Staples Makes it Easy for Small Businesses to Make a Lasting Impression; Staples Drops Color Copy Prices to 39 Cents Through November 12.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. -- It is said you can't judge a book by its cover, but the average person decides whether or not they will pick up and view a document in just 2.5 seconds. One of the easiest ways to make in impact in those brief seconds is to add color. To help small businesses brighten their competitive edge, Staples, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPLS) is offering color copies for 39 cents at its Copy & Print Centers for a limited time in Staples 1200 stores nationwide.

"People are attracted to color. Given the choice between a black and white ad and color, they will go with the color ad. Color commands attention," said Steven Bleicher, author of "Contemporary Color Theory and Use," (2004, Delmar) and chairman of the Visual Arts Department at Coastal Carolina University. "Color not only captures attention, it increases a reader's attention span and recall up to 82 percent."

"Staples is making it easier for small businesses to economically add color for higher impact and higher returns," said John Burke, Senior Vice President, Business Services for Staples. "With 39 cent color copies, Staples Copy & Print Centers helps customers save money and increase their success."

When it comes to selecting colors and creating a brochure, presentation or other piece that will represent your business to clients, Bleicher and Lindsay Baker, advertising and graphic design instructor at the Art Institute of San Diego, offer some advice:

--Pick one or two colors and stick with them.

--Keep the design simple and clean.

--Establish a set of graphic standards. Select a primary and secondary font or typeface for company communications. Select colors using the industry standard Pantone Matching System to ensure consistency. Consistency builds trust.

--Do pay for a graphic designer, but if your budget doesn't allow for a professional designer, Baker recommends contacting a local art college.

Staples Copy & Print Centers are full-service centers that make copying and printing easy for small businesses and guarantee its quality and service. Some of the services offered include digital color copying and printing, wide format color and black & white copiers, laminating, cutting, folding and binding and much more. For a complete list of store locations, log on to www.staples.com.

About Staples

Staples, Inc. invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and today is the world's largest office products company. With 65,000 talented associates, the company is committed to making it easy to buy a wide range of office products, including supplies, technology, furniture, and business services. With 2004 sales of $14.4 billion, Staples serves consumers and businesses ranging from home-based businesses to Fortune 500 companies in 21 countries throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia. Headquartered outside of Boston, Staples operates approximately 1,716 office superstores and also serves its customers through mail order catalog, e-commerce and contract businesses. More information is available at www.staples.com.