How Randy Hannah Champions Craftsmanship at Westkey Xibita

For Randy Hannah, printing is more than a career — it's a lifelong journey rooted in heritage, skill, and a relentless pursuit of perfection. A third-generation printer who started working at 15, Randy was mentored by his grandfather and uncle at Metropolitan Printing in Edmonton. Over the last 45 years, he’s witnessed seismic shifts in the industry while remaining a steadfast champion of craft-first fine printing as he leads the commercial printing division for all of Canada at Westkey Xibita.

"Print, once it gets in your blood, it’s addicting," he says. And that passion is evident in everything Randy touches. His precision, creativity, and customer commitment come together whether he is printing flyers, or uniquely custom die cut high end printing projects.

The Enduring Value of Offset Printing

Offset printing is where Randy cut his teeth — and where he still sees the highest standard of output. Known for its precise colour reproduction, sharp detail, and ability to scale, offset is the method of choice for high-volume, brand-critical work.

"There are more variables in print than in building a house," Randy says. And he means it — from temperature and humidity to paper grain and barometric pressure, the quality of an offset run hinges on the press operator’s ability to control every detail.

Offset isn’t just about speed or volume — it’s about fidelity. “Our clients trust us to get their brand colours right, every time. That’s why we invest in rigorous make-ready processes and colour control systems, using press checks and client-signed control binders to ensure consistency run after run.”

Innovation Through Experimentation: The Eagle Silhouette Case Study

Some projects elevate printing into art. Case in point: Randy’s in house research and development of the strike-through printing effect. By layering solid black ink with high-gloss solvent varnish and matte coating, Randy and his team created a hidden eagle silhouette that only appeared when the light hit it just right. "It was like a hologram," he says. "You had to tilt the sheet to see it."

This complex technique required precise layering and chemical balancing — a hallmark of true offset craftsmanship. If there is a better way to print, produce or finish he wants to know, and this constant reputation for pushing the envelope.

Fine Printing: The Paper Problem

The challenge of fine printing extends beyond craftmanship, it also extends into material choices. COVID disrupted more than just logistics — it altered the very raw materials we work with. "Before, paper was pristine, with high quality long grain pulp" Randy explains, "Now, paper processing includes post consumer waste” which can impact the quality of the paper.

Even delivery standards have changed with some box paper arriving messy like it was “dropped from 10 feet."

The decline in paper quality, consistency of delivery and even tariffs have made it harder to guarantee results, especially in offset where variables like moisture content and fiber strength affect everything from folding to finishing. Who knew we would have to make sure the volume of quality paper we needed was easily available. His answer? Care, concern, and actively sourcing premium stock from countries like Spain while and retooling production to handle even the most unpredictable paper.

"You can’t just feed it through the press and hope," says Randy. "You’ve got to prep it, score it multiple times, and know exactly what kind of ink laydown will or won’t work."

As the old saying goes “excellence is a habit not an accident”.

Maintaining Brand Integrity in a Multi-Method World

In an age of hybrid production — offset, digital, web, wide format, or flexography — maintaining brand consistency across methods is crucial. Randy leads with a brand-first approach, ensuring that PMS colours remain true whether the job is run digitally in Burnaby or offset in Edmonton.

"Offset allows us to control colour perfectly," Randy says. "But even in digital, we use control sheets and client-reviewed proofs to stay aligned." That process includes individualized profiles for major clients and an ongoing program of press calibration, especially when transitioning jobs between platforms.

Craftsmanship in a Tech-Driven World

Blending automation with hands-on expertise, he leads the team, equally empowering, training or consulting the production staff. Even though the digital printing side of his team creates incredible long run variable work, you only get to see the twinkle in his eye when he talks about the art of fine printing on offset presses.

“A make-ready is still a manual art, it requires a sharp eye and an understanding of how ink, water, substrate, and environment interact. You don’t just press start and walk away," Randy adds. "If you do, you’ll never hit the quality we demand."

At Westkey Xibita, he sets the bar high for fine printing — because brand integrity depends on it. From the first sheet to the millionth, every job gets the same treatment, one that is generations in the making.

Randy Hannah is a Plant Manager at Westkey Xibita with over 45 years of experience in the print industry. A third-generation printer, he began his career at just 15 years old in Edmonton, mentored by his grandfather and uncle. Known for his craftsmanship, colour expertise, and commitment to innovation, he has helped shape some of the most complex and visually striking print projects at Westkey.

Whether he's solving a production challenge or pioneering new techniques, he brings a legacy of print excellence to every sheet that runs through the press.