RPI Print

What RPI Print does

RPI Print is a Seattle-headquartered digital print-on-demand manufacturer founded in 1979 that operates a globally distributed production platform serving B2B brands, publishers, e-commerce businesses, and product-led developers. The company maintains print facilities in Seattle (headquarters), Atlanta, Rochester, and Eindhoven (European headquarters), enabling it to route orders to the most cost-effective location for reduced turnaround, shipping cost, and carbon footprint. Its product surface spans two REST-based Print APIs (a free, US-only Self-Service API for SMBs and developers with no minimum volumes, and an enterprise Custom API with variable monthly fees, custom SLAs, and global shipping), a Publisher Services platform for frontlist and backlist title distribution, Custom Print Solutions for white-label manufacturing, and an Automated Flow workflow that integrates directly with client e-commerce platforms to handle batching, scanning, cover matching, binding, and quality checks at any volume. Named enterprise customers include Blurb, Tokyopop, StoryWorth, and We Can Books across publishing and personalized product verticals.

RPI Print's business model combines transaction-based revenue from per-order print and shipping fees (especially through the Self-Service API and Custom Print Solutions), recurring revenue from variable monthly service fees on the Custom API for enterprise clients with minimum volume commitments, and revenue from white-label fulfillment and warehousing services offered under client brands. Go-to-market is dual-motion: a self-service/PLG motion via the Self-Service API for SMBs and developers, paired with an enterprise field sales motion using Senior Account Directors, Customer Account Directors, and Account Managers who handle complex high-volume personalized print contracts. Marketing channels include the corporate website, API documentation portal at docs.api.rpiprint.com, and LinkedIn. The company has executed two acquisitions (Dunwoody Printing in 2013 and ColorCentric in 2019) and raised $5M in 2010 from Riverlake Partners and HCAP Partners.

The company differentiates on operational reliability at scale (sustainable mass customization down to batches of one unit while maintaining competitive pricing and 2-week publisher turnarounds), global manufacturing reach, and sustainability credentials, including FSC Chain of Custody Certification for RPI Europe's paper products from April 2022 and removal of plastic from personalized photo book packaging in November 2021. As of 2025, RPI Print has 101-250 employees, remains privately held, and is investing in European expansion, evidenced by the November 2025 appointment of a dedicated VP of Sales for Europe.

Name

RPI Print

Legal name

RPI Print, Inc.

Website

https://rpiprint.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

RPI Print is a Seattle-headquartered digital print-on-demand platform that serves B2B brands, publishers, e-commerce businesses, and developers globally through a distributed manufacturing network, REST-based Print APIs, white-label fulfillment, and dedicated account management.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Print-on-Demand Digital Printing Manufacturing

NAICS

Commercial Printing (except Screen and Books) (323111), Books Printing (323117), Printing (32311), Support Activities for Printing (323120)

SIC

Commercial Printing (2750), Book Printing (2732), Service Industries For The Printing Trade (2790)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Printing (Short-Run, Variable Data) (MPAJALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Finishing & Post-Press Services (Cutting, Folding, Collating, Laminating, Foil, Emboss) (MPAJALAF), Photo Printers & Dedicated Imaging Printers (HDACAEAG)

Keywords

• Digital printing services
• Print-on-demand manufacturing
• White-label fulfillment
• Custom print APIs
• Publisher print services

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Print-on-Demand Services: RPI generates revenue through print-on-demand manufacturing services where businesses submit print orders that are produced, packaged, and shipped globally. Revenue is based on product type, volume, and customization level.
2. API Access (Self-Service): Self-service API access with no monthly service fees, no volume requirements, and no complex configurations. Revenue derived from per-order transaction fees for printing and shipping.
3. Custom API Enterprise Services: Variable monthly service fees for enterprise clients with custom product requirements, minimum volume commitments, and global manufacturing capabilities. Includes custom SLA, labeling, and packaging options.
4. Ecommerce & Fulfillment Services: Combined ecommerce, warehousing, and fulfillment services allowing clients to attach gifts, marketing pieces, or product samples to orders, with revenue based on fulfillment complexity and volume.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

RPI Print operates a globally distributed digital print platform that produces, packages, and ships personalized custom print products on demand for B2B brands and publishers. The company sells Print APIs (Self-Service and Custom), Publisher Services, Custom Print Solutions with white-label fulfillment, and an Automated Flow workflow that integrates with client platforms to handle high-volume personalized orders worldwide.

Product overview

RPI Print operates as a digital print platform offering personalized, on-demand printing services through an integrated architecture of Print APIs (Self-Service and Custom API), Custom Print Solutions, Publisher Services, and Automated Flow. The platform unifies automated production, global manufacturing, and dedicated services to deliver print products including photo books, business products, softcover and hardcover books, trade books, cards, notebooks, layflat photo books, and magazines. White-label fulfillment and global distribution are available through the Custom API and Publisher Services modules.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Self-Service Print API REST API over HTTPS with JSON/XML formatting that integrates with ecommerce sites to automate print-on-demand, shipping, and order tracking. Offers standardized print products with no monthly service fees, no volume requirements, quick setup, and US-only shipping. Targets small businesses and developers needing reliable on-demand printing with no minimums.
• Custom Print API Enterprise-grade API for businesses with customized product requirements, large order volumes, and global manufacturing and shipping needs. Provides highest level of flexibility with variable monthly service fees, custom SLAs, custom labeling and packaging options, and global reach.
• Publisher Services End-to-end publishing and global distribution services supporting publishing-specific workflows, including the POD Web2Print platform that gives publishers full control over printing specifications, pricing engine, delivery methods, and global distribution for both frontlist and backlist titles. Customers include Tokyopop, Blurb, StoryWorth, and We Can Books.
• Custom Print Solutions Comprehensive white-label printing, packaging, and shipping services for high-volume personalized orders. RPI operates behind the scenes under the client's brand, maintaining consistent quality across globally distributed facilities. Includes ecommerce, warehousing, and fulfillment services allowing clients to attach gifts, marketing pieces, or product samples to orders.
• Automated Flow Technology-enabled automated workflow that integrates with client platforms to automatically send, process, and produce orders at RPI's print facilities. Handles batching, book block scanning, cover matching, binding, dust jacket wrapping, and final quality checks to ensure consistent quality regardless of order volume.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2-week turnaround times for publisher print-on-demand orders
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Independent Printing CompaniessupportingOthers · 1 November 2021RPI invests in partnerships with independent printing companies to offer clients global and sustainable solutions. These partnerships extend RPI's distributed manufacturing network and enable cost-effective, locally-produced print products.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Gelato: Gelato operates a global print-on-demand network connecting ecommerce and creator platforms to local production facilities for items like photo books, cards, and apparel. It directly competes with RPI Print's distributed manufacturing and API-based print-on-demand model.
• Prodigi: Prodigi is a global print-on-demand platform that routes orders to a network of production partners for art prints, photo books, and personalized goods. It competes head-to-head with RPI's PrInternet network and API integrations.
• Lulu Press: Lulu offers self-publishing and book printing services including print-on-demand for trade books and photo books. It overlaps directly with RPI's Publisher Services and book printing capabilities.
• BookBaby: BookBaby provides book printing, publishing, and distribution services for independent authors and publishers. It competes with RPI's book printing and Publisher Services offerings.
• Printful: Printful is a print-on-demand and drop-shipping platform integrating with ecommerce stores via API for apparel, accessories, and home goods. While heavier in apparel, its API-first POD model and global network are directly comparable to RPI's print APIs.
• MOO: MOO provides premium custom printing for business cards, marketing materials, notebooks, and branded print products via online ordering and B2B channels. It overlaps with RPI's Custom Print Solutions for business cards, notebooks, and white-label B2B work.

Broad incumbents

• Shutterfly: Shutterfly is a large consumer photo printing and personalized products platform that also operates Lifetouch and Shutterfly Business Solutions serving B2B. It is a broad incumbent in personalized printing competing across multiple of RPI's product categories.
• Cimpress (Vistaprint): Cimpress is the parent of Vistaprint and operates a portfolio of mass-customization printing brands serving small businesses and consumers globally. It is a much larger, established player with overlapping digital printing and API capabilities.
• Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP Print): Amazon KDP Print offers print-on-demand book printing through a massive global distribution network. It is a broad incumbent competing for independent publisher and author demand that RPI addresses via Publisher Services.

Emerging players

• Blurb: Blurb is both an RPI customer and a creator-focused book and photo book publishing platform with its own print production. It represents the adjacent self-publishing market that overlaps with RPI's book printing customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/reischling-press-incorporated
• Xx.com/rpiprint

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A2 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about RPI Print