[LETTERHEAD]

                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1



                                    July 19, 1996



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

    Re:  Opinion of Counsel as to Legality of 635,567 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 635,567 shares of Common Stock, no par
value, of Printware, Inc. (the "Company") offered to officers, employees,
consultants and non-employee directors of the Company pursuant to the Printware,
Inc. 1996 Stock Plan, 1986 Incentive Stock Option Plan, and Incentive Stock
Option Plan of 1985 (the "Plans").

    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 635,567 shares of Common Stock to be offered to
officers, employees, consultants and non-employee directors by the Company under
the Plans, will, when paid for and issued, be validly issued and lawfully
outstanding, fully paid and non assessable 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.

                             /s/ Lindquist & Vennum P.L.L.P.