SAN FRANCISCO, CA - December 9, 1999 - NetRead, Inc.: The Publishing Portal(SM) - today announced partnerships with four printing industry leaders: PrintBid, TechniGraphix, iPrint and LASON.

The partnerships represent a significant expansion of NetRead's e-commerce hub for the $114 billion book publishing and printing industry. The printing partners' expertise in traditional and emerging print methods will allow current and prospective book publishers to more thoroughly assess and manage their printing and distribution options. Recent technical developments in printing have heightened the need for information and access to these technologies.

The partnerships will further enable NetRead's rapidly growing publishing community to exploit the many opportunities made possible by e-commerce tools, new distribution systems, and new book formats.

PrintBid.com is the only online resource where print buyers have access to a comprehensive database of every printer in the country. PrintBid makes it easier for print buyers to find the best vendor quickly, out of a pool of over 62,000 producers.

TechniGraphix, a division of Phoenix Color Corp., is a full-service printing company and a leader in short-run on-demand digital publishing. Phoenix Color Corporation is the largest book component printer in the world.

iPrint offers the ability to customize stationery, business cards, promotional items, and gifts in an easy-to-use online environment, from design to proof to order.

LASON is a global provider of comprehensive information management services, which include document capture, electronic data management, and output processing. LASON offers speedy delivery of high-volume communications in printed or electronic format through digital print-on-demand, laser print and mail, database management, transaction print, and electronic presentment on the world wide web.