FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 9, 2002

Epson Launches Seven New Wide Format Papers For Epson Stylus Pro Printers

LONG BEACH, Calif. - May 9, 2002 -- Epson America Inc., creator of high quality award-winning digital imaging products, is introducing seven new papers made especially for both professional and amateur users. Each new product is designed for use with the EPSON Stylus(r) Pro line of printers to give photographers a broader choice of artistic and commercial media to express their work. The new wide format products include: Somerset(r) Velvet for Epson, Premium Semimatte Photo Paper, Premium Glossy Photo Paper, EPSON Proofing Paper Commercial Semimatte, Premium Luster Photo Paper and EPSON ColorLife(tm) Photo Paper.

"Once again, we've expanded our already-extensive line of professional media to meet the growing demands of today's most advanced photographers and graphic artists," said Paul Lukacs, assistant product manager, Professional Graphic Supplies. "As today's digital artists continue to push new boundaries with our Stylus Pro ink jet technology, we'll continue to support them with a broad and superior selection of papers to help transform their creative visions into reality."

Somerset(r) Velvet for Epson
Made exclusively for Epson by St. Cuthberts Mill in Somerset England (makers of fine specialty papers since the 18th century), Somerset Velvet for Epson is an acid-free, 100 percent cotton rag fine art paper. The media is designed to give a museum quality feel and texture to prints using Epson Archival(tm) and UltraChrome(tm) Inks and is available in 255 g/m2 rolls and 505 g/m2 cut sheets.

Premium Semimatte Photo Paper
Premium Semimatte Photo Paper is a resin-coated photographic media that enables highly saturated, high-resolution images to be displayed with an elegant, but understated flat matte "N" surface finish that reduces glare, while maximizing presentation quality. Its 10-mil thickness and wide color gamut are designed for more discerning professionals, while its instant drying and non-cockling characteristics make it very easy to handle.

EPSON Premium Glossy Photo Paper
Epson's award-winning Premium Glossy Photo Paper is now available in wide format rolls, offering the highest gloss level of any Epson inkjet paper. This paper is engineered to produce vivid, life-like images that rival those of a traditional silver halide print, while its ultra-glossy finish allows for a wide color gamut and higher DMax for greater visual impact. Its 10-mil thickness and non-cockling characteristics also make it easy to handle and even laminate.

Premium Luster Photo Paper
Epson's popular Premium Luster Photo Paper is now available in 10-and 20-inch widths to accommodate borderless printing on the new Stylus Pro 7600 and Stylus Pro 9600 wide format printers. Similar to traditional luster papers used by wedding, portrait and school photographers, Epson's Premium Luster Photo Paper offers an "E" surface finish with a 10-mil RC base. This paper delivers highly saturated prints by offering maximum ink coverage and a high DMAX for true photographic reproductions. It's designed for use with Epson Archival and UltraChrome inks for long-life displays, and dye-based inks for shorter-term prints.

EPSON ColorLife Photo Paper
Originally designed for use with Epson's Stylus desktop printers, EPSON ColorLife Photo Paper is engineered to deliver colorful, fade-resistant photos, with lightfastness rated up to 26 years under glass, on a smoother satin finish using Epson's Photographic Dye inks. Now this media is available in wide-format rolls for Stylus Pro users.

EPSON Proofing Paper Commercial Semimatte
Designed with a commercial-grade base color, the semimatte surface finish on this proofing media is ideally suited for simulating the commercial printing applications most commonly used in high-end, sheet-fed printed products such as brochures, collateral, book covers and posters. This medium-weight paper is coated with exacting standards and displays superior short-term stability when used in conjunction with Epson professional inks.

Paper
Lightfastness Ratings*
Thickness
Sizes

Somerset Velvet for Epson
Up to 100+ years with EPSON Archival Inks, under glass
19 mil (rolls)
36 mil (sheets)
24" x 50' roll
44" x 50' roll
24" x 30" (20 sheets)
24" x 30" (3 sheets)
36" x 44" (20 sheets)
44" x 60" (10 sheets)

Premium Semimatte Photo Paper
Up to 100+ years with EPSON Archival Inks,40+ years with EPSON UltraChrome Inks, and 5 years with EPSON Photographic Dye Inks, under glass
10 mil
24" x 100' roll
36" x 100' roll
44" x 100' roll

Premium Glossy Photo Paper
Up to 100+ years with EPSON Archival Inks, 80+ years with EPSON UltraChrome Inks, and 5+ years with EPSON Photographic Dye Inks, under glass
10 mil
24" x 100' roll
36" x 100' roll
44" x 100' roll
Also available in a variety of cut sheet sizes and rolls for Epson desktop ink jet/photo printers.

Premium Luster Photo Paper
Up to 100+ years with EPSON Archival Inks, 40+ years with EPSON UltraChrome Inks, and 5+ years with EPSON Photographic Dye Inks, under glass
10 mil
24" x 100' roll
36" x 100' roll
44" x 100' roll
10" x 100' roll
20" x 100' roll
Also available in a variety of cut sheet sizes for Epson desktop ink jet/photo printers.

EPSON Proofing Paper Commercial Semimatte
Not recommended for long-term display
6.5 mil
13" x 50' roll
24" x 100' roll
36" x 100' roll
42" x 100' roll

EPSON ColorLife Photo Paper
Up to 26 years with EPSON Photographic Dye Inks, under glass
10 mil
24" x 100' roll
44" x 100' roll

Each of these new roll-size papers and wide-format cutsheet media will be available in June 2002 through authorized Epson dealers nationwide. Additional Epson sheet papers are available at computer superstores and specialty retail stores nationwide, mail order and the Internet, including Epson's Web site.

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: Specifications and terms are subject to change. EPSON and EPSON Stylus are registered trademarks of Seiko Epson Corporation. EPSON Archival, EPSON Photographic Dye, UltraChrome and ColorLife are trademarks of Epson America, Inc. Other marks are the property of their respective owners, and Epson disclaims any and all rights in those trademarks.

*Lightfastness ratings for both pigment and dye inks are based on accelerated testing of prints displayed indoors, under glass. Ratings for UltraChrome ink are based on preliminary data from Wilhelm Imaging Research, Inc. Actual print stability will vary according to image, display conditions, light intensity, humidity, and atmospheric conditions. Epson does not guarantee longevity of prints. For maximum print life, display all prints under glass or laminations or properly store them.

CONTACTS:
Epson America Inc.- John Jatinen
Phone: 562-290-5173
E-Mail: john_jatinen@ea.epson.com

Or

Walt & Company - Jennifer Gurien
408-496-0900 ext. 2984
jgurien@walt.com