Opportunities with SL-D500: Using the SL-D500 on a sports event

To start this series on what opportunities the SL-D500 offers, I will draw on a real-life experience:

In May, my swimming club held one of the two competitions we used to do per year before the pandemic. The last competition was end of 2019, also because our old bath sank in the floods of 2020, and we just moved into our new bath beginning of the year. It was thus a perfect opportunity to ask the visiting clubs for their opinion and also for me to field test the SL-D500.

So, I set my camera, mobile phone and printer to work.

The first half of each section of the competition I took images. A selection of these I send thru the Bluetooth link from my camera to my mobile phone, using the genuine camera app.

I then designed a small layout consisting of 13 images using a FOC App called FotoCollage. After saving as JPEG I printed this layout image thru Epson iPrint and WiFi direct Connection to the SL-D500. As space was very small, the printer was sitting underneath the table we used for preparing coffee and food. I did have my power station with me to drive the printer, but in the end, this was not needed as I found a free socket nearby.

The back of the print contained a small explanation and a QR Code to access the questionnaire. It was pre-printed onto duplex media (SureLab Photo Paper 190 DS Gloss) simply to reduce printing time at the event. I could judge easily how many prints were needed, because I knew how many contestants would come.

And if my preparation would not have been sufficient, I would have simply printed duplex as the printer is designed for duplex 10x15cm production. I can recommend this handling: it saves time but still keeps flexibility. Also, the back can be used not only for QR codes to questions or a reminder of what that event was but also as a space for links to order re-prints or as a safe-the-date for the next competition. Having this printed duplex also turns it from a normal photo to something more valuable.

So, what was the result?

We handed out around 100 prints per section. The kids, especially the younger ones, loved it, the parents could not believe it was from the same day - I even had to show the setup - and in the end we had more than 10% responses on the questionnaire and some really good comments. Overall, everyone was more than happy, but we as organizing team also know where we can improve on the next competition. We also know that this will not be the last time we offered prints.

One comment on the cost per print mentioned in the questionnaire: On these smaller events it is often not a professional photographer but a parent taking the pictures. Also, participating clubs pay per amount of starts for their members. It is therefore possible to add a small extra, i.e., 50cts to cover parts of the cost so with 400starts you would already have 200€ cost covered. 1-2€ is in the ballpark of one or two pieces of cake on such an event and in all likelihood, you get more people willing to invest than with 5€ per print.

What are the key specs for this application:

• Print Speeds: The SL-D500 can print up to 200 10x15cm simplex prints per hour in standard quality resolution, with media requiring reload after approximately 80 sheets. When printing duplex prints 80pph can be achieved.
• Supplies management: The ink compartments can be refilled periodically when required without the need to wait for ink out. I would recommend to just top up before the event. The media cassette can hold up to 100 sheets maximum. If you are looking at more then 100 prints per event, I would recommend to quick check periodically and load more as and when there is a bit of free time. Should media run out the printer will advise that a refill is needed.
• The printer supports USB, Ethernet and also Wifi, it is supported by Epson iPrint, Air print (iOS) or Epson Smartpanel for wireless communications. There is also available an app call Epson Photo Creator, this allows to users to select photos on ones mobile phone to be printed or small photo books to be created, and then to be uploaded to the cloud where it will remain for 2 weeks. The corresponding app for the person with the printer is the Epson Mobile Order Manager. It can read the QR code from the Epson Photo Creator app and download the data to be printed, once downloaded the data is removed from the cloud. If there is a good internet connection at any location this could also be a nice alternative, as it would allow users to print one’s own images from the event before leaving the event if required.
• Finally, when printing, the SL-D500 uses only 18Ws. Therefore, it can be used with a portable power supply such as a caravan battery. Important is that this is sufficiently sized (18W times the expected usage time) with min 100W for both rated output and surge power, ensure it has a pure sine wave AC outlet and applies to the output voltage and cable of the printer. There is no guarantee given by the manufacturer on this, but my private one worked very well.