Epson partnership with Central Saint Martins results in push to digitisation

Print Solutions

As a result of its close two way working collaboration, Epson has installed a Pro scanner at world renowned Central Saint Martins, UAL, with its 5000 students. This new scanner will be accessible daily to students in a range of courses including fashion, graphics and photography.

Housed in the retouching and scanning room of the photography department it will be used for scanning prints and negatives.

‘The scanner is a great tool for our workflow from analogue to digital,’ said James Barnett, technician in the photography department. ‘We will use the scanner to convert hand prints from the darkroom to digital files. The transparency adapter enables us to scan large batches of film, including the ability to scan large format negatives such as 5 x 4 inch and 10 x 8 inch. This will greatly increase the efficiency and speed up the workflow in this area.’

Central Saint Martins (CSM) was already using the Epson V700 and V800 A4 scanners but the new larger professional level scanner will extend the work that can be handled and improve the productivity and turnaround times.

The university’s technology line up today in the textiles department includes the latest dye sublimation printer (SureColor SC-F9300), a direct to garment printer (SureColor SC-F2100) and an A3 scanner (Expression 12000XL).

CSM was an Epson equipment user even before the partnership was created last year because it recognises the quality, versatility and creativity benefits. The partnership includes educational projects, facilities access and information and promotional exchanges to the mutual benefit of both parties.

Phil McMullina, sales manager for Epson UK, said: ‘Epson is proactive in its links with education. It is not just about placing kit in colleges but about working with the colleges to extend the knowledge of the students and to enable them to learn new skills and push the boundaries of design and creativity to their limits using our products. It is a mutually advantageous scheme.’