Mi5 Print & Digital

What Mi5 Print & Digital does

Mi5 Print & Digital is a privately held Canadian commercial printing and communications production company headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario. Founded in 2003 by Derek McGeachie as Canada's first all-digital pre-press bureau, the company has grown into a full-service operation spanning sheetfed litho (≈45% of mix), small-format digital (≈35%), and large-format POP/display (≈20%) printing, plus in-house graphic design, prepress and color management, bindery/finishing, kitting and fulfillment, direct mail, and the MiThink marketing services umbrella.

The technical backbone includes 75+ production machines (Heidelberg sheetfed, Xerox iGen and Konica digital, Inca Onset flatbed, Fujifilm Acuity wide-format) running 24/7/365 in a custom 180,000 sq ft FSC/SFI-certified facility. Mi5 differentiates through five registered proprietary technologies — ProBrite expanded-gamut ink, MetalMax real-metal-flake printing, MiCote tactile varnish, XLCote wide-format spot coating, and the TrueSource kitting/fulfillment software — alongside the Fuji XMF workflow and XMPie variable-data platform.

Mi5 monetizes via quote-based project work, selling primarily to enterprise marketing departments, agencies, retailers, automotive OEMs, healthcare/pharmaceutical firms, and publishers, with over 50% of volume flowing through the Spectracolor trade brand to brokers and resellers. Direct enterprise relationships are supported by sales offices in Mississauga, Ottawa, Vancouver, and Buffalo, NY, serving clients across North America. The company has been recognized on the Canadian Business Profit 500 for nine consecutive years.

Name

Mi5 Print & Digital

Legal name

Mi5 Print and Digital Communications

Website

https://mi5print.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mi5 Print & Digital is a Mississauga-based full-service commercial printer serving enterprise brands, agencies, and brokers across North America with offset, digital, and large-format printing using proprietary technologies such as ProBrite, MetalMax, and TrueSource, complemented by kitting, fulfillment, and MiThink marketing services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Printing Services

NAICS

Commercial Printing (except Screen and Books) (323111), Printing (32311), Printing and Related Support Activities (3231), Support Activities for Printing (323120)

SIC

Commercial Printing (2750), Service Industries For The Printing Trade (2790), Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721), Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Printing (Short-Run, Variable Data) (MPAJALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Large-Format & Specialty Printing (Signage, Posters, Displays) (MPAJALAD), Direct-to-Container & Digital Printing (Inkjet/Laser) (IMALAKAF)

Keywords

• Commercial printing services
• Large format printing
• Offset printing production
• Kitting and fulfillment
• Direct mail marketing

Headquarters

HQ city

Mississauga

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Lithographic Print Services: Sheetfed and web litho printing services representing approximately 45% of business mix. Includes specialty printing with UV, aqueous coating, and inline finishing capabilities. Maximum sheet size up to 28 x 40 inches.
2. Digital Print Services: Small format digital printing representing approximately 35% of business mix. Variable digital projects from single pieces to 250,000+ runs. Includes Xerox iGen presses and Konica bizhub equipment with XMPie personalization software.
3. Large Format Print Services: Wide format POP, signage, and display printing representing approximately 20% of business mix. Includes Inca Onset flatbed printers capable of 4,000+ square feet per hour throughput, Fujifilm Acuity with white ink capabilities, and finishing equipment.
4. Kitting and Fulfillment Services: Bundling, kitting, and fulfillment services using TrueSource proprietary software. Over 1 million individual pieces assembled and delivered annually across North America.
5. Direct Mail and Targeted Marketing Services: Variable data printing, list management, data cleansing, NCOA processing, and distribution campaign management including sampling, mailers, and specialty products.
6. Graphic Design Services: In-house graphic design team providing complete layout, 3D structural design for POP displays, and website/microsite development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Mi5 Print & Digital is a full-service commercial printing and communications production company offering sheetfed litho printing, digital printing, large format POP and display printing, kitting and fulfillment, direct mail, magazines and custom publishing, prepress and color management, graphic design, and bindery/finishing. The company produces printed marketing materials, corporate collateral, retail displays, automotive catalogues, and pharmaceutical/medical communications for enterprise clients across North America.

Product overview

Mi5 Print & Digital is a full-service commercial printing and communications production company offering a comprehensive suite of services. The portfolio includes large format POP & display, brochures & collateral, direct mail & stationery, magazines & custom publishing, kitting & fulfillment, prepress & color management, graphic design, sheetfed litho printing, digital printing, and bindery & finishing. Key proprietary technologies include ProBrite (enhanced color gamut printing), MetalMax (metal effect printing), MiCote (specialty coating), and XLCote (wide format coating). The company operates proprietary software including TrueSource (kitting & fulfillment) and XMPie (variable data printing). Mi5 also offers marketing services under the MiThink brand covering creative, shopper marketing, environments, packaging, branding, and digital. Their Spectracolor trade brand serves brokers and resellers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Spectracolor: Trade brand operated under Mi5 parent company. Mi5 is the parent company and Spectracolor is what they consider to be their trade brand.

Products and services

• Large Format POP & Display Printing Large format point-of-purchase printing, signage, and displays produced on nine state-of-the-art large format machines running 24/7, delivering ultra sharp and bright output on any media and any shape for retail brands and shopper marketing campaigns.
• Brochures & Collateral Printing Corporate collateral printing including brochures, catalogs, annual reports, and stationery with custom colors, specialty coatings, and embossed logos for enterprise marketing departments and agencies.
• Direct Mail & Stationery Printing Direct mail capabilities including unaddressed and addressed admail, variable data printing, list management, data cleansing, NCOA processing, and targeted marketing distribution for enterprise marketing campaigns.
• Magazines, Booklets & Custom Publishing Publishing services group providing magazine printing experience with intelligent file handling, proofing, color management, press control, finishing, and in-house bindery, labels, tip-ins, polybags and mailing for trade and custom publishers.
• Kitting & Fulfillment Services Kitting and fulfillment services using proprietary TrueSource software that virtually eliminates kitting and fulfillment errors. Over 1 million individual pieces assembled annually across North America.
• PrePress and Color Management Latest generation Fuji XMF Workflow System for PDF soft proofs and 3D soft books. Uses EPSON 9900 GRACol 7 (G7) Certified color proofers with built-in spectrophotometers for accurate color management.
• Graphic Design Services In-house graphic design team providing layout services from simple touch-ups to complete layouts and 3-dimensional POP structures, plus websites, microsites and online integration for enterprise clients.
• Sheetfed Litho Printing Extensive litho capacity for projects up to 28" x 40" maximum sheet size and substrates up to 40pt thick. Includes inline UV presses for specialty finishing, representing approximately 45% of business mix.
• Digital Small Format Printing High quality variable digital printing up to 14" x 26" sheet size. Cost effective for runs from 1 piece to 250,000+ using Xerox iGen and Konica equipment, representing approximately 35% of business mix.
• Bindery & Finishing Services In-house bindery larger than most trade binderies in Canada. 97% of finishing done on premises including diecutting, perfect binding, laminating, and handwork.
• ProBrite Enhanced Color Printing Proprietary printing technology delivering richer color gamut that is deeper and more vibrant than standard printing. Nationally recognized by the Globe and Mail as a game-changing innovation and available only at Mi5.
• MetalMax Metallic Printing Proprietary metal effect printing technology delivering shimmering silvers with actual metal flakes for premium automotive marketing and luxury brand applications, available only at Mi5.
• MiCote Specialty Coating Proprietary touch varnish technology that adds unique tactile finishes to printed pieces, available only at Mi5.
• XLCote Wide Format Coating Wide format spot gloss and matte coating innovation exclusive to Mi5 for large format applications.
• TrueSource Kitting & Fulfillment Software Proprietary kitting and fulfillment software solution that virtually eliminates kitting and fulfillment errors for major retailers across the US and Canada.
• MiThink Marketing Services Marketing services umbrella brand covering Creative, Shopper Marketing, Environments, Packaging, Branding, and Digital services for retail campaigns and integrated marketing programs.
• Spectracolor Trade Printing Services Trade brand operated by Mi5 as the parent company, serving as their trade printing operation with over 50% of business to brokers and resellers across North America.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 4,000 square feet per hour throughput on large format equipment
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• FujifilmcoreTechnology or IntegrationStrategic technology partnership involving Fujifilm production equipment. Mi5 uses Fujifilm Acuity printers (96" with roll fed and white ink capabilities), XMF Workflow System, and plate imaging technology with neutral chemical developer. Equipment investment part of ongoing R&D and new technology strategy since 2004.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• TC Transcontinental: TC Transcontinental is Canada's largest commercial printer and packaging manufacturer, offering commercial printing, packaging, and media services across North America. It is a direct peer to Mi5 in Canadian commercial printing scale, vertical mix, and customer types, though much larger.
• Cenveo: Cenveo is a US-based commercial printing platform serving enterprise customers across labels, packaging, and marketing print. It competes directly with Mi5 in custom commercial print and direct mail services for enterprise brands.
• St. Joseph Communications: St. Joseph Communications is a Toronto-based integrated communications company with commercial printing, content, and shopper marketing services. It directly overlaps Mi5's Canadian commercial print and retail shopper marketing footprint.
• Trend Offset Printing: Trend Offset Printing is a large California-based commercial printer offering web and sheetfed offset, digital, and large-format printing to enterprise and publishing clients. It is comparable to Mi5 in serving magazine, catalog, and corporate marketing print at mid-to-large scale.
• Lithotype Company: Lithotype is a US commercial printing company serving retail, publishing, and direct marketing customers with sheetfed, web, and digital print capabilities. It is directly comparable to Mi5 in commercial print mix and enterprise marketing customer base.
• Marquis Book Printing: Marquis is a North American book, magazine, and catalog printer with sheetfed and web capabilities serving publishers and enterprise brands. It overlaps with Mi5's magazines, custom publishing, and catalog printing services.
• Data Communications Inc. (DCI): DCI is a US commercial printing company producing magazines, catalogs, and retail marketing materials for enterprise customers. It is comparable to Mi5 in serving publishing and retail marketing verticals with integrated production and distribution.
• Webcrafters: Webcrafters is a US commercial printer offering book, magazine, and catalog printing with in-house prepress and bindery. It is comparable to Mi5 in publishing and commercial print services at mid-scale, with integrated prepress-to-finishing capabilities.

Broad incumbents

• Quad/Graphics: Quad is one of the largest commercial printers in North America, offering integrated marketing solutions including print, direct mail, and in-store displays. It is a broad incumbent serving the same enterprise marketing and retail customer base as Mi5 but at vastly larger scale.

Emerging players

• Mimeo: Mimeo is a US-based digital print and online printing platform focused on short-run, on-demand document printing for enterprise. It represents an emerging digital-first approach that partially overlaps Mi5's digital print and variable data capabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/profile/view?id=16289187
• Xx.com/mi5guru
• Facebookfacebook.com/Mi5Print

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mi5 Print & Digital