What Computype does

Computype is a privately held US manufacturer headquartered in St Paul, Minnesota, specializing in durable labeling solutions engineered to survive extreme environments. Founded in 1974 and employing 101-250 people, the company designs and produces pressure-sensitive labels, thermal transfer labels, barcode labels, and pre-printed labels that maintain adhesion, legibility, and barcode scannability under conditions including cryogenic storage to -196°C, high heat to 350°C, chemical exposure, abrasion, sterilization, and vulcanization. Core technology rests on proprietary engineered adhesives (acrylic, rubber, cryogenic, solvent-based, emulsion, hot melt), synthetic face stocks (polyester, polypropylene, polyimide, polyethylene, vinyl), and proprietary coating systems, validated in an in-house ISO 9001-certified testing laboratory.

The product portfolio spans consumables, hardware, software, and services. In addition to label stocks, Computype distributes thermal transfer printers from Zebra, cab, and TSC; resells label design and management software from BarTender and Loftware NiceLabel; offers automated print-and-apply systems (Axon 1, Axon 2, S3200); and operates Labware Prep Services with ISO Class 7 cleanroom production, including cured ink, ceramic bonded, laser-etched, and fused ink marking, precision tare weighing, kitting, and packaging. Specialized product lines target blood bag labeling (ISBT 128 compliant), drive belt and tire marking films, automotive part labels, library and archive labels, garment labels, floor mat labels, and a growing set of life-sciences SKUs covering microplates, tubes, vials, cell culture labware, microscope slides, and PCR tubes.

Computype's business model is primarily sales-led and enterprise-focused, with custom solutions priced via direct quote based on quantity, materials, and application requirements, supplemented by a transparent e-commerce storefront for standardized SKUs. The company serves six primary verticals: laboratory/life sciences and automotive/manufacturing as core segments, with libraries/archives, blood banking/healthcare, textile/garment, and commercial floor mats as secondary segments. Distribution combines direct enterprise sales, an online shop, OEM channel partnerships with printer and software vendors, and industry-association partnerships with SLAS, ICCBBA, Laboratory Robotics Interest Group, and TLMI.

Name

Computype

Legal name

Computype

Website

https://computype.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Computype is a US-based manufacturer of durable pressure-sensitive and thermal transfer labels engineered for extreme environments (cryogenic, high-heat, chemical, abrasion), serving laboratory, automotive, manufacturing, blood banking, and commercial customers with consumables, printers, software, and cleanroom prep services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Labels and Identification Solutions

SIC

Printing Trades Machinery & Equipment (3555)

akta.pro primary industry

Labeling, Coding & Marking Equipment (Labelers, Inkjet, Laser) (IMALAOAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Thermal & Label Printers (HDACAEAC)

Keywords

• Durable industrial labels
• Barcode labeling systems
• Thermal transfer printing
• Labware marking services
• Asset tracking labels

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Paul

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Durable Labels: Sale of engineered pressure-sensitive labels, thermal transfer labels, and barcode labels for harsh environments. Includes products for laboratory (tubes, vials, microplates, blood bags), manufacturing (automotive, rubber, tires), and commercial (libraries, garments, floor mats) applications. Revenue generated through direct product sales with pricing based on quantity, materials, and customization level.
2. Pre-Printed Label Services: Professionally printed custom labels with controlled data, advanced converting, and durable materials. Includes ISBT 128 blood bag labels, library barcode labels, and custom printed labels for various applications. Customers provide data for controlled sequencing and unique identifier assignment.
3. Labware Prep Services: Pre-barcoding, marking, and preparation services for labware including tubes, vials, and microplates. Services include cured ink marking, ceramic bonded labels, laser-etched marking, tare weighing, kitting and packaging, and cleanroom production. Labware arrives ready-to-use out of the box.
4. Barcode Label Printers: Sale of thermal transfer barcode label printers from trusted manufacturers including cab, TSC, and Zebra. Includes desktop compact printers (ZD Series, TSC TC Series), industrial high-volume printers (ZT Series, SQUIX, Mach 4S), and specialty printers (cab XC Q two-color GHS printer).
5. Label Software Solutions: Distribution and support of label design and management software including BarTender and Loftware NiceLabel. Software enables barcode label creation, printing, and automation with integration capabilities for existing business systems.
6. Print & Apply Automation: Automatic label applicators including Axon 1 (vertical tube labeler), Axon 2 (horizontal tube labeler), and S3200 (well plate labeler) for automated print-and-apply labeling workflows in laboratory environments.
7. Rubber Belt Marking Films: Specialty marking films for rubber drive belts including pre-cure and post-cure options, custom PMS color ribbons, two-color ribbons, and pre-printed color films. Supports branding, traceability, and compliance marking on V-belts, timing belts, and synchronous belts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Computype designs and manufactures engineered pressure-sensitive, thermal transfer, and pre-printed labels engineered to survive extreme environments including cryogenic storage (-196°C), high heat (up to 350°C), chemical exposure, abrasion, and sterilization. The company also distributes thermal transfer barcode printers and label design software, supplies print-and-apply automation equipment for laboratory tubes and plates, and provides Labware Prep Services including pre-barcoding, cured ink marking, ceramic bonded labeling, laser etching, tare weighing, kitting, packaging, and ISO Class 7 cleanroom production.

Product overview

Computype is a durable labeling solutions provider with over 50 years of experience offering a comprehensive portfolio of engineered labels and labeling services. The company's product portfolio centers on five core label product lines: Pressure-Sensitive Labels (including Barcode Labels and Thermal Transfer Labels), Pre-Printed Labels, Barcode Label Printers (from cab, TSC, and Zebra), Label Software (Bartender and Loftware NiceLabel), and Air Spring/Automotive Part Labels. Computype also offers specialized labels for diverse applications including Blood Bag Labels (ISBT 128 compliant), Drive Belt Marking Films, Floor Mat Labels, Garment Labels, Library Barcode Labels, and Microplate Labels (with cryogenic, chemical-resistant, and sterilization-resistant variants). The company provides laboratory automation through tube and plate labelers (Axon 1, Axon 2, S3200) and Labware Prep Services including tare weighing, kitting, packaging, and cleanroom production. Labels are engineered for specific surface materials (glass, metal, plastic, rubber, silicone, textile) and demanding environments (cryogenic to -196°C, high heat, chemical exposure, abrasion, sterilization). Computype positions itself as a one-stop provider combining label products, printing equipment, software, and preparation services for identification and tracking across laboratory, manufacturing, and logistics applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Labware Prep™ Services: Direct barcoding, marking, and preparation services ensuring labware is ready for immediate use.

Products and services

• Pressure-Sensitive Labels Durable pressure-sensitive adhesive labels engineered for harsh environments with proprietary adhesives and synthetic face stocks (polyester, polypropylene, polyimide, polyethylene, vinyl) that maintain clarity, adhesion, and integrity across glass, metal, plastic, rubber, and silicone surfaces in manufacturing, laboratory, and logistics applications.
• Barcode Labels

Quantifiable outcome

• Labels tested from -196°C to 350°C ensuring performance across extreme temperature ranges
• +2 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• cabcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributorcab is a valued partner providing thermal transfer barcode label printers including the SQUIX, Mach Series, and XC Q two-color GHS printer. Computype offers these printers as part of their Print & Apply solutions portfolio.
• TSC (Thermal Label Solutions)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTSC is a valued partner providing compact desktop thermal transfer printers including the TC Series. These printers are offered as part of Computype's label printing solutions.
• Zebra TechnologiescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorZebra is a valued partner providing industrial and desktop barcode label printers. Computype offers Zebra printers as part of their comprehensive labeling solutions.
• LoftwarecoreTechnology or IntegrationLoftware is a valued partner providing label management software (NiceLabel). Computype offers Loftware software for barcode label design, printing, and automation in labeling workflows.
• BarTendercoreTechnology or IntegrationBarTender is offered as a valued label design software partner providing barcode label creation, printing, and automation capabilities with easy integration into existing systems.
• 3MminorOthers3M is listed as a valued partner association, suggesting material or technology endorsement in the labeling industry.
• SLAS (Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerSLAS is a valued association partner providing access to the laboratory automation and screening industry community. Computype participates in SLAS events and community.
• ICCBBA (International Society of Blood Transfusion)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerICCBBA is a valued association partner supporting ISBT 128 blood banking standards. Computype's blood bag labels comply with ICCBBA standards.
• Laboratory Robotics Interest GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLaboratory Robotics Interest Group is a valued association partner supporting automation and robotics in laboratory environments.
• ScinomixminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorScinomix is listed as a valued partner, likely serving as a distributor or reseller in the laboratory supply market.
• TLMI (Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTLMI is a valued association partner representing the tag and label manufacturing industry.
• BBB (Better Business Bureau)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBBB accreditation represents business credibility certification for Computype.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• CCL Industries: CCL Industries is one of the world's largest specialty label converters (Avery Medical, CCL Healthcare, CCL Container) competing directly in healthcare, automotive, and consumer-durables labeling; broader portfolio but overlapping on regulated, durable label applications.
• Avery Dennison: Avery Dennison is a global pressure-sensitive label materials and retail branding heavyweight; while not focused exclusively on extreme-environment labels, it competes with Computype in barcode, healthcare, and industrial label substrates and tags, and benefits from scale and global manufacturing footprint.
• Zebra Technologies: Zebra is both a Computype channel partner (printers: ZD, ZT) and a broad incumbent that owns industrial barcode printing, RFID, and enterprise label-printing software; competition occurs primarily on hardware/print-automation rather than the consumable label stack.

Direct peers

• CILS International: CILS is a UK-based specialist in durable industrial identification labels and tags capable of withstanding extreme chemicals, heat and abrasion; closely comparable in scope, engineering-led label customization, and target industries.
• HERMA GmbH: HERMA is a German specialty self-adhesive label manufacturer with deep pharmaceutical and laboratory segments, mirroring Computype's niche focus on labels for cryogenic storage, blood bags, and labware; comparable size and vertical specialization.
• Brady Corporation: Brady is the closest direct peer — a public specialty label and identification solutions company serving industrial, laboratory, and safety markets with durable labels, barcode/label printers, and asset tracking software. Significant overlap in cryogenic, chemical-resistant, and tamper-evident label portfolios and the same core customer base (labs, manufacturers, healthcare).
• Multi-Color Corporation (MCC): MCC is a global specialty label converter serving healthcare, automotive, and consumer products with durable and decorative labels; comparable custom-engineered durable labeling focus and multi-vertical customer overlap with Computype.
• Resource Label Group: Resource Label Group is a US-focused specialty label converter built on roll-up acquisitions, offering custom pressure-sensitive labels across regulated and industrial end markets; similar size tier and customization-led sales motion.

Emerging players

• TSC Auto ID: TSC is a Computype channel partner (TSC TC desktop printers) and a pure-play barcode printer manufacturer competing with Zebra and cab in the thermal transfer segment; relevant as a partner/competitor on the hardware side of the print-and-apply stack.
• cab Produkttechnik: cab is a German manufacturer of industrial labeling systems, thermal transfer printers, and Print & Apply applicators (incl. Axon tube labelers); a channel partner for Computype whose industrial applicator range competes more directly with the Axon 1/2 and S3200 portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/computype
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@computype
• Facebookfacebook.com/computype
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/computype

Compliance2 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 Computype