Monaco Systems' MonacoEZcolor Joint Promotion With EPSON Perfection Scanners; Epson Scanner Customers Save $100 Off Complete Color Management Solution

Business Wire, July 24, 2001

Business/Technology Editors

ANDOVER, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 24, 2001

Monaco Systems, Inc., a leader in the field of color management, today announced a joint promotion with Epson America that will allow owners of the EPSON Perfection 2450 PHOTO and 1650 PHOTO scanners to save $100 off MonacoEZcolor v. 2 software. MonacoEZcolor v. 2 has been recently upgraded with a newer expanded feature set. MonacoEZcolor v.2 is the leading, scanner-based color management program for photographers and graphic designers and is expanding its user-base to the entire creative community. The software creates ICC device profiles to ensure accurate color across the workflow system (scanner, monitor, and printer). Accurate color saves the time, expense, and frustration of trial and error of color corrections.

MonacoEZcolor v. 2 normally retails for $299, or $498 with the colorimeter MonacoSENSOR included. With the promotional sales deal between Monaco Systems and Epson America, users of the Epson scanners will save over 30% off the software and over 20% off the software/colorimeter package.

"The combination of MonacoEZcolor v. 2 and the Epson scanners is a win win situation for both companies," said George Adam, CEO of Monaco Systems. "MonacoEZcolor continues to add features that the user base requests, and the Epson scanners are proven products that offer excellent scanning capabilities. Once again, Epson and Monaco Systems have teamed up as our successful relationship continues."

About MonacoEZcolor

MonacoEZcolor v. 2 creates custom ICC profiles for monitors, scanners, and printers to provide accurate, consistent color between devices and paper types and save the time and expense of trial and error color corrections. The product includes a large set of new features and patent-pending technology wrapped into one convenient package for building, editing, and applying ICC profiles. The software now includes Monaco ColorWorks, a basic soft proofing program that is ideal for users who don't have access to an ICC-compliant application like Photoshop or Corel Draw.

In addition to ColorWorks, MonacoEZcolor v. 2's new features include:

-- Improved color quality for more accurate and consistent profiles.

-- The ability to edit printer profiles. Users can adjust the lightness and saturation, and make tonal adjustments to their output profiles until a desired effect or level of accuracy is reached.

-- An updated, more intuitive interface and integrated online help to ensure ease of use.

MonacoEZcolor v. 2 builds upon the success of the original version. The original release won immediate editorial and end-user acclaim for its ease of use and affordability. The program's intuitive, wizard-like interface and use of a flatbed scanner as a measurement device (in place of a spectrophotometer) were key to keeping the program simple and affordable. MonacoEZcolor v. 1.6 won a "Hot Pick" from Seybold Seminars and went on to receive awards and high-ratings from Macworld, Publish and PC Photo magazines. The success of MonacoEZcolor v. 1.6 prompted Epson to include the software with the EPSON Expression 800, 1600, and 1640XL scanners. Epson also made MonacoEZcolor v. 1.6 available to owners of the EPSON Stylus Photo 1270 and 1280 printers and EPSON Perfection 1240 and 1640 scanners at a discounted price.

EPSON Perfection 1650 PHOTO and 2450 PHOTO Scanners

The EPSON Perfection 1650 PHOTO scanner offers a resolution of 1600 x 3200 dpi using Epson's advanced Micro Step Drive(TM) technology and 48-bit color for scans with excellent detail, sharpness, and color accuracy. The scanner is geared toward home and office environments as well as entry-level graphic artists. The Perfection 1650 PHOTO offers fast scanning speeds and an easy-to-use, four-button front panel for one-touch scanning. The scanner also offers a standard USB interface. The EPSON Perfection 1650 PHOTO is available for an estimated street price of $249.

The EPSON Perfection 2450 PHOTO is a consumer scanner that offers features that can be found on higher-end scanners, but at a more affordable price. The scanner features 2400 x 4800 dpi resolution, using Micro Step Drive(TM) technology, delivering incredible image quality and sharp, vivid results. The Perfection 2450 is ideal for home photography enthusiasts and graphic artists with its advanced features and high-speed scanning capabilities. Some of the scanner's other outstanding features include: Epson's ColorTrue II(R) imaging technology, advanced driver for professional quality scanning, built-in 4" x 9" transparency adapter, standard USB 2.0 interface, and FireWire connectivity for lightning fast scanning speeds. This scanner is available for an estimated street price of $399.

Monaco Systems, Inc.

Monaco Systems is a leader in enhancing the productivity of color-critical digital environments through developing, publishing, marketing and distributing innovative color compensation and workflow tools. The company plays an integral role in color management by assuring accurate color between input and output devices through advanced profiling technology. Monaco Systems is a leader in the prepress, publishing and digital imaging industries, serving industries such as photography, fine art replication, graphic arts, newspapers, magazines, service bureaus, and other color-intensive industries. Monaco Systems has developed a complete line of ICC-profiling products: MonacoEZcolor, MonacoPROOF and MonacoPROFILER, each targeted towards a separate segment of the greater imaging industry. OEM customers include Epson, Gerber, Pantone, Polaroid, Xerox and many others. For more information on Monaco Systems call 978.749.9944 or visit www.monacosys.com.