LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 22, 2000-- Portrait and fine art photographers and artists will soon be able to create the first truly archival photo reproduction quality prints from a desktop ink jet printer.

Epson America Inc., leader in high-quality award-winning imaging products, is redefining the photography market with the launch of the EPSON Stylus® Photo 2000P, which delivers true photographic quality prints that will last several lifetimes.

Using EPSON Archival Ink and certain new compatible Epson papers, the EPSON Stylus Photo 2000P boasts lightfastness rated at more than 200 years under fluorescent lighting conditions, in a glass frame, before noticeable fading occurs.

Until now, photographers and artists who needed longevity and stability for heirloom prints and outdoor displays had to settle for less-than-ideal pigment ink solutions. Because pigment inks are composed of insoluble particles of color that retain their color after the outer color fades, these inks offered a high level of lightfastness and waterfastness.

However they also have had a lower color gamut, lower gloss, incompatibility with resin coated photo media and less durability against scratches than dye-based inks.

Breakthrough in Pigment Technology

Epson chemists now have found a way to overcome these shortcomings, developing a pigment-based ink that couples the image quality of Epson's dye-based inks with the longevity of pigment which truly redefines color photography.

Through Epson's new development of MicroCrystal Encapsulation technology, pigment crystals are coated in uniquely engineered resin polymer to ensure even particle size and distribution for a color gamut and gloss that far exceeds other pigment solutions and rivals dye.

The resin polymer also enhances durability by pulling the pigment deeper into media crevices rather than resting on top of the surface and provides an extra sealant coating on the surface, which resists scratching. As a result, the EPSON Stylus Photo 2000P delivers prints that outperform Lightjet and Pegasus prints in lightfastness and media flexibility and outperform Iris prints in color, lightfastness and media flexibility.

"Professionals and amateurs alike care about preserving memories," said Fabia Ochoa, product manager, photographic reproduction printers, Epson. "With this unprecedented combination of both image quality and longevity, Epson is changing everything. We are no longer claiming to have output that is as good as a photograph. We now deliver output that is better than a photograph.

"For the first time ever professionals can produce color photographs which rival the archivability of a black-and-white print, lasting about four times longer than the most lightfast color photographic paper."

        EPSON Stylus Photo 2000P -- Best for Portrait and Fine Art Photography

The EPSON Stylus Photo 2000P uses the company's award-winning Advanced Micro Piezo Technology and durable permanent print head to eliminate misting, provide consistent dot size and shape, and ensure accurate dot placement with 1440 x 720 dpi resolution.

The intuitive coverage of Variable Sized MicroDroplet Technology coupled with Acuphoto Halftoning delivers the widest color range of pigment with continuous tone quality, using tiny pigment particles as small as 0.1 microns for the finest detail and gorgeous highlights.

Designed to address the needs of photographers, the EPSON Stylus Photo 2000P has a large printable area up to 13" x 44". Eliminating left and right margins, the printer also features 4", 8.3" and 13" edge-to-edge printing on both cut-sheet and roll paper. A roll paper holder is included with the printer, as well as a value pack of Epson media.

Notable Features

The EPSON Stylus Photo 2000P has several notable driver features, including automatic image resizing, watermark previewing, poster printing and photo enhance options to create sepia tones and autocorrect the image.

Compatible with both Windows and Macintosh platforms, the printer features standard USB, standard parallel, and optional external Ethernet connectivity. The EPSON Stylus RIP is also an option, which will be available in the fall.

The EPSON Stylus Photo 2000P offers a modern, attractive case design and black and silver case color, as well as quiet operation. And to save the user money, the printer also features the Intellidge ink cartridge, which includes a memory chip that tracks ink usage and reclosable valves that enable users to remove and reinstall cartridges as needed.

For optimal image quality, the printer is designed to ensure that inks are completely dry before subsequent printhead passes are made. This eliminates smudging, bleeding, and waiting time before touching the print after it comes out of printer.

"With all of these features, the EPSON Stylus Photo 2000P gives artists a very affordable, virtually no-maintenance desktop tool that will save them time, money and frustration. It also gives them independence from their lab and better control of their work," Ochoa said. "There are no desktop competitors for this product, period.

"The exciting fact is Epson has developed an ink jet technology which exceeds the standards of conventional color photography, and the market doesn't expect this kind of advantage with such an affordable and easy-to-use desktop printer."

New Media Maximize Output

In conjunction with the launch of the printer and EPSON Archival(TM) ink, Epson is also launching several media formulated to work most effectively with the new pigment technology, including resin-coated photographic as well as fine art papers. These media include:

• EPSON Premium Semigloss Photo Paper
• EPSON Premium Luster Photo Paper
• EPSON Archival Matte Paper
• EPSON Watercolor Paper

Later this year, Epson plans to launch a cotton canvas and cotton rag fine art media for the EPSON Stylus Photo 2000P.

The EPSON Stylus Photo 2000P, with an estimated street price of $899, will be available through mail order, specialty camera and art stores, and on the Epson web site starting mid-July. The printer is backed by the one-year EPSON Exchange Warranty, enabling customers to receive a replacement printer if a problem cannot be corrected by telephone technical support.

It is also supported by the EPSON Connection, a customer support technical assistance line. More information about Epson and its products is available by calling 800/GO EPSON (800/463-7766) or visiting the company Web site at www.epson.com.

About Epson

Epson offers an extensive array of award-winning image capture and image output products for the consumer, business and graphic arts markets. The company is also a leading supplier of value-added point-of-sale (POS) solutions for the retail market.

Founded in 1975, Epson America Inc. is the U.S. affiliate of Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, a global manufacturer and supplier of high-quality technology products that meet customer demands for increased functionality, compactness, systems integration and energy efficiency. Epson America Inc. has headquarters in Long Beach.

Note to Editors: Epson and EPSON Stylus are registered trademarks of Seiko Epson Corporation. Third party brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holder.

Contact:

     Epson America Inc., Long Beach
     Kristine Snyder, 562/290-4026
     kristine_snyder@ea.epson.com
       or
     Walt & Company
     Cyndi Babasa, 408-496-0900 ext. 1062
     cbabasa@walt.com