Building Connections Through Canon Canada’s Print Shop

Location: Print Shop, Canon Canada, Brampton, Ontario, Canada, Year: 2025, Photographer: Ajani Charles

Approximately a 14-minute read.

Outline

Rediscovering the Magic of Print

Canon’s Legacy in Printing

The Power of Printed Works in Cultural Circles

The New Canon Canada Print Shop

Visiting the Print Shop

Prints as Relationships and Legacy

Rediscovering the Magic of Print

On Monday, April 7, 2025, I had the pleasure of visiting Canon Canada’s new Print Shop, located at the company’s beautifully minimalist headquarters in Brampton, Ontario.

Shooting photographs and developing film were the first processes that made me fall in love with the art, science, and technology of photography at the age of twelve.

Yet nothing compares to the quiet, almost visceral satisfaction of seeing one’s work materialize as a physical print.

Prints remind me of a simpler time in my life, my early years as a child photographer, and there is a distinct weight, texture, and presence to a printed photograph, especially the large-scale prints featured in my public art exhibits, that no television, tablet, or phone screen can replicate.

Standing before freshly produced, beautifully rendered prints at Canon Canada’s new facility, including many by my Canon FUTURES program students, reminded me why I was drawn to photography in the first place.

That sense of tangibility, of being able to hold and even gift a moment in time, continues to shape the way I approach my work today.

Canon’s Legacy in Printing

Canon entered the printer market in the late 1970s, and by the mid-1980s, the company began pioneering laser printing technology developed in partnership with Hewlett-Packard, setting new standards for speed and reliability.

Over the following decades, Canon expanded its lineup to include inkjet, large-format, and professional photo printers, becoming a global leader renowned for precision engineering and high-quality image reproduction.

This legacy is not just technological; it reflects a long-standing commitment to enabling photographers and artists to bring their visions to life in print.

The Print Shop at Canon Canada’s headquarters embodies that legacy by bridging decades of innovation with modern needs.

Visitors today can see firsthand how this evolution, from early office printers to cutting-edge photo and fine-art production tools, supports a vibrant culture of printmaking.

In an age dominated by digital screens, Canon’s heritage reminds us that prints remain irreplaceable for their physicality, conversation-starting qualities, and impact.

The Power of Printed Works in Cultural Circles

Since the beginning of my career, I have given artists and entrepreneurs I admire and respect, as well as colleagues, framed prints and other prints of my photographic works.

Some of the acclaimed public figures who own framed prints of my work include Clipse, Director X, Drake, Nas, and Snoop Dogg.

Having such iconic figures not only own my prints, often portraits of themselves, but also be photographed by me while holding them has immense public relations, marketing, and social proof value, and I will never take for granted the fact that I have met and worked with many talented artists that I admire.

It also signals to my audience and collaborators that I have the social skills and shrewdness to enter rooms and circles that most people consider out of reach, reflecting the trust and credibility I have built in influential cultural networks worldwide for nearly two decades.

These moments amplify the visibility of my photography and reinforce its relevance at the highest levels of art, entertainment, and culture.

Beyond recognition, gifting framed prints to colleagues has proven invaluable for strengthening professional relationships, expressing gratitude, and opening doors to future collaborations.

The New Canon Canada Print Shop

Canon Canada’s Print Shop reflects this rich tradition with cutting-edge production tools, including advanced large-format and fine-art printers that deliver exceptional sharpness, tonal range, and colour depth.

The Print Shop’s lineup spans everything from the PIXMA TR series, ideal for versatile all-in-one home printing, to the imagePROGRAF Pro-Series, designed for photographers and visual artists who demand professional-grade results and can print on media up to 60 inches (152.4 centimetres) wide.

The space is laid out for both creativity and efficiency, supported by experienced technicians who ensure each print meets rigorous standards.

For me, these capabilities are not just technical specifications; they enable me to produce the large-scale, high-impact prints that bring my artistic vision into public spaces and private collections alike.

The facility itself serves as a tangible reminder that even in the digital era, printmaking remains an essential part of storytelling.

Its blend of craftsmanship, technology, and human expertise highlights Canon’s ongoing commitment to innovation and the enduring power of printed imagery.

Visiting the Print Shop

Visitors will find the Print Shop at 8000 Mississauga Road, Brampton, Ontario, open Monday to Friday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST (excluding holidays).

For the fastest service, guests are encouraged to bring their images on a USB drive, SD card, or similar device, though they can also email files directly to printshop@canada.canon.com.

For other inquiries, the shop can be reached at (905) 863-8450.

Beyond offering printing services, the Print Shop regularly hosts workshops, talks, and community events that focus on photography, filmmaking, and creative entrepreneurship.

Visitors can also test Canon’s latest EOS R mirrorless cameras and RF-series lenses with guidance from knowledgeable on-site specialists, making the space both a production hub and a hands-on learning environment.

The Print Shop is currently offering 30% off on all print services, plus a free 5x7-inch (12.7×17.78 cm) print for new visitors.

Prints as Relationships and Legacy

It is a space where professionals, hobbyists, and newcomers alike can experience the transformative process of bringing digital images into the physical world.

I have several new gifts scheduled to be produced and shared with people I admire and respect this year, and beyond, in Canada, the United States, Japan, and other parts of the world. The prints that form the heart of these gifts will be created at Canon Canada’s new Print Shop.

These gestures serve as more than tokens of appreciation; they reinforce connections, celebrate shared experiences, affirm gratitude, and extend the impact of my work far beyond exhibitions or publications.

Framed prints often become cherished keepsakes, displayed in homes and offices, silently strengthening bonds over time. My framed prints, in particular, are quite rare, as there are so few in circulation.

In this sense, printmaking is not only about producing high-quality images but also about cultivating relationships and cultural legacy.

The ability to collaborate with a facility like Canon Canada’s, which supports both personal gifts and large-scale works, ensures that my photography continues to have a tangible presence in the world.

For me, each print is both an artifact and a bridge; a way to connect with individuals, honour milestones, and leave something lasting behind.