Corel and IKONICS Launch New Software Package

DULUTH, Minn., Aug. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Corel and IKONICS Corporation (Nasdaq: IKNX) today released a new, joint solution enabling users to quickly and easily convert simple line images into photographic quality halftone images. The new CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 12/Half-Wiz solution combines the photo-editing power of Corel's award-winning graphics suite with IKONICS' Half-Wiz halftone wizard product. Working in the familiar and easy- to-use Corel environment, professionals in the personalization and awards industries can now reduce the amount of time it takes to prepare a half-tone image from hours to minutes while greatly enhancing the quality of their work.

The CorelDRAW(R) Graphics Suite 12/Half-Wiz solution provides an easy-to- use wizard interface to Corel PHOTO-PAINT 12 -- the powerful digital imaging application included in the CorelDRAW suite -- enabling users to prepare an image for half-tone applications with just the click of a button. The new technology lets users capture the shadows and light of an image to dramatically improve the quality of awards and other personalized items while substantially reducing production time and costs.

The new CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 12/Half-Wiz offering will debut at the Awards and Custom Gift Show on August 12-14, 2004 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, CA. Demonstrations will occur at the IKONICS Booth #609.

Corel PHOTO-PAINT 12 and the Half-Wiz halftone wizard are used together with IKONICS' RapidMask High Definition photo resist film to provide a simple and cost-effective method for producing finished, high quality products. Now customers are able to quickly and easily create an extremely attractive, unique and permanent photographic image which carries a much higher value than an alternatively imaged piece.

"Professionals working in the personalization and awards industry are always looking for ways to differentiate their products from their competitors," said Nick Davies, Director of Graphics for Corel. "Our joint solution with IKONICS enables professionals to create more realistic photo images on their trophies, plaques, glass and tiles without added production costs and cycles."

In addition to personalization markets, the CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 12/Half-Wiz solution can also be used by customers in a variety of other industries including interior and exterior architecture, signage, commemorative plaques or any application where creating a detailed permanent halftone image is desired.

"The CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 12/Half-Wiz solution is a key component of our strategy to provide our customers with a total system for the use of our products," said IKONICS Chief Executive Officer Bill Ulland. "We are expanding the functionality of our Rapid Mask photoresist films and related equipment in new markets such as photography and signage, where high resolution, permanent images are needed."

The new solution will be sold exclusively by IKONICS. Plans for launching the solution in additional markets, including signage, laser engraving and other graphic arts markets, are now underway.