Printing & Publishing Companies Closed, What to do Now
Printing and Publishing Companies in Northern Ireland, where I worked briefly as a Mac Operator or Graphic Designer, that are now closed.
The Associated Print, Portadown - Downturn in Sales
Located in Portadown, The Associated Print was a newspaper printing company operated by DMG Media, which closed in 2025. Formly owned by Morton Newspapers, which printed the Portadown Times and the Lurgan Mail as well as many others. I worked here for an evening in about 2006 to see if I wanted a part-time job.
Commercial Graphics, Belfast or Bangor - Bankrupt
Went bankrupt in 2012, with directors citing a challenging market, I assume because of the aftermath of the 2008 banking problems. Not too sure if the company was based in Belfast or Bangor, County Down.
Tudor Journals, Belfast - Unknown why Closed
Tudor Journals Ltd was a publisher in Botanic Avenue, Belfast, so not a printer. I was here as a Junior Graphic Designer/Mac Operator for about three weeks in 2000. William Campbell owned the company and was a very bizarre businessman who went through staff like hot dinners. You weren’t allowed to ask the manager and owner any questions; you had to schedule a meeting! Very strange indeed. Closed about 2012, but not sure if they went bankrupt or just closed due to retirement. Reason for leaving: Dreadful pay and working conditions.
Graham & Heslip, Belfast - Bankrupt
Went into administration in 2009 owing £3.1 million to creditors, for I assume the same problems mentioned above. Other print companies I actually worked in were in Antrim, Newtownards, Limavady, and Lisburn. Another company I didn’t work at was C & R Print, located on Alanbrooke Road, Belfast, which acquired the assets of Graham & Heslip. You can click on the links to read further.
RK Enterprises, Belfast - Bankrupt
I worked as a Graphic Designer at RK Enterprises (NI) Ltd, also called New Homes Marketing, in Belfast. This company marketed property development, new-build brochures, and signage. Reginald Donnell (also called Reggie, I think?) was the owner from Templepatrick. I worked as part of a small team. This was repetitive property development brochure work, so I decided to move on after about four months. The work dried up after five months, so I wasn't concerned. In about 2011, the company filed for bankruptcy. Reason for leaving: I was paid off due to a lack of work.
Dataplus Print and Design, Dunmurry - Bankrupt
Dataplus Print and Design was located in Dunmurry between Lisburn and Belfast. The company, owned by Diane Forsythe, was a commercial and general printer located at 13 Hill Street, Dunmurry. I was here as a Junior Graphic Designer and Mac Operator. Mostly, the work was typing and typesetting, and I wasn’t the slightest bit interested in this. Some examples are booklets, newsletters and general printing. I was here for about two months, around 2000. The company filed for bankruptcy in about 2014. Reason for leaving: Awful pay, working conditions and no training given.
Optech NI, Belfast - Closed
Optech NI was located at Maryland Industrial Estate, 286 Ballygowan Road, Crossnagreevy, Belfast BT23 6BL and was a full-colour printer. I was here as a Mac Operator and Junior Graphic Designer for about three months in 2002. Mostly this was typing and typsetting, which I obviously didn’t want to do, as I wanted to move more to the graphics for print. Some examples are business cards. Closed, but not sure if they went bankrupt. Reason for leaving: Dreadful pay, working conditions and no training given.
Other Printing Companies that Closed
Some other companies I didn’t work at that sadly closed as well, for various reasons but mostly financial.
Printing Company, Portadown - Unknown why Closed
I never worked in this pre-press office in Portadown.
Impression Print and Design, Lisburn - Bankrupt
I did not work here, but Impression Print was a full colour commercial printing company located at 9 Ferguson Drive, Knockmore Hill Industrial Estate, Lisburn, BT28 2EX, which went bankrupt in 2012. The company that I worked for before this time sent some jobs here.
Other Printing Companies that Merged with another
Some companies that nearly closed or were acquired by another company include:
Media Design and Print, Belfast
Not sure what happened to this company.
Quinn’s, Belfast
Also called Quinns The Printers, which is part of the Bradley Group. I quite liked this company, but they have gone belly up several times, though. They had premises in Newtownabbey and Limestone Street.
Impro Printing, Belfast
Which did, in fact, go bankrupt and was bought over by another company.
Graceland Print and Design, Portadown
I worked, like a fool, here in 2001.
Mainstream Publications, Portadown
Located on Thomas Street, this publisher merged with another company due to the owners retirement.
