Fargo Electronics Receives U.S. Patent 6,146,032 ``Refractive Overlaminate Panel Technique''.

Business Editors & Technology Writers

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 13, 2001

Fargo Electronics, Inc. (Nasdaq:FRGO) today announced that it has received U.S. Patent 6,146,032, (`032 patent) "Refractive Overlaminate Panel Technique." Fargo Electronics is a leading developer, manufacturer, and supplier of desktop systems that personalize plastic identification cards for physical, information and transaction security.

"The new `032 patent covers Fargo's "SmartShield(TM)" process, which creates a transparent image that is placed on top of the card surface before the overlaminate is applied," said Jeffry D. Upin, Fargo's General Counsel.

"The SmartShield image appears when viewed at an angle under normal lighting, or when the card is viewed under ultraviolet (UV) lighting. This additional security feature makes identification cards much more tamper resistant, as well as making it easy to verify that the card is valid.

"SmartShield security images can be created using any program that saves or exports an image in a bitmap (.bmp) file format," Upin explained. "The image can then be positioned wherever the customer would like it to appear on the printed card. A single image can be applied anywhere on the card, or can be automatically duplicated so that either 4 or 6 images appear in preset locations on the card.

"This patent adds to our strong and growing intellectual property portfolio. It further protects Fargo's proprietary designs on printer ribbons, and demonstrates our continued industry leadership in innovative designs which benefit the end user," Upin said. "We are very pleased with the issuance of the `032 patent, which will offer our product lines and distribution partners additional competitive strength.

"Fargo has been granted 13 U.S. patents and has over 50 patent applications pending, related to specific card printer technology such as lamination, card flipping, ribbon technology, High Definition Printing(TM) (HDP), dual input hoppers and output stackers. Our ability to bring such ideas to the card personalization market gives end users greater flexibility and leads ultimately to Fargo's strength and growth in the marketplace," Upin said.

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 printing systems create personalized 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 retail stores, e-commerce, government installations, schools, sports and recreation facilities, clubs and associations, and correctional facilities. More than 50,000 Fargo systems are currently installed throughout the U.S. and in 76 other countries. For more information, visit Fargo's website at http://www.fargo.com.