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Moving Into the Ribbon-Making Business

At this time, a new department far removed from poster printing was instituted. It was the manufacture of gold stamped rosettes and flat style prize ribbons for fairs. Again we entered a highly competitive field.

The hot stamping press was acquired, together with brass type. The latter is required to produce the sharpest lettering on ribbon, cloth or leather. Ordinary lead type will not long endure the high degree of heat and pressure required to melt the gold leaf and impress the glittering letters into the ribbon fabric. ...

At that time, most of the ribbon orders of western fairs were being placed with eastern Canadian and United States firms. Their loyalty to the new western industry was remarkable. Within two years 75 per cent of the large exhibitions were customers of Enterprise Show Print.

Stores used posters for sales decorations. Exhibitions adopted circus billing methods by sending out billing crews to put up posters and cards on every available spot within their respective drawing areas. (Excerpt from Paper, Pen and Ink by Andrew King, Pg 74-5)

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Ribbon Selections King Show Prints and Enterprise Show Prints
1 January 1920