LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 3, 2003--Epson America Inc., creator of high-quality, award-winning imaging products, is previewing three new double-sided papers at PMA in Las Vegas. Each of the papers is designed for use with the Epson Stylus(R) Pro line of printers to give photographers and artists a broader choice of artistic and commercial media to express their creativity and display their work.

In its continuing commitment to the professional digital photo, fine art and proofing markets, Epson will be launching Epson UltraSmooth Fine Art Paper, Epson Premium Double-Sided Photo Paper and Epson Double-Sided Ink Jet Paper in late spring. All three papers will be compatible with Epson's dye and pigment inks.

"With the explosive growth of digital printing, the demand for double-sided printing has also increased," said Greg McCoy, senior product marketing manager, Professional Supplies, Epson. "These new papers target our core markets of professional photography, fine art and proofing."

Epson UltraSmooth Fine Art Paper is a 100 percent cotton rag that is acid-free, lignin-free and optical brightener-free. The UltraSmooth base is slightly alkaline, with a 2 percent calcium carbonate buffer to preserve the alkalinity to a conservator's pH of about 8.0. Wilhelm Imaging Research has rated dark storage well in excess of 100 years, with tests still continuing(a). The ultra smooth surface is similar to Epson's very popular Enhanced Matte Paper, but this paper has the greater archivability required by photographers and fine artists. It also has the highest D-Max and greatest scratch resistance of any archival paper on the market. The double-sided cut-sheet version will be available in 205g, 325g and 500g weights. A single-sided roll version will be available in 250g.

Epson Premium Double-Sided Photo Paper carries on the tradition of other excellent Epson Premium photo papers. This resin coated premium weight paper displays a low gloss finish ideally suited for the presentation of fine quality photographic images. Its double-sided coating makes it an ideal choice for portfolio work and proofing.

Epson Double-Sided Ink Jet Paper will be available in two different weights -- 110g and 210g. This bright white paper produces brilliant results and is coated on both sides for excellent performance and value with both dye and pigment inks. Its high resolution, outstanding color density, light to medium weight, and double-sided coating make it an ideal choice for comps and imposition proofing.

The Premium Double-Sided Photo Paper and Double-Sided Ink Jet Paper will be available in wide-format cut sheet, while the UltraSmooth Fine Art paper will be available in both cut sheet for the double-sided version and in a roll for the single-sided version. The papers will be available through authorized Epson ProFocus dealers nationwide.

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.

Note: Epson and Epson Stylus are registered trademarks of Seiko Epson Corporation.

(a) Dark storage ratings based on accelerated testing of paper stored in archival sleeves in an album. Actual paper stability will vary according to storage conditions, light intensity, humidity, and atmospheric conditions. Epson does not guarantee the longevity of the paper. For maximum paper life, acid-free archival sleeves, or a plastic photo storage box or museum storage box, should be used, and excessive humidity must be avoided.