Independent Printing Co

What Independent Printing Co does

Independent Printing & Packaging is a privately held, family- and woman-owned commercial printing and packaging company headquartered in De Pere, Wisconsin, founded in 1935. The company operates 7 offset presses and 4 digital presses alongside large-format, finishing, and fulfillment capabilities, and is ranked in the top 1% of US printing operations. Its product portfolio spans presentation printing (brochures, folders, presentation materials), greeting card printing (bulk and print-on-demand), custom packaging (folding cartons, e-flute, cannabis, and beverage carriers), large format signage, variable data printing, and a 475,000 cubic foot fulfillment/warehouse operation. The company holds G7 Master color certification, FSC Chain of Custody certification since 2006, and HIPAA compliance.

The business model is primarily project-based and quote-driven, with a consultative enterprise field sales motion executed through Business Development Managers and assigned project/service managers. A complementary ExpressLane platform provides web-to-print, ecommerce storefronts, and direct marketing fulfillment on a recurring basis. Greeting card services integrate directly with Shopify, Faire, and Etsy for direct-to-consumer distribution. Customer concentration centers on Midwest-based enterprises in manufacturing (Oshkosh, Greenheck, KI, Kolbe), insurance (Sentry), healthcare (Ascension), and education (St. Norbert, Fox Valley Technical College), with multiple 25+ year customer relationships. Revenue is generated through one-time production projects, managed fulfillment services, subscription-based web-to-print, and professional mailing/list services, with no public revenue disclosure. The 2025 expansion of parent entity Hayes' facility operations suggests continued investment in production capacity to support growth in packaging and ecommerce verticals.

Name

Independent Printing Co

Legal name

Independent Printing Co, Inc.

Website

https://independentinc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1935

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Independent Printing & Packaging is a 90-year-old Wisconsin commercial printer serving enterprise and SMB customers with offset/digital printing, custom packaging, fulfillment, and ecommerce solutions, ranked in the top 1% of US printing operations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Printing and Packaging Services

NAICS

Commercial Printing (except Screen and Books) (323111), Folding Paperboard Box Manufacturing (322212), Corrugated and Solid Fiber Box Manufacturing (322211), Converted Paper Product Manufacturing (3222)

SIC

Commercial Printing (2750), Paperboard Containers & Boxes (2650)

akta.pro primary industry

Commercial & Offset Printing (Sheetfed/Web) (MPAJALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Folding Carton & Paperboard Packaging Printing (IMALAKAH), Flexible Packaging Printing (Film/Poly/Paper Print) (IMALAKAG), Flexible Packaging Printing & Decoration (Flexo, Gravure, Digital, Cold Foil) (IMALABAM)

Keywords

• Commercial printing services
• Custom packaging solutions
• Variable data printing
• Large format printing
• Print fulfillment services

Headquarters

HQ city

De Pere

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Print Production Services: One-time print production services including offset printing, digital printing, large format printing, and finishing services for B2B collateral, packaging, greeting cards, and presentation materials.
2. Fulfillment and Warehousing Services: Warehouse and fulfillment services with 475,000 cubic foot distribution center, inventory management, kitting, and shipping services.
3. Mailing Services: List prep services including CASS certification, de-duping, NCOA review, and direct mail fulfillment.
4. Web-to-Print and Ecommerce Solutions: ExpressLane platform providing web store front management, print-on-demand, and ecommerce fulfillment services.
5. Custom Packaging Design and Production: Custom packaging solutions including structural design, prototyping, and production for cannabis, cosmetics, beverage, and other markets.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Independent Printing & Packaging is a commercial printing and packaging manufacturer producing offset and digital print collateral, custom folding cartons, e-flute corrugated boxes, beverage carriers, cannabis packaging, and greeting cards, complemented by variable data personalization, large format printing, presentation finishing, and 475,000 cubic foot warehouse and fulfillment services. The company sells primarily to B2B buyers across manufacturing, healthcare, education, and consumer products, with a self-serve ecommerce platform (ExpressLane) for direct marketing campaigns and promotional item reorder.

Product overview

Independent Printing & Packaging operates as a commercial printing platform offering a comprehensive suite of print and packaging products. The portfolio spans two primary categories: print services (offset, digital, variable data, large format, and presentation printing) and packaging solutions (custom folding cartons, e-flute packaging, cannabis packaging, and beverage carrier packaging). Finishing services including foil stamping, embossing, and die-cutting are offered as add-on capabilities across all product lines. The platform also includes ExpressLane for ecommerce fulfillment and web-to-print capabilities. The company positions itself as both a print provider and marketing partner, serving B2B collateral, large format, fulfillment programs, and specialized packaging markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ExpressLane: Independent Printing & Packaging's online ecommerce fulfillment solution providing web storefronts, web2print, direct marketing campaign support, and promotional items order entry and fulfillment.

Products and services

• Offset Printing Services Conventional sheet-fed offset printing for B2B buyers, supporting large runs, critical 4-color or spot color projects, and jobs requiring larger press sheets, with up to eight colors plus coatings across 7 offset presses.
• Digital Printing Services Digital printing using 4 digital presses with inline ink curing, delivering full-color imagery at lower cost for shorter runs and variable data jobs.
• Variable Data Printing Personalized digital printing for direct mail and marketing campaigns using XMPie software to vary images, charts, and copy per recipient for higher response rates.
• Large Format Printing Large format digital printing for banners, signs, vehicle graphics, floor and wall graphics, window graphics, trade show displays, and point-of-purchase displays for brand visibility projects.
• Presentation Printing High-quality printing of brochures, folders, booklets, and marketing collateral for corporate communications, with finishing options such as foil stamping, embossing, and die cutting.
• Greeting Card Printing Full-service greeting card printing for publishers and resellers, offering print-on-demand with 24-48 hour turnaround and bulk runs with premium finishes including foil stamping, embossing, and glitter.
• Fulfillment Services Warehouse and fulfillment including inventory management, kitting, pick/ship processing, and 24-48 hour order processing from a 475,000 cubic foot midwest distribution center for B2B marketing collateral and direct mail programs.
• ExpressLane Web-to-Print and Ecommerce Platform Self-serve ecommerce and web-to-print platform providing branded storefronts for collateral materials, direct marketing campaigns, and promotional item fulfillment with inventory management and real-time reporting.
• Custom Packaging Custom paperboard and e-flute packaging including tuck boxes, lift-top boxes, and carriers/sleeves with structural design, prototyping, and enhanced finishing for promotions, mailings, gifts, and retail.
• Cannabis Packaging Custom cannabis packaging including tuck boxes, gift boxes, point-of-purchase displays, and custom design boxes with premium finishing such as matte/gloss/satin/soft-touch coatings, hot foil stamping, spot UV, embossing, die-cutting, and window patching.
• Beverage Carrier Packaging Paperboard beverage carrier packaging for cans and bottles in hand and machine fill styles, with fast turn times, low minimum order quantities, FSC certification, and in-house design assistance.
• Custom Folding Cartons Retail-ready custom paperboard folding cartons in various bottom styles (tuck, auto-bottom, 1-2-3, seal end) for cosmetics, cannabis, breweries, auto-parts, vitamins, and supplements.
• Custom E-Flute Packaging Corrugated e-flute packaging in lift top mailer, straight tuck, and carrier styles, available via Digital Direct printing for short runs of 10-1000 and Litho-Wrap for runs of 1000+, suited to subscription boxes and ecommerce shipping.

Quantifiable outcome

• Direct mail generates $10 in sales for every $1 invested
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Wisconsin Public ServiceminorOthersVoluntary participation in the NatureWise renewable energy program. Energy purchased through this program comes from clean, locally sourced wind and biogas, reducing the company's environmental footprint.
• Preferred by NaturecoreOthersCertification body for FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification, confirming that Independent Printing adheres to standards for responsible forestry practices.
• IdealliancecoreOthersOrganization that awards G7 Master Qualification, recognizing Independent's color matching skills and processes as globally recognized best practices.
• Greeting Card AssociationminorOthersTrade association membership providing industry resources and networking for the greeting card division.
• NCIA (National Cannabis Industry Association)minorOthersTrade association membership supporting the cannabis packaging business unit.
• Beverage AssociationminorOthersTrade association membership supporting the beverage carrier packaging business unit.
• Major Shipping and Trucking CompaniesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorShipping partnerships with all major carriers providing volume discounts due to Independent's shipping volume.
• Local and Regional SuppliersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVendors and suppliers who share environmental values and provide sustainably produced materials. Sourcing from local suppliers reduces transport distance and supports sustainability goals.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Quad: Quad is a publicly traded marketing and print services provider operating large-scale production platforms across commercial print, packaging, and media. It is the kind of broad incumbent Independent Printing competes against for enterprise marketing-services budgets.
• CCL Industries: CCL Industries is one of the world's largest label and specialty packaging manufacturers with healthcare, consumer, and premium-product exposure. It serves as a benchmark incumbent in the packaging-printing verticals Independent Printing targets via cannabis, beverage, and cosmetics.
• Toppan Merrill: Toppan Merrill is a large communication and packaging solutions provider serving regulated industries, financial services, and consumer products packaging. It is a useful comparator for Independent Printing's regulated, compliance-heavy print-and-packaging work (HIPAA, FSC).
• Taylor Corporation: Taylor Corporation is one of the largest privately held US commercial printers, offering integrated print, marketing, and document services across B2B customers. It is far larger than Independent Printing but directly comparable in its full-service commercial-printing-plus-fulfillment model targeting enterprise accounts.
• RR Donnelley: RR Donnelley is a long-standing large-scale commercial and marketing print services provider serving enterprise marketing, communications, and packaging needs. It overlaps with Independent Printing across commercial print and direct marketing fulfillment at the high end of the market.

Direct peers

• Cenveo: Cenveo is a commercial printer producing custom print, packaging, and labels for enterprise customers. Its mix of commercial printing and custom packaging closely mirrors Independent Printing's offset/digital plus folding-carton packaging offerings.
• AlphaGraphics: AlphaGraphics operates a franchise network of independently owned business-to-business print centers offering offset, digital, large-format and direct-mail services. It is a direct peer in mid-market commercial print with similar consultative, business-to-business GTM motion.
• Warner Press: Warner Press is a family-owned greeting card and print publisher offering greeting card printing, direct mail, and print-on-demand services. It is the most direct peer to Independent's greeting card POD and greeting-card publishing business.
• Multi-Color Corporation (now Fortis Solutions): Fortis Solutions (formerly MCC) is a leading label and packaging converter producing pressure-sensitive labels and folding cartons for consumer goods. It is directly comparable to Independent's folding-carton and custom packaging business serving consumer-products customers.

Emerging players

• MOO: MOO is a digitally native commercial print brand specializing in premium business cards, marketing collateral, and packaging via web-to-print. It represents the emerging online-native model that competes for the same SMB and mid-market print spend that ExpressLane targets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/independentinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/independent-printing-inc-

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Independent Printing Co