Diversified Labeling Solutions

What Diversified Labeling Solutions does

Diversified Labeling Solutions (DLS) is a U.S. trade-only label manufacturer founded in 1985 and headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, producing custom and stock pressure-sensitive labels through five production facilities located in Illinois, Georgia, Texas, Nevada, and California. The company operates 50+ presses across flexographic, thermal (direct thermal and thermal transfer), and digital (HP Indigo 6900) printing platforms, and serves end markets including warehouse and logistics, manufacturing, retail, cannabis, food and beverage, durable goods, healthcare, and horticulture. Product lines span thermal solutions (UltraMAX DT, Thermaflex, vinyl tape, linerless labels, ribbons), custom labels (Prime RFID, barcodes, prime labels, variable imaging, flexographic), stock labels, and specialized sub-brands including DLSdigital for short-run digital work, DLSwarehouse for warehouse signage and installation, and DLSdesign for custom artwork services. The company holds certifications or compliance coverage for GHS, UL/cUL (Authorized Label Supplier Program), and BS5609 labels.

DLS operates a strictly trade-only go-to-market model, selling exclusively through OEMs and value-added resellers without competing with its distributors on bids, and it drop-ships orders directly to distributor end customers. Revenue streams are transactional (custom-printed pressure-sensitive labels, stock labels, thermal solutions, RFID labels) supplemented by professional services (warehouse installation, kitting/co-packing, service bureau printing and encoding, label warehousing and distribution). Pricing is quote-based with no public disclosure; the company commits to three-hour quote turnaround. Since 2019, DLS has operated as a subsidiary of TSC Auto ID Technology and manufactures OEM media (labels and ribbons) for TSC and Printronix thermal Auto ID printer lines. The company has cumulatively produced more than 6.5 billion labels, runs the Power Pellet sustainability program that diverts 2M+ pounds of waste annually with a 40% CO2 reduction, and received the 2019 TLMI Special Environmental Award.

Name

Diversified Labeling Solutions

Legal name

Diversified Labeling Solutions

Website

https://teamdls.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Diversified Labeling Solutions is a U.S. trade-only label converter founded in 1985, manufacturing custom and stock pressure-sensitive labels via flexographic, thermal, and digital printing across five production sites, sold exclusively through OEM and VAR distributor partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pressure Sensitive Label Manufacturing

NAICS

Printing and Related Support Activities (3231), Commercial Printing (except Screen and Books) (323111), Packaging and Labeling Services (56191)

SIC

Papers & Allied Products (2600)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty & Functional Labels (Linerless, RFID/NFC, Braille, Smart) (IMALAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Security, Tamper-Evident & Track-and-Trace Printing (IMALAKAJ)

Keywords

• Custom pressure sensitive labels
• Thermal label manufacturing
• RFID label printing
• Warehouse labeling solutions
• Trade-only label converter

Headquarters

HQ city

Itasca

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 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. Custom Printed Pressure Sensitive Labels: DLS produces high-quality custom-printed pressure sensitive labels in both blank and full color high-definition formats. Orders range from 100 to 100,000,000 labels, serving a wide range of order sizes.
2. Stock Labels: Pre-manufactured stock labels available for immediate ordering across categories including thermal labels, shipping labels, blank labels, RFID labels, and Ecologic sustainable options.
3. Thermal Solutions (Direct Thermal and Thermal Transfer): Core business unit producing thermal labels including direct thermal and thermal transfer labels, ribbons, vinyl label tape, linerless labels, and mobile print supplies. DLS also manufactures OEM media for TSC and Printronix thermal Auto ID printers.
4. RFID Labels: Stock and custom-printed Rain RFID labels guaranteed for optimal performance. Includes service bureau printing/encoding services.
5. Warehouse Labeling Services: DLSwarehouse division provides label warehousing and distribution, kitting and co-packing, and professional warehouse label installation services.
6. Service Bureau Printing/Encoding: Provides printed and encoded labels for customers who need properly formatted and printed labels on demand.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Diversified Labeling Solutions is a trade-only B2B label converter that manufactures custom and stock pressure sensitive labels — including thermal, RFID, barcode, digital, flexographic, GHS, durable, and warehouse labels — and produces OEM media for TSC and Printronix thermal Auto ID printers. The company runs five U.S. production facilities and supports its OEM and value-added reseller channel with design services, kitting, service bureau printing/encoding, warehousing and distribution, and professional label installation. Orders range from 100 to 100,000,000 labels with quotes returned in three hours or less.

Product overview

Diversified Labeling Solutions (DLS) is a trade-only label manufacturer offering a comprehensive portfolio of label products and services. The company operates as a nationwide B2B label supplier since 1985 with five production facilities across the U.S. The product portfolio centers on thermal solutions (including UltraMAX DT, Thermaflex Labels, Thermal Transfer Labels, Vinyl Label Tape, Linerless Labels, Ribbons, and Direct Thermal Labels) as the core business, complemented by custom label capabilities (Prime RFID Labels, DLSdigital digital printing, Barcode Labels, Variable Imaging, Prime Labels, Flexographic Labels), and stock label programs (Ecologic, Stock RFID Labels, Shipping Labels, Blank Labels). The DLSwarehouse brand provides specialized warehouse labeling solutions including signs, CleanBeam/CleanBin, Label Armor, and installation services. Additional products include GHS Labels, Integrated Labels, CSA/UL/cUL Labels, Augmented Reality Labels, and Brand Protection Labels. Services encompass DLSdesign, Kitting and Co-Packing, Service Bureau printing/encoding, Warehouse Label Installation, and Label Warehousing & Distribution. DLS produces labels using flexographic and HP Indigo digital printing technologies, serving markets including healthcare, cannabis, consumer products, industrial, food/beverage, retail, and warehousing/logistics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DLSdigital: Digital label printing service enabling shorter run labels in virtually any size and shape quickly.
• DLSwarehouse
• DLSdesign

Products and services

• UltraMAX DT Direct thermal label product designed for thermal printing applications.
• Thermaflex™ Labels Thermal label product designed for flexible thermal printing applications.
• Thermal Transfer Labels Labels designed for thermal transfer printing technology, offering durable image permanence on various substrates.
• Vinyl Label Tape Durable thermal transfer labels made from flexible, low-shrink vinyl facestock, UV-rated and resistant to sunlight, fading, moisture, and chemicals, lasting up to five years under normal exposure.
• Linerless Labels Eco-friendly labels that adhere to themselves without a silicone backing liner, eliminating liner waste and offering up to 50% more labels per roll.
• Ribbons Thermal transfer ribbons for use with thermal transfer label printing, available in wax, wax/resin, and resin formulations.
• Direct Thermal Labels

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2 million pounds of label production waste diverted from landfills per year
• +3 more outcomes

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TSC Auto ID TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019In 2019, DLS became a member of the TSC Auto ID Technology family, a global leader in the AIDC barcode printer industry. DLS is the manufacturer of OEM media for both TSC and Printronix thermal Auto ID printers, producing blank label stock and thermal ribbons compatible with their printer lines.
• Printronix Auto IDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDLS manufactures OEM media (labels and ribbons) for Printronix Auto ID thermal printers. This partnership positions DLS as a preferred supplier of thermal printing consumables.
• Print Services and Distribution Association (PSDA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerDLS is a Premier member of PSDA. The company participates in PSDA events including the P2P Technology + Innovation Summit, CEO Summit, and Young Innovators conferences. DLS advertises and contributes long-form articles to PS Magazine to reach distributor members.
• Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute (TLMI)coreOthersDLS is a member of TLMI and was recognized in 2019 with a special environmental award for its power pellet program.
• Republic ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepublic Services serves as the waste hauler for DLS's power pellet program, collecting label production waste for conversion into fuel pellets.
• Channeled ResourcesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChanneled Resources sources and qualifies label feedstock from DLS's production waste for energy companies participating in the power pellet program.
• Convergen EnergyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConvergen Energy is a waste converter and power company focusing on alternative fuels. They convert DLS's label production waste into fuel pellets used as a coal alternative for electricity generation.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Resource Label Group: Resource Label Group is a U.S. label converter offering custom pressure-sensitive, prime, digital, RFID, and durable labels across multiple production sites. It is one of the closest direct competitors to DLS, serving similar distributor and end-customer accounts with overlapping thermal and flexographic capabilities.
• WS Packaging Group: WS Packaging Group is a large U.S. label converter producing pressure-sensitive labels, shrink sleeves, and RFID labels through multiple facilities. It is a direct competitor to DLS in custom-printed labels and serves similar distributor and brand-owner customers.
• Fortis Solutions Group: Fortis Solutions Group is a U.S. label converter producing prime labels, shrink sleeves, and flexible packaging for consumer products. It overlaps with DLS in flexographic and digital label production and competes for similar consumer-products and industrial accounts.
• Smyth Companies: Smyth Companies is a U.S. label and packaging converter producing pressure-sensitive labels, flexible packaging, and RFID-enabled labels. It is a direct competitor in custom label production for similar end markets including consumer products, healthcare, and industrial.
• Nosco: Nosco is a U.S. label and packaging converter specializing in healthcare, personal care, and consumer products labels. It overlaps with DLS in pressure-sensitive label production and competes for similar healthcare and consumer-products accounts.
• Inland Label: Inland Label is a U.S. label converter producing cut-and-stack, roll-fed, and pressure-sensitive labels for beverage and consumer products. It is comparable to DLS as a domestic label converter with overlapping flexographic capabilities and end markets.
• Label Technology Inc. Label Technology Inc. is a U.S. label converter producing flexographic and digital labels, with strengths in prime and durable labels. It competes with DLS in custom-printed prime labels and serves similar consumer-products and industrial customers.

Broad incumbents

• CCL Industries: CCL Industries is the world's largest label converter, with Healthcare, Consumer, and Industrial operations spanning prime labels, RFID, and durable labels globally. It is a broad incumbent competing with DLS across multiple categories and geographies, though it operates at significantly larger scale.
• Multi-Color Corporation: Multi-Color Corporation (now part of CCL Industries) is one of the largest global label converters serving consumer products with prime labels and shrink sleeves. It competes with DLS in flexographic prime labels for consumer-products accounts at much larger scale.
• Constantia Flexibles: Constantia Flexibles is a global flexible packaging and label producer serving consumer and pharmaceutical markets. It competes with DLS in label-adjacent product categories including prime labels for consumer products, though its scale and European footprint are much larger.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/team_dls
• Facebookfacebook.com/diversifiedlabelingsolutionsinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/diversified-labeling-solutions

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 Diversified Labeling Solutions