Epson SureColor S7170 – What You Need to Know
When Epson launched their flagship EPSON SureColor S9170 11-color solvent printer, it was preceded by 18 months of anticipation and excitement. That printer brought a brand-new body style, a new ink set, a replaceable print head—new everything. By contrast, the new 4-color entry-level Epson SureColor S7170 hasn’t made the same splash, but it’s still a very important model. The 64” S7170 might be the most productive and highest-quality printer you can buy on a budget.
The Epson SureColor S Series lineup has reached a fork in the road. One path leads to the futuristic 11-color S9170. The other leads to the S7170—a printer that looks very familiar to the S-Series models we’ve known for the past decade. Which path you choose depends entirely on your needs.
The Epson S7170 uses the proven S-Series platform customers have praised for years. This gives Epson efficiencies in manufacturing, letting them price the S7170 aggressively for the entry-level sign print market. While we don’t yet know the exact MSRP, it’s expected to be about half the price of the S9170. That affordability opens the door for many new customers to join the Epson solvent printer family.
Sign shops shouldn't have to choose between quality and speed—both are essential to stay competitive. That’s where the new SureColor S7170 comes in. It delivers impressive print speeds, reliable media handling, and high output quality, all without breaking the bank.
The S7170 replaces the 4-color S40600, which debuted back in 2015. While it may look similar, the S7170 brings meaningful upgrades.
It uses Epson’s GS3 eco-solvent inks with the same Greenguard certification, but now in larger 800ml pouches that click into place. These pouches use 80% less plastic than cartridges and give about 400 more square feet of printing per set compared to the previous generation.
The most important upgrade is the new 1.33” PrecisionCore Micro TFP print head. It includes new nozzle verification technology to prevent banding and a temperature sensor that improves drop consistency for more stable color. Compared to the older 1” head on the S40600, this should lead to a 30% speed increase in comparable print modes—though we’ll confirm that with published specs soon.
The best way to test speed and quality is with your own files. Upload a sample at itsupplies.com/printsamples and we’ll run a sample for you on the S7170 as soon as it arrives in our showroom.
The S7170 also features a new 4.3” touchscreen control panel, making it faster and easier to navigate settings, load media, and get up and running.
It comes with two RIP options: a perpetual license of Epson Edge Print Pro and a 12-month subscription to Onyx Go Plus. It’s also compatible with all major third-party RIPs.
In short, the SureColor S7170 is built on proven hardware with targeted improvements that boost usability, reduce waste, and improve performance—all at a value price. Epson kept what worked and enhanced what needed it, giving users confidence in a reliable, entry-level solvent solution.
If you’re in the market for an affordable, high-performance printer, the Epson S7170 deserves your attention. Call us at 1-800-771-9665 to learn more or stop by our Chicagoland demo center to see it in person.
