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 Proforma has agreed to acquire Safeguard from Deluxe Corp. in a deal valued at approximately $25 million, that will raise Proforma’s annual revenue by nearly $180 million and rank among the largest distributor acquisitions in recent years. The transaction, to close in Q1 2026, includes nearly 150 Safeguard distributorships joining Proforma’s network. Safeguard is a  subsidiary of Deluxe, has been around for over 110 years and traces its origins back to the days of one-write accounting systems.

TORONTO—

 Huge Paper has announced the launch of Hugo, an AI-powered customer support assistant developed specifically for the print and design industry. Hugo helps printers, estimators, and designers quickly compare substrates, check availability, and confirm press compatibility, while still relying on the human expertise and customer support Huge is known for.  By centralizing order tracking, inventory visibility, press compatibility data, and technical product knowledge, HUGO helped Huge respond more quickly and accurately to customer needs.

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TORONTO—

 Canadian Print Scholarships (CPS) is launching an authentic, student-led video initiative to ensure the graphics communication sector isn't left out of the conversation. Featuring Sheilae Siagian, a Toronto Metropolitan University student and scholarship recipient, the "Sheilae The Print Nerd" series delivers short-form, mobile-first content designed to meet students on their preferred platforms. By transforming complex industrial processes into engaging"edutainment," CPS is providing industry stakeholders with a digital toolkit to seed the

JAPAN—

Brother has officially launched its new direct-to-film (DTF) printer, the DTRX.“New benchmark for professional DTF printing”, the DTRX is built for continuous use and designed for demanding production workflows, Brother has said, with speeds up to 15sqm/hr in production mode. The machine is suitable for large-format designs and high-volume output, supporting a 780mm print width and 800mm roll width.

BURNABY, BC—

 Hemlock has invested in new technology to expand capacity and streamline production. Recent additions include the Canon Texas LT/X2 flatbed printer and the Kongsberg C64 digital cutter with i-BF60 V2 automated feeder and stacker, enabling greater efficiency and precision across a wide range of applications.

ONLINE— 

March marks the return of Print HERstory Month, an annual initiative hosted by Girls Who Print that takes place throughout the month in conjunction with Women’s History Month. Print HERstory Month amplifies women’s voices across the printing and graphic communications industry by creating industry visibility and highlighting the actions women take to advance their careers.

JAPAN—

 Brother Industries plans to acquire Mutoh Holdings for about $224.7 million to make it a wholly owned subsidiary, strengthening Brother’s position in wide-format and industrial printing. If completed by the March 23, 2026, tender deadline, the deal would expand Brother’s print portfolio into areas like UV, roll-to-roll and CAD printing, following its failed takeover attempt of Roland DG.

MONTREAL— 

Multi Bookbinding has announced the launch of a new dynamic 3D layout  template designed to support quotations and facilitate the work of graphic designers and production teams. This new tool now offers: bilingual 2D and 3D book visualization ;visual adaptation to different formats; SVG export capability; and several other advanced features. Designed to provide greater flexibility and precision, this template helps streamline file preparation and improves quality from the earliest stages of design.

MORTSEL, BELGIUM—

 ECO3 announces a global price increase for its offset printing plates and chemicals, effective March 1. The decision follows the continued rise in the cost of aluminum - the key component of offset plates - as well as the increasing cost of all aluminum-related treatments and processes. The price increase will reach double-digit levels, with the exact adjustment depending on the specific characteristics of each product.