EXHIBIT 99.1
                                                                   ------------

NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

AT SCHAWK, INC.:
JAMES J. PATTERSON
SR. VP AND CFO,
847-827-9494
JPATTERSON@SCHAWK.COM

AT THE FINANCIAL RELATIONS BOARD:

NORHA LEE                     JACK COTTO                       LAURA KUHLMANN
GENERAL INQUIRES              ANALYST INQUIRIES                MEDIA INQUIRIES
312-640-6689                  312-640-6755                     312-640-6727

                     SCHAWK, INC. ANNOUNCES INCREASED OFFER
                           TO ACQUIRE WACE GROUP PLC;

      WACE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS ITS SHAREHOLDERS ACCEPT SCHAWK'S
                                INCREASED OFFER

DES PLAINES, IL, - MARCH 17, 1999-SCHAWK, INC. (NYSE: SGK), North America's
leading digital imaging services company for consumer products, today announced
it increased its offer to buy Wace Group PLC, the largest European based
international provider of high-quality imaging services for the advertising,
promotional and consumer products packaging markets.

The total consideration of the increased offer is US $167 million in cash and
notes for 100 percent of the outstanding common and preferred stock of Wace. The
new offer is 80 pence per share for all of Wace's ordinary shares. Schawk
purchased 5,075,000 ordinary shares of Wace in the open market since
January 28th. Wace's Board of Directors has recommended to its shareholders that
they accept Schawk's offer.

Commenting on the increased offer, David A. Schawk, president and chief
executive officer of Schawk, stated, "Since our offer on January 28th, we have
met with the U.S. and European management of Wace. As a result of these
meetings, we are more optimistic about the future prospects of a combined
entity. We continue to believe that this transaction will allow the combined
company to achieve operating efficiencies and will strategically position Schawk
for enhanced growth and profitability. Our track record as a top flight
operating company in the graphics arts industry give us confidence that we will
be able to successfully integrate Wace into our existing





operations. We are also looking forward to working with the talented management
and employees of Wace. We are committed to increase value for our shareholders,
clients and employees."

"Wace has a premier client base, both in North America and Europe, and generates
over US $200 million in annual revenues from continuing operations. In addition,
over 60 percent of its annual revenue is generated in the U.S. The combined
company would be the largest U.S. supplier of high-end graphics services to the
consumer products packaging market and to the advertising and promotional
markets," concluded Schawk.

Derek Ashley, chief executive officer of Wace, commented, "We are pleased that
Schawk has recognized the value of Wace through their increased offer. Our Board
of Directors recommends that our shareholders accept Schawk's increased offer.
The Wace management team is very excited to work with the Schawk organization."

Schawk, Inc., headquartered in suburban Chicago, is a leading global supplier of
electronic digitized high resolution color imaging, database management and
on-site facility management, as well as related prepress and digital archiving
and distribution services. Schawk provides advanced technology services for the
food, beverage and consumer products packaging, point of sale and advertising
markets.

Wace Group PLC, the largest European based graphic imaging business, provides a
wide range of high-quality imaging services including digital imaging,
animation, digital photographic services, outsourced image management and
integrated media management. Its clients are predominately advertising agencies
and multinational corporations. Wace Group provides its services throughout
Europe and the U.S.

Any statement contained herein regarding Schawk, Inc.'s expectations for future
revenue and profit growth, and business acquisitions constitute forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the U.S. securities laws and are subject to the
safe harbor created thereby. Although the company believes that the expectations
reflected herein are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations
will prove to be correct.

      SCHAWK, INC. CAN BE REACHED ON THE INTERNET AT HTTP://WWW.SCHAWK.COM

          FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING SCHAWK, INC., FREE OF CHARGE,
                      DIAL 1-800-PRO-INFO AND ENTER "SGK."

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