TORONTO—Crime, closures, and the future of printing. Here are the most popular stories from the year that was.


Staples stocked up on 3D printers in 2013, raising the eyebrows of our readers

10. Unisource Worldwide looks at Xpedx merger The companies sign a letter of intent to explore a possible deal that would result in the largest distributor of office and copier paper in North America.

9. Spicers Canada lays off 50 employees Spicers's 2013 started with cutbacks. While the company's performance was strong in Canada, worldwide it reported a sales decline of 17% and a loss after tax of $57.3 million.

8. More on Advertek and Peel Graphics PrintCAN brings more info on the Peel Graphics closure, and Advertek's role in the aftermath, in an interview with Advertek principal Joe Montalbano.

7. Brant Screen Craft sold to equity firm The Ontario signage and display printer is scooped up by New York investment bank Petsky Prunier.

6. Vertis Communications shutters plant Nearly 100 employees are laid off, setting off a months-long chain of picket lines and court dates.

5. Xerox says future of packaging is digital "The tech is available, and it's affordable," said industry experts at the Xerox Research Centre of Canada.

4. Staples is selling 3D printers In 2013, Staples U.S. began carrying the the Cube 3D Printer from 3D Systems for $1299.99.

3. Peel Graphics bankrupt, Advertek buys assets Following Peel's bankruptcy filing in August, Advertek stepped in to acquire some of its assets and adopt some of its employees.

2. Pareto Corp closes down The marketing services company filed an assignment for bankruptcy in October, affecting the jobs of 220 workers plus over 1,500 members of Pareto's national part-time field staff.

1. Vaughan printer charged in $8 million scam Najib-Mohamed Jamal, owner of Prodigy Graphics in the Greater Toronto Area, was one of 25 individuals arrested in connection with an intricate fraud and money-laundering scheme.