Printimagematching.com Makes Its Debut and PRINT Image Matching(TM) Upgrades Now Available for EPSON Stylus® Photo 780, 785EPX, 890 and 1280 Customers at No Extra Cost

LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 4, 2001-- Epson America Inc. is expanding support for PRINT Image Matching technology by launching a dedicated Web site, as well as making driver and software updates available that include PRINT Image Matching support for select photo printers.

PRINT Image Matching technology ensures digital cameras and printers work together to produce optimized prints automatically. Since the technology's introduction earlier this year, several PRINT Image Matching printers and digital cameras have been introduced by leading manufacturers like Casio, Epson, Kyocera, Minolta, Nikon, Pentax and Sony. Owners of PRINT Image Matching-compatible photo printers and cameras will now have unlimited opportunities to use this technology with the release of Epson Software(TM) Film Factory(TM) with PRINT Image Matching support.

To help consumers understand the benefits of PRINT Image Matching and see the latest developments, Epson has launched a Web site -- www.printimagematching.com -- which provides in-depth, easy-to-understand information on PRINT Image Matching, along with a complete and updated list of partners and products. Users of the site have access to a comprehensive list of FAQs, a technical white paper, published articles and a convenient link to technical support, in addition to much more.

``Printimagematching.com is the ultimate resource for our customers with frequently updated information on PRINT Image Matching supported digital cameras, printers and software,'' said Lisa Graham, product manager, photo imaging, Epson. ``Digital camera manufacturers have embraced the technology, resulting in over 20 PRINT Image Matching digital camera models that customers can pair with one of four Epson photo printers to get the best prints possible.''

The current PRINT Image Matching partners include Casio Computer Co. Ltd., Konica Corporation, Kyocera Corporation, Minolta Co. Ltd., Nikon Corporation, Olympus Optical Co. Ltd., Pentax Corporation, Ricoh Company Ltd., Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Sony Corporation and Toshiba Corporation. A complete list of all PRINT Image Matching-compatible products is available on the PRINT Image Matching Web site.

More About printimagematching.com

When visiting the PRINT Image Matching Web site, users can find answers to their questions simply and quickly in one of four main sections:

About PRINT Image Matching - provides a detailed explanation of the technology and frequently asked questions
News and Media Center -- offers press releases, articles and logo guidelines
Partners and Products -- contains a complete listing of all compatible products along with links to product Web sites
Support -- offers technical support links and an area for feedback
The new site will not only provide users with valuable PRINT Image Matching information, but will also tell them about any special promotions and contests. Currently, users can enter for a chance to win a PRINT Image Matching system, which includes an EPSON PhotoPC® 3100Z digital camera and an EPSON Stylus Photo 785EPX ink jet printer by completing an online entry form (a). The contest began Aug. 29 and will run through Oct. 31, 2001.

How to Get the PRINT Image Matching Upgrade

The first PRINT Image Matching-compatible printer, the EPSON Stylus Photo 785EPX, offered PRINT Image Matching support when used without the computer. With a simple software upgrade to Epson Software Film Factory, this printer can now support PRINT Image Matching through the computer. Customers who own the EPSON Stylus Photo 780, 890 and 1280 printers can also easily upgrade their printer with an updated driver and a new version of Epson Software Film Factory with PRINT Image Matching support. These upgrades can be obtained by calling Epson's PRINT Image Matching customer support line at (562) 276-7296 to speak to a representative Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. PST, and on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. PST. A CD-ROM containing the PRINT Image Matching upgrade will be shipped to each customer, free of charge.

More about PRINT Image Matching

PRINT Image Matching ensures that digital cameras and PRINT Image Matching-enabled printers work perfectly together to create the best possible prints. With PRINT Image Matching technology, digital camera manufacturers can set critical image specific parameters for printing, such as gamma level, color space, contrast, sharpness, brightness, saturation, shadow, highlight, and color balance, to ensure optimum results for each digital camera model. The photographer's original intentions are automatically reflected in the printed image. Photographers can now easily create stunning, frame-ready photos with their favorite PRINT Image Matching-enabled digital camera model and PRINT Image Matching-enabled printer without any complicated procedures.

PRINT Image Matching-enabled printers can only utilize the technology when used in conjunction with a PRINT Image Matching-enabled digital camera. For more information on this technology, visit www.printimagematching.com.

About Epson

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

(a) For complete sweepstakes rules, go to www.printimagematching.com.
Note: Epson, EPSON Stylus and PhotoPC are registered trademarks of Seiko Epson Corporation and PRINT Image Matching is a trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation. Epson Software is a trademark of Epson America, Inc. Film Factory is a trademark of AISoft, Inc. Other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.