Lowe-Martin prints new stamp for human rights museum

A new Canada Post stamp has been issued to mark the opening of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR). The Lowe-Martin Group—based in Ottawa, printed the stamp called the Canadian Museum for Human Rights Permanent using lithography in six colours. The stamp was designed by Adrian Shum and Mike Grandmaison, and measures 40 mm x 40 mm. Pick them up today.

>> continued

Intertainment Media completes sale of Magnum Printing

Intertainment Media has announced the final closing sale of assets of Magnum Fine Commercial Printing limited to 1337478 Ontario Inc., an entity controlled by Media-Vision— a company that specializes in print, web, direct mail, displays and packaging, and premium and incentives work.

The sale transaction closed on Sept. 2 and all Magnum printing assets and employees have been transferred to Media-Visions’ head office on Passmore Ave. where production is located, Media-Vision CEO John Popovski said. >> continued

Lowe-Martin commemorative envelope honours the Charlottetown Conference

The Lowe-Martin Group has collaborated with Canada Post again, this time printing commemorative envelopes to recognize the 150th anniversary of the Charlottetown Conference. 

Lowe-Martin printed 8,000 170mm by 155mm envelopes with an image of the conference of delegates on the steps of the Government in Charlottetown. The images used are from the public archives and records of P.E.I. 
>> continued

Third quarter brings greater profitability for Transcontinental

Transcontinental is posting higher profitability in the third quarter. As revenues increased by 1.9% in the third quarter to $500.0 million from $490.7 million at the same time last year, its net earnings rose to $44.2 million from $30.1 million.

The improvements are mostly due to the company’s recent acquisitions: Capri Packaging and Sun Media Corporations’ weekly newspapers in Quebec, as well as new agreements in two operating sectors. However, the company quoted a softer advertising market, which affected revenue growth.

Adjusted earnings rose 11% to $58.3 million from $52.5 million due to the contribution from acquisitions, new printing and distribution agreements, and company-wide optimization of its cost structure and its printing platform. >> continued

IKEA promotes the power of print with its 2015 bookbook

When IKEA released its 2015 catalogue, the company decided to give it the Apple treatment and spoof the popular brand. You know those apple commercials, a representative sits against a white background and the camera zooms in on a set of hands playing with the latest gadget. Switch out the apple rep for IKEA’s Chief Design Guru Jörgen Eghammer and the latest tech for the 328-page catalogue, and you get a clever, tongue-in-cheek ad that’s already gone viral.

So what exactly do you get with your IKEA catalogue? Well the bookbook is pre-installed with thousands of home furnishing ideas. It contains 328 hi-definition pages; it's 8mm thin, and weighs less than 400 grams. One of its top selling features: an eternal battery that promises to stay fully charged until the end of time. What Smartphone can promise that?
>> continued

Rhino and R.P. Graphics form strategic alliance

R.P. Graphics and Rhino Print Solutions have entered into strategic alliance, the two companies announced Monday. There's two components to the deal: R.P. will buy Rhino's Toronto location, and also establish an alliance with Rhino's locations in Vancouver and Calgary—which are not included in the purchase—to provide printing services to national accounts. The goal is to provide coast-to-coast distribute and print model. 


(left to right) David Allan, George Mazzaferro >> continued

C.J. Graphics hosts cancer fundraiser

C.J. Graphics Inc, CEO and president Jay Mandarino hosted a fundraiser at C.J. Skateboard Park and School, his non-for-profit organization— along with CIBC and Ontario Parents Advocating for Children with Cancer (OPACC).

CEO Jay Mandarino takes part in the festivities. Photo by Ian Kelso, Etobicoke Guardian >> continued

Howard Graphic Equipment gives back to the community

Printing machinery supplier Howard Graphic Equipment Ltd, donated hundreds of shirts, hats and jackets to the Scott Mission of Toronto earlier this week. The mission has helped and cared for the city’s underprivileged since 1941.


>> continued

R.R. Donnelley eyes printed electronics market

Printing giant R.R. Donnelley & Sons is facing the necessity of re-engineering its business in the face of stalling print revenues. Its plan is to take on the market for printed electronic components and reduce its dependency on traditional. The Wall Street Journal recently took an in-depth look at the changing business model of this 150-year old company’s. Donnelley operates nine plants in Canada. Read it all at the source.  >> continued

Shipments on the rise for 2014

There's a big jump in shipments this period but the news is a little too good to be true as sales in most of the country remain flat. The big difference accounting for the jump is that Stats Canada is now tracking Alberta shipments again, after an extended absence.

Shipments (in millions)	2014	2013	% Change
February	$592.8	$547.4	8.3
March	650.4	592.5	9.7
April	652.7	623.0	4.7
May	665.6	627.5	6.0

Year-to-date shipping numbers for 2014 are $3.15 billion. That's a 7.7% jump from the $2.93 posted for the same period in 2013. >> continued