EPSON debuts ''photo quality'' color ink jet printer for graphic design community; Stylus Pro XL features large format printing and enhanced 720 dpi color output with an affordable price tag

Business Wire, April 24, 1995

TORRANCE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 24, 1995--Building on the success of its groundbreaking 720 dots per inch (dpi) Stylus COLOR ink jet printer, EPSON Monday announced a large format product for both Macintosh and Windows platforms that incorporates the company's next generation color ink jet technology.

The new printer provides ``photo quality'' output and is aimed squarely at the graphic design community, which will have access to color quality never before available at such a low price.

The Stylus Pro XL, which is based on the company's now well-known proprietary implementation of piezoelectric technology, features microdot technology, which results in smoother gradations and a greater range of halftones. This technology also allows 720 dpi printing on plain paper.

A key feature of the EPSON Stylus Pro XL is its ability to accommodate paper up to 13" x 19" and to print images of 12.7" x 18.3", enabling full-bleed 11" x 17" printing plus crop and registration marks. The printer also accommodates letter and legal size paper, transparencies and envelopes.

``Whenever we show the Stylus COLOR, our original color ink jet product, at graphics-oriented tradeshows like Seybold, we're inundated with requests for a large format printer,'' said Edie Dees, group product manager, printers, EPSON.

``The Stylus Pro XL is a direct response to those requests and gives EPSON its first printer targeted specifically for the graphic arts community. Initial reaction from graphic artists to Stylus Pro XL output samples has been outstanding.''

Dees expects that large design firms, ad agencies and corporate in-house graphic design departments will want to purchase the Stylus Pro XL in lieu of higher-cost equipment for the production of low-cost color comps.

Smaller firms, and freelance graphic artists working from their homes, will want the printer to produce comps, and even final output instead of outsourcing the work.

The Stylus Pro XL will be packaged with both Macintosh and Windows drivers and will connect to both platforms via high-speed serial and parallel connections. Options will include a LocalTalk interface, EtherTalk/Ethernet interface and host-based Adobe PostScript Level 2 software, which will include color matching profiles.

The Stylus Pro XL, which will ship in August, will be marketed through graphic arts VARs and distributors. The product is expected to sell at a street price of under $2,000.

The Stylus Pro XL and all EPSON Stylus printers are covered by the company's standard two-year limited warranty. Extended warranties are available for an additional charge. EPSON products are supported by the company through the EPSON Connection, a toll-free customer support and technical assistance line.

For more information, call 800/BUY-EPSON, ext. 3000 (800/289-3776, ext. 3000).

EPSON offers an extensive array of high-quality technology products, including ink jet, laser and dot matrix printers; scanners; portable and desktop computers; PCMCIA products; and, for the OEM market, a variety of component and electronic devices.

Founded in 1975, Epson America Inc. is an affiliate of Seiko Epson Corp., a global manufacturer and supplier of technology products that meet customer demands for increased functionality, compactness, systems integration and energy efficiency. -0-

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CONTACT: EPSON

Susie Mitchell, 310/782-5174

or

Manning, Selvage & Lee

John Fitzsimmons/Ann Kohut, 818/509-1840