This is the actual result of what Esther is printing at DRUPA. The quality is phenomenal.

HP offered 4800 x 2400 to top Canon’s 1200 x 1200 and Epson’s 2800 dpi.

Now Epson uses the same concept of “optimized dpi” as did HP for their “4800 x 2400” so each can generate a larger number. Epson multiples its true base dpi to reach a theoretical 5760 x 1440.

Numerology is an age old practice, and seems to have found its niche in inkjet printer advertising claims. Would be helpful to have a written white paper on what optimized dpi really means and how it is calculated relative to nozzle number, nozzle pitch, media feed units, and variable drop size. Whew, there is a lot more to resolution than dpi. If you are curious about dpi in your digital photos and how this relates to dpi in printers, we cover this in Nicholas Hellmuth's course on digital photography, available worldwide, in your home or office, via the Internet.

What will HP and Canon unveil this year? Can they catch up? At some point Epson will come out with a 24” version of their R800 or 4000, sort of a Stylus Pro model 7700 or 7800. A wider model as 9700 or 9800 will impinge on Canon. When they come out with a 60” version, if they can increase speed, then here is serious competition for Roland, Mimaki, Mutoh, as well as what is left of Encad.

Epson has raised the ante twice in a row with their Epson Stylus Pro 4000 and Stylus Photo R800. The gloss optimizer is a great idea: it may eliminate the nagging headache of differential gloss defect on colored inks or bronzing when there are large areas of dark color especially a solid black (on glossy paper with pigmented ink).

The more printers that come out, the more market is created for FLAAR evaluations, reviews, and benchmarking reports. This will be our best year yet.

Esther, of Epson France, shows the capabilities of the Epson R800 at DRUPA trade show in Germany. If this technology is available in a 24" printer it would be awesome.

Epson PhotoPC P-1000 is another milestone in Epson’s triumph.

	Epson seems to have hired every intelligent and clever genius in Japan and Silicon Valley. Their PhotoPC P-1000 is a product that Dell, or HP could have offered, but didn’t. The Compaq iPAQ Pocket PC is the closest (used by Leaf as a viewer for their professional medium format digital back). Fascinating how some companies (in this case Epson) make all the clever decisions, and year after year.
The PhotoPC P-1000 accepts up to 10 GB of images from CompactFlash. With optional third-party adapters you can also add images from SD, XD, Memory Stick, Smart Media and other media cards. Great product but we have not seen any around. Hopefully there will be plenty at PMA. FLAAR covers all these digital camera accessories in our course.

Every several years there is either a new Canon iPF printer or a new Epson or a new HP water-based printer that is made for giclee, decor, or fine art photography. It is hard to keep track of the advances in improved inks and color management features. FLAAR is keeping track by visiting giclee ateliers around the world that have these various brands. Each brand has its good points and a few issues and an occasional deficiency. 

Since FLAAR itself does not sell printers, for you to find out information on prices and availability of each model that can print fine art giclee well, we suggest you contact a company that offers all three brands: Canon, HP, and Epson. This way they are not going to push just one brand because they offer all three. Plus you need a company that has plenty of experience with fine art photographs, photo labs, and giclee atelier. 

The advantage of a place that offers both Epson, HP, and Epson is that they can provide some tips on the differences. If a store sells only one brand or the other, they will understandably push the brand they sell. One value-added retailer that we have visited several times is Parrot Digigraphic. They know each of the brands and models. Contact info is 978.670.7766.