EPSON includes ''Photo Quality'' color ink jet printer for graphic design community in new printer line; Stylus Pro XL features large format printing and enhanced 720 dpi color output with an affordable price tag

Business Wire, August 28, 1995

TORRANCE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 28, 1995--EPSON has added a large format ink jet printer for both Macintosh and Windows platforms to its new color printer line.

The new printer provides ``Photo Quality'' output at 720 x 720 dots per inch (dpi) 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 EPSON Stylus Pro XL, based on the company's now well-known proprietary implementation of piezoelectric technology, features microdot technology. This feature produces a dot size 25 percent smaller than the original EPSON Stylus COLOR printer.

The smaller dot size allows a greater range of halftones, resulting in smoother gradations and ultra-realistic fleshtones. Microdot technology also allows 720 x 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 showed the EPSON Stylus COLOR, our original color ink jet product, at graphics-oriented tradeshows, we were inundated with requests for a large format printer,'' said Edie Dees, group product manager, printers, EPSON.

``The EPSON Stylus Pro XL does more than just put the original EPSON Stylus COLOR into a larger format. It offers better color quality that appeals to this demanding consumer segment.''

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

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

The EPSON Stylus Pro XL will be available in the fall and marketed through graphic arts VARs and distributors. The MSRP is $2,125. All EPSON Stylus printers comply with the federal government's Energy Star Program and carry the Energy Star logo.

The EPSON 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 technology products, including ink jet, laser and dot matrix printers, scanners, portable and desktop computers 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 high-quality technology products that meet customer demands for increased functionality, compactness, systems integration and energy efficiency. Epson America has headquarters in Torrance. -0-

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CONTACT: EPSON

Susie Mitchell, 310/782-5174

310/782-5179 (fax)

or

Manning, Selvage & Lee

John Fitzsimmons/Kristen Peay, 213/782-6600