Epson Hosts Imaging Academy in Los Angeles Area

LONG BEACH, Calif., Aug. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Epson America today announced its first Imaging Academy, designed to help graphic designers and small print shop owners understand how two products can benefit business – the Epson Stylus® Pro WT7900 and Epson Stylus Pro 7900 Computer to Plate (CTP) system. Held in Santa Monica, Calif. on Friday, Aug. 26, the Imaging Academy is being offered at no cost to attendees, and after the sessions each group will have time to interact with the solutions to see how they can best benefit their business.

"We created the Imaging Academy to allow Los Angeles-based graphic designers and print shop owners get a hands-on look at two revolutionary products," said Larry Kaufman, product manager, Professional Imaging, Epson America. "The WT7900 and 7900CTP can redefine how a graphic design firm or print shop runs their business, but sometimes seeing is believing, and we want to give potential customers the opportunity to see these products firsthand and have the benefit of Epson expertise as they evaluate the technology and ROI benefits."

The morning session from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. will focus on the Epson Stylus Pro WT7900, a contract-quality proofing system designed to dramatically improve how package designers and flexographic and gravure printing professionals produce packaging mock-ups and proofs. Leveraging Epson UltraChrome® HDR White ink, an innovative aqueous-based white ink printing technology, the WT7900 offers a new way of printing the color white on a broad range of substrates including ink jet coated transparent and metallic films. Kaufman will help graphic designers learn how to create packaging mock-ups in-house, utilize white ink in design work, and print on film and metallic for proofs, comps, and mock-ups.

During the afternoon session from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., small print shop owners will have the opportunity to learn how the Epson Stylus Pro 7900CTP system can benefit business with lower costs and increased profits. The 7900CTP is a complete turn-key system that combines an Epson Stylus Pro 7900 printer with a unique plate curing device, RIP software, and plate guide attachment. It features Epson DirectPlate Aluminum technology, a unique high-resolution aluminum press plate chemically coated to work with standard Epson UltraChrome ink technology. Reed Hecht, product manager at Epson, will show attendees how to produce true aluminum plates in-house up to 175 lpi and up to 20,000 impressions. In addition, Hecht will discuss ways owners can streamline their business with a chemical-free system and no expensive monthly service contracts, providing tangible cost savings. Hecht will also perform a live demonstration of the simple and cost effective workflow to create true aluminum press plates, on a printer that can also be used for producing banners and posters.

Complementary lunch will be served between sessions and a Google representative will be onsite to discuss how to successfully leverage the latest search engine marketing techniques. The Imaging Academy will be held at the J.W. Marriott in Santa Monica at 1740 Ocean Ave. and registration is required. Registration information can be found here for the WT7900 and here for the 7900CTP.

Pricing and Availability

The Epson Stylus Pro WT7900 and 7900CTP are currently available through Epson Authorized Professional Imaging Resellers for $8,495 and $9,995 (MSRP) respectively. Epson 7900CTP pricing includes an Epson Stylus Pro 7900 Printer, RIP Software, Plate Curing Unit (PCU), Plate Guide, and Sample Plates. For more information on Epson's complete line of professional proofing solutions, inks and media, visit www.proimaging.epson.com.

About Epson

Epson is a global imaging and innovation leader dedicated to exceeding the vision of customers worldwide through its compact, energy-saving, high-precision technologies, with a wide lineup ranging from printers and 3LCD projectors for business and the home, to electronic and crystal devices. Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the Epson Group comprises nearly 75,000 employees in 100 countries around the world. Epson is proud of its ongoing contributions to the global environment and the communities in which it operates and has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, an indicator for leading companies in economic, environmental and social criteria, for the third year in a row. 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/EpsonAmerica), Twitter (http://twitter.com/EpsonAmerica) and (http://twitter.com/EpsonEducation) and YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/EpsonTV).

Note: Epson, Epson Stylus, and Epson UltraChrome are registered trademarks of Seiko Epson Corp. All other product brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks.

SOURCE Epson America