Now we're talking!!! This printer's upgrades include an intelligent High Capacity Ink System [more output, less cost per print] and metamerism reduction technology ~ giant steps forward for giclée makers.
The 10000 also incorporates a wide gamut range acceptable to the large majority of photographers and artists.The one relevant weak point of the 10000 is in reproducing reds and yellows ~ the original's vibrance simply can't be achieved. It comes darn close, but it's not exact. Hues we can nail. For vibrance we need...
The Epson 9600
First available in 2002, the manufacturer touts this one as a "milestone in pigmented ink technology." The color gamut is huge. Credit its Micro Piezo® 7-color inking and variable four pico-liter droplets. And the resolution is a whopping
2880x1440 dpi!
Epson continues to update its designs: the 9600 offers true border-free printing, dramatically improved mid tones and highlights, reduced metamerism and a new print engine that handles virtually any media. The 9600's Ultra Chrome® ink prints are waterproof [so very important!] and lightfastness rated at up to 100 years.
The cons? Slightly higher cost per print, somewhat slower print engine, relatively difficult paper loading, and a lower lightfastness rating than the 10000. Most artists will choose the 10000 unless there's visible problems with the red and yellow reproduction. For my personal purposes, I have them use only the 10000 or the 9600 in my giclée printing. How blessed I am that these wonderful printers are now available for my use. I can finally afford to reproduce my artwork at a duplication level I can be proud of and can guarantee for a very, very long time!
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