Printrade has built a strong reputation as a trusted production partner, combining advanced technology with a focus on quality and speed. Supported by Canon Production Printing’s expertise and partnership, the business continues to scale, helping other printers deliver consistent, high-impact results.
In the trade print market, reputation is everything. When other printers need support to deliver tight deadlines, specialist applications or high-volume work, there’s a phrase that’s increasingly heard: “Better call Paul”.
With more than 12 years in the industry, Paul Ilieski, director of Printrade, has positioned his business as a trusted production partner for other printers. Backed by the right technology and a clear focus on quality, Printrade has built the tools — and the capacity — to help others succeed.
“Our mission is to help our clients grow in their industry by providing high-quality products that satisfy their customers,” Ilieski explains. “Your success is our success, and we strive to be a reliable partner in your business journey.”
Printrade produces banners, labels, posters, rigid boards, stickers and wall coverings, working predominantly with trade customers who require reliable turnaround times and consistent premium results.
A strong foundation
Printrade’s growth story began with the installation of the Canon Arizona 480 XT — a significant first investment that immediately positioned the business at a higher level.
“The 480XT was our first printer,” Ilieski explains. “I know it’s not a common first printer, but jumping in with such a machine helped set the stone to what we’ve become today.”
The Arizona’s ability to print oversized boards, as well as run two standard sheets simultaneously, allowed Printrade to maximise productivity from the outset. The 2.2m Roll Media Option has also been key in producing 2m-wide banners efficiently. The team regularly prints on foam PVC, foam board, corrugated plastic, and acrylic, often using white ink in spot or flood layers to achieve striking, high-impact finishes.
Expanding capacity with Colorado
As demand for wide-format work increased, Printrade began to feel production constraints. The addition of the Canon Colorado 1650 marked a turning point.
“The 1650 helped us break into the wide-format market with a bit of a punch,” says Ilieski. “We were using the Arizona for all our wide-format jobs until we bottlenecked it. The 1650 allowed us to print up to eight rolls of stock per day.”
Four years later, continued growth led to the installation of the Canon Colorado M5, which now runs alongside the 1650.
“So far, the experience has been flawless,” Ilieski says. “There are improvements in the updated technology between the two, but on the production side it’s as simple as loading and hitting go.”
The M5 has effectively doubled Printrade’s capacity for self-adhesive vinyl, wall coverings, and posters, enabling the business to turn around sizable jobs within 24 hours — and in some cases, even the same day.
Performance that wins business
For Printrade, the real strength of the Colorado platform lies in the complete performance package it delivers.
“Speeds, quality and reliability — all together,” Ilieski explains. “We’re able to turnaround sizable jobs in 24 hours. The durability of the UVgel inks and how sharp the quality is — every sample we’ve sent out has beaten expectations. That confidence helps us secure new clients.”
Running both Colorado systems side-by-side has also reinforced the consistency of the platform, with seamless colour matching and dependable results across machines.
According to Steven Badger, head of sales and professional services at Canon Production Printing (CPP), from a productivity standpoint, the key innovations are those that remove friction from the production process.
“With the Colorado platform, technologies like UVgel enable high-speed output with instant curing, excellent media versatility, and reduced need for operator intervention. This allows for continuous, reliable production with minimal downtime,” he explains.
“On the Arizona side, innovations such as FLOW table vacuum technology significantly improve media handling by reducing manual positioning and enabling faster job setup.”
A partnership approach
For Badger, Printrade’s success highlights what’s possible when technology and partnership align.
“Our focus is always on helping customers maximise productivity and reliability,” Badger says. “With platforms like the Colorado and Arizona, automation and consistent performance give businesses the confidence to scale.”
“Trade print partners like Printrade are becoming a lot more than just a production outlet, they’re really the engine room behind much of the industry now. As turnaround times keep tightening, more businesses are relying on trade partners to deliver consistent quality at scale, often across multiple locations.
“We’re seeing a shift toward highly efficient, production-driven environments where it’s not just about printing, but managing workflow end-to-end. The ability to handle volume, maintain consistency, and hit deadlines consistently is what sets leading trade printers apart.
“Technologies like UVgel support that by delivering consistent output over long runs with minimal intervention. That combination of reliability, scalability, and consistency is where strong trade partners add real value and their role will only keep growing.”
Badger adds that partnerships with businesses like Printrade are invaluable because they operate in demanding, real-world production environments.
“This kind of collaboration helps shape both product development and service models,” he continues.
“It ensures that innovations are grounded in practical application, not just theoretical performance. It also drives a stronger focus on uptime, remote support, and proactive service, because in high-volume environments, reliability is just as critical as capability.”
That relationship has made a lasting impression on Printrade.
“10 out of 10,” Ilieski says of the experience. “Canon to us feels like family. From the installation to the support we receive and the relationships we’ve built over the years, it’s a partnership that gives us total peace of mind.”
Looking forward
From the bold first step with the Arizona 480 XT to expanding production with the Colorado 1650 and M5, Printrade has built a print environment designed for efficiency, scalability, and premium output.
By combining flatbed versatility with high-speed UVgel roll printing, the company has eliminated bottlenecks, increased capacity, and strengthened its position in the competitive trade print market.
For Printrade, continued growth is rooted in quality, trust, and delivering results that consistently exceed expectations.
This article was first published in the May-June 2026 edition of Print21, page 26.