6 minute read
LABELS & EVENTS: EPSON COLORWORKS C4010
Epson ColorWorks C4010: just the ticket for On-Site event registration
Innovative approach boosts event registration
Print continues to play a significant role in events, from signage to pop up displays and brochures to booklets. Recently, a New Zealand company has taken another event must have, the registration name tag, to a new level, using a mix of software and the Epson ColorWorks C4010 colour label printer.
In 2022, Morgan Thomas founded his company, On-Site, after he saw the opportunity to create a more efficient event registration and check-in system.
His company has put an end to the days of attendees queuing around large registration desks, and organisers employing additional staff to print badges that display incorrect names and details. On-Site offers a user-friendly self-service check-in solution that makes event registration quick, accurate, and painless.
The former global head of events for Datacom has 20 years’ experience in the event industry. He says, “Like others in the industry, I was sending work away to have labels and name tags made, and I saw a gap in the market for what was available.
“We already had the software solution, but we needed a hardware solution to match it. We looked for a compact, high quality printing system and we found the Epson ColorWorks C4010, which we now have integrating with about 14 software solutions. That is 95 per cent of our identity badge delivery. We also have some old school thermals.
“Our first printer arrived in August 2022, the first one to arrive in New Zealand. We deal directly with Sektor, an Epson distributor, which has been amazing. Dirk Spoelstra at Sektor takes good care of us. As far as instructions on learning how to operate the printers, Sektor went above and beyond. The team there always ensures stock is where we need it within 24 hours. Sektor has been a big help in our business.
“For identity badge printing at events, we have a mix of four issues: size, weight, durability, and print quality. The Epson ColorWorks C4010 fulfils all our requirements.
“Right now, we have over 20 Epson ColorWorks C4010 printers that we move all around the world. They need to be tough and lightweight. Although we send the machines to sites out of New Zealand, we don’t have to be there; we do all the maintenance and updates remotely.
One of the great things with the Epson ColorWorks C4010 printers is how we can run them 24/7.”
Quality and reliability
Epson says the ColorWorks C4010 printer’s PrecisionCore TFP printhead technology delivers ultra-sharp text and precise barcodes. It produces varying droplet sizes that, coupled with a 1200dpi x 1200dpi resolution, can produce a huge gamut of vibrant, accurate colours, smooth gradations and fine image details. This enables On-Site to produce complex informational labels or high-quality product labels.
Morgan says, “In terms of print quality, it produces a photo-realistic print for our identity badges. We also provide the freedom to reprint and adjust as required. This type of bespoke delivery places a focus on ease of use for the event attendee. We can supply biodegradable paper stock, synthetic roll stock, adhesive label and sticker stock, as well as wrist bands.
“The machine is so feature-rich. It has allowed us to scale the business and to deliver the equipment without our staff at the event. For our customers, the delivery makes sense cost-wise; they don’t need four to six staff handing the name badges. For an event of up to 2000 attendees, they only need only one staff member. For larger events, we can scale up without too much issue and where requested, we can deploy one of our staff, but most customers can do it themselves.”
Expansion ahead
After two years, On-Site can look forward to continued growth with 100 events already booked for this year. Morgan says, “We were the first to truly fill the gap in the market and we have already expanded the business into the digital side, covering pre-registration right through to onsite deployment.
“As we continue to scale up, the biggest challenge is financial planning and forecasting. A lot of enquiries arrive six to eight weeks before an event. Managing freight, logistics and planning is the biggest hassle.
“Since the Covid-19 pandemic, things have changed in relation to time frames. They have become shorter, and that trend is continuing. The latest industry insights show 48 per cent of registration happens in the last four weeks and 24 per cent in the last week. To reduce that stress, using our services, we can create a name tag in under a minute. Most of the time, event attendees have the registration forms on their mobile devices, so they only have to hit the submit button to print the badge.
“Once an attendee has gone through their registration, we have many add-ons such as access control scanning and event Apps. We are avoiding facial recognition, instead tracking badges as they walk through control points. The AI technology coming through offers interesting opportunities for us.”
He advises that anyone looking to startup and grow a similar business would need back-end knowledge. He explains, “It is essential that you possess that wealth of knowledge because you will need to integrate all the software, the hardware, and the management.
“I absolutely love my job and I know how lucky I am. As an event geek, you get to learn every facet of the business, but there is a reason that event manager is always in the top 10 of most stressful jobs. In any other workplace if you can’t meet your deadline, you can push it out, but you can’t do that with an event.”
Gain high print quality and durability from the Epson ColorWorks C4010
The Epson ColorWorks C4010 offers a range of innovative features in a compact and easily transportable chassis. Epson lists the printer’s key features:
• Reliability from Epson’s legacy of engineering solutions for demanding applications; backed by industry leading service and support.
• Exceptional image quality delivers crisp photo-quality images; up to 1200dpi resolution with variable droplet sizes.
• Seamless integration sees it compatible with ZPL II, major middleware, SAP, Windows, Mac and Linux.
• Compact, robust design includes dust and water-resistance for high-duty-cycle environments, making it ideal for commercial use and smaller workspaces.
• Wi-Fi connectivity option enables printing from compatible devices.
• Low cost in comparison with existing thermal transfer printers.
• Durable, high-quality labels that meet BS-5609 certification.
• Remote printer management so you can manage large fleets over the network.
• Enhanced productivity eliminates the need to preprint with speeds up to 100mm per second giving a fast time to first label.
• Easy to operate, it features colour LCD screen; automatic nozzle verification technology; Windows driver; fast media; and ink loading.
