Epson’s High-Yield Ink Pack System Hits Workgroup Printers

Epson today took the wraps off its new WorkForce Pro WF-C5000 Series, a product line comprised of four new models that borrow from the company’s high-end printers to bring fast print speeds and laser-like quality to workgroup printers. They also require a lot fewer trips to the supply closet for consumables.

Apart from cutting a trimmer figure — more on that later — the new printers offer “a big jump in yield,” said Epson product manager Alan Chen, referring to the company’s Replaceable Ink Pack System. Office workers can expect to print out an estimated 5,000 pages before having to change out the ink packs (pictured below). The new printers allow workers to focus on staying productive, requiring “a lot less intervention and a lot less time you have to spend to go replace the ink,” he added.

Epson's High-Yield Ink Pack System Hits Workgroup Printers

Furthering the company’s aims of minimizing the time users spend maintaining their printers, Epson WorkForce Pro WF-C5000 Series printers can accommodate 830 sheets of paper with an optional second tray and feature automated two-sided printing capabilities.

There are money-saving benefits, too. Compared to color laser printers, Epson’s ink and printer head technology delivers savings of up to 45 percent, the company estimates.

Gripping a bag full of ink in an office setting may seem like a dicey proposition, but Chen assured that Epson’s ink packs can more than stand up to the rigors of the ink replacement process. Though they lack the hard-plastic shells of traditional printer cartridges, the rugged ink packs have been designed with durability in mind, so there’s little chance of them ruining a crisp work outfit or a good pair of khakis, if handled properly.

Epson’s ink packs also exemplify the company’s holistic approach to developing printers for a variety of business environments. First appearing in the company’s higher-end products, WorkForce Pro WF-C5000 is an instance of taking a premium feature “and bringing it to the WorkForce color category” used by small businesses and workgroups within larger organizations, Chen said.

Another technology borrowed from Epson’s enterprise printers is PrecisionCore, a thin film piezo technology inspired by the company’s commercial equipment. In the new WorkForce Pro WF-C5000 printers, it contributes to print speeds of up to 24 pages per minute, both black and color, and a near-instantaneous, no-warmup first page out with sharp, laser-quality text and images.

By shedding 1.4 inches in width and featuring a squatter yet sturdier output tray, the new printers are easier to nestle into tight spaces, Chen added. “Envision this printer sitting in small back offices, maybe kiosks where every inch matters,” he said.

All models feature both wireless and Ethernet network connectivity. The top-of-the-line Epson WF-C5790 (pictured above, $299) and WF-C5710 ($249) can be used to print, copy, scan and fax and include a 50-page automatic document feeder along with Document Capture Pro software.

Epson's High-Yield Ink Pack System Hits Workgroup Printers

For those with print-only needs, Epson offers the WF-C5290 ($249) and WF-C5210 ($169). Organizations with advanced requirements, including PCL and Postscript 3 printing, business application integrations and robust ISV support, will want to consider the multifunction WF-C5790 printer and print-only WF-C5290 model.

Epson’s WorkForce Pro WF-C5000 Series printers are available now through the company’s authorized BusinessFirst reseller partners.

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