EPSON Stylus Photo 2000P's Breakthrough in Pigment Technology
Delivers Color Gamut that Rivals Dye for Photos that Last Several
Lifetimes
LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 22, 2000-- Portrait and fine
art photographers and artists will soon be able to create the first
truly archival photo reproduction quality prints from a desktop ink jet
printer.
Epson America Inc., leader in high-quality award-winning imaging
products, is redefining the photography market with the launch of the
EPSON Stylus® Photo 2000P, which delivers true photographic quality
prints that will last several lifetimes.
Using EPSON Archival Ink and certain new compatible Epson papers, the
EPSON Stylus Photo 2000P boasts lightfastness rated at more than 200
years under fluorescent lighting conditions, in a glass frame, before
noticeable fading occurs.
Until now, photographers and artists who needed longevity and
stability for heirloom prints and outdoor displays had to settle for
less-than-ideal pigment ink solutions. Because pigment inks are composed
of insoluble particles of color that retain their color after the outer
color fades, these inks offered a high level of lightfastness and
waterfastness.
However they also have had a lower color gamut, lower gloss,
incompatibility with resin coated photo media and less durability
against scratches than dye-based inks.
Breakthrough in Pigment Technology
Epson chemists now have found a way to overcome these shortcomings,
developing a pigment-based ink that couples the image quality of Epson's
dye-based inks with the longevity of pigment which truly redefines color
photography.
Through Epson's new development of MicroCrystal Encapsulation
technology, pigment crystals are coated in uniquely engineered resin
polymer to ensure even particle size and distribution for a color gamut
and gloss that far exceeds other pigment solutions and rivals dye.
The resin polymer also enhances durability by pulling the pigment
deeper into media crevices rather than resting on top of the surface and
provides an extra sealant coating on the surface, which resists
scratching. As a result, the EPSON Stylus Photo 2000P delivers prints
that outperform Lightjet and Pegasus prints in lightfastness and media
flexibility and outperform Iris prints in color, lightfastness and media
flexibility.
``Professionals and amateurs alike care about preserving memories,''
said Fabia Ochoa, product manager, photographic reproduction printers,
Epson. ``With this unprecedented combination of both image quality and
longevity, Epson is changing everything. We are no longer claiming to
have output that is as good as a photograph. We now deliver output that
is better than a photograph.
``For the first time ever professionals can produce color photographs
which rival the archivability of a black-and-white print, lasting about
four times longer than the most lightfast color photographic paper.''
EPSON Stylus Photo 2200 -- Best for Portrait and Fine Art
Photography
The EPSON Stylus Photo 2000P uses the company's award-winning
Advanced Micro Piezo Technology and durable permanent print head to
eliminate misting, provide consistent dot size and shape, and ensure
accurate dot placement with 1440 x 720 dpi resolution.
The intuitive coverage of Variable Sized MicroDroplet Technology
coupled with Acuphoto Halftoning delivers the widest color range of
pigment with continuous tone quality, using tiny pigment particles as
small as 0.1 microns for the finest detail and gorgeous highlights.
Designed to address the needs of photographers, the EPSON Stylus
Photo 2000P has a large printable area up to 13`` x 44''. Eliminating
left and right margins, the printer also features 4``, 8.3'' and 13``
edge-to-edge printing on both cut-sheet and roll paper. A roll paper
holder is included with the printer, as well as a value pack of Epson
media.
Notable Features
The EPSON Stylus Photo 2000P has several notable driver features,
including automatic image resizing, watermark previewing, poster
printing and photo enhance options to create sepia tones and autocorrect
the image.
Compatible with both Windows and Macintosh platforms, the printer
features standard USB, standard parallel, and optional external Ethernet
connectivity. The EPSON Stylus RIP is also an option, which will be
available in the fall.
The EPSON Stylus Photo 2000P offers a modern, attractive case design
and black and silver case color, as well as quiet operation. And to save
the user money, the printer also features the Intellidge ink cartridge,
which includes a memory chip that tracks ink usage and reclosable valves
that enable users to remove and reinstall cartridges as needed.
For optimal image quality, the printer is designed to ensure that
inks are completely dry before subsequent printhead passes are made.
This eliminates smudging, bleeding, and waiting time before touching the
print after it comes out of printer.
``With all of these features, the EPSON Stylus Photo 2000P gives
artists a very affordable, virtually no-maintenance desktop tool that
will save them time, money and frustration. It also gives them
independence from their lab and better control of their work,'' Ochoa
said. ``There are no desktop competitors for this product, period.
``The exciting fact is Epson has developed an ink jet technology
which exceeds the standards of conventional color photography, and the
market doesn't expect this kind of advantage with such an affordable and
easy-to-use desktop printer.''
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Photography