New York (April 23, 1997) -- Creo Products Inc. (Vancouver, B.C.) has announced a new software utility, enabling the compatibility of Imation™ Rainbow™ Color Proofing Systems with its computer-to-plate (CTP) workflow. Rainbow™ proofing systems are manufactured by Imation Corp. (NYSE:IMN), the imaging and information company recently spun-off by 3M, which provides industry-leading color proofing systems for conventional and digital workflows.

The new Creo Descreening and Resampling software, which operates in conjunction with Creo's Renaissance scanning system or with other copydot scanning devices, converts copydot scanned separations to either a contone raster format (descreening) or to a different resolution copydot format (resampling), allowing users to proof the resulting digital file directly from the Rainbow™ color proofer. The new software is available immediately from Creo for a list price of US$19,000.

Creo's Renaissance scanning system is a complete solution for converting supplied ad film, archived film flats and reflective copy into imposition-ready digital files, offering printers the ability to enjoy the benefits of a digital workflow while still handling conventional film.

"Imation is committed to providing innovative digital proofing solutions that address the specific needs and challenges in the computer-to-plate workflow," said John Pohl, marketing director, Imation Printing and Publishing Systems. "With Creo's new software, Imation's Rainbow™ color proofing system becomes a qualified proofing device in Creo's computer-to- plate workflow, helping customers bridge the gap between digital and analog workflow processes."

"Typically, major publications produce their layout and editorial content digitally, with the intention of the work going CTP," said John Ward, Renaissance product manager, Creo. "However, many advertisers submit film and conventional proofs for ads, creating a need to digitize the information for output. Imation's Rainbow™ color proofer provides a high-quality end user spot-check for the comparison of supplied film-based proofs to digitally scanned outputs via the Rainbow™ color proof."

About Descreening and Resampling

Descreening: Taking screened bitmap images and descreening them to a lower resolution contone format, the software gives printers the flexibility to output to contone devices such as roto- gravure systems, contone (e.g. the Rainbow™ color proofer) or image editing software. By automatically detecting and measuring the screen frequency and angle, the software produces moire-free contone images (from 200 dpi to 1200 dpi) for the best possible quality. It also has the ability to process spot colors.

Resampling: Although the Renaissance scanning system can produce multiple output resolutions from a single scan, the decision to output scanned images to a particular bitmap imaging device, such as a platesetter, filmsetter or bitmap proofer, is often made sometime after scanning. With the resampling utility, the prepress operator is able to easily generate morie- free bitmap images of various resolutions, long after the scan is complete. It can output any number of resolutions, ranging from 600 dpi to 4000 dpi.

Creo Products Inc., a Vancouver, Canada-based company, is the world's leading supplier of Computer-to-Plate Systems. It has the largest installed base of eight-page color production systems, and has sold more than 200 units worldwide. Creo's innovation, technical excellence and employee commitment are focused exclusively on providing computer-to-plate system solutions for the graphic arts industry. Information about Creo's digital workflow solution is available by contacting Creo at (604) 451-2700.

Imation supplies a variety of products and services worldwide for the imaging and information industry. The company manufactures and markets digital and conventional color proofing systems, including the industry-standard Matchprint™ color proofing system, imagesetting materials, printing plates, graphic arts films, digital prepress software, software for digital communications services and carbonless paper products to customers worldwide. All Imation products are supported by a worldwide customer service organization. In 1996, the company generated revenues of $2.3 billion. Imation employs approximately 9,400 people and is based in Oakdale, Minn.

Additional information about Imation is available on the company's website at www.imation.com, by calling Imation toll-free at 1-888-466-3456, or through the company's toll-free shareholder information line at 1-888-IMN-NYSE (1-888-466-6973).

Imation, Rainbow and Matchprint are trademarks of Imation.

Copyright 1996 Imation. All rights reserved.