Epson launches the PictureMate PM 280 and PictureMate PM 240 portable home photo-labs. The Epson PictureMate PM 240 will cost £129.99 and be available in September 2006, whilst the Epson PictureMate PM 280 will cost £199.99 and be available in October 2006.

Epson UK Press Release

4th September 2006 – Don’t lose your precious memories into the depths of your computer hard drive or leave them trapped on memory cards and CDs.  Epson’s new PictureMate PM range with a contemporary and iconic design empowers you to print superior quality photos at home more conveniently and cost-effectively than ever before, from only 20p per photo.  The two new models, the Epson PictureMate PM 280 and Epson PictureMate PM 240 are premium quality 10x15cm photo printers.  Both work standalone, so there is no need to connect to your computer.  They are easy to use with fast print speeds up to 42 seconds per photo. The PictureMate PM 280, features an internal CD drive allowing you to print directly from a CD or save images from your digital memory card to CD.  Both printers also provide direct printing from digital camera memory cards, “USB DIRECT -PRINT™”, PictBridge and an optional Bluetooth® adapter.

In addition to the superior photo quality, your images will remain colourful and vibrant for a long time.  Both photo-labs offer 200 years durability in album storage, so your family photos can be shared for many generations to come.

The PictureMate PM 280 and PictureMate PM 240 also feature the latest Epson PhotoEnhance technology.  It automatically detects the type of scene in an image and adjusts the colour reproduction and contrast. For example; in your portrait photos, the technology recognises the presence of a person and adjusts skin tone and brightness to provide you with a premium quality photo.  You can also further improve your photos using the crop and red-eye removal features. For your added convenience, Epson has ensured you can access all of the quality enhancing features in standalone mode without the need for a computer.  You simply edit your photos directly from the 2.5inch colour preview monitor.

Both models incorporate Epson’s Advanced Variable Sized Droplet Technology (Advanced VSDT).  With five different droplet sizes they use the smallest droplet of two picolitres for areas where fine detail is required and larger droplets where there are blocks of colour in your image.  As well as allowing Epson to provide fast printing speeds, Advanced VSDT works in harmony with the Epson Micro Piezo™ print head to produce premium quality photos with smooth gradations and tonality.

The PictureMate PM 280 and PM 240 also feature a variety of presentation formats.  You can choose from colour, black and white or sepia. Get creative with your photos by adding fun-frames, clip-art and text. Choose a template for a special occasion, for example, a birthday card or invitation.  Both models also offer a range of flexible layout options. You can choose to print 20 photos to a single sheet of 10x15cm photo paper to accompany your CD of images so you can quickly identify the photos on your CD’s at a later date.  Alternatively you can print four photos to a page which are suitable for identification cards or print your photos with or without a border.

If you want to print your photos in situations where a main power supply is not available, Epson has designed an optional battery pack, ensuring you can print your photos anywhere. 

Epson has designed both models to deliver cost-effective photos, without any sacrifice in quality.  The Epson PicturePack is designed to accompany both products and contains everything you need for 150 photos.  Epson has also launched an additional PicturePack for 50 photos.  So whether you want to print just a few of your favourite photos or all of them, there is a PicturePack to meet your needs.

Martin Godfrey, Product Marketing Manager at Epson UK, says, “The benefits delivered by the PictureMate PM 280 and PictureMate PM 240 ensure they are an essential and valuable addition to any family home.  You can print your own superior quality photos quickly, easily and efficiently. You have full control of what you print and when you print it.  The additional quality enhancing features and creative templates ensure that regardless of your level of technical expertise, you can manage your own photographic memories to share with your friends and family.”

Epson PictureMate PM 280 and PictureMate PM 240 key features summary
Only 20p a Photo with Epson Picturepack
Exclusive Epson Photographic Ink system
4 Colour for Lab quality photo prints
Preview your photos on a 2.5“ LCD viewer
No need for a computer – enjoy flexible photo printing directly from your digital camera memory card, Pictbridge digital camera, “USB DIRECT- PRINT™” or optional Bluetooth adapter
Up to 42 secs 10x15 photo
Affordable printing with the Epson PicturePack.  Choose from 150 or 50 photos.  RRP including tax £29.49 or £13.49
Print photos with increased speed using Advanced Variable Sized Droplet
Durable photos last 200 years in albums
Achieve premium quality prints every time with Epson PhotoEnhance technology
Get creative with various presentation options, including black and white and sepia tones, fun frames and clip art
Achieve vivid, lifelike images with 5760x1440 dpi
PictureMate PM 240 RRP including tax £129.99 – available September 2006

Epson PictureMate PM 280 additional features summary
Store photos onto CD or print directly from a CD with internal CD drive
PictureMate PM 280 RRP including tax £199.99 – available October 2006

About Epson
Epson is a global leader in imaging products including printers, 3LCD projectors and small- and medium-sized LCDs. With an innovative and creative culture, Epson is dedicated to exceeding the vision and expectations of customers worldwide with products known for their superior quality, functionality, compactness and energy efficiency. Epson is a network of 90,701 employees in 120 companies around the world, and is proud of its ongoing contributions to the global environment and to the communities in which it is located. Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corp, the Group had consolidated sales of 1549.5 billion yen in fiscal 2005.