FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MUTOH AMERICA ANNOUNCES NEW FALCON II HIGH-PRODUCTIVITY PRINTER

For a product photo download go to: www.mutoh.com/downloads/

Contact: Kerrie Mellott Tel: (602) 414-4613 marketing@mutoh.com


TEMPE, Ariz., July 16, 2003 - Mutoh America Inc., a worldwide leader and manufacturer of large format commercial inkjet printers today announced the newest addition to its Falcon II Commercial Indoor line with the introduction of the Hi-Productivity Falcon II 64-inch. Joining the popular Hi-Productivity Falcon II 87-inch, the Hi-Productivity 64-inch printer is a wide-format, high-resolution printer for indoor applications where print speed and expanded color gamut are desired.

"Based on the popularity of the Hi-Productivity Falcon II 87-inch model, the 64-inch model was developed in response to customers that requested the speed and color gamut of the 87-inch in a smaller format. These customers typically print applications that include fine art reproduction, high-resolution photo enlargement, and exhibit graphics," stated Mutoh America's Vice President, Business Development, Guy Cipresso. "The Hi-Productivity Falcon II 64- and 87-inch printers set the standard for inkjet printing, utilizing eight piezoelectric print heads and Mutoh's precision motion control technology to deliver the ultimate in print speed, image quality and reliability."

The Hi-Productivity Falcon II models incorporate four additional print heads that allow print speeds of over 400 square feet per hour in 4-, 6-, or 8-color mode. Additionally, the deployment of the print heads allow the Hi-Productivity Falcon II to reduce or eliminate the banding commonly seen on wide format inkjet printers when printing at high speeds.

The piezoelectric drop-on-demand Dynamic Variable Dot imaging technology produces multiple, unique dot sizes. Just like the standard Falcon II 50- and 64-inch models, the Hi-Productivity Falcon II 64- and 87-inch models can adjust the size of the ink droplets from each of its nozzles, resulting in finer detail, smoother gradients and solid crisp colors that are closer to true continuous-tone imaging. The Hi-Productivity Falcon II offers a variety of ink color configuration options as well as the choice between pigment and dye inks.

Standard features of the Hi-Productivity Falcon II include a 128MB-image buffer, a 100Base-T Ethernet interface, and, for dependable unattended printing, a motorized take-up system and automatic ink level monitoring. Available options include a 256MB image buffer and a 21GB hard disk. Mutoh includes installation and one-year on-site warranty service with the Hi-Productivity Falcon II. The Hi-Productivity Falcon II 64-inch model, priced at $31,995, will begin shipments in August 2003, the Hi-Productivity 87-inch model at $36,995 is shipping now.

About Mutoh

Mutoh Industries, Ltd. was founded in 1952 in Tokyo, Japan, to manufacture and distribute mechanical drafting products. Mutoh later introduced a broad line of flatbed and roll-fed pen/pencil plotters that established Mutoh as a worldwide leader in X-Y motion systems and printer and plotter technology. Since then, ISO9000-certified Mutoh Industries, Ltd. has become the world's foremost manufacturer of large format piezoelectric printers. Mutoh manufactures printers and related peripherals for some of the biggest names in the pre-press, sign and graphics industries. Mutoh has key engineering manufacturing and distribution centers in Japan, Belgium and Tempe, Arizona, home to subsidiary Mutoh America.

For more information about Mutoh America, please email us at marketing@mutoh.com or by calling 602-414-4613, or 800-99-MUTOH (800-996-8864).