Epson recently introduced the new R2400 13" wide printer. Using the new UltraChrome K3 inkset, the R2400 will allow users to print outstanding color and neutral black & white prints on a variety of media including glossy, satin, matte, and fine art.

What It Will Do

The R2400 can print 4x6 up to 13x19 standard sheet sizes, as well as 13" x 44" long panoramas. It is capable of roll feed, as well as custom size printing up to 44" in length. This printer uses the UltraChrome K3 inkset designed for long print life, brilliant color, and neutral black & white reproduction. It offers borderless printing for 4x6, 5x7, 8x10, 8.5x11, 11x14, 12x12, and 13x19.

Inks onboard include: Cyan Magenta Yellow Light Magenta Light Cyan Photo Black or Matte Black Light Black Light-light black

What is New

The big change comes in the ink. Epson introduces the UltraChrome K3 system in the R2400 and its larger cousins the 4800, 7800, and 9800. Three different black inks are always in the printer. You choose between a photo black or a matte black. Always onboard are the light-black and light-light black. Epson seems to be responding to increasing demand from users, and competition from other big printer makers, to offer a printer that reproduces neutral black & white photography. Traditionally, inkjet printers have been optimized for color printing, and we have always forced, coaxed, and tried to trick them into making nice B&W prints. Hopefully, the new K3 system will make all that hard work a thing of the past.

The Epson R2400 seems like a replacement for the 2200. Literature from Epson shows that the R2400 maintains light-magenta and light-cyan as its "photo" colors like the 2200. Also like the 2200, Epson recommends matte, and fine art papers for this printer. A key difference is that we see glossy paper in the recommended media list. The 2200 often performed poorly with gloss media. The R2400's wide variety of compatible papers means that is should be able to perform many roles for the professional and demanding prosumer user.