RGD sponsors share how they are working to supply products and services to the creative industry during the COVID-19 pandemic

01/04/20
We invite you to read their messages below.
Category 5 Imaging
Ontario
Category 5 Imaging remains open and is fully committed to helping Canadian companies flatten the curve. We've been working on social distancing floor decals for essential retailers and hospitals, die-cut pieces for medical product companies and more. In early March, we implemented a robust pandemic plan with 4x daily disinfecting, work-from-home for non-production team members, building retrofits and other social distancing protocols to keep our team safe. We can quickly design, print, cut, ship and install big and small graphics in a variety of materials to anywhere in Canada. We would love to partner with talented designers on products, signage and other projects to help flatten the curve. Email
Domtar
Quebec, Manitoba & Ontario
The pulp and paper industry is on the Quebec list under priority manufacturing and the Windsor mill continues to operate. The parameters change quickly and Domtar is in regular communication with government officials. Ontario also identified the pulp and paper industry under priority manufacturing and the Espanola mill continues to operate. Domtar’s warehouse and distribution network located in Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba remain operational and continue to ship products to customers without disruption.
Flash Reproductions
Ontario
Operation Canadian Shield is underway. We have retooled our printing equipment to be able to produce face shields for front-line workers battling the COVID-19 pandemic. $2 can get a shield into the hands of someone who needs it. We’re raising money for this initiative through GoFundMe and have received $25K of our $50K goal thus far, with 100% of proceeds going to the cause. The Flash team is following all government-recommended safety precautions and we also continue to remain open for our design clients.
Moveable
Ontario
Moveable is fully operational and our offset, digital and large-format printing departments remain open. We are exempt from the Ontario government’s shutdown, because our print production facility is a manufacturer and a supplier to a number of essential services like healthcare, utilities and banks. Of course, print production is proceeding under extreme precautions: operators are working in silos and keeping their distances from each other, surfaces are disinfected regularly, frequent hand washing is mandated and in-person meetings and client visits are cancelled. Meanwhile, our typesetters, proofreaders and administrative staff have all relocated to home offices and continue to work. We wish all our colleagues and clients a safe journey through these difficult times. This too shall pass.
Storia Photo Video
Ontario
Storia Photo Video works with businesses to create, produce and distribute video content to help them leverage the power of video in their marketing. Since the onset of social and physical distancing we have put filming of all new projects on hold. We are still working on the post production of projects that had been filmed prior to the COVID-19 outbreak and working with clients (not in person of course) on the pre-production of their projects so that we are ready to go once the current situation is over. We are also taking this time to create valuable content to share with our community through weekly emails and social media (follow along on IG or Facebook @storiaphotovideo). As business owners we are here to serve and provide value to our clients at all times. During these times of uncertainty, we feel that this role is even more important. We are offering complimentary strategy calls if anyone would like to take this time to explore how video can help in staying in touch with their prospects, clients and employees and humanize communication during this time of social distancing and moving forward. To book a strategy call, email or DM us through IG.
WeirFoulds LLP
Ontario
This is an unprecedented time for every person and business in Canada and around the world. We understand the challenges and the team at WeirFoulds LLP is here to help you. Our COVID-19 Resources Portal includes the latest articles from our lawyers to help people and businesses navigate the situation. They include information on changes to legislation and the impacts on various industries. We will continue to monitor these developments and publish timely updates. We have also set up a dedicated where you can send us questions about your specific challenges. We will do our best to respond as quickly as possible.
MET Fine Printers
British Columbia
MET is ensuring the health and safety of our people, clients and business partners as our top priority right now. Servicing healthcare and essential services is important to us. We have taken steps to ensure that the timeliness and quality of our work remains unaffected. We have invested in technology to ensure that our office team can work remotely and our production team is available to produce. Our relationship with you is important. We ask you to stay connected with us by email at and on social @metprinters and let us know if we can do anything to assist you at this time.
Spicers
British Columbia
While we continue to expand precautions that protect our employees and customers alike, Spicers will remain operational, though with adjustments and limitations on a location basis. We appreciate the ongoing support of all customers, suppliers and employees through these challenging times.
AFIX Poster Display
Quebec
At AFIX, production is operational with sanitary norms in place and we are optimistic. To be seen & acted upon, your message must be presented clearly. Choose eco-friendly and Canadian-made displays for posting your messages on counters, windows, walls, or self-standing. Free shipping at posterdisplay.com (coupon “optimism”, minimum order $50). Be Seen, be Safe!
.design
Oregon, USA
The .design domain company and its subsidiary Porkbun.com have settled into our new normal as employees conduct business-as-usual — now from the comfort of our respective couches. Heeding governmental guidelines for social distancing, we are prioritizing the health and wellbeing of our colleagues and our community by transitioning from shared offices to individual homes. With a little help from virtual communication software, our team is still shelling out smiles and pork-related GIFs, as we continue to provide for users as we always have. We are grateful our business allows for such a seamless transition to remote work so we can best support customers through their own organizational changes — from migrating storefronts to digital platforms to finding new ways to share online. If you’re looking to kickstart your own project, refresh your freelance portfolio, or keep up the side hustle, we’re offering .design free for an entire year with the lowest annual cost thereafter. No matter what lies ahead, we are doing everything we can to keep ourselves and our communities safe, healthy and connected… hopefully with a few laughs along the way.
Glenmore Custom Print & Packaging
British Columbia
Glenmore is remaining open to serve our essential service customers - food, beverage and pharmaceutical. Glenmore has donated labels to a local brewery who had changed over their line to produce cans of hand sanitizer refills that they are giving away to local hospitals. We see it as crucial that our shop stay open in order to allow our customers to continue packaging and selling their essential products into local grocery stores. We have a core group of extremely dedicated staff who choose to continue working during this uncertain time specifically because they want to ensure the flow of goods to local stores. We have reduced staff to ensure appropriate distancing, allowed all staff who can to work from home and implemented rigorous cleaning and sterilization programs to ensure the safety of our employees and food safety of our products.
Hero Images
Alberta
For our team of ten, a typical week at Hero looks like this: everyone is within chatting distance four days out of five and one day a week we are all on set doing a photoshoot on location with crew and cast. There has been a huge shift in how we operate. How do we continue to create images while doing our part to keep everyone healthy and safe and how are we going to stay connected as a team? We’ve made a conscious effort to take this on creatively. Brainstorming topics and themes that can be done in low to no-touch ways and capturing the story of our current situation. The good news is that our photographers have families and life is still unfolding right around us. They are turning their cameras on personal moments and working in scenes that reflect what’s happening in everyone’s home. As for staying connected, daily virtual stand-ups kick off each morning, we are working online with live documents and digital PM solutions and our group texts allow space for office banter and (in)appropriate memes. Even though we are all working separately from home, we’re working closer together (something we didn’t know was even possible!) to figure out how to forge ahead.
Mitchell Press
British Columbia
During times of crisis, it’s important we continue to be creative, band together and act with clear intention. Our team at Mitchell Press have adapted so that we may provide continued, uninterrupted, creative and essential communication services for those that need it. If you need us, we’re here. #loveprint
Mitchell Sandham
Ontario
Mitchell Sandham Insurance Brokers is able to assist RGD Members with any insurance requirements through our online quoting website. This website allows designers to get a quote for their insurance requirements at their own convenience. It also allows them to purchase the insurance and get the policy documents instantly. We remain open for business during these challenging times and available to assist current customers and any new customers that require insurance. Click here to get a quote for your company.