PRIMERA DEBUTS SIGNATURE II CD COLOR PRINTER.

Primera Technology, Inc., Plymouth, Minn., a leading manufacturer of specialty color printers, has introduced its newest product, the Signature II CD Color Printer. Like its predecessor, Signature II provides users with a fast and inexpensive way to create customized CDs, jewel case inserts and booklets. However, Signature II's print speed is 30% to 100% faster with an increased quality of print.

Using an innovative ink-jet printing method, Signature II achieves a professional level of print quality that is demanded by businesses. Typical uses for customized CD-Rs include software distribution and beta releases, data archival, audio and music recordings, digital photography, and much more.

Four new full-color print quality modes are available on Signature II: draft, high, Photo 300 and Photo 600. Each print mode is from 30% to 100% faster than before. In fact, the default print mode is 100% faster, printing a full-coverage color CD-R in under two minutes. In its highest-quality print mode, called Photo 600, Signature II's print quality is equal to or better than any other dedicated CD-R printer available today.

A smaller footprint than its competitors along with a front-loading tray and easy to reach controls makes operation simple and efficient. Ink replacement takes 10 seconds or less and can be accomplished entirely from the front of the printer. The printer is capable of printing up to 16.7 million different colors and a black monochrome ink cartridge is also available for users who wish to print crisp, black text and graphics only. In monochrome mode, print time has also been increased to less than 20 seconds per disc.

Signature II comes complete with printer drivers and interface ports for Windows 95/98/NT as well as Macintosh. In addition, a full-featured design program designed specifically for the unique shape of CDs called "CD-ID for Windows" is included. Users can also use virtually any graphics program for Windows or Macintosh and the printer's drivers will "knock-out" the center hole of the design when printed. An exclusive interface port which is supported by many of the CD industry's most popular duplicators and autoloaders is also built-in to the printer.

"Signature II's low price, extra features, unsurpassed print quality and now its faster print speeds make it the superior choice for those who demand professional-looking CD-Rs," said Mark D. Strobel, Primera's vice president of sales and marketing. "We have designed it to be not only the highest-quality CD-R printer available, but also the fastest."

Easy-to-use printer driver options allow Signature II to print onto virtually any printable-surface CD-R media, including those from Primera's Authorized Media Partners:

Maxell, Microboards Technology, Mitsui. Or, for the ultimate in image quality and durability, Primera offers its Signature-brand CD-Rs which feature a unique protective coating called Tuff-Coat. This special coating eliminates smearing and fading and is highly water-resistant.

In addition to printing onto CD-R media, Signature II enables users to print directly onto CD jewel case inserts and booklets, thus providing a complete solution for CD-R personalizing and packaging. Users can print full-color graphics, photos, text and other images as well as vital information such as titles, track numbers and copyright information on the jewel case insert and booklet.

Pre-perforated, pre-sized inserts and booklets are available from Primera as optional supply items.

From one-color, text-only labeling to elaborate, full-color designs, Signature II creates CD-Rs that help businesses present a highly professional image to their customers. It is perfect for any company that records or stores data onto CD-R media. Signature II is available immediately from Primera Technology's Authorized Resellers and Distributors in over 60 countries world-wide.

Headquartered in Plymouth, Minnesota, USA, Primera Technology, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of specialty color printers. Primera was formed in February 1998 as an independent "spin-off" company from FARGO Electronics, Incorporated. More information about the company, its history and its products is available on the Internet at www.primeratechnology.com or by calling 1-800-797-2772 (USA and Canada). Outside the USA and Canada, call [phone] or FAX [phone].