LAS VEGAS, Jan. 31, 2008 - Printing digital photos just got faster and more convenient for consumers and retailers with DNP Photo Imaging America's new self-service Photo Station, a digital kiosk using the company's leading dye-sublimation photo printing technologies. The company is unveiling the new kiosk at the Photo Marketing Association 2008 International Convention.

The self-service Photo Station combines multiple photo order entry terminals - usually three or more - with a high-speed print tower. Exclusively available from DNP Photo Imaging America, the high-speed print tower can accommodate up to four printers, with the standard configuration including three 4x6 printers and a fourth printer capable of printing 4x8, 5x7, 6x8, 8x10, and 8x12 photos.

"Traditional kiosk systems require dedicated printers for each individual kiosk, which can result in expensive equipment purchases for retailers, especially when multiple-size outputs are offered, and longer wait times for consumers," said David Oles, DNP Photo Imaging America's senior vice president of research and development. "Dedicated printers keep a kiosk occupied until the last image has been printed. Assuming a 30-print order with a 10-second-per-image print time, a kiosk can be occupied for up to five minutes after an order has been released for printing. With the new Photo Station, multiple consumers can edit their prints or place print orders, all at the same time."

Consumers can use the system on-site or place print-to-store orders through an online photo service. The print function is activated by a barcode, issued at the time of payment, with the order number embedded. The barcode allows orders placed online, when a consumer may arrive hours or even days later, to be queued for later release and avoid mingling with another customer's order.

"Online customers can place and pay for their orders from home and then quickly retrieve their prints on their own at a store using the barcode. A customer scans their barcode at the Photo Station to, in effect, say, 'I am here. Please print my order now,'" Oles said.

The print tower has a media capacity of up to 1,600 standard 4x6 prints, meaning that consumables need replacing only once every few days - a task that can be completed in just minutes. Before printing at the Photo Station, users can edit their photo selections on the screen.

"This is the first system of its kind to enable cost-effective, high-volume kiosk photo printing with minimal staff intervention," Oles said. "This is an ideal solution for grocery or pharmacy chains, or for any retailer that wants to maintain a strong photo presence without significant labor costs. For consumers, it allows them to multi-task in a single shopping trip."

Utilizing DNP Photo Imaging America's Tomo software, the new Photo Station can print about 30 4x6 photos in approximately two minutes. Finished prints are delivered to the customer in a single output bin at the front of the station. While their order is printing, consumers see a countdown timer and a slide show of their images.

The new Photo Station is slated for release in July. Photo Station is a member of the Fotolusio portfolio of photo printing solutions from DNP Photo Imaging America.

About DNP Photo Imaging America

DNP Photo Imaging America Corp. is the world's leading innovator of dye-sublimation photo printing solutions - digital minilabs, kiosks, and kiosk software for retailers and professional printers. The company is the world's largest supplier of dye-sublimation ribbon and media (photo paper, medical, proofing, and identification cards).

DNP Photo Imaging America provides retailers with store-branded digital imaging equipment for minilab and kiosk photo printing, as well as dye-sublimation and silver halide media supplies. The company's technologies enable retailers to bridge the gap from traditional to digital photography and to win and retain both traditional film and digital printing consumers by making digital photography easy, convenient, and fun. DNP Photo Imaging America is solely owned by Dai Nippon Printing Co. Ltd. of Japan.