Epson Exhibition Watercolor Paper Textured Wins Best Fine-art Paper in 2014 Hot One Awards

LONG BEACH, Calif., Aug. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Epson today announced its Exhibition Watercolor Paper Textured has been chosen by Professional Photographer magazine as "the pros' choice" for Best Fine-art Paper in this year's Hot One Awards. As the newest addition to Epson's award-winning portfolio of Signature Worthy^® Media, Exhibition Watercolor Paper Textured is designed to deliver a distinctive feel along with rich blacks, a wide color gamut and smooth tonal gradations for the ultimate in quality, both visually and tactility.

The annual Hot One Awards honor the hottest products and services for professional photographers. This year's competition had more than 250 entries from nearly 100 companies competing in roughly 50 categories. A panel of judges, made up entirely of independent professional photographers, names the top choice in each category. This year, the judges chose Exhibition Watercolor Paper Textured as the best Fine-art Paper in the industry.

"The winners of the 2014 Hot One Awards are a unique group of products and services, representing some impressive innovation in everything from lens technology to software to inkjet papers," said Jeff Kent, Hot One Awards editor for Professional Photographer. "The spirit of innovation is what makes this competition interesting year in, year out. This year's winners are certainly carrying on that tradition and providing professional photographers with fantastic new tools for their businesses."

Epson^® Exhibition Watercolor Paper Textured is manufactured with the revered mould-made process, utilizing custom made felts for a unique, highly textured watercolor surface and finish to help achieve the best combination of image quality and image permanence¹. In addition to the 22 Mil caliper and 310 gsm, Exhibition Watercolor Paper Textured is 100 percent cotton fiber and acid, lignin and OBA-free, making it an ideal fine art paper for today's printing professionals. The paper is available in roll widths of 17-, 24- and 44-inches, and 8.5"x11", 13"x19" and 17"x 22" cut sheets. For more information, visit proimaging.epson.com.

"Exhibition Watercolor Paper Textured was designed in collaboration with the world's leading creative professionals and engineered for the most discerning professional photographers, artists, museums, and fine-art reproduction houses," said Jeff Smith, product manager, Epson America, Inc. "This recognition by Professional Photographer magazine and its panel of distinguished judges underscores Epson's ongoing commitment to deliver the industry's leading printing technology and media solutions, and we look forward to continuing to collaborate with industry experts to design, develop and launch future revolutionary canvas and paper products."

About the Hot One Awards and Professional Photographer
For the past 15 years, the Hot One Awards have provided the Professional Photographer readership with a resource of the most effective and innovative products available in a variety of price ranges. Readers are treated to a resource compiled by independent, practicing professional photographers, selected for their expertise and knowledge. This year's independent panel of more than 30 judges voted on products that ranged from cameras and lenses to photo albums and mobile apps. They made their selections based on overall quality, innovation, design, performance, and value for the price.

For more than 100 years, Professional Photographer, the official magazine of Professional Photographers of America (PPA), has helped readers advance careers in the photographic industry. Each issue contains practical yet cutting-edge lessons in the artistic, business and technological aspects of professional photography. No other magazine offers a more influential presentation of the people, trends, products and photographs that define the portrait, wedding and commercial photography landscapes.

For Professional Photographer magazine subscription information and for a full list of Hot One winners, visit PPmag.com.

About PPA
Professional Photographers of America (PPA) is the largest international non-profit association created by professional photographers, for professional photographers. Almost as long-lived as photography itself, PPA has roots back to 1869. It has never stopped growing and looking for new ways to assist its now 27,000 members through protection, education and resources for their continued success in the industry. See why photographers love PPA at http://www.ppa.com.

About Epson
Epson is a global innovation leader dedicated to exceeding expectations with solutions for markets as diverse as the office, home, commerce, and industry. Epson's lineup ranges from inkjet printers, printing systems and 3LCD projectors to industrial robots, smart glasses and sensing systems and is based on original compact, energy-saving and high-precision technologies.

Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the Epson Group comprises more than 73,000 employees in 94 companies around the world, and is proud of its ongoing contributions to the global environment and the communities in which it operates. Epson America, Inc. based in Long Beach, Calif. is Epson's regional headquarters for the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. To learn more about Epson, please visit: www.Epson.com.

You may also connect with Epson America on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/Epson), Twitter (http://twitter.com/EpsonAmerica) and YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/EpsonTV).

Note: EPSON and Signature Worthy are registered trademarks and EPSON Exceed Your Vision is a registered logomark of Seiko Epson Corporation. All other product brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks.

¹ Still in testing

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SOURCE Epson