Epson SureColor S50600 and S70600 - Multilayer

The Epson SureColor S50600 and S70600 support multilayer printing. The corresponding settings are available in the Print Module > Printer Settings > Printer tab.

Bilayer without media rewind

The SureColor S50600 and S70600 can print two layers on top of each other in a single pass. These layers can be made of colors, silver (only for the S70600), or white ink. The print heads are divided into two sections with space in between for drying. The first section prints the first layer, and the second section prints the second layer.

This printing mode eliminates the need for a media rewind process, and the underlayer is not rolled up before the next print. However, the drying time of the ink between the two layers is reduced, as is the printing speed, which is halved.

CalderaRIP only enables bilayer printing if one layer uses "Colors" inks and the other uses "white" or "metallic silver" (for the S70600 only). Available combinations are selected in the resolution field, and the following resolutions represent bilayer printing.

• "Colors" represents the chosen mode (CMYK, CMYKcm, CMYKO, etc.).
• The order in which white, silver (only for the S70600), and colors are written shows the layer order. For example, if white is written first, it will be printed first with a colored layer on top. Using the same principle, 1440x1440-colors+white indicates a resolution of 1440 by 1440 with two layers: a colored layer followed by a white ink top layer.

• Resolutions with only white and silver ink (for the S70600 only) print the white layer under the silver layer in one pass (no rewinding).

    Warning

  To use this functionality, you must select Color (and Spot) in the printer settings.

Considerations for S70600 users

• Resolutions containing three components (white + colors + silver) print the white layer, then the second layer containing mixed silver and color ink (reversed for colors + silver + white).
• "Silver+colors-mixed" mixes the colored and silver inks, allowing the user to use them in the same layer.

• The SureColor S50600 and S70600 allow mixing inks, including white, by default. CalderaRIP has chosen not to implement this function for the following reason: Mixing CMYK and white is used to create a colored underlayer, but using two different images (one for the underlayer and one for the image) is not possible with this configuration.

    Warning

  When using this mode, you must use the device's white pinch rolls and place them under the marks (black rectangles) one centimeter from the media's edge.

Multilayer with automatic media rewind

The SureColor S50600 and S70600 have an automatic media rewind function that enables printing of multiple layers in the same area. CalderaRIP has configured its print settings so that you can rewind the media up to four times. You can set the number of rewinds and the inks used in the printer configuration window.

The second part, from "Top Layer 2" to "Under Layer 2," manages multilayer.

The printer automatically rewinds the media between each layer to prepare for the next one.

Specifically, the layer names are not important; only their order is decisive. The first layer is Under Layer 2, and the others are stacked on top of it. Additionally, when a layer is deactivated, the algorithm disregards it, ensuring there is no time lost between two active layers.

Each layer can have one of the following statuses:

• None: The layer is deactivated.
• Colors (and spot): For this print, a bilayer print will be done depending on the chosen resolution.
• Colors (and spot) reversed: For this print, a bilayer print will be done with its layers reversed, depending on the chosen resolution. See the following chapter for information on color and spot use, as well as color and spot reversed use.
• Colors only: Color layer only.
• White: White layer.
• Metallic: Metallic silver layer (only on the S70600 driver).

To use the multilayer with the automatic rewind printing option, first set up the parameters for each layer. Then, close the settings window before launching the print.

Colors (and spot) use in multilayer

This chapter explains how to use colors and spot colors, as well as spot colors reversed:

S50600	S70600

These two statuses enable bilayer printing. "Spot" refers to the white or silver ink (only for the S70600) chosen in the resolution, such as white+colors or colors+white.

The Colors (and Spot) Reversed option changes the order of the two layers. If the chosen resolution is White + Colors, the printer will first print the colored part, followed by the white layer.

These statuses use multilayer and bilayer prints without rewinding at the same time.

Mirror mode

For each layer, you can choose to print it normally or in mirror mode. Mirror mode creates a horizontal symmetry of the image.

All layers are in Normal mode by default, and each layer's mode can be changed independently to Mirrored.

The mirror feature is typically used with transparent media when you want to be able to read text on both sides. (The print will be CMYK-white-CMYK, with one CMYK layer mirrored.)

Use Examples

Please see the examples below that are often used. "Configuration 2" allows for more rewinds. While it may provide better drying and allow for more ink per layer, misalignment is possible due to the multiple rewinds. Therefore, these configurations are generally not advised.