Epson Gemini K3 Portrait Printing System

Epson America Inc. has introduced a new digital workflow system that is tailor-made for portrait photographers who are looking for an immediate and simple way to increase their productivity, image quality and profitability. The Epson Gemini K3 Portrait Printing System combines the benefits of Epson's UltraChrome K3 photographic printing technology with new image management and enhancement programs that are designed to dramatically improve the way portrait photographers do business.

Epson Gemini K3 is designed to give portrait photographers a simple way to control and speed up the entire print production process while eliminating their dependence on printing labs, and lab-related issues such as delays, peak season cut-off dates and unpredictable results. Whether a photographer captures all of their images from a digital camera or with the combination of film and a scanner, the Epson Gemini K3 Portrait System is engineered to help manage all their photographic files in an organized method that enables them to quickly and easily select the images they want to print. By having this system on site, photos can be viewed by clients immediately and selecting images is simply a matter of mouse-clicking their favorites.

Once images are selected, the photographer can quickly crop and retouch images prior to creating proofs using either the system's built-in photo enhancement software or with other programs such as Adobe Photoshop. When clients place their orders, the photographer simply drags and drops the selected images into built-in or custom-designed photo templates that enable them to print in a variety of common or custom sizes, on different types of media and into a wide array of custom packages. The system can save additional time by applying automatic color corrections that are pre-determined by the photographer.

Epson UltraChrome K3 ink technology uses eight high-density pigments designed to increase image quality for both professional color and black and white prints. In addition to cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan and light magenta, Epson UltraChrome K3 features a unique three-level black ink system that simultaneously uses black, light black and light light black inks. These new inks combined with Epson's proprietary driver and screening technology are designed to create professional neutral and toned black and white prints without color crossover or color casts.

The Epson Gemini K3 Portrait Printing system incorporates the Epson Stylus Pro 4800 printer (see review in Shutterbug at http://shutterbug.com/equipmentreviews/scanners_printers/1105epson) which is capable of printing a wide selection of images up to 17 inches wide with unprecedented image quality. In addition to printing on traditional E-surface luster papers, Epson

Gemini K3 offers a wider range of media types such as photographic matte, fine art and canvas. The printer also features a built-in, high-capacity paper tray that can handle up to 100 cut-sheets of 8.3" x 11" photographic media or up to 50 cut-sheets of photographic media up to 17" x 22". As the photographer's business grows, or if they require printing in sizes beyond 17 inches wide, he/she can print up to 24 inches or 44 inches wide (respectively) by adding an Epson Stylus Pro 7800 or Stylus Pro 9800 printer to their existing system.

Other Epson Gemini K3 Portrait System/printing benefits include:
Photographic Server/RIP System provides fully automated printing with priority control. Photographers can send, resend, or delete print jobs at any time. An "On-demand" function allows photographers to push any order to the top of a queue. The system simultaneously manages and prints across three Epson Stylus Pro printer models and automatically selects correct printer, print mode and color management.

Built-in Ethernet Connectivity allows both Macintosh OS X and Windows XP Professional client workstations to work simultaneously with the system.

Touch-Panel Display/Monitor Interface allows users to configure and monitor all print activity.

Online Access to Personal Account for job management and ordering consumables.

Pricing and Availability
The Epson Gemini K3 Portrait Printing System (includes the Epson Stylus Pro 4800 print engine, printer cabinet stand, Intel Pentium 4-based system hardware along with the Epson Gemini K3 client and workflow software suite) is now available through Epson-authorized dealers for $6,995 (estimated street price). Users are able to purchase the system's ink cartridges and papers from Epson on line, and can earn credits toward these purchases based on their print volumes.
Call 1-800-GO-EPSON (1-800-463-7766) or visit their Web site at www.prographics.epson.com.

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