Academy Awards Selects Epson for Photo Printing for Third Year.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

HOLLYWOOD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 20, 2002

Photo Quality, Quick-Drying Inks, Media Handling Capability Make the

EPSON Stylus(R) Photo 890 an Ideal Choice for Producing Credentials

The entertainment industry's most prestigious award show has selected the most prestigious name in image quality to meet its photo printing needs for the third year in a row. The award-winning EPSON Stylus Photo 890 printer will be used to produce the photo identification badges for the 74th Annual Academy Awards(R) Ceremony.

Every person who is granted credentials for access to Oscar(R) Week events will be issued a photo badge printed on-site on an EPSON Stylus Photo 890 ink jet printer. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences chose the Epson printer because they want the best image quality possible, even on lower resolution photos, with fast photo printing speeds. Epson's quick-drying inks are another important factor so 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 cutting-edge technology incorporated into the identification badges.

"The logistics involved in staging the Academy Awards Ceremony are complex, and the ability to quickly print high-quality photo credentials on site using the latest digital imaging technology is critical to a smooth operation," said John Pavlik, communications director for the Academy. "The Epson printers give us the control, quality and convenience that we need to make this aspect of the production successful."

"Epson's photo printers have set the standard in photo printing with their amazing image quality coupled with versatility and incredible ease of use for a variety of customers ranging from novices to advanced photo enthusiasts to professional photographers," said Fabia Ochoa, product manager, photo imaging, Epson. "We are honored that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes and has selected Epson photo quality to support their activities leading up to the biggest night in motion pictures."

About the EPSON Stylus Photo 890

The EPSON Stylus Photo 890 is perfect for imaging enthusiasts and photographers who want the ultimate in 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 a variety of frame-ready, popular photographic sizes such as 4" x 6" and 5" x 7" without unsightly perforations or the inconvenience of trimming the margins. It also handles 44" long panoramas, photo and thick weight paper stocks as well as 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 virtually continuous tone photo quality designed ideally 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.