Hemlock Printers Ltd.

12/17/2025

Interested in learning more about our new robotic arms? 🦾⬇️

Hemlock Printers Ltd. of Burnaby, BC, has doubled finishing productivity from adding StackStar C robotic arms to their Stahlfolder TH 82 folding systems from HEIDELBERG. 🤖 “I don’t think I’ve ever seen our folder operators smile so much. They just love the technology,” says Daren McKewan, VP of Manufacturing. The StackStar C's have reduced strain on operators, improve quality, and delivered impressive ROI in just two months.

Read the full story here: https://www.heidelberg.com/us/en/about_heidelberg/press_1/news_overview/press_release_52288.jsp

03/14/2025

Mark your calendars! Our next Print & A Pint event is happening on Wednesday, April 9th, from 5–8 PM—an evening of learning, networking, and engaging discussions over great food and drinks. 🍻 Plus, don’t miss out on exciting prize draws throughout the night!

A big thank you to Neenah Paper and Packaging and Spicers Canada for sponsoring this event and helping us bring the print community together.

Interested in joining us? Connect with your Hemlock Account Manager for full event details, or reach out at [email protected] to learn about this and upcoming events.

We look forward to seeing you there!

03/06/2025

02/21/2025

Alabaster Co’s thought-provoking book challenges conventional wisdom and inspires readers to dig deeper into their motivations and values.

🏆 This piece recently won the "Books, Softcover Offset" category at PrintAction Magazine’s 2024 Canadian Printing Awards!

🔍 Details that elevate this piece:

📖 Detached Swiss-bound cover with a cloth-covered spine
📖 Die-cut window on the cover
📖 Softtouch aqueous coating for a premium feel
📖 Divider leaves featuring Neenah Paper and Packaging’s UV/ULTRA II® Translucent Papers

Want your own copy? Get it on Alabaster’s website: https://ow.ly/hLk650UKn3b

02/10/2025

We can’t stop flipping through The Fireplace Book by Kelly Lycan, created for the Burnaby Art Gallery This stunning artist book brings Kelly Lycan’s visionary work to life and recently won the "Hybrid Project, Digital and Offset" award at PrintAction Magazine’s 2024 Canadian Printing Awards! 🏆

What makes it extraordinary?

🎨 Matte varnish UV for a sleek finish
🎨 Holographic foil for a dazzling effect
🎨 Registered emboss for added texture
🎨 Eight translucent text pages thoughtfully integrated to provide depth, tactile interest, and a striking way to emphasize content

This masterpiece showcases the power of our integrated workflows: the text pages were printed digitally on the HP Indigo 100K, and the cover on our 6-colour offset press.

02/06/2025

Remember this? 👆

If you’ve dabbled in the print world long enough, you might recognize the split fountain technique we used on Sheet 6—“Invitation”—of our 2024 Hemlock wrap collection. Together with our design partner, arithmetic creative, we experimented with a brief revival of this old-school technique. The best part? Every sheet is unique!

🎨 Get to know split fountain printing. Here’s how we did it:

Step 1 - Two PMS colours were added to the first fountain—one on each end.
Step 2 - The same two PMS colours were flipped and added to a second fountain.
Step 3 - As the wrap sheets printed, the colours blended into one another, creating a fun ombre that is slightly varied on each and every sheet.
Step 4 - The two PMS colours were mixed into a single hue to print on side 2, creating a solid back side that perfectly matches the front.

“Invitation” was printed on Neenah Paper and Packaging Eames Vellum Solar White for a slight textural feel that supports the soft ombre effect.

👉🏼 Read more about the entire 2024 Hemlock wrap collection here: https://www.hemlock.com/blog/2024/11/25/2024-gift-wrap/

02/02/2025

Did you know? 🌱 Responsible paper sourcing protects wetlands by promoting sustainable forest management, which prevents deforestation and habitat loss. Healthy forests support wetlands by regulating water flow, reducing erosion, and filtering pollutants, helping to preserve biodiversity and clean water sources.

As an FSC®-certified printer, we ensure that our materials come from sustainably managed sources, helping to safeguard forests and wetlands worldwide. Let’s print with the planet in mind! 🌍✨

Photos by Dan Meyers and David Lang/ Unsplash

01/29/2025

Vibrant reds and shimmering golds—symbols of luck and prosperity—embody the traditions of the Lunar New Year season. Whether printing on digital or offset presses, trust us to achieve the colours that honour these age-old traditions.

Wishing everyone a prosperous, joyful, and lucky Year of the Snake! 🐍🌙🧧🎉

01/28/2025

How AI might shape creativity 💻🎨

We had the privilege of printing The Prompt Magazine by Figma’s Story Studio, Brand Studio, and designer Chloe Scheffe.

📖 This edition dives into how AI might shape creativity, with essays and interviews from leaders in design, engineering, product development, and the built environment.

Here’s what made it special:

🔍 Transparency Theme: Featured Neenah Paper and Packaging's UV/ULTRA II® Translucent Papers as a design metaphor.
🏢 Architectural Design: Untrimmed face edge reflecting boldness in design.
🎨 Vibrant Details: UV inks, PMS metallics, fluorescents, and satin varnish UV for protection.

We’re proud this piece won "Best Print Production, Miscellaneous" at PrintAction Magazine's 2024 Canadian Printing Awards! 🏆

Get your copy at the Figma Store: https://ow.ly/GwM650UIOYw

01/20/2025

🧻🚽 We're proud to have printed Winnie-the-Pooh: The Deforested Edition, a powerful reimagining that highlights the impact of traditional toilet paper production on deforestation. This unique project was digitally printed on the HP Indigo 100K and custom bound for Paper Chase Press' clients, Who Gives A Crap and TBWA\Melbourne.

Recently, it earned recognition for the Most Environmentally Progressive Printing Project & Honourable Mention in the Books, Digital category at the 2024 Canadian Printing Awards!

Key features:
💩 Printed on Mohawk Options Smooth paper
💩 Arlington Linen cover
💩 Blind deboss
💩 Gold foil stamp

This project aligns with our commitment to sustainability, offering eco-friendly print options like FSC®-certified (FSC® C014956) and recycled papers.

Let’s protect the forests, one page at a time. 🌍