Aldus Signs Pact To Buy Canadian Software Company

SEATTLE - Aldus Corp. has signed a definitive agreement to buy a Canadian software developer and producer of mail-order catalogs for $3.4 million.

Aldus, already busy working out details of its $525 million merger with Adobe Systems Inc., said the acquisition of Alberta, Calgary-based Image Club Graphics Inc. will expand its product line and add direct-marketing expertise to Aldus' own direct-marketing unit.

Image Club's catalogs will become part of a growing direct-marketing effort at Aldus. Aldus is also planning to put out its own catalog, Aldus Access, within two to three weeks, said spokesman Brad Stevens.

Image Club makes software that features original clip art, display fonts and stock photographic images in digital form. Its catalogs are sent quarterly to more than 150,000 customers, most of them in the U.S. The company will remain in Calgary.