Epson USA Press Release 11/10/04

Epson Pairs Most Advanced Pro Printer with Exclusive ColorBurst RIP to Launch Complete Printing Solution for Demanding Creative Professionals

LONG BEACH, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Oct. 11, 2004— Epson Stylus(R) Pro 4000 Professional Edition Features a Custom-designed PostScript Language Level 3 RIP by ColorBurst(R) that’s both PANTONE(R) Licensed and SWOP(R) Approved  

Epson America Inc. is expanding the capabilities of its most advanced professional-level photographic printer to deliver the highest level of performance and value. The Epson Stylus Pro 4000 Professional Edition combines the award-winning Stylus Pro 4000 printer with a custom-designed RIP from ColorBurst and Epson’s fastest Ethernet card for the premier printing solution for digital proofing, fine art and digital photography.

Featuring Epson UltraChrome(TM) Ink, the Epson Stylus Pro 4000 Professional Edition produces extremely brilliant, color-accurate, stable prints with repeatable results that are consistent from printer to printer. The unique PostScript Language Level 3 Compatible RIP developed by ColorBurst exclusively for this Epson printer is the first one that includes a full Pantone color library, so there is no need to convert Pantone spot colors to process equivalents, and is SWOP certified. Because this version produces contract-quality prints for final approval in-house, it saves designers money, enables them to set expectations for clients and facilitates the prepress workflow.

The color accuracy, coupled with affordability, also make the Epson Stylus Pro 4000 Professional Edition a viable option for remote proofing in which all participants in the workflow would have a printer, ink and media in their respective locations to print proofs for approval. The solution features an easy-to-use RIP server interface and job manager, as well as direct file printing capabilities with hot folder technology to drag-and-drop files into a hot folder for immediate printing. The ColorBurst RIP also includes a built-in printer linearization technology allowing users to correct out-of-spec color automatically, ensuring that every Epson Stylus Pro 4000 Professional Edition printer is printing to the exact same color standards. Designers can verify that all proofs are the same, while expediting the process.

The Epson Stylus Pro 4000 Professional Edition features an award-winning print engine with an Epson internal 10/100 BaseT Ethernet card to maximize performance. The ColorBurst RIP is a fully compatible software RIP for both Macintosh and Windows and is SWOP certified when printing with the included SWOP Printing Environment on Epson Premium Semimatte Photo Paper 250 and Epson Proofing Paper Commercial Semimatte. Professional color management technology includes separate input ICC profiles for RGB, CMYK and Grayscale images for complete control of color.

“While the Epson Stylus Pro 4000 Professional Edition is ideal for a variety of creative applications, this robust engine is especially suited to handle demanding proofing jobs,” said Mark Radogna, group product manager, Pro Graphics, Epson. “Furthermore, because the color becomes stable through the entire approval process once the proof is pulled and the solution is priced affordably so that it can be used throughout the entire workflow, this marks the first step in making remote proofing a reality.”

Epson UltraChrome Ink

Besides producing very stable prints, Epson UltraChrome pigment-based ink technology uses seven individual colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan, light magenta, light black and automatically switches between one of two other unique black inks depending on media type) to create an extremely wide gamut of colors that eliminates color casts and enhances midtones as well as prints black and white photography. Epson UltraChrome Inks are water resistant and offer lightfastness ratings for color images up to 108 years and over 180 years for black and white prints on specific Epson papers under non-UV glass.* When displayed under UV-protected glass, color lightfastness is rated at more than 100 years for all Epson’s leading professional papers. The quick drying nature of Epson UltraChrome Ink also makes it possible to handle prints the moment they come off the printer.

Media Handling and Flexibility

Images can be printed on virtually any media type (up to 1.5 millimeters thick) as wide as 17 inches using either rolls or cut sheets. A built-in high capacity media tray handles up to 250 sheets of plain letter sized paper or up to 50 cut sheets of photographic media up to 17” x 22”. Cut sheet media can be fed automatically using the printer’s high-speed cut sheet loading feature. Roll media users can take advantage of BorderFree(TM) printing. A built-in cutter is included to trim prints faster and with greater accuracy and safety than manual techniques.

High Resolution Printing and Faster Print Speeds

The Epson Stylus Pro 4000 is capable of printing at 2,880 x 1,440 dpi resolution - resulting in finer blends and smoother photographic transitions. It also uses variable droplets as small as 3.5 picoliters to greatly decrease print time while optimizing photographic quality.

Features for Proofing and Engineering Applications

In addition to creating professional level photographs and pre-press proofing, the Epson Stylus Pro 4000 Professional Edition is also an ideal solution for graphic design and other advanced digital imaging professionals. The printer’s ability to create 17” x 22” images is ideal for graphic designers who typically create two-page mockups for magazines, brochures and other pre-press applications.

Pricing and Availability

The Epson Stylus Pro 4000 Professional Edition is now available through authorized Epson Professional Graphics dealers for an estimated street price of $2,195. It is supported by the standard Epson Preferred(SM) Limited Warranty. This one-year program includes toll-free advanced telephone access Monday through Friday and typically next-business-day product replacement in the unlikely event of any hardware failure. Epson Preferred Plus Service Plans are also available, offering one or two additional years of protection that can be purchased at any time before the standard one-year warranty expires.

An optional custom-designed printer stand is also available for an estimated street price of $399. These heavy-duty stands include a large internal storage space, removable shelf and lockable wheels.

More information on Epson warranties, service programs and products, is available at 1-800-GO-EPSON (1-800-463-7766) or by visiting our Web site at www.epson.com.

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) printers and transaction terminals 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.

Ink lightfastness rating based on accelerated testing of prints on specialty media, displayed indoors, under glass. Actual print stability will vary according to media, printed 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 lamination or properly store them. Visit www.wilhelm-research.com for the latest information.