Meet Our Newest Founding Member

LOCO is excited to welcome PacBlue Printing as its newest founding member.

PacBlue is very much a local business. A digital printer founded almost 60 years ago, they have developed expertise in serving small business needs. PacBlue is a staffed with sharp and creative professionals providing a diverse range of services:

• Business Printing Services: Marketing Material, Lightjet Printing, Vinyl Graphics, Trade-show Displays, & High Speed Copying

• Commercial Printing Services: Scanning & Imaging, Signage Printing, Large Format Printing, Small Format Printing & Reprographics

They are the trusted supplier of other local companies, like our friends at Salt Spring Coffee. You may have unknowingly seen their work during the 2010 Olympics where they were a supplier for printed materials, banners, posters and booklets. We know from personal experience that they have great customer service, working under the stress of tight timelines with a smile.

But of course PacBlue is so much more than local. They have been working to improve social and environmental impacts for years.

On the environment side, PacBlue is committed to protecting resources, leaving the smallest footprint possible and helping their customers do the same. They are a FSC-certified facility, and offer customers many greener options:

- 100% PCF recycled content paper on regular orders,

- 30% PCF recycled paper for cad plotting and reprographic printing,

- Bio-Banner Vinyl (a 100% biodegradable PVC material),

- Bio-Board (a 100% biodegradable board option)

They reduce waste before a job leaves their shop. The work direct-to-substrate for large format imaging eliminate the need for plates, and avoid print over-runs by delivering “print on demand” that produces the exact volumes required. PacBlue’s printing process eliminates water in the printing process and vastly reduces the emission of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds).

Read more about PacBlue’s commitment to sustainable business practices on their sustainability page.

On the social side, PacBlue has a great culture and workforce and it’s no surprise why – their employees are like family members. They provide a dog-friendly environment for staff, allow staff to decorate the workspace, and run regular contests to engage staff (currently “design a door” for the office renovation). They also have great community spirit, supporting local causes and issues such as health and humanitarian aid, the arts, prevention of animal cruelty, and the environment. They sponsor the BC SPCA (and are a dog-friendly environment with three company mascots), Zajac Ranch for Children with serious and chronic illnesses and disabilities, the Canadian Cancer Society, and the Flowers for Food Society that provides opportunity and support for homeless, recovering people (mental affliction and/or physical addiction), and other marginalized or needy groups in Canada.

On the economic side, PacBlue is a locally owned business that is Vancouver-based and family-owned. Their commitment to support other local suppliers means that each time they buy local products and services 3 times the economic value is created for our community than with chain printers. PacBlue is a member of both the International Reprographic Association (IRGA), and the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA), and is committed to the highest industry practice and the highest industry standards.

Have we piqued your curiosity? Our LOCO team would be happy to arrange an introduction. As an added incentive, all LOCO members are eligible for a 10% OFF discount from PacBlue. Their commitment to supporting local businesses runs deep and we are excited to have them as a founding member.