LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 23, 2000-- It's the ultimate line of printers designed to meet the specific needs of a modern-day Picasso, Ansel Adams, Rembrandt or any professional graphics user. Epson America Inc. is introducing its newest line of professional graphics printers: the new 24-inch wide format EPSON Stylus® Pro 7000 and EPSON Stylus® Pro 7500, as well as the 44-inch wide EPSON Stylus® Pro 9500. Also being unveiled is a new line of revolutionary archival inks that will enable users to create images that will last more than 200 years.

Featuring 1440 x 720 dpi resolution, photographic quality output at speeds of up to 72 square feet per hour and unprecedented media handling flexibility, these new products provide professional photographers and digital fine art and print-for-pay users the ultimate printing solution.

Epson's award-winning Micro Piezo DX3(tm) print head technology enables the printer to place precise microscopic drops of ink on a wide array of media for ultra-sharp resolution and high print-to-print consistency. The printers' innovative six-color, high-capacity, six-cartridge inking system (cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan, light magenta and black) also makes it possible to create intensely detailed photographic output on a wide array of media, while maximizing the efficiency of ink use.

EPSON Stylus Pro 7500/9500 and Epson's New Archival Ink

As the level of print quality continues to rise for professional graphic artists, so does the need to preserve images against time and the elements. Epson has addressed this issue with its new EPSON Archival Ink -- a breakthrough in chemical engineering that enables prints to last several lifetimes without fading or damage caused by moisture. According to testing conducted by Seiko Epson Corporation, images printed with EPSON Archival Ink will last more than 200 years under normal lighting conditions before any signs of fading are visible to the human eye.(a)

Available on the EPSON Stylus 7500 and 9500 printers, this pigment-based ink system delivers a color gamut that rivals dye inks. EPSON Archival Ink technology also gives users the ability to create heirloom-quality prints on a wider range of media than standard dye-based ink. Epson's new line of wide-format media includes glossy photo paper, matte, posterboard, semi-glossy paper, canvas, water color papers, DuPont Tyvek, static cling, DuPont/EPSON proofing media and many more.

"This new printing engine combined with EPSON Archival Ink technology, truly represents one of the most significant technological accomplishments the professional graphics industry has ever seen," said Mark Radogna, senior product manager, professional graphics, Epson. "The fact that just about anybody can now create museum-quality prints that will last a lifetime, on a wide range of media for only a fraction of the cost of traditional printing methods means a lot of imaging professionals will have a quick, easy and affordable way to create work that can be exhibited and even sold."

Designed primarily for professionals working in photography, museum-quality fine art reproduction, pre-press proofing, indoor/outdoor display signage and print-for-pay applications, the EPSON Stylus Pro 7500 offers a 24-inch wide printing area, while the EPSON Stylus Pro 9500 can print up to 44 inches in width.

EPSON Stylus Pro 7000

The EPSON Stylus Pro 7000 is designed for users who create high-quality images up to 24 inches wide and lower cost-per-square foot projects such as color comping, pre-film proofing, business presentations, packaging mock-ups, indoor signage, commercial photography and general fine art reproduction. Incorporating the same DX3 print head technology offered in the 7500 and 9500, the EPSON Stylus Pro 7000 uses the award-winning, dye-based EPSON Graphic Ink to create stunning images with the widest color gamut available.

About Epson Stylus Pro Printers

All new EPSON Stylus Pro Printers use high-performance, bi-directional printing, resulting in fast output that enables users to create up to 72 square feet of graphics per hour. The 110-milliliter quick-drying ink system (220 milliliters on the Stylus Pro 9000 and 9500) makes it possible to manually handle prints immediately after exiting the printer without the risk of smudging.

Loading and removing media is simplified by using either a single-roll system with a two- to three-inch core or by loading media up to 1.5 mm in thickness using the straight-through manual paper feeder. For added flexibility, users of the EPSON Stylus Pro 7000/7500 have the option of placing either system on a table-top or optional printer stand that is available as either a "plotter" or "cabinet."

Each new EPSON Stylus Pro printer uses the latest driver technology, offering compatibility with Macintosh OS 7 or later, in addition to Microsoft's Windows 95, 98, NT 4.X and 2000 operating systems. A wide selection of printer interfaces includes a USB, parallel and EPSON Type-B expansion slot standard with optional cards available for 10/100 BaseT and FireWire.

All-New EPSON RS-5100 Fiery X2 RIP

An optional EPSON RS-5100 Fiery X2 RIP (Raster Image Processor) from Electronics for Ink Inc. (EFI) is also available for all EPSON Stylus Pro 7000 and 9000 series printers. The RIP is designed to help maximize several of the printers' advanced features combined with applications that are engineered around the needs of graphic artists, advertising agencies, fine arts studios and other professionals who create color composites and proofs for press runs. The EPSON RS-5100 Fiery X2 also adds the benefits of advanced throughput options, job control, workflow flexibility, easy-to-create high quality graphics and presentations.

The EPSON RS-5100 Fiery X2 RIP offers a 4 GB hard disk, 128 MB RAM and R5000 MIPS at 200 MHz CPU. This architecture provides the foundation for the Fiery X2 NetWise(tm) multi-user networking tools and EFI's ColorWise® 2.0 software. Users can create new documents and preview how those documents will look when finished before starting a print job, in addition to tracking them using a job log feature. In an era of on-demand printing, where speed and low waste are important, these features are designed to improve overall document management and control costs.

Pricing and Availability

The EPSON Stylus Pro 7000 basic printing system is now available for $3,995 (estimated U.S. price). Both the EPSON Stylus Pro 7500 and EPSON Stylus Pro 9500 will be available in late August 2000, with estimated U.S. prices at $4,995 and $10,995 (respectively). In addition, the 44-inch wide EPSON Stylus Pro 9000 (announced in 1999) is now priced at $8,995. Optional EPSON RS-5100 Fiery X2 RIPs are available for each printer for approximately $5,000 extra.

Service & Support

All EPSON Stylus Pro printers are supported by the Standard EPSON Preferred Warranty. This one-year program includes toll-free advanced telephone access Monday through Saturday and typically next-business day on-site technical service in the unlikely event of any hardware failure. The EPSON Preferred Plus Service Plans are programs that offer one or two additional years of protection. For more information on Epson warranties, service programs and products, call 1-800/GO-EPSON (1-800/463-7766) or visit the company's 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. is headquartered in Long Beach, Calif.

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 holders.