Corner of the city – print ad, Mono Lino Typesetting, Herb Graab, 1964

A full-page trade ad announcing Mono Lino’s move to their new home at 420 Dupont Street. Although the company had relocated in October 1963, this ad appeared a year later.

Up until the late 1950s, many of Toronto’s printers and typesetters were located downtown in what was then loosely known as the ‘graphic arts district’ – roughly bounded by College Street to the north, University Avenue to the east, Spadina Avenue to the west, and Front Street to the south. Within that area, most of the city’s printers, typesetters, engravers, and art studios were within walking distance of one another. After the Second World War, many of those companies began to expand –initially it was primarily the printers – as the need for larger and more affordable space gradually pushed them out of the downtown core.

In this ad, Mono Lino sought to reassure clients that the greater distance to their new plant – about four kilometres from their old downtown address – would be worth the extra effort. It had been a significant move, costing $130,000 in 1963 (approximately $1.4 million in 2025). That cost may have included the purchase of the new building, as well as three old houses on Howland Avenue which the company acquired and then demolished to create expanded employee parking.

Mono Lino entered voluntary receivership on the morning of April 25, 1985. The large metal sign on the front of the building remained in place for more than thirty years, becoming a minor Toronto landmark – ironically making Mono Lino better known to more people than it had been during its heyday. – Rod McDonald

Artifact Text

Typographically the most exciting corner of the city We are eager to show you the other three corners of Mono Lino’s new home from the inside. You will find them no less exciting and even more interesting. Dial our new number, 537–2401, and experience (due to expanded facilities) rapid service which makes you feel that Mono Lino is just around your corner.
Mono Lino Typesetting Company Limited
420 Dupont Street (at Howland Avenue), Toronto 4, Telephone 537–2401