Printing with Epson Media Installer

With the SureColor P9570SE and P7570SE high speed aqueous series printers, Epson has introduced a new architecture to help users get the best performance out of their printer when using different media.

The Epson Media Installer (EMI) allows users to specify exactly which settings they’d like to use for each media type with options for Platen Gap, Paper Suction, Top and Bottom Margins, Paper Feed Offset, and more. The convenience of the EMI is that you can set all of these parameters via an easy-to-read computer interface and then push it out to the printer. Using the EMI compares favorably with limited functionality that is available from the control panel on older printers.

In order to install the EMI, you’ll need to select the “Drivers and Utilities Combo Package Installer” from the driver section of the Epson website (P7570, P9570).

To change the parameters for one of Epson’s provided Media Types, the first step is to duplicate a default media type, and then edit the copy. EMI’s interface is quite minimalist, and all the options are available via icons at the top of the list of media types.

From left to right, the icons perform the following actions: duplicate, edit, delete, download, upload.

In the example below, I duplicated Epson’s provided media settings for “Std Proofing Paper 240”, changed the platen gap setting from Default to 1.9mm, unchecked “Paper Size Check”, and zeroed out the default -0.02 roll paper feed offset, and renamed the Media “SPP 240 (Testing)”.

This is now the media name appearing on my P7570 control panel.

Also, third party media makers like Hahnemuehle will provide Epson EMY files along with their ICC profiles. These can be directly imported into EMI by clicking the icon to the right of the trash can.

In addition to providing more extensive controls with a better interface, Epson has also simplified syncing up with the driver settings. In the Photoshop print dialog, by “Printer Settings” button, the following dialog box comes up. Instead of having to tell the driver what media you are using, the driver defaults to “Use Printer Settings”. As long as your control panel says the right thing, you are good to go.  Previously, if for example you were using Standard Proofing Paper, you would have to tell the driver you were using Proofing Paper White Semimatte – understandably, a little confusing.

Lastly, Epson is continually updating their Media settings. By selecting the Media Download tab, you can see what’s new. In this example, it looks like Epson has updated their Exhibition Fiber media settings and added Backlit (High Density). If I were using either of these media, it would be time for me to update my media and take advantage of whatever improvements Epson has devised.

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