Willows Christopher directs Maple Leaf Rubber Stamp, a Winnipeg institution founded in 1932 that’s been manufacturing rubber stamps, promotional buttons, award ribbons, and engraved items for nearly a century from its Sargent Park location at 1211 Richard Avenue. Operating with equipment dating back to the 1930s—including Canada’s last surviving Ludlow Typograph still in regular use—the company serves everyone from law firms and credit unions to Manitoba Hydro and the CRA, while also engraving teacher nameplates for schools and creating custom stamps for individuals doing crafts or branding at farmers’ markets.
What is your business called and what does it do?
We are called Maple Leaf Rubber Stamp, and we are a manufacturer of rubber stamps, promotional buttons, award ribbons, and other engraved items. Founded in 1932, we have been part of the Winnipeg landscape for almost 100 years.
What made you want to do this work?
Behind the veil, there is a business world that runs on things like rubber stamps. Boring office items that keep business running in Winnipeg, and we are happy to help supply things to keep everyone running smoothly.
What problem did you want to solve with the business?
We solve the need for reliable, personalized service in providing essential business supplies that keep Winnipeg’s offices and organizations functioning.
Who are your clientele/demographics?
We sell to all sorts of businesses in Winnipeg, like law firms and credit unions. Our clientele also includes many government agencies like Manitoba Hydro and the CRA. We also do all the engraving for schools, teacher nameplates and nametags. We also sell a lot of stamps to individuals for maybe stamping their envelopes, doing crafts, or branding themselves at a farmers’ market.
How does your business make money? How does it work?
Our clientele order items usually via email or through our website and pay us for the custom work we do.
Where in the city can we find your profession?
We are located at 1211 Richard Avenue in Winnipeg’s Sargent Park Neighbourhood. Although we mostly work with people over email, and then send out the stamps with a courier to wherever you are in the city.
What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.
Why would I buy from Maple Leaf and not a big company online?
We think supporting local is so important, but buying local for local’s sake isn’t the point. We are able to provide a level of personal service that the bigger companies just can’t, or don’t want to. We talk with every single customer over email or the phone and work out a product to solve their specific problem. We make proofs for your products and make sure it looks and functions exactly how you want. There is a reason we have lasted so long in business!
What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?
The best part is the history of our company and the deep ties we have with the business community. We are still using a lot of equipment from the 1930s, including Canada’s last surviving Ludlow Typograph in regular use.
The worst part is ironically also those old machines. It’s a little hard to find parts for a 90-year-old hot stamping machine!
What is your favourite joke about your own profession?
I always joke that Canada stole the Maple Leaf for their flag! We started using the Maple Leaf in 1932, and Canada’s Maple Leaf flag wasn’t introduced until 1965.
Where can we follow you?
Website | Facebook | Instagram
PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?
Our friends at CanMark Industries, couldn’t do this without them!
