Our Company
Meet our Family of Companies
At Burke, we work to deliver the best quality products and services to our clients. Since 2005, we have invested in the acquisition of other companies whose services add greater value for our current and future customers. Under the Burke banner, we’ve united to provide an unparalleled and robust suite of solutions.
Founded in 1902
Burke is a family business founded in 1902 by H.W.B. Douglas. Originally known as Douglas Printing, Ian Burke acquired the company in 2005 and drastically expanded our capabilities and offerings. Since then, we aim to be the best single source solution for our clients, and have gone on to develop our print division into one of the top print production facilities in Canada.
Photography with full plate camera, 1903.
Silk screen printing prep, 1907.
Early 1900s equipment running off steam powered belts, 1903.
Book Binding Machines, 1904.
Office Space in original location, 1905.
Early 1900s equipment running off steam powered belts, 1903.
Office Manager reviewing orders, 1905.
Production meeting, 1905.
Reception area, 1905.
Our History
From humble beginnings in 1902 to becoming a trusted authority in graphic communications, Burke has grown to provide the best products, services, and solutions. With a customer-first commitment, we have never ceased to provide the genuine customer service we’ve offered since opening our doors. We continue to maintain a direct, personal connection with each customer as we expand and evolve, and we’re excited to help every single customer meet their goals.
2004 - Douglas Printing
Specialty: Edmonton’s Original Commercial Printer
In 1902, businessman H.W.B. Douglas started a three-person operation. He would offer engraving, sign painting, bookbinding, illustration, and photography. Douglas was a proud and exacting craftsman, who produced beautiful publications using the most modern printing techniques. A 1930’s advertisement boasted a Vertical Miehle letterpress.
The company’s pampered machines included a Heidelberg for die cuts and a one-colour press from the early 20th century. (Burke continues to use reliable and accurate Heidelberg.) Douglas Printing thrived and grew along with the city of Edmonton. When it became Burke, Douglas was a bustling offset print shop with 70 employees. Burke built on that foundation and expanded into digital and large format printing, adding services as customer needs evolve.
Location: Edmonton
2007 - Target Advantage
Specialty: Direct Mail Marketing Services
Target Advantage was Edmonton’s best direct mail house. Burke acquired Target with all its assets, equipment, and personnel, including a team of data experts trained in all the necessary software. Most printers that offer direct mail outsource the service or simply stuff envelopes with mail inserters. With its own in-house mail department, we could offer intelligent expertise to help customers develop their mailing lists and directly target customers.
Target Advantage worked closely with Canada Post. After acquiring Target Advantage, Burke invested time, money, and effort to become a Canada Post Smartmail Marketing Expert Partner and a recommended Canada Post vendor.
Location: Edmonton
2009 - Maximum Imaging
Specialty: Large Format Printing
Burke purchased flatbed and roll-to-roll printers to print large format banners, signs, and posters on foam core and Coroplast. Our company started as an offset printer and later added digital print. Customers were in need of large format printing, which uses wide rolls of paper, rather than individual sheets. We created a new division and called it Maximum Image to better serve our customers.
Location: Edmonton
2009 - KingSign
Specialty: Commercial Signage
Soon after we began offering large format printing, customers asked for channel letter and directional signage. Burke was outsourcing for its external signage needs and had difficulty finding suppliers who met its high customer service standards. Burke acquired KingSign, along with its equipment and knowledgeable personnel, and became an expert in external signage — as well as offset, digital, and large format.
Location: Edmonton
2017 - McCallum
Specialty: Long Run Commercial Print & Warehousing
When Burke acquired McCallum, two leading print and media companies joined forces. McCallum was Canada’s most modern printer, known for best-in-class efficiency, speed, and print quality. To Burke, it brought an extremely knowledgeable team and state-of-the-art Heidelberg presses. Darren Pohl, McCallum Printing’s former president and CEO, stayed on (]as Burke’s Director of Sales, as did account executives and production staff, including the prepress technology team.
At McCallum (like Burke) customer service was a priority. McCallum account executives spent significant time attending to customer needs. The prepress team knew every major software package for design and output. They were experts in layout, scanning, colour correction, troubleshooting, and customer support.
Location: Edmonton
2018 - Topline Printing
Specialty: Commercial Print, Packaging, & Specialty Finishing
In 2018, Burke continued its expansion with the acquisition of Topline Printing in Calgary. Topline Printing is Calgary’s largest independent commercial printer. It specializes in digital and offset printing, packaging, prepress, bindery services, mailing services, and much more. With Topline, Burke expanded its in-house services to add specialty finishes (such as foil or emboss) and customized packaging.
Location: Calgary
2018 - Printcor
Specialty: Growing the Burke distribution channels
In 2018, Burke acquired a second Calgary company, Printcor, which specializes in distribution.
Location: Calgary
2019 - Busy B's Bindery
Specialty: Bookbinding Services
Burke offered perfect binding and saddle stitch binding in-house, but with presses running 24 hours, it needed greater capacity. In 2019 we acquired a small bindery house and invited the owners, Brenda and Mike Lipovski, to join the Burke team. Brenda and Mike have dedicated their lives to book bindery and now manage Burke’s bindery department.
Location: Edmonton
2020 - Skyline Sign Services Ltd.
Specialty: Sign Services
Skyline Sign Services Ltd. was one of Edmonton’s most progressive sign installation and maintenance companies, specializing in design, manufacturing, installation, removal, and servicing to maintain signage. As a trusted Burke partner for many years, our acquisition of Skyline Sign Services Ltd. in 2020 was a natural fit. Their team of experts and the addition of their installation and manufacturing equipment helped us increase production while decreasing turnaround times for our customers.
Location: Edmonton
2023 - Capital Colour Press & Priority Printing
Most recently, we have acquired Capital Colour Press & Priority Printing. By joining forces, we will bring an incredible array of print and signage solutions serving Edmonton and area, paired with world class service and industry leading staff.
Burke, Calgary, AB.
Burke, Edmonton, AB.
Get to know the Burke experts who find their success in your success. We are passionate about building relationships with our clients and getting to know your challenges, goals, and dreams. Each one of us brings a unique perspective, strength, or skill-set to help you bring your vision to life.
