Fargo Electronics Makes `Versatile, Dependable and Now Even More Affordable' Persona Series C16 Available.

Business Editors, Hi-Tech Writers

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 31, 2002

The new Persona(R) Series C16 desktop plastic card printer from Fargo Electronics, Inc. (Nasdaq:FRGO) is "versatile, dependable and now even more affordable," according to Kathleen Phillips, Vice President - Marketing.

Based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Fargo creates printing systems that personalize plastic identification cards, complete with digital images and text, lamination, and electronically encoded information.

"The C16 is performance-driven, with a full set of the features that our end users have been asking for in an entry-level printer. It is easy to set up and use," said Phillips. "With a small desktop footprint, high-tech industrial design, and ice blue case, the C16 is ideal for the office environment, and a superb solution for customers who expect to print up to 10,000 single-sided cards per year.

"Best of all," Phillips noted, "the C16 is priced at just $2,295.00 (MSRP), or $200 less than the Persona model it replaces. "At that price, the C16 is a superb value in the entry-level card printer market."

A full color dye-sublimation printer, the C16 prints high-quality, continuous-tone photo ID cards edge-to-edge on standard CR-80 PVC cards. Designed for simple, quick setup, the C16 has a one-touch top cover release which opens widely for convenient access and ease of use within small spaces.

"Drop-in `one-way' ribbon loading prevents user error, and a spring-loaded 100-card capacity card input hopper provides one-step, no-hassle loading every time," Phillips said. "For added efficiency, the new C16 also features an easy-to-read LCD display that shows printer status and other helpful messages - a unique feature for printers in its class.

"Equipped with a high-performance print engine, the C16 is fast (30 seconds per card, YMCKO, single-sided), quiet, and provides a sharp image quality. A new, high-tack silicone card roller mechanism provides highly reliable feeding, card after card," she continued.

"With an interactive CD for fast installation of our `next-generation' printer driver, and a new, convenient interface, the C16 is also very user-friendly. Powerful new features include independent resin panel control to assure crisp text and bar codes, automatic ribbon calibration to insure optimal card image clarity and low maintenance, and a "Ribbon Low" warning to prompt users to check supplies status," Phillips said.

Options for the C16 include built-in ISO magnetic stripe encoding (Hi-Co or Lo-Co), priced at $399.00 (MSRP); USB-to-Parallel interface cable; Ethernet interface adapter; and printer cleaning kit. The printer will be available through authorized Persona distributors, or call 1-800-459-5636 for the name of a dealer near you.

About Fargo

Fargo Electronics, Inc. (Nasdaq: FRGO) is the world's leader in innovative technologies for desktop plastic card personalization systems. Based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Fargo is the only manufacturer to offer three distinct technologies in printing systems - High Definition Printing(TM) (reverse image), traditional Direct-to-Card printing (dye-sublimation), and CardJet Printing Technology(TM) (inkjet) - to personalize plastic identification cards, complete with digital images and text, lamination, and electronically encoded information.

Personalized identification cards provide physical, information, and transaction security for a wide variety of applications including Corporations, National IDs, Drivers' Licenses, Universities, Schools, Government Installations, Transportation, Casinos, Healthcare Facilities, E-commerce, Retail Stores, Correctional Institutions, Associations, Sports Events and Recreation Sites. More than 60,000 Fargo systems have been sold in the U.S. and over 80 other countries. For more information, visit Fargo's Web site at http://www.fargo.com.

Note to editors: For a JPEG photo file, log on to the Fargo Media Room at http://www.fargo.com/Corporate_info/product_photos.asp, or e-mail your request to [e-mail].