Commercial Printing Industry Overview

Excerpt from Commercial Printing Report

Companies in this industry engage in printing on apparel and textile products, glass, metal, paper, and plastic; they may also provide support services such as typesetting, platemaking, and book binding. Major companies include Consolidated Graphics, Quad/Graphics, and RR Donnelley (all based in the US), as well as Dai Nippon Printing and Toppan Printing (Japan), Transcontinental (Canada), and PMP (Australia).

Competitive Landscape

Demand is driven by advertising and product needs of business customers. The profitability of individual companies is closely linked to effective sales operations. Large companies have scale advantages in buying materials like paper and ink, serving large customers with regional or national needs, and making efficient use of expensive presses. Small companies can compete effectively by offering better local service in a specific product category.

Products, Operations & Technology

Commercial printers produce magazines, phone books, labels, advertising brochures, catalogs, newspaper inserts, direct mail marketing pieces, corporate reports and other financial printing, training manuals, promotional materials, and business forms. Besides paper, companies may print on apparel and textile products, glass, metal, and plastics. Most commercial printers offer four distinct services: design and other prepress services; actual printing; finishing (including folding, cutting, and binding); and fulfillment, which includes packing, storing, and shipping (often on a "just-in-time" basis). Other services can include packaging, database management, Web design, CD services, training, and consulting.