Together, our history
Dollco Integrated Print Solutions is a family owned and operated business with a long history of entrepreneurship and technological innovation. The company has transformed from its origins as a local commercial printer to being an essential business resource for magazine publishers and product marketers in Canada.
The company received its original business charter in 1918 as the Dominion Loose Leaf Company. Dominion Loose Leaf sold “loose leaf” products — finished paper products, ledgers and binders — to schools, government and companies across Canada. These products were known as “Dollco” products, the acronym of Dominion Loose Leaf Company.
In 1956, G. H. 'Jerry' Nicholds purchased Dominion Loose Leaf, where he had worked before World War II. By this time, Nicholds Press had been created and Jerry amalgamated it with Dominion Loose Leaf focusing the new company on commercial printing.
Through the 1960s and 1970s, Dollco Printing, as it had officially become known, was a regional supplier of print collateral as well as a manufacturer of folding cartons for large cosmetics and apparel companies based in Ottawa and Montreal — Estee Lauder, Warner's, Wella, and Revlon.
By 1976, Jerry Nicholds was succeeded by his sons as co-owners. And in 1981, Barry Nicholds and Hap Nicholds made the daring purchase of a web press, first one in the region. Many of Dollco’s largest customers wanted to increase their circulation. With this investment, Dollco had become a printer with national scope.
In 2001 the third generation, cousins Kevin Nicholds and Krista Nicholds succeeded their fathers as co-owners. Today, Kevin is President of the company, and Krista is Vice President, Marketing.
In 1992 Dollco introduced a new set of services that were known collectively as “digital prepress”. Since this time, Dollco has been an innovator in prepress. Digital proofing, filmless workflow, laser imaging of plates and high-definition screening have each been introduced by Dollco just ahead of the curve. This has meant our customers have benefited early from the savings in time and money that these new technologies represented.
Through acquisition in the 1990s, Dollco developed new services and new markets in digital printing and distribution. Addressing and personalization for direct mail or circulation applications became integral to the company’s suite of services alongside traditional print craft.
In each of the last two decades, Dollco has invested substantially in new press and finishing technologies ensuring that it remains a cost-effective producer with high quality product standards, able to meet the delivery requirements of its customers.
In 2006, Dollco celebrated its 50th anniversary of family ownership. Print is still a major revenue driver for Dollco and its customers, but today over 20% of the company’s revenue comes from business services like web-based solutions that deliver added value and help Dollco customers serve their customers better.