TAMPA BAY, FL—BizCard Xpress, a franchise offering printing, sign manufacturing and promotional advertising, has announced it plans to penetrate the Canadian market.

The expansion will follow a period of strong growth in the U.S. where the company sprouted 25 new printing and sign centres over the last two years. To lead the charge, BizCard tapped Bryan Smith as its new vice president of franchise development.

MARKHAM, ON—Boss Logo has purchased a Xerox iGen 150 digital press with the ability to run 26" sheet size. The recent addition now handles all of the company's digital jobs.

Founded in 1995, Boss Logo serves print brokers and clients in advertising, photography and graphic design. Its offerings include in-house finishing such as folding, die cutting, gluing, booklet making, laminating and coating.


Xerox iGen 150 press

NIAGARA FALLS, ON—The 2014 Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) Awards of Excellence in Franchising saw Fastsigns take Silver in the category of "Traditional - Mature Franchises."

Fastsigns was also one of over 40 companies to earn a 2014 Franchisee Choice designation, along with fellow print providers Instant Imprints, Pak Mail Canada, Print Three Franchising, Sign-a-rama, and Speedpro Systems (which includes Speedpro Imaging and Speedpro Signs).

SHAWINIGAN, QC—Multi-Bookbinding is set for expansion with the acquisition of K.D. Bindery in Langueil, Que.

Formerly known as South Shore Bookbinding until it was bought and renamed two years ago, K.D. Bindery has been in business for over 25 years specializing in the production of binders and large-format sample cards.

LOS ANGELES—No, you're not having a fever dream. That really is Playboy's inaugural 1952 issue on your newsstand.

As part of its 60th anniversary celebrations, Playboy has released exact replicas of its first issue with Marilyn Monroe on the cover. Everything is the same including the advertorial, the type of staples used for binding and the heavier paper stock that the magazine has since abandoned. The need for a modern UPC code is sidestepped with an easily removed sticker.


If print is dead, some of the walking dead don't look so bad

MISSISSAUGA, ON—Konica Minolta Business Solutions (Canada) has acquired Pitney Bowes Canada's Document Imaging Solutions (DIS) business, which offers hardware and DIS software.

The business generated approximately $82 million in revenue in 2013 according to info from Konica Minolta. As part of the deal, Konica Minolta will represent Pitney Bowes Canada's mailing business in Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, PEI, and other regions in the country.

OWEN SOUND, ON—Transcontinental RBW Graphics has installed a new press and is expanding its workforce thanks to a $267,372 boost from the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund.

The TC Transcontinental subsidiary is one of two businesses in the area to receive financial support, the other being Klassic Coconut, a provider of coconut-based food products. In total the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Employment says the fund will create 34 new jobs and help retain 458 existing employees in the region.

VAUGHAN, ON—Advertek's production floor now includes a Xerox iGen4 digital colour press, able to print both short and long runs with an expanded sheet size of 14.3" x 26".

The company was founded in 1996 and offers branding and creative design, customized e-stores, litho sheetfed, wide format, digital printing and more. Simon Spina (left), principal and director of finance, and Joe Montalbano (right), principal and director of sales, pose with the new machine.

TORONTO—Colour Innovations took home the Best of the Show 2013 award sponsored by Heidelberg Canada at the Toronto and International Gallery of Superb Printing Awards.

The year's winners were presented by the International Association of Printing House Craftsmen (IAPHC), commonly referred to as the Craftsmen, at a ceremony April 8 at Duncan House Fine Dining.


Colour Innovations gets the nod for Best of the Show

TORONTO—With a declaration that HP sees huge opportunity in labels and packaging, the company briefed the media last week about developments of its Indigo 20000 and 30000 presses.

Vice president Simon Lewis said that over the last three years label volumes produced on HP presses has doubled, reaching 380 million sq. metres. “We see this as significant as we move to mainstream label production. We complement analog, the shifting is increasing,” said Lewis.


HP Indigo 20000