New York (April 23, 1997) û Imation Corp. (NYSE: IMN), the imaging and information company recently spun-off from 3M, will showcase new options for remote proofing through live demonstrations between its booth at Seybold Seminars East and its global headquarters in Oakdale, Minnesota.

The live demonstrations will highlight two new remote proofing options. The first uses Imation's newly announced LuminousTM Virtual NetworkTM Pro software to transmit files over ISDN telecommunication lines. The second uses Imation Rainbow™ for WAM!NET to provide remote proofs for subscribers to the WAM!NET digital delivery service, provided by Minneapolis-based Netco Communications Corporation.

"Today, the graphic arts business is moving to increasingly digital processes in all areas except one," said Lee Stocking, marketing manager, Imation Printing and Publishing Systems. "When a job is ready for client color sign-off, proofs are typically sent via overnight courier -- the slowest link in the process. Imation has combined it's industry award winning Rainbow™ color proofing system with electronic transmission of digital files, allowing the delivery of proofs in just minutes to remote client sites.

Announced today, and expected to be availabe in May 1997, LuminousTM Virtual NetworkTM Pro software allows graphic arts service providers to digitally transmit files, annotate jobs and perform remote proofing through a broad range of telecommunication connections. With drag and drop functionality, users simply select a digital address and the file to be sent.

For graphic arts service providers with Imation RainbowTM color proofing systems, new Luminous Virtual Network Pro proofing functionality verifies whether or not the proof was successfully output at the remote site. The sender receives notification that the remote Rainbow color proofing system has received and processed the job or that an error occurred. The software also allows graphic arts service providers and their clients to review and annotate images remotely on-screen, providing opportunities to avoid costly mistakes before production. Users can send any file type supported by the Rainbow color proofing system to any Host site listed in their Luminous Virtual Network Pro address book. Used in conjunction with Imation Rainbow™ Color Locking Software, users can select Matchprint™ color targets and be assured of consistent color machine-to-machine.

The second remote proofing option uses the Imation Rainbow™ for WAM!NET color proofing system with Netco's WAM!NET digital delivery service to transmit proofs from production to client, location to location and city to city. With Imation Rainbow for WAM!NET, the sender can either send postscript files to be ripped at the receiving site or send pre-ripped files. In the pre-ripped scenario, issues of ripping, font management and color targets are all managed by the sender for greater control and security. Transmission times are also reduced and proofs are delivered even faster.

"Customers are asking for flexible remote proofing alternatives," said Stocking.

"Remote proofing, as a process, is gaining rapid acceptance in the industry. Both Luminous Virtual Network Pro and Imation Rainbow for WAM!NET provide remote proofing solutions for many high volume shops and their clients. The benefits of getting a proof in minutes instead of days will drive an industry explosion in remote proofing."

"At least three components are required to make remote proofing a success," continued Stocking. "Users must have a cost effective means to transmit data, a high quality digital proofer that meets customers' needs, and a reliable color target like the MatchprintTM color proofing system with a method for guaranteeing consistency at the remote site. Imation offers all of these to fully address customers' remote proofing needs."

The Imation™ Rainbow™ color proofing systems provide superior image quality digital contract proofs. The systems consist of controller and color fidelity software for the Macintosh™ and PC platforms, and thermal dye-sub Imation Rainbow proofers. Used in conjunction with Imation Rainbow™ Color Locking Software, users have the ability to select Matchprint color targets and be assured of consistent color machine-to-machine and site-to-site. 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 proofing systems, including the industry standard MatchprintTM 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. The company employs approximately 9,400 people worldwide and is based in Oakdale, Minn.

Additional information about Imation is available on the company's website at http://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).

Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. WAM!NET is a trademark of NetCo Communications Corporation. Virtual Network is a trademark of Luminous Technology Corporation, a subsidiary of Imation Corp.

Copyright 1996 Imation. All rights reserved.