LINDQUIST & VENNUM P.L.L.P.
4200 IDS CENTER
80 SOUTH EIGHTH STREET
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55402-2205
TELEPHONE: 612-371-3211
FAX: 612-371-3207


ATTORNEYS AT LAW

EXHIBIT 5.1



April 24, 1997



Printware, Inc.
1270 Eagan Industrial Road
St. Paul, Minnesota  55121

     Re:  Opinion of Counsel as to Legality of 100,000 Shares of Common 
Stock to be registered under the Securities Act of 1933

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     This opinion is furnished in connection with the registration under 
the Securities Act of 1933 on Form S-8 of 100,000 shares of Common 
Stock, no par value, of Printware, Inc. (the "Company") offered to 
employees of the Company pursuant to the Printware, Inc. 1996 Employee 
Stock Purchase Plan (the "Plan").

     As counsel for the Company, we advise you that it is our opinion, 
based on our familiarity with the affairs of the Company and upon our 
examination of pertinent documents, that the 100,000 shares of Common 
Stock to be offered to employees by the Company under the Plan, will, 
when paid for and issued, be validly issued and lawfully outstanding, 
fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock of the Company.


     The undersigned hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with 
the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to the Registration 
Statement with respect to said shares of Common Stock under the 
Securities Act of 1933.

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        LINDQUIST & VENNUM P.L.L.P.