- TOKYO, Japan, March 16 – 

Following on from a successful product announcement in the United States in February, Seiko Epson Corp. ("Epson") and Epson Sales Japan Corp. today announced the launch of the Epson PictureMate*1 personal photo lab in Japan. The new product is another result of Epson's pledge to provide its customers with Digital Image Innovation.

Addressing all of the barriers that digital camera owners have had with printing their photos, PictureMate is the first and only personal photo lab that allows digital camera owners to easily print brilliant, long-lasting lab-quality 4" x 6" (10 x 15 cm) photos at home at a cost that is comparable to some of the most affordable lab print prices. This breakthrough is made possible by Epson's exclusive archival print technology for photos that are indistinguishable from traditional lab prints and last even longer. The new product is aimed in particular at digital camera users who seek high-quality photo imaging, but who are reluctant to use a PC or visit a photo lab. 

High connectivity is a key feature of the PictureMate, which supports all popular memory card formats*2, in addition to direct printing from PictBridge(R) and USB Direct Print enabled cameras. There is an optional Bluetooth adapter for printing from compatible mobile phones or other compatible Bluetooth devices.

Epson's innovative archival 6-color pigment printing technology ensures photos are as stunning and durable as professional prints so memories will last for generations. As a result, all digital camera owners will soon have the ideal printing solution for sharing their memories of everything from holidays and vacations to a baby's first birthday party, without any compromises and in the convenience of their own homes. 

"PictureMate makes it easier than ever for families to preserve and share their precious memories," said Takao Mimura, Chief Executive of Epson's Inkjet Printer & Photo Product Operations Division. "This is another example of how Epson's advanced technology is supporting richer and more colorful communications."

Epson will launch PictureMate in other regions later this year.

Product specifications
Product specifications and other details about PictureMate in the United States can be found on the Epson America Website

*1 PictureMate is a trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation.
*2 SD(TM) memory card/MultiMediaCard(TM), Memory Stick(R), Compact Flash(TM) type I and II, SmartMedia(TM), Secure Digital, MMC, xD and Microdrive

Note: Products may not be available in some regions. Product names and release dates will vary.