TORONTO—Design Edge Canada magazine, including its web portal and associated Regional Design Awards, has been purchased by the C.J. Group of Companies.

"We are very excited about taking on this publication and its affiliated properties," said Jay Mandarino, founder and chief executive officer of C.J. Graphics, in a release. "It’s important to us that this publication flourishes and continues its mandate to inform and inspire graphic designers, art directors and all other professionals associated with design in its many forms across Canada."

MARKHAM, ON—Celebrating 10 years in business plus a recent purchase and office restructuring, Mi5 Print & Digital Communications held an open house party and tour for its customers.

"It was an opportunity to mix and mingle with clients in a more social atmosphere that was fun and entertaining," said Sheryl Saunder, vice-president of sales and target marketing.


Ange Harper and Joe Xuereb (second and third from left), sales staff at Mi5, pose with the open house bartenders

KITCHENER, ON—M&T Printing Group has added a Fuji Acuity, Zund Precision Cutter G3 M-2500, and Epson GS6000 to its equipment roster.

The company purchased the machines to support the expansion of its sign division, which now extends to its Kitchener facility in addition to the existing large-format operations at its Brantford location.


M&T's Branko Vranic (left), Zund's Vladimir Kajakov, and M&T's Jordan Potter (right) with the new Zund machine

NORTH VANCOUVER, BC—True Colours Graphics Reproduction has installed a new Kongsberg i-XN24 digital finishing system, purchased from Fujifilm.

According to True Colours president Carl May, the new machine enables the company to diversify its offerings with short-run carton packaging, as well as large and small prototype packaging.


Left to right: president Carl May, operator Lorna May, and Bryan Hall, display graphics sales specialist at Fujifilm Canada

INGERSOLL, ON—Universal Printing filed for bankruptcy on April 30 and is in the process of liquidation.

Sale of the company's assets will be handled by BDO Canada. According to a BDO Canada rep, a creditor meeting will be held Friday, May 17.


Universal Printing has filed for bankruptcy

MONTREAL—TC Transcontinental was one of the big winners at the Gutenberg Awards Gala held April 30 in Montreal. Among its accolades was a win in Technical Challenge, Newspapers.

This year's program saw several changes from organizer Quebec Graphic Communications Institute. The awards categories were reorganized into six product fields (packaging, publishing, etc.), and split into two components: the Technical Challenge and the Innovation Challenge.


Transcontinental Transmag wins in Technical Challenge, Newspapers, for Paillard

FREDERICTON, NB—Taylor Printing Group has gone live with Avanti's Print MIS software. According to Taylor's Scott Williams, Avanti's hands-on print experience was the main selling point.


From left: Scott Williams, vice-president of operations at Taylor Printing Group; Marc Rhodes, Avanti implementation specialist; Barbara Calhoun, vice president of finance at Taylor Printing Group

NEW GLASGOW, NS—Auto Trim and Signs has installed an Agfa Anapurna M4F UV flatbed printer, boosting its ability to print on rigid media.

Established in 1989, the company serves the local Pictou County area. It has its own in-house design department and produces posters, vehicle graphics, banners, signage and point of purchase displays.


From left: Michael Stock of ND Graphics, Dwayne MacKinnon of Auto Trim and Signs, and Agfa's Richard Juneau

TORONTO—First Copy at Women's College Hospital has purchased a DigiXpress 4-colour envelope press and feeding system from PDS-Pressdown.

The shop prints materials for the hospital's programs, clinics and events, as well as producing its brochures and newsletters, and posters that decorate the facility's halls and waiting rooms.

First Copy is also open to the public for services including pamphlets and flyers, laminating, business cards and more. All proceeds go to Women's College Hospital.


From left: First Copy's Minh Tran and Brent Burns with PDS's Brett Kisiloski

TORONTO—Staples announced last week that 3D printers are now available online at Staples.com and will appear on U.S. store shelves by the end of June.

While the news doesn't apply to our cut of the continent, a Staples Canada rep told PrintCAN that the company, including its online portal Staples.ca, is looking at the possibility of carrying the device as well.


The Cube 3D Printer sells for $1299.99