Epson CONTOURJET brand targets direct-to-shape printing

06 October 2026: Seiko Epson Corporation announced CONTOURJET on 16 September 2026 as the brand for its Direct-To-Shape Printing System, pairing the PrecisionCore S800 printhead with an Epson-developed six-axis industrial robot. Epson says it prints on complex three-dimensional objects and includes inks, software, implementation assistance and maintenance. Its launch announcement sets out the new brand and system features.

CONTOURJET is positioned as a total solution rather than a machine alone. Epson says it will offer related inks, software and support services alongside system performance upgrades. Its release identifies sports equipment, automotive parts and industrial products as target markets for decorating 3D surfaces, based on the company’s expectation that demand in those areas will grow. 

Epson CONTOURJET system and printhead

The hardware combines a compact PrecisionCore S800 printhead with robot movement to direct printing over curved or uneven forms. Epson says proprietary trajectory control and image processing help the system handle grooves, contours and other complex geometry. The company describes its output as high-quality and exceptionally accurate.

Several changes are aimed at industrial operation. Epson says updated robots use linear motor drives and higher payload capacity to support larger and longer workpieces. A front-access design is intended to make service and maintenance easier. The system supports multicolour printing, including white and clear varnish inks, and decorative effects ranging from base layers to textures.

Epson CONTOURJET applications and process

Use is not confined to surface graphics in Epson’s description. The company identifies sporting goods, vehicle components and industrial parts as potential markets. It also points to short-run and bespoke production as possible fits because its inkjet process does not require printing plates or special materials. 

Epson says digitalising conventional analog printing can reduce manual work, save space and improve manufacturing efficiency. It also says inkjet deposits ink only where and in the amounts needed, reducing material use and waste compared with analog processes. 

Development and testing are part of the offer Epson describes. The company says it has been evaluating the system at its Inkjet Innovation Lab Fujimi in Nagano Prefecture. It also identifies the Epson Experience Center in Neuss, Germany, as a place where European customers can test prints on their own substrates. Epson says partner companies help recommend inks and operating methods for specific applications and materials.

Direct-to-shape printing takes different forms

CONTOURJET follows earlier Epson development. Screen Print India’s report on Epson’s printhead-and-robot system covered a direct-to-shape setup for printing on three-dimensional objects in 2025. The new announcement establishes the CONTOURJET brand and describes system updates; it does not establish that every projected application is already in commercial use.

The CONTOURJET proposition rests on Epson’s stated ability to decorate irregular surfaces and its combined printhead, robotics, ink and support model. Buyers assessing the system will need to validate substrate compatibility, output quality, production speed and workflow fit on their own parts with Epson and its partners. The announcement points to testing in Japan and Germany.

https://corporate.epson/en/news/2026/260916.html