Speedball

What Speedball does

Speedball Art Products is a privately held US art supplies manufacturer founded in 1899 and headquartered in Statesville, North Carolina. The company designs and produces a broad portfolio spanning four core categories: block and screen printmaking (water-soluble, oil-based, fabric, and Professional Relief inks; carving blocks; brayers; barens; squeegees; emulsions), ceramics (Clay Boss pottery wheels, mid-fire and Studio Plus glazes, Boss Ribs and Boss Base tools), calligraphy and illustration (India inks, Elegant Writer markers, nibs and holders, fountain pens), and paper and journals (Arnhem 1618, Fluid watercolor paper, block printing paper). The company's proprietary capability centers on specialty ink formulation: Speedball's predecessor pioneered water-based ink technology in the 1930s, and the firm continues to manufacture over 20,000 gallons of water-soluble ink per year at its Statesville facility using a specialized team of four mixers.

The company operates a horizontally-segmented business across hobbyist and professional artists, with a portfolio of 20+ owned sub-brands including Bienfang, Clayboss, Arnhem, Mona Lisa, Art-Graf, Best-Test, Elegant Writer, Fluid, Akua, and Speedball Professional. Products are developed in collaboration with a Pro Artist Network of 100+ professional artists globally, including named co-developers Bill Fick (Professional Relief Inks), Nancy Sowder (Mid-Fire Glazes), and Jennifer Whilden (Boss Ribs). Speedball distributes through three channels: direct-to-consumer e-commerce via speedballart.com, independent and chain art supply retailers, and wholesale distribution networks supporting global shipping. Pricing is unit-based, with individual items ranging from approximately $1.31 for small linoleum blocks to over $339.99 for premium products like the Speedball Spinback, and free shipping offered on orders over $100. The company is ACMI-certified non-toxic across applicable products and serves as both a heritage American manufacturer and an active acquirer of niche art-supply brands.

Name

Speedball

Legal name

Speedball Art Products

Website

https://speedballart.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1899

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Speedball Art Products is a US-based art supplies manufacturer founded in 1899 and headquartered in Statesville, North Carolina, serving hobbyist and professional artists worldwide with printmaking inks, ceramics equipment, calligraphy supplies, and paper across 20+ owned brands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Art Supplies

NAICS

Printing Ink Manufacturing (32591), Stationery Product Manufacturing (32223)

SIC

Pens, Pencils & Other Artists' Materials (3950)

akta.pro primary industry

Printing Inks (IMAEAHAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Stationery & Office Paper Products (notebooks, pads, forms) (IMAMAHAG), Colored, Art & Premium Paper Manufacturing (IMAMAEAG)

Keywords

• Art supplies manufacturing
• Printmaking ink products
• Screen printing supplies
• Ceramics pottery equipment
• Calligraphy illustration tools

Headquarters

HQ city

Statesville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Art Supplies E-commerce: Direct-to-consumer sales through speedballart.com e-commerce platform selling art supplies including block printing inks, screen printing supplies, ceramics products, calligraphy materials, and paper products.
2. Wholesale/Distribution: Products sold through art supply retailers and distributors to reach customers who prefer in-store purchasing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Speedball manufactures and sells art supplies for printmaking, screen printing, ceramics, and calligraphy/illustration under more than 20 owned brands including Speedball, Bienfang, Clayboss, Arnhem, Mona Lisa, Art Graf, Best-Test, Elegant Writer, Fluid, and Akua. Core products include water-soluble and oil-based block printing inks, fabric and Professional Relief inks, carving blocks and tools, brayers and barens, Flex fabric screen printing inks and emulsions, Clay Boss pottery wheels and glazes, and India and iridescent calligraphy inks.

Product overview

Speedball is an art supplies company offering a comprehensive portfolio of products for printmaking, ceramics, calligraphy, and paper arts. The core offerings span four main product lines: Block Printing (water-soluble, oil-based, fabric, and professional relief inks; Speedy-Carve, Speedy-Cut, and linoleum carving blocks; brayers, barens, and carving tools; plus paper and kits); Screen Printing (acrylic and fabric inks including Flex line; photo and photopolymer emulsions; squeegees; screens); Ceramics (pottery wheels under Clay Boss brand; mid-fire, stoneware, earthenware, and Studio Plus glazes; Boss Ribs and Boss Base tools); and Calligraphy/Illustration (India inks, Elegant Writer markers, brush markers, nibs, holders). Supporting brands include Akua (printmaking inks and modifiers), Mona Lisa (metal leaf and adhesives), ArtGraf by Viarco (drawing materials), Arnhem 1618 (journals and paper), Best-Test (adhesives), Woodzilla (wooden tools), and Coates (charcoal). The company also provides free digital resources through the Speedball Design Bank. Products are developed collaboratively with artists including Bill Fick, Nancy Sowder, and over 100 Pro Artist Network members. Founded in 1899, Speedball manufactures in Statesville, North Carolina.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Speedball Professional: Professional-grade art supplies line
• Akua
• Boss Series
• Red Baron
• Woodzilla

Products and services

• Speedball Water-Soluble Block Printing Inks Water-based inks formulated for printing on paper in block/relief printing; cleans up with soap and water; available in multiple colors and fluorescent variants; for hobbyists through professional printmakers.
• Speedball Oil-Based Block Printing Inks

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 20,000 gallons of water-soluble ink produced per year by specialized manufacturing team
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bill FickcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld-renowned printmaker collaborated with Speedball to develop the Professional Relief Ink line. The flagship color 'Supergraphic Black' is named after Bill Fick's studio in Durham, NC. Bill provided expertise on working properties to meet professional studio demands.
• Susan RostowcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on the development of Akua Printmaking ink products. Susan Rostow's artwork is featured in product branding and backgrounds for the Akua brand page.
• Susana McDonnellcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-time participant in Speedball's Demo Artist Program who helped test products and shape development of new ink colors. Her unique geometric print style was featured on Fabric Block Printing Ink packaging.
• Nancy SowdercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with Speedball on Mid-Fire Glazes product development. Featured in artist collaborations section with her ceramic work.
• Rich BrowncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on the Boss Base ceramic tool product. His design input shaped the development of this pottery tool.
• Jennifer WhildencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on the Boss Ribs ceramic tool product. Her input contributed to the 6-piece centering rib set design.
• Melissa EsplincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on the Hand Lettering & Journaling Kit product development. Her calligraphy expertise shaped the kit contents.
• David GrimescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on the Masgrimes Lining Triangle product. His bookbinding and craft expertise contributed to the tool design.
• Alex CarmonacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on The Speedball Spinback rotating bench hook product. His input shaped the design of this block printing tool.
• Lizzie ChristiancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPro Artist Network member and featured collaborator. Her work is featured in kit imagery and she creates tutorial content for Speedball products including the Deluxe Water-Soluble Block Printing Kit.
• Alexis LesnickcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPro Artist Network member who provides product feedback and creates content. Her relief printmaking expertise influences product development.
• Dana BergstromcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured artist in the Block Printing Artists page and product collaborations. Her artwork appears in Speedball Design Bank and product imagery.
• Jamaal BarbercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPro Artist Network member whose background art appears in website design. Contributes to the artistic community that inspires product development.
• Lizzie ChristiancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBackground art contributor for website footer design. Represents the artist community that shapes Speedball's creative direction.
• Wet Paint (St. Paul, MN)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocally owned fine art supply store in St. Paul, Minnesota featured as a retailer partner. Offers wide range of art materials, classes, and workshops to the local community.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Yasutomo: US-based distributor and manufacturer of calligraphy, printmaking, and Japanese art supplies. Direct overlap with Speedball's calligraphy nibs, ink, and block-printing categories, though at smaller scale and with a Japanese-product focus.
• Sakura of America: Manufacturer of specialty writing, drawing, and craft products (Pigma Micron, Gelly Roll, Koi Watercolors). Overlaps with Speedball's calligraphy and illustration categories with a focus on marker and pen-based products.

Direct peers

• Strathmore: US-based paper manufacturer specializing in artist-grade papers for printmaking, watercolor, sketching, and journaling. Comparable to Speedball's Arnhem, Fluid, and Block Printing Paper lines and competes in the same retail channels.
• Canson: French paper manufacturer with a long heritage in fine-art papers (Montval, Canson XL, Mi-Teintes). Directly comparable to Speedball's paper and journal portfolio, especially Arnhem 1618 and Fluid Watercolor.
• Golden Artist Colors: US-based manufacturer of professional artist paints and printmaking inks (including the Qor and Williamsburg lines). Comparable to Speedball's Professional Relief Ink and Akua lines as a US-made, professional-grade art manufacturer.
• Daler-Rowney: UK-based manufacturer of fine art materials including printmaking inks, papers, and brushes. Directly comparable to Speedball's printmaking and paper-product lines, with a similar multi-brand portfolio (System 3, FW Acrylic Inks, Langton paper).
• Winsor & Newton: Heritage British manufacturer of artists' paints, inks, and printmaking materials with global distribution. Most directly comparable to Speedball as a multi-category art-supplies manufacturer serving professional and hobbyist printmakers and calligraphers.
• Jacquard Products: US-based manufacturer of screen printing and fabric art supplies, including inks, dyes, and printmaking chemistry. Closely comparable to Speedball's screen printing and fabric ink product lines (Flex Fabric, Fabric Block Printing).

Broad incumbents

• Faber-Castell: One of the world's largest manufacturers of writing instruments, art supplies, and graphic products. Overlaps with Speedball in calligraphy pens, drawing materials, and artist-grade supplies, though at much larger scale and broader category footprint.

Others

• Blick Art Materials: Largest US art-supply retailer, carrying Speedball products alongside many of its competitors. While primarily a retailer rather than manufacturer, Blick is a key channel partner and indirect competitor on private-label and exclusive art-supply lines.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/speedball_art
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCg6mdjkkVHxkmh_3d80oV8g
• Facebookfacebook.com/SpeedballArtProducts
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/speedball-art-products-company
• Instagraminstagram.com/speedball_art
• Pinterestpinterest.com/speedballart

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries8 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 Speedball