Kaitaia print shop on top

HIGH DEFFINITION: The best in New Zealand. From the left are Peter Smith, Rob Bamber, Katherine Wiki, Louise Strong, Peter Julian, Leon Gordon, Gavin Nathin, Rachel and John Stewart.

Last year printing.com Kaitaia was unofficially one of the five best franchises in the country. On Friday night it was named the best bar none (of 42) at a function in Wellington.

John and Rachel Stewart bought the business, originally part of the Northland Age, in 2010, after 13 years in partnership with Keith Wagener. Top Print became Print Stop, a move designed to broaden its customer base, and finally printing.com as a privately-owned 'bolt-on' franchise.

It now employs 10 people, with two-thirds of its work coming from Auckland and further south.

"Whangarei came second this year, so Northland's strong," Mr Stewart said.

"And we were up against some big city outfits in Auckland, Hamilton and Christchurch.

"I've spent a fair bit of the last 24 months travelling the country looking for work, and now it's really paying off," he added.

"These days a lot of people do their own printing, so the market is dwindling, but we now have five large nationwide franchises on our books, and three more in the pipeline."

The award criteria included online sales, client migration to online, the appearance of premises and staff, and sales initiatives.