-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Czm1RFxv2hwsWMW8LzE5soarczD8+UZQPsfTKFKxag6xz6f6YaByl+L6Kvjt3l20
 VaHu4ZuAtvDUP+8mRwJ8QA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001286734-04-000010.txt : 20040802
<SEC-HEADER>0001286734-04-000010.hdr.sgml : 20040802
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040802100141
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001286734-04-000010
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040729
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040802

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RUSSOMANNO FRANK P
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001213977

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14310
		FILM NUMBER:		04943839

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O IMATION CORP
		STREET 2:		1 IMATION PL
		CITY:			OAKDALE
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55128

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			IMATION CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001014111
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MAGNETIC & OPTICAL RECORDING MEDIA [3695]
		IRS NUMBER:				411838504
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1 IMATION PL
		CITY:			OAKDALE
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55128
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6517044000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1 IMATION PLACE
		CITY:			OAKDALE
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55128

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	3M INFORMATION PROCESSING INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19960619
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-07-29</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001014111</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>IMATION CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>IMN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001213977</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>RUSSOMANNO FRANK P</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O IMATION CORP</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1 IMATION PL</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>OAKDALE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>55128</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chief Operating Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-07-29</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>300</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>32.75</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>10761</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2281</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>401 K Plan</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Jennifer A. Tenenbaum as power of attorney for Frank Russomanno</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-08-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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