What is the difference between the Epson solvent printer and Mutoh, Mimaki, or Roland?
Epson is cleverly not calling it an eco-solvent printer. Eco-solvent has so many pros and cons, that it is wise not to get into this mess. But at both ISA and FESPA Digital, most industry analysts commented that the new Epson ink had the same chemicals as the ink for Mutoh, Mimaki, and Roland. Perhaps the worst poisonous heavy metals were removed, but otherwise, everyone I spoke with said it was the same ink as all the other printers. If this is even a comparable ink, then it does require ventilation. One ink chemist told me at ISA ’08 not not many chemists who knew what was in this ink would dare have one in their office, and definitely not in their home. If you compare the features of the printer itself, you quickly see that it has the same features as a Mutoh printer (such as the heater system). You can already buy a Mutoh printer from resellers that know the signage market for years. Indeed Mutoh offers you the choice of mild-solvent (Spitfire Extreme) or eco-solvent (Rockhopper Ex
