Epson announces new option on the world's first wide body ink jet printer under $1,000; banner paper holder and 720 dpi roll paper media add even more flexibility

Business Wire, August 5, 1996

TORRANCE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 5, 1996--Epson, the creator of high-quality, award-winning imaging products, Monday announced a new banner paper holder option on the Epson Stylus 1500 -- a wide-body, "photo-quality," color ink jet printer for CAD/CAE and business use.

With the new banner paper holder option and Epson 720 dpi coated media in a roll format, the Stylus 1500 serves an even greater variety of business needs including CAD/CAE check plots, banners, spreadsheets, single-sheet business forms, signage, business graphics, presentations and photographic images.

The Stylus 1500 is uniquely designed to print 13.6 inches by 21.78 inches on C-sized cut sheet papers and on various sized tractor-fed paper simultaneously, and is the only printer in the world with such a wide variety of features for under $1,000.

"The marketplace has responded positively to this printer," said Mark Radogna, graphic arts product manager, Epson. "It has become widely accepted for an expanded suite of applications -- from CAD/CAE to architecture to accounting. This printer networks, has tractor feed, prints in color or black on C-size paper, and now has a banner paper holder -- it's a unique printer, and best of all, it's only $995!"

The Stylus 1500 uses Epson's award-winning proprietary piezoelectric 720 by 720 dpi resolution technology, enabling full-color "photo-quality" images with sharp, laser-quality text. The printer also has a built-in tractor feeder for quiet forms printing.

The Epson Stylus 1500 contains a new high-capacity black ink cartridge that produces over 1,800 letter-sized pages at 5 percent coverage. The printer ships with drivers for the Macintosh, Windows 95, Windows for Workgroups, Windows 3.1 and AutoCAD for DOS. Drivers for Windows NT and OS/2 are available from third party companies.

An optional LocalTalk or EtherTalk board provides Macintosh compatibility. The Stylus 1500 is also EPA Energy Star qualified and is available now through Epson's nationwide distribution channels. Epson's complete color printer line is supported by a wide variety of coated and glossy papers, including transparencies.

The Stylus 1500 carries a two-year warranty and is supported by the Epson Connection, a toll-free customer support and technical assistance line. For more information on Epson and its products, call 800/GO-Epson (800/463-7766) or visit the company's Web site at http://www.epson.com.

Epson offers an extensive array of image capture, image output and portable storage products. For the OEM market, a variety of component and electronic devices is available.

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- NOTE: Brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

CONTACT: Epson, Torrance

Susie Mitchell, 310/782-5174

Susie_Mitchell@ea.epson.com (e-mail)