<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.12

                            [LETTERHEAD OF CALCOMP]



July 11, 1996


Mr. John J. Millerick
22 Putnam Road
Acton, MA 01720

Dear Mr. Millerick:

This letter is to confirm our offer of employment for the position of Senior
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer reporting to me at our Anaheim facility.
Your starting base salary will be $3,847 weekly with a $25,000 sign-on bonus.
Your salary will be reviewed at twelve (12) month intervals. Presently, all
merit reviews are conducted at the end of the third quarter of our fiscal year.
We have a Management Incentive Compensation Plan and Stock Options Plan that are
being recommended to our Board of Directors when we are a public company. The
MICP Plan provides for a bonus opportunity at target of 40% and will be prorated
for the year based on the number of months worked in 1996. However, in order for
a partial payment of the MICP to be implemented, you must start work by August
15, 1996. The Stock Options Plan would offer 50,000 options the first year. The
Stock Options Plan intent is to provide options that would be loaded heavily in
the first year. The remainder of the options that are planned are 75,000 to be
allocated in equal shares over a four year period subject to Board of Directors
approval.

I have been told that an Employment Agreement will be approved by the Board.  It
will be two years in duration and provide one year of severance if other than
for just cause.  This will be approved by the Board of Directors at a later
Board meeting.

The Company will arrange for the relocation of your family and household
belongings under provisions of the Lockheed Martin Policy CPS-538.  Your
relocation costs will be covered up to $100,000, which also includes a home
purchase offer.  Temporary lodging, daily meal allowance (per diem) and car will
be extended to you for one year.  You will also be provided with two (2) round
trips home each month during this one year period.  You will be eligible for the
relocation benefit during the first 18 months of your employment.  Additionally,
with respect to Section 10.0 Loss on Sale, in the Relocation Policy, capital
improvements will be considered when calculating loss on sale.

If not either pre-arranged or completed, this offer of employment is contingent
upon your satisfactorily passing a pre-employment physical examination,
including a drug screen urinalysis.  If you have any questions, please call
Roberta Diebold at (714) 821-2294.

Employers are required to verify work authorization and identification for all
new hires.  We would appreciate your cooperation by bringing with you on the
first day of employment documents to comply with this law.
<PAGE>
 
John J. Millerick
July 11, 1996
Page 2



It is CalComp policy not to improperly use the intellectual property rights of
others.  You are requested not to bring or disclose any proprietary/confidential
information of your former employers(s) to CalComp at any time.

Among the benefits you will enjoy as a full-time CalComp employee, subject to
certain eligibility requirements and waiting periods, is a program of Company
paid group insurance which provides for basic life as well as accidental death
and dismemberment.  Employee paid benefits eligible to you are comprehensive
medical, dental and vision coverage for you and your eligible dependents, and a
program of income protection in case of long-term disability.  In addition, you
may obtain supplemental life insurance coverage for yourself and your
dependents.  Other benefits include paid sick leave, 12 paid holidays per year,
paid vacation, pension plan, thrift plan, credit union and college tuition
support programs.  You will be entitled to three (3) weeks of vacation per year.
Extra time will be granted by mutual agreement between you and me.
Unfortunately, the plan document for the Lockheed Savings Plan Plus requires you
to wait 12 months before being eligible to contribute, and this cannot be
waived.

It is a pleasure to make you this offer to join CalComp.  We look forward to
your association with the Company and know you will find it both personally and
professionally rewarding.

Please sign below and return this letter to us indicating your acceptance and
start date.  An additional copy is included for your records.

Sincerely,


/s/ GARY LONG
-------------
    Gary Long
    President

ved
Enclosure


                /s/ JOHN J. MILLERICK                         8-12-96
                ---------------------                   ------------------
                    John J. Millerick                        Start Date

                [President's Stamp]
<PAGE>
 
                            [LETTERHEAD OF CALCOMP]



July 12, 1996


Mr. John Millerick
22 Putnam Road
Acton, MA 01720

Dear John:

The following is provided as an addendum to my letter to you of July 11 and
specifically addresses your interest in adding a severance clause to our offer
letter.

        If, prior to the expiration of the two-year term of this agreement,
        employee's employment is terminated by the company other than for cause
        or due to death or disability, the company shall provide employee the
        following:

        a.  One year's base salary plus one year's MICP at 100% in a lump sum in
            cash within thirty (30) days of the date termination.

        b.  One year's benefits continuation as currently provided for company
            officers.

        c.  Payment for executive out-placement services with the cost not to
            exceed ten percent (10%) of employee's annual base salary.  Payment
            to be made as billed by the provider.

Please acknowledge acceptance of this addendum by signing below and returning
the signed copy to me.

Regards,


/s/ GARY R. LONG
----------------
    Gary R. Long

Accepted: /s/ JOHN J. MILLERICK                             7-12-96 
          ----------------------                        ----------------
          /s/ John J. Millerick                               Date

          [Stamp of President]
<PAGE>
 
                             [LOGO OF THE COMPANY]

                           INTEROFFICE COMMUNICATION


TO:       JOHN MILLERICK                        IOC NO.:  96-AMEND

FROM:     KEVIN COLEMAN                         DATE:     AUGUST 16, 1996

SUBJECT:  AMENDMENT                             MS/EXT:   17/2622


This is an amendment to your offer of employment dated July 11, 1996.  CalComp
will reimburse you for COBRA payments through December 1996.  All other
conditions remain the same as stated in the previous letter.


Sincerely,


/s/ KEVIN COLEMAN
-----------------
    Kevin Coleman
    Director
    Human Resources