stamp printers by country

NEW ZEALAND

 
   = Understood to be a current stamp printer.

 First postage stamp issued: 1855.

John Davies at the GPO, Auckland.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1862 for New Zealand.

Stamps were increasing in demand so much by 1861, that the authorities made stamp printing a permanent requirement. John Davies was recommended by Perkins Bacon for the job of stamp printer, a position that he held until 1864.


Government Printing Office, Wellington.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1873 for New Zealand.


Outer Aspect Limited, Auckland.  
Founded around 1995.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 2008 for Austria.
Main printing process(es): Lenticular (3D type), self-adhesive .

Through its innovative MotionStamp imaging technology OA can provide dazzling effects to commemorate any theme, event or landmark occasion Post Offices might want to present on its stamps. MotionStamp imaging makes it possible to create motion in a printed image. This new technology now enables the production of MotionStamp images with movie like qualities for postal authority partners.


Premier Business Print, East Tamaki.
Founded 1983.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1998 (Self-adhesives) for the Republic of Vanuatu.

Since 1983, Premier Business Print has been a leading supplier "of solution based printed products to New Zealand industry".


John Richardson, Auckland.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1855 for New Zealand.

John Richardson was owner of the Auckland Examiner newspaper and had, not surprisingly, a printing press. His contract ceased in 1862.
 

Southern Colour Print Limited, Dunedin.  
Abbreviation known by: SCP.
Founded:  "over 50 years ago" [when?].
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1991 for New Zealand.
Main printing process(es): Litho, self-adhesive.

One of the country's oldest printing companies, Southern Colour Print is New Zealand's premier security printer, having over fifty years experience in the production of lottery tickets and, more recently, postage stamps and examination papers.

Once part of Bowater (New Zealand) Limited, they were then a division of Rexam New Zealand Limited, part of a multinational paper and pulp company headquartered in Great Britain. However, Rexam state that they had "strayed into manufacturing diesel engines and a stamp printing operation in New Zealand".

By 1996, just half the group's operations were in packaging, split equally between industrial and consumer products." When Rolf Boriesson became the new CEO, he immediately focused 25 per cent of the company's core business on consumer packaging. Seventy five per cent of the old Bowater businesses was sold off and replaced with acquisitions. It is unclear who SCP are currently a part of.

Until the early 1990s, stamps were generally not produced in New Zealand, but overseas. This was due to a lack of high-quality printing companies and the inability to perforate them in the quantities required. Around this time, diversification was something that SCP wanted and stamps fulfilled their requirements. Therefore, equipment was especially purchased in an attempt at securing a contract from N Z Post, which proved successful, indeed in 1997 a TradeNZ commendation was awarded for its export sales.
 

Star Office, Auckland.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1894 (Overprints) for Tonga.


Wilson and Horton, Auckland.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1891 (Overprints) for Tonga.

Wilson and Horton are New Zealand's premier news & information company. They operate in four key areas: newspaper publishing (nine daily newspapers and 32 free community papers); new internet-based media; specialist publishing (including two leading weekly magazines); and commercial printing under the umbrella of its subsidiary, W&H Print Ltd.


[Kalamazoo] Wyatt and Wilson Print Limited, Christchurch.
Founded 1910.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1985 for Tokelau.
Main printing process(es): Litho, die-cut.   
 
Kalamazoo Wyatt & Wilson is Christchurch's largest sheetfed commercial printer. It is one of New Zealand's foremost integrated commercial printing companies. Established in 1910, Kalamazoo Wyatt & Wilson has a long and proven history of service and commitment to support the changing needs of its clients.

Wilson and Wyatt sought permission to print stamps for the New Zealand Post Office in the early 1980s. It was necessary to prove their capabilities and so sheets of fifty dummy labels depicting a scene in Cathedral Square, Christchurch, were produced.  

The trials were successful on the printing front and subsequently they proved that perforating was feasible following investment in a comb perforator from France. Ten weeks later an invitation to tender was received for a Tokelau issue, which W&W secured. Wyatt & Wilson Print then vanished from our albums and specialised in direct mail products such as envelopes for major national appeals, and photo wallets.

They again entered the stamp printing sector and from 2003 were producing stamps for overseas administrations such as Vanuatu and Tonga. A look at its website in 2012 indicates that they appear notto be producing stamps any more, but this will be monitored and if needs be its "current stamp printer" status will be revoked..