DATE: April 15, 1996

FROM:                              FOR:
Padilla Speer Beardsley            Merrill Corporation
224 Franklin Avenue West           One Merrill Circle
Minneapolis, MN 55404              St. Paul, MN 55108


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MERRILL CORPORATION ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF CORPORATE PRINTING COMPANY

     ST. PAUL, Minn, April 15, 1996 -- Merrill Corporation (NASDAQ:MRLL) today
announced that it has acquired certain assets of Corporate Printing Company in
New York. Twenty-three year old Corporate Printing is the leading regional
financial printer in the Northeast area with offices in New York and Washington,
D.C., and services clients throughout the world. The top sales and service team
from Corporate Printing will be joining Merrill's New York operation. Merrill
will market in New York and Washington, D.C. under the name Merrill/Corporate.
This was a cash transaction. Further terms of the acquisition were not
disclosed. Michael James, vice president of Merrill's Eastern region will
oversee the new organization. Hal Cooney, former president of Corporate Printing
will continue as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of
Merrill/Corporate.
     John Castro, president and CEO of Merrill said of the acquisition, "This
acquisition positions us as a leader in financial printing in New York. The
combined strength of these two companies will benefit our clients greatly. We
now offer the most experienced organization in New York for all types of
financial printing, from registration work to reporting and mutual fund
printing.

                                     (more)


     George Shifrin, chairman and largest stockholder of Corporate Printing
said, "Corporate will be a valuable asset to Merrill. The depth of our client
relationships and reputation for excellent service will blend well with
Merrill's strengths as a technology leader, and their worldwide service network.
Merrill/Corporate clients and employees will both benefit from the opportunities
presented by our joining the greater Merrill organization."
     Merrill Corporation is a leading provider of on-demand, 24-hour-per-day
typesetting, printing, document reproduction, imaging and distribution services
to financial, legal, corporate and commercial markets, worldwide.
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