Staples Copy & Print Centers today launched its first nationwide “Hometown Views” Photo Contest, making it easy for anyone with a digital camera to share what they love most about their hometown. The world’s largest office products company is offering amateur photographers a chance to have their photos viewed and sold to countless customers in Staples stores throughout the country.

Approximately 40 regional finalists will be selected and will receive prizes, which may include Staples gift cards and royalties of up to $5,000 from photos sold in over 1,300 Staples stores. One grand prize winner will receive an “Ultimate Photo Vacation to Iceland.” Each contest entrant will receive a coupon for one free big color poster redeemable at any Staples Copy & Print Center inside every Staples store.

“Whether you’re a busy entrepreneur or working parent, you have an affinity for your hometown,” said Rob Schlacter, Vice President of Business Services at Staples. “Through ‘Hometown Views,’ Staples is giving everyone the opportunity to show the entire country what makes their hometown special simply by sharing color posters of their neighborhood. With our Copy & Print Centers’ latest printing capabilities, we are helping our customers celebrate why everyone loves their hometowns with beautiful posters of where they live and work.”

Log on to www.staples.com/hometownviews for contest details, how to submit your entry and a complete list of rules and eligibility requirements. The forty finalists and grand prize winner will be announced in May. To make it even easier to capture an award winning image, Staples will also feature helpful tips provided by the experts at Nature’s Best Photography Magazine on the contest web site. The deadline to enter Staples “Hometown Views” Photo Contest is March 15, 2007.

The grand prize winner will be selected by Staples with the assistance of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA), the world’s oldest and largest not-for-profit association for professional photographers. PPA will also provide visitors to the contest website with information about how and when to select a professional photographer and how to avoid accidental copyright violations.

Staples Copy & Print Centers offer full-service copying and printing services with a 100 percent quality guarantee. Signature services include digital color copying, printing of customized letterhead, envelopes and business cards, lamination and various binding capabilities. Additional services include wide format color printing capabilities for high quality photo enlargements, posters, signs and banners. For added convenience, customers can also visit the online Staples Copy & Print Center at www.staples.com/copyandprint to upload digital files and submit print and copy jobs to any store location. Visit the Staples web site for a complete list of store locations.

About Staples

Staples, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPLS) invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and today is the world's largest office products company. With 69,000 talented associates, the company is committed to making it easy to buy a wide range of office products, including supplies, technology, furniture, and business services. With 2005 sales of $16.1 billion, Staples serves consumers and businesses ranging from home-based businesses to Fortune 500 companies in 21 countries throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia. Headquartered outside of Boston, Staples operates more than 1,800 office superstores and also serves its customers through mail order catalog, e-commerce and contract businesses. More information is available at www.staples.com.