LAS VEGAS (PMA, Booth #G196), March 8, 2007 – The days of traveling internationally with little more than a birth certificate and driver’s license are fading fast, due to changes implemented by the U.S. State Department and the Department of Homeland Security in late January.  Now, under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, all persons traveling to the U.S. from Canada, Mexico and several other countries/regions that previously did not require the showing of a passport will be required to present one.  

Demand for passports could increase about 25 percent (from approximately 12 million in 2006 to 16 million in 2007), according to the U.S. State Department.  Moreover, the State Department estimates that 72 percent of the Americans now lack passports.  This means there is huge potential for increased sales for passport photo providers.

In an effort to help retailers take advantage of this opportunity Sony Electronics has introduced its newest digital passport system. The UPX-C100 SNAPID™ digital printing system offers retailers the latest digital technology on the market, making it simple and quick to generate passport photos.

“The UPX-C100 system is designed for retailers who want to enter today’s passport/ID market and earn a solid ROI,” said Lynda Falby, Sony Electronics’ marketing manager for digital photofinishing products. “From image capture to printing, the UPX-C100 system is very simple to operate.  Just click, preview the image and then press the print button for high-quality passport photos every time.”

The camera offers five custom image capture settings that allow users to easily preset combinations, which may include exposure value and flash settings for different skin tones and lighting conditions.

The tethered system includes a 5-megapixel digital still camera with an auto preview option to review captured images, and features a USB 2.0 interface for high-speed transfers of image data.

The UPX-C100 model builds upon the UPX-C200 digital system, which offers a 4-megapixel digital still camera, Bluetooth wireless technology, and the capability to add up to two printers for large volume printing.

The UPX-C100 SNAP ID digital printing system is now available through authorized resellers for a suggested list price of $895.