Award-Winning Epson Printer Chosen for Academy Awards Production; EPSON Stylus Photo 890 Helps Oscar Show Participants Put Best Image Forward

Business Wire, March 19, 2003

Business Editors

HOLLYWOOD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 19, 2003

Since image is everything at the 75th Anniversary Academy Awards(R) Ceremony, officials have selected the best name in image quality to print the photo credentials for this year's event. For the fourth year in a row, every person involved in the production of or given access to Oscars telecast activities will be issued a photo identification badge printed onsite on Epson ink jet printers.

Officials from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences chose the EPSON Stylus(R) Photo 890 printer because they need the best image quality possible with fast photo printing speeds for efficiency in the credentialing process. Epson's quick-drying inks are another important factor so that badges can be handled immediately as they come off the printer without smudges. And lastly, the Academy needed a printer with a virtually straight paper path that wouldn't bend the badge and could handle thick media to accommodate the advanced technology incorporated into the identification badges.

"We want to put forth our best image and want everyone involved with the Oscars to have a positive experience, starting with the process of getting their credentials," said John Pavlik, communications director for the Academy. "Having the ability to quickly and efficiently print high-quality photo credentials onsite is critical to what is a rather complex operation. The Epson printers give us the control, quality and convenience that we need to make this aspect of the production successful."

"The Academy Awards ceremony is the entertainment industry's most prestigious awards ceremony, so we are honored that they have chosen Epson printers," said Parker Plaisted, product manager, photo imaging, Epson. "This event gives us a great opportunity to spotlight the stunning image quality, versatility and incredible ease of use of Epson printers. With digital printing, photographers have more control and convenience with less cost."

About the EPSON Stylus Photo 890

The EPSON Stylus Photo 890 is perfect for imaging enthusiasts and photographers who want excellent photo quality and printing versatility. This printer provides Epson's patented, true BorderFree(TM) photo printing technology, which allows customers to print borderless photos in frame-ready, popular 4" x 6" and 5" x 7" photographic sizes without unsightly perforations or the inconvenience of trimming the margins. It also handles 44" long panoramas, photo and thick weight paper stocks, and continuous snapshot printing to a roll of photo paper using the included roll paper holder. The EPSON Stylus Photo 890 printer features up to 2880 x 720 dpi and Epson's Advanced Micro Piezo(TM) ink jet technology, a six-color photo ink system creating incredible detail, beautiful skin tones, sharper contrast and continuous tone photo quality designed specifically for photography.

About Epson

Epson offers an extensive array of award-winning image capture and image output products for the consumer, business, photography 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.