GEI FotoZoomer Kiosk

GEI's FotoZoomer kiosk makes it easy for customers to convert their photos, negatives, digital files on disk or camera memory cards into “life-sized” images. Customers simply follow the on-screen instructions, preview the work, and print out an image up to 24- x 36-in. Users can crop and rotate the images, do simply retouches, and/or add their own imaginative touches, such as names, birthdays or holiday borders.

The FotoZoomer also offers an assortment of print-on-demand decorative art images, ranging classic masterworks and vintage posters to sports images, cityscapes, and newspaper images from around the world. “This art-on-demand feature has given us 'in's' into markets that you wouldn't normally think about for a photo kiosk,” says Sam Matheny, director of product development and inventor of FotoZoomer.

FotoZoomer uses an Espon Perfection 2450 flatbed scanner, 24-in. Epson Stylus Pro 7600 inkjet printer with pigmented UltraChrome inks and Premium Luster Photo Paper. According to Matheny, at the suggested retail price of $15 for an 18 x 24-in print, retailers can get a margin of more than 55%.

GEI offers three options: FotoZoomer IP is a complete self-service kiosk; FotoZoomer XP is a smaller kiosk that uses a retailer's existing Epson Stylus Pro 7600 printer; and FotoZoomer Desktop is available for small quick printers, camera shops and school systems.

FotoZoomer IP can be purchased for under $20,000, with leasing and revenue sharing options available. For retailers worried about downtime and technical problems, each FotoZoomer is Internet-connected and equipped with monitoring, tracking and reporting software. When a problem in a unit is detected, an alert is sent to GEI's North American Service Network for action. Service and support is provided through GEI CalGraph.

Currently GEI has about 20 pilot placements in large retail chains as well as non-traditional markets for photo reproduction. Other products from GEI include the GEI Zoomer Poster/Banner System to make black-and-white or two-color banners and posters up to 18 x 24 in. and Zoomer Q205 for the black-and-white scanning and printing of line art and drawings up to 18 x24 in. (Graphic Enterprises, Inc.: 800-842-8448, www.fotozoomer.com)