Epson Press Release 16/12/03

LONG BEACH, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Dec. 16, 2003—

Epson Adding Unique Online Component to Successful Traveling National School Program

Advanced amateur photographers and photo enthusiasts across the country will soon have two new programs in which they can learn from the pros how to use the latest digital technology to create the highest quality prints. Based on the success of last year’s program, Epson is offering the Epson Print Academy 2004 traveling school, as well as adding the Online Experience, a new web-based course to provide even more educational opportunities.

Print Academy 2004 will travel to 30 cities on weekends beginning Jan. 31 for half-day sessions, with multiple programs offered in several cities. The program will feature all new content from last year’s program, enabling participants to learn more creative solutions from master photographers and printmakers, watch live demonstrations of the latest digital imaging equipment and learn valuable tips and techniques they can use right away to improve their photography and printmaking.

Digital printing expert Vincent Versace will lead the Epson Print Academy, demonstrating in person how to get the best results from the newest digital printers, ink and paper technology from Epson. Other leading photographers who are members of Epson’s elite Stylus Pro program will share their expertise and give testimonials, including Hollywood celebrity photographer Greg Gorman, acclaimed former National Geographic photographer Bruce Dale, award-winning travel photographer Bob Krist and noted advertising photographer Jack Reznicki.

In addition to the traveling school, Epson is offering the Epson Online Experience. This unique video streaming program will be hosted by award-winning photographer and musician Graham Nash. The Online Experience is a 90-day self-paced program beginning Jan. 31 in which participants will have access from the comfort of their homes to approximately 60 digital printing tutorials, plus an exciting insider’s perspective on how some of Epson’s Stylus Pro photographers create their magic. The tutorials will cover digital photography techniques from capture through printing, including such topics as monitor calibration, printer driver set-up, creating panoramas and framing. Participants will also be able to follow Jay Maisel as he shoots aerials from a helicopter over the Statue of Liberty, view a New York City fashion shoot with Douglas Dubler, and follow John Shaw as he looks for the perfect light in Moab, Utah.

Epson is offering these programs to address the continuing demand for education on digital photography and printing to show photographers how to get the maximum results from a broad range of digital cameras and scanners, including those of the highest quality.

“The response to last year’s Epson Print Academy was overwhelming and showed just how hungry people are for education about how to get the best prints from their digital equipment,” said Dan Steinhardt, marketing manager, Epson. “Since then, so many people have been asking us when we were coming back to their area. So we are glad to offer a new traveling school this year. And by expanding the Academy to include an online component, even more photographers of different skill levels will be able to benefit from the insider secrets that make for breathtaking photographic prints.”

The registration fee is $59.95 for the Epson Print Academy 2004 traveling school and $29.95 for the Online Experience. Photographers who register at the same time for both programs will receive a $10 discount.

More information about the Academy, including a schedule, registration fees and a registration form, is available online at www.epson.com/PrintAcademy.

About the Epson Group
The Epson Group increases its corporate value through its innovative and creative culture. Dedicated to providing its customers with digital image innovation, its main product lines comprise information-related equipment such as printers and projectors, electronic devices including displays, semiconductors and quartz devices, and precision products such as watches. Epson products are known throughout the world for their superior quality, functionality, compactness and energy efficiency.

The Epson Group is a network of 88,036 employees in 111 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., which is listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the Group had consolidated sales of 1,322 billion yen in fiscal 2002.

About Epson America Inc.
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.