Imation highlights new Matchprint Laser Proof, Luminous Integration

New York (April 23, 1997) -- Imation Corp. (NYSE: IMN) the new imaging and information company recently spun off from 3M, today made several key announcements coinciding with the Seybold Seminars New York Exhibition, booth #2215, Jacob Javits Center, New York City, April 23-25. Imation and its wholly-owned subsidiary Luminous Technology Corporation highlighted an array of solutions designed to enhance the printing and publishing workflow.

New product announcements include Matchprint™ Laser Proof, a new digital halftone proofing system expected to bring Matchprint consistency and quality to the digital workflow.

The expansion of Imation's image management capabilities since acquiring Luminous in the fall of 1996, has resulted in a single source for innovative and comprehensive products, technologies and services designed specifically for the graphic arts, prepress, printing and publishing industry.

"With the acquisition of Luminous, we saw the opportunity to deliver state-of-the-art digital prepress software through Imation's worldwide network of distributors and resellers," said John Pohl, marketing director, Imation Printing and Publishing Systems. "Overall, our goal is to deliver high-value solutions to an industry that both is operating with conventional proofing and printing technologies and at the same time rapidly adopting digital processes."

At Seybold East, Imation will demonstrate how its production automation software, proofing systems, software for data transmission software and services, data storage products, film and plates connect to form a total customer solution.

Pohl cited a clear focus on working directly with customers to identify new products, technologies and services. "By collaborating closely with our customers, Imation is developing and introducing products, technologies and services that align with our customers needs in graphic arts, prepress and production. Ultimately, our goal is to deliver unsurpassed value that allows customers to be more efficient, productive, competitive and profitable," Pohl said.

Total Workflow Solutions

At Seybold, Imation will exhibit products and technologies that address various parts of the printing and publishing workflow: image output, software for data transmission, workflow automation, data storage and service and support. New product introductions include:

Image Output:

Imation today will announce the development of Matchprint™ Laser Proof, a new digital halftone proofing system. Using infrared (IR) thermal imaging technology, the new system works from a common raster image processor (RIP) for both plate and proof imaging. A first-of-its-kind proofer ideal for the computer-to-plate workflow, the system allows unique workflow opportunities from content creation to contract proof to plate. The system is designed to work with equipment manager's IR thermal laser exposure devices. Imation is cooperating with companies in the development of images to support the technology, including Presstek, Inc. and Creo Products Inc.

Imation will announce the availability of Imation's Rainbow™ 4700 color proofing system, which will begin shipping effective late May 1997. The Imation Rainbow™ 4700 proofer combines the award-winning Rainbow™ software and color capabilities with proven ink-jet imaging technology, completing the Imation Rainbow™ digital proofing family with a large format (A2-size) solution.

Imation will highlight the utility of Imation Rainbow™ digital color proofing systems from design to prepress to production, and as an ideal tool for remote proofing. New to the full Imation Rainbow™ proofing line, Imation will announce controller, RIP, scatter proofing and color locking software that enable the Rainbow™ 4700 proofer and offer upgrade paths to the Rainbow™ 2700 series of digital proofers.

The company will demonstrate samples of its developmental dry imagesetting film and "no-process" plates, which are expected to be released in the second half of 1997. Both dry products combine high-quality imaging with innovative formulations that eliminate the use of wet chemical processing.

Data Transmission:

Imation will conduct a demonstration of the ease and capability of remote proofing. At the booth, visitors could view a live remote proofing demonstration between Imation's booth and the company's Oakdale, Minn. headquarters. The live demonstration will highlight two new remote proofing options -- LuminousTM Virtual NetworkTM Pro software and the WAM!NET digital delivery service offered by Minneapolis-based Netco Communications Corporation -- both designed to offer graphic arts service providers and their customers increased productivity and cost saving opportunities through the growing use of telecommunications systems for remote proofing.

Newly announced Luminous Virtual Network Pro software is the first digital production tool for the graphic arts industry jointly developed by Imation and Luminous. The software will allow graphic arts service providers to employ a single user interface over a broad array of telecommunication connections to perform file transfers, job annotation and remote proofing with a single drag-and-drop operation. The new software is expected to be available in second quarter 1997.

Workflow Automation from Luminous

Luminous will exhibit its comprehensive line of workflow and production automation software solutions, integrated with Imation proofing systems and data transmission solutions. Luminous will preview Luminous PrintersWeb™ software -- the first commercially available database-driven, shrink-wrapped website for commercial printers and their customers. The software product is usable right out of the box or as an aid in customizing services of an existing Web site. The software is pre-configured such that customers' MIS staff, or an Internet developer can readily install it without the need to research the software components usually required to create a Web site.

The company also is announcing a new software developer's kit (SDK) for its Luminous OPEN (Open Production ENvironment) software. The OPEN SDK will include plug-in technology that offers third-party developers the ability to make 32-bit applications OPEN "Aware." Developers can use tools such as Microsoft® Object Linking and Embedding (OLE), Visual Basic, or Active X tools, or using Luminous plug-in technology.

In addition, Luminous is exhibiting its full line of innovative solutions available to customers, including the Luminous™ Media Manager™ database for digital media management; Luminous™ Color Central™ automated image and print management software; Luminous™ PressWise™ software, a leading electronic page imposition software for the printing professionals and Luminous™ TrapWise™ precision trapping software.

Data Storage:

Leveraging the synergy among its business units, Imation will demonstrate how its printing and publishing customers can benefit from the company's leadership in information storage and management. Solutions include the company's Travan™ data storage products, affordable, reliable solutions for archiving and backup. With the recent introduction of the 4 gigabyte uncompressed (8 GB compressed) TR-4 minicartridge and third party drives with a SCSI interface, Imation offers an excellent archiving solution for graphic arts and printing professionals.

Service and support:

Luminous will announce the Luminous Certified Consultant (LCC) program to graphic arts dealers in the United States and Canada. Purchased through Luminous authorized graphic arts dealers, the LCC program is a customizable training program designed to bring expertise from Luminous in digital prepress automation and new solutions for the Windows NT platform to end users.

Additionally, Imation has developed the CARE Center, an innovative customer service center composed of knowledgeable professionals who can answer questions on Imation printing and publishing solutions. CARE Center representatives were present at Seybold, available to address customers' questions on the show floor.

Company Background

Luminous Technology Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Imation Corp. Based in Seattle, Wa., Luminous develops software products, services and technologies for the prepress, print production, and graphic arts industries that support the shift to digital prepress and printing, as well as the expansion of media production for business intranets and the World Wide Web. Luminous serves its customers from regional sales offices and distribution channels throughout the globe.

For more information about Luminous Technology Corporation, customers should call (800) 685-6736. International customers should call (206) 689-6700. Luminous' website is www.luminous.com.

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, Matchprint, Rainbow and Travan are trademarks of Imation. Luminous, Virtual Network, PressWise, TrapWise, Media Manager, Color Central and OPEN are trademarks of Luminous Technology Corp.

Copyright 1996 Imation. All rights reserved.