September 30, 2008
Do Not Call Registry launches today
OTTAWA—The new national Do Not Call registry takes effect today, placing restrictions on telemarketing. That means marketers may have to look to other outlets for reaching target audiences, and that could be a business opportunity for graphic designers as companies turn to traditional direct mail and e-mail marketing as alternatives.
Beginning today, Canadian consumers who have signed up for the registry can no longer receive telemarketing solicitations (there are exceptions for charities, political parties, companies already having a business relationship with the consumer, and newspaper subscription solicitations).
The print industry stands to benefit. Transcontinental has rolled out a campaign and new microsite to help marketers navigate the changing direct-marketing landscape. Pitney Bowes also recently launched dmworks.ca, a one-stop website where business can produce, manage, and distribute their direct mail campaigns via Canada Post.
Do Not Call legislation was introduced in the United States in 2003, resulting in a 35% increase in the use of direct mail. Companies that violate the Do Not Call legislation face fines of up to $15,000 per violation. The legislation applies only to consumer lists, not business-to-business lists.
For more information visit,
www.transcontinental-printing.com/know/home.html and www.dmworks.com
Publishing group promotes soft proofing
TORONTO—Canada’s consumer magazine association is urging ad agencies to adopt monitor-based soft proofing as the new standard for approving advertising materials, citing efficiency, predictability, consistency and accountability as reasons.
“It is hard to predict the tipping point of conversion from hard to soft proofs but large Canadian publishers and printers are already making the move,” says Gary Garland, executive director of advertising services at Magazines Canada.
The association has released a new white paper called Soft Proofing: A Guide to Benefits and Best Practices, to support the case for a move away from traditional hard proofs. The white paper was developed to present the case for why soft proofing is building momentum and to review the benefits and challenges associated with it. It recommends that all agencies, publishers, printers and other stakeholders actively investigate if, and how, soft proofing is right for them.
To download the PDF report, click here.
Printer Gateway invests in new Komori
ETOBICOKE, ON—Printer Gateway has added a Komori LSX528C, 5-colour 24” x 29” press with tower coater to its shop floor. The press comes equipped with fully automatic press washers, Komorimatic Delta Dampening, and extended delivery. Printer Gateway has three locations in the GTA and offers prepress, design, web-to-print, and bindery services.
With the new Komori is Brian Armstrong, owner of Printer Gateway.
September 25, 2008
Legg Brothers scales back further
TORONTO—Legg Brothers is no longer doing any printing at its Toronto shop and has laid off several more employees, partner Brad Legg told PrintCAN today. In early September, we reported the family-run business had 15 workers, sold some equipment, and had leased its 10,000 sq. ft. facility. Legg said the company is trying to sub-lease that property and now has 9 employees. The shop still does prepress, photography and colour correction work and is farming out its printing. Legg Brothers is one of the oldest print shops in Toronto, open since 1900.
Montreal shop wins in international competition
MONTREAL—Etiquettes Profecta Labels was the sole Canadian winner in the second annual HP Indigo Digital Label & Packaging Competition. The shop won in the Innovative Use of Substrate category for labels printed on an HP Indigo ws4500. The contest showcases the best in the digital packaging and label market, with the stipulation that all entries be printed on an Indigo. There were more than 140 submissions, and the winners were announced at a gala during the Labelexpo Americas trade show in Chicago.
Two shops go CTP with Agfa
CORNWALL, ON, and ST. JOHNS—Two companies have gone CTP with Agfa. Full-service commercial printer Cornwall City Press has added an Agfa Acento CTP engine with Apogee X workflow, and Azura processless plates to its shop floor. The shop serves Eastern Ontario, parts of Western Canada, Northern New York State, and the Maritimes.
The Hub Printing in St. John’s has installed the same workflow, engine and plates, and provides design, offset and digital printing.
With the new Agfa gear from left to right are: Richard Juneau from AGFA, with Ginny Blair and Wendy Grant, owners of Cornwall City Press.
Posing with the Acento from left to right are: Warner Locke, from Unisource Canada; Becky Pendergast, from the Hub Printing; and Richard Juneau from AGFA.
September 23, 2008
New Print Media Centre launched in Edmonton
EDMONTON—Nearly 80 print industry professionals from Western Canada descended on NorQuest College for the launch of the new Centre for Excellence in Print Media today. The centre gives printers access to leadership training, information, and to chance to try new equipment and software, before they buy it. The centre is home to a Heidelberg press, gear from Xerox and Adobe, and bindery equipment, among others. It was funded in part by the federal and provincial governments, as well as industry partners. NorQuest College has about 10,000 students and two programs for future printers, Digital Graphics Communications and Print Media Production. Students from those programs will also have access to the centre.
Sun Media creates e-editions of 32 papers
TORONTO—Sun Media launched online e-editions of 32 papers yesterday, giving readers the news exactly as it appears in the printed edition. The content can be viewed on a computer, with versions for Blackberry and iPhone users available. Content can also be downloaded for offline viewing. Sun Media communications advisor John Wildgust said the idea is not to replace the printed edition of the paper, but called it a “convenient option” for people to keep on top of local news in other areas, and to view the news while on vacation. He also said the e-editions will not affect the number of printed Sun papers in any way. Sun Media is offering a 14-day free trial, and after that prices will vary depending on the area, but will be roughly $4.95 per month.
For more information and links to Sun Media’s papers across Canada, visit www.sunmedia.ca
Annual reports still viable, report says
TORONTO—Craib Design & Communications released its 5th Annual Report Trends survey in a presentation at the Toronto Stock Exchange last week. The survey tracks design-related trends as well as business topics.
Among the design trends in the 205 reports selected for benchmarking, the survey notes that 41% employ design extras such as gatefolds, tip-ins, die-cuts and spot glosses. Almost all reports—90%—were produced in four or more colours, and 85% contained colour photography.
The report notes that only 27% of U.S. companies produce a traditional annual report, with the remainder producing the minimum Form 10-K required by regulators. But 83% of Canadian companies on the TSX/S&P publish a traditional annual report.
The Internet’s undeniable impact was also noted, and annual report websites were included in the survey. “And yet,” as the authors note, “most of the leading companies in North America and Europe continue to devote substantial time and resources to the printed annual report. They do so because only the printed report offers the control required—over structure, pacing and context—to ensure that the right story reaches the right audience, with impact.”
For more information visit www.craib.com
September 18, 2008
Trade Watch: Printing deficit deepens
OTTAWA—Canada’s trade deficit is getting worse, according to the latest figures from Statistics Canada. In general, trading activity in July saw exports fall 12.9% and imports rise 9.9% over the same period in 2007. Exports to the U.S. dropped to $83.48 million, from $95.91 million at the same time last year. Imports from the U.S. were up, coming in at $95.16 million compared to $81.69 million in July 2007. Imports from China were $19.72 million, down slightly from $20.87 million in the same period in 2007. The trade balance sits at $-43.01 million down from $47.47 million in July of last year. That’s a change of -109.6%.
| EXPORTS | 2008 | 2007 | Change |
| July | $100.19 million |
$114.97 million |
-12.9% |
| Year to date | $700.22 million |
$836.41 million |
-16.3% |
| IMPORTS | 2008 | 2007 | Change |
| July | $131.74 million |
$119.83 million |
9.9% |
| Year to date | $743.22 million |
$788.95 million |
-5.8% |
Transcontinental inks new deal
MONTREAL—Transcontinental Custom Communications has signed a multi-year deal with Canada Post to publish its magazine Smartmoves, the company announced yesterday. Transcontinental will be responsible for the printing, design, distribution and fulfillment of the publication. Smartmoves is published three times a year with a circulation of 1.1 million. It will be printed on 100% recycled paper. Custom Communications was launched last year, in collaboration with U.K.-based publishing agency Seven Squared, and offers custom publishing services for customers in North America.
B.C. shop gets a Speedmaster XL 105
VANCOUVER—Horseshoe Press has added a Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 105 with Preset Plus Feeder and extended delivery to its shop floor. It’s the first Speedmaster XL 105 installed west of the Rocky Mountains and features Axis Control for spectrophotometric colour measurement of ink, Colour Assistant, Inkline, and a chamber coater that enables speeds of 18,000 impressions per hour. Horseshoe Press has been in business for 20 years and specializes in everything from packaging to publishing.
With the new Heidelberg from left to right are: Daniel Tam, general manager; Allan Tieszen, customer service manager; and Jenny Fong, executive assistant, all with Horseshoe Press.
Toronto shop expands upon its Goss web press
TORONTO—Weller Publishing is installing a four-high tower to its Goss Community SSC web press. The company, which was founded in 1963, says the press expansion will give it flexibility in colour pagination as well as more colour pages. Weller Publishing, a full-service colour printing house for more than 100 publications, added the Community SSC press back in 1980.
September 17, 2008
Supremex buys Montreal Envelope
MONTREAL—Supremex Income Fund has purchased all the assets of Montreal Envelope, the company announced today. Montreal Envelope has been in business since 1917 and reports $13 million in revenues. It has a sales operation in Quebec City, as well as an envelope printing facility in Toronto. No word yet on what will happen to its 85 employees. Supremex is the largest manufacturer of envelopes in Canada, and employs 800 people at its 11 facilities.
September 16, 2008
New chair, board at CPIA
OTTAWA—At its annual meeting last week, CPIA elected Louise Kralka, vice president of sales at Phipps Dickson Integria, the new chair of the board. Kralka has 12 years experience in the industry, and is a regular speaker at “Print Quebec” events. CPIA also elected its members of the board at the meeting:
Vice Chair— Dean McElhinney of Unicom Graphics in Calgary
Secretary –Treasurer— Jamie Barbieri of Phipps Dickson Integria in St. Laurent, Que.
Immediate Past Chair— Sean Murray of Advocate Printing and
Publishing in Pictou, N.S.
Chairman, Government Affairs Committee— Alexander (Sandy) Stephens of Informco in Scarborough, Ont.
Director at Large— Curwin Friesen of Friesens Corporation in Altona, Man.
Calgary printer goes CTP with Fujifilm
All Canadian Printing has purchased a Dart 4300E, Trueflow workflow, and an Epson 7880 proofer from Fujifilm Canada. The full-service commercial shop owns several offset and digital presses, and has been in business since 1983.
With the new gear from left to right are: Al Nazir Bhura, owner of All Canadian Printing; Bob Lush, account manager at Fujifilm Canada; and Stefan Biasi, vice president of the Graphics Systems Division at Fujifilm Canada.
September 11, 2008
Transcontinental reveals higher revenues and new contract
MONTREAL—Transcontinental today released its third quarter figures posting a revenue increase of 6% over of 2007. In Q3, ended July 31, 2008, revenues hit $584.9 million compared to $551.1 million last year. Net income climbed to $30.3 million for the period from $27.8 million in 2007. With today’s release, the company also confirmed that since last April it has been printing flyers for Shoppers Drug Mart in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax. The multi-year contract is valued at $25 million per year.
VistaPrint adds manufacturing space
WINDSOR, Ont.—VistaPrint is expanding its Windsor facility by more than 140,000 sq. ft., the company announced today, with 80,000 sq. ft. dedicated to manufacturing space. The expansion, expected to be completed by year-end, brings the plant to just over 300,000 sq. ft. Additional equipment will also be added to keep up with growing order volume, says the company, but it could not confirm what devices it will install. This is VistaPrint’s second expansion since it opened its doors in the summer of 2005. The Windsor plant prints and distributes orders for all of North America.
Jones Packaging orders Komori press
LONDON, Ont.—Jones Packaging has placed an order for a 13-unit Komori LS40 sheetfed press with nine printing units, two tower coaters and two drying units, configured specifically for the company. Features on the press include Komori’s fully automatic plate loading system, PDC-S close-looped colour control, fully automatic press wash-up, KHS-AI high speed inking with artificial intelligence self-learning function, and inker declutch on all units. The new press is slated for installation in the spring of 2009. Jones Packaging, with sales of about $100 million, has been in business since 1920.
September 9, 2008
Legg Brothers scales back
TORONTO—Family-owned Legg Brothers has recently downsized, partner Brad Legg told PrintCAN today. Attributing it to the declining economy, Legg said the company has leased a portion of its 10,000 sq. ft. facility, sold some equipment, and gone from 19 employees to 15. “We’re going to keep plugging away and have less people,” Legg said. Legg Brothers, open since 1900, is one of the oldest print shops in Toronto. It specializes in photography, colour correction, prepress, printing and bindery work.
Students get $60,000 in print scholarships
OTTAWA—Canadian Printing Industries Scholarship Trust Fund announced this week that its board of trustees awarded $60,000 in scholarship funding to 45 students. The fund gave more than $36,000 to 26 students in their first year of study in graphic communications. Another $23,750 was awarded to 19 continuing students enrolled in the scholarship program. The board is comprised of 13 printing industry professionals, including the chairman of the fund, Don Gain, president of Harmony Printing in Toronto, Mary Black, of Mary Black Recruiting, and Dick Kouwenhoven, president, Hemlock Printers, Burnaby B.C.
September 4, 2008
Sanden Machine in creditor protection
CAMBRIDGE, Ont.—Citing a general decrease in market demand over the last few years, the increase of the Canadian dollar, and higher levels of overheads and fixed costs, Sanden Machine filed for creditor protection in July, PrintCan has learned. A proposal to creditors was subsequently filed on August 14, says Rosalee Sanden-Munch, president and CEO of the web press manufacturer, and a creditors’ meeting has been scheduled for October 3. Sanden-Munch says she is confident the proposal will be accepted and the company will resume operations.
Transcontinental buys U.S. direct marketing company
MONTREAL—Transcontinental has purchased U.S.-based direct marketing company Rastar Inc., the company announced today. Rastar, which generates US$50 million in revenue, is a private company that specializes in variable printing and interactive database marketing. Transcontinental says it will use Rastar’s capabilities, including its state-of-the-art digital printing expertise, to expand its own integrated marketing services. All of Rastar’s 350 employees in Salt Lake City, Utah, will become part of Transcontinental’s Marketing and Services Sector.
Toronto shop expands with Indigo 5500
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| With the HP Indigo are, Paul Kim, president, and Wan Soo Kim, owner, both with Sun Printing House. |
September 2, 2008
Print Three opens new facility
TORONTO—Print Three has opened a full-service production centre in west Toronto, the company announced today. The new 200,000 sq. ft. facility will handle medium to large corporate accounts, such as the insurance and banking industries, president Andrew Hrywnak told PrintCAN. He stressed that Print Three has not purchased any existing commercial or trade printer, and the facility is for the use of Print Three franchisees only. The facility is fully automated, and houses web and offset presses, as well as a full bindery and prepress services. Digital presses could be added in the near future, said Hrywnak. The centre will employ 250 people and be open around the clock. Print Three has 60 locations across the country and provides web-to-print services for corporate and business clients. It was founded more than 35 years ago.
CPIA reveals award winners
OTTAWA—CPIA has announced the recipients of its 2008 awards, to be handed out at its Strategy 2008 conference in Halifax later this month. President and CEO of Harmony Printing in Toronto, Don Gain, and Remi Marcoux, chairman of the board at Transcontinental, will both receive Honourary Life Memberships for accomplishment in the industry. CPIA will present Dave Potje, partner of Twin City Dwyer Printing in Kitchener, Ont., with the Distinguished Service Award, and will honour the following individuals with awards of merit:
Kris Bovay, of Pacific Bindery in Vancouver; Mike McInnes of Transcontinental in Brampton, Ont.; Graham Thompson of Vertex Graphic and Business Equipment in Vancouver; Cyndie Crysler of Muller Martini Canada, and Brian Ellis of Heidelberg Canada. CPIA will also announce the winner of its 2008 Young Printer Award at the conference.
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