What Olson Visual does

Olson Visual is a family-run, full-service large-format digital graphics provider headquartered at 13000 Weber Way, Hawthorne, California. Founded on April 1, 1954 by Bob and Jeannette Olson as Photo Blow-Up Lab, a black-and-white photo enlargement service, the business was transferred to their sons Rick, Dan, and Tom in 1984, renamed Olson Color Expansions, and rebranded Olson Visual in the 1990s/2006 after pivoting to fully digital production. Today it operates a vertically integrated design-build-display studio producing custom visual marketing exhibits, graphics, and displays for events, retail, entertainment, and corporate clients.

The company's core capabilities span large-format printing, precision CNC cutting, wood and metal fabrication, LED wall installation, video editing and projection mapping, 3D rendering and CAD, on-site surveys, and installation/removal services. Productized offerings include Silicone Edge Graphics (SEG) and rigid graphic panels engineered for seamless integration with the beMatrix b62 modular frame system, a strategic partnership representing the company's primary ecosystem lock-in. A dedicated Light Walls product line and an e-commerce shop offering Essential Graphics, Green Screen, and Home Studio products extend the offering beyond bespoke project work. The studio model is supported by a single Hawthorne facility purchased in 2006 to accommodate expanded equipment and operations.

The business operates on a project-based B2B professional services model with no public pricing. Each engagement is custom-scoped through direct sales consultation with enterprise buyers, including major entertainment entities (film studios, Hollywood and Santa Monica theaters), elite brands, and corporations. Distribution is exclusively via direct enterprise sales; no intermediaries, channel partners, or self-service channels are used for the core service business. Geographic reach is self-claimed as global but disclosed operating geography is North America. The company is privately held and family-owned, with no external investors, parent company, or funding rounds disclosed.

Name

Olson Visual

Legal name

Olson Visual Inc.

Website

https://olsonvisual.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1954

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Olson Visual is a family-run, full-service large-format digital graphics provider in Hawthorne, California that designs, fabricates, and installs custom visual marketing exhibits, graphics, and displays for enterprise entertainment, retail, and corporate clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Visual Marketing and Trade Show Fabrication Services

NAICS

Indoor and Outdoor Display Advertising (541850)

SIC

Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)

akta.pro primary industry

Graphics Production & Large-Format Printing (Banners, Wraps, Signage) (THAHAHAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Staging, Scenic & Set Fabrication (Stages, Backdrops, Scenic Builds) (THAHAEAC), Large-Format & Specialty Printing (Signage, Posters, Displays) (MPAJALAD), Graphic Design & Visual Communications (Collateral, Illustration) (MPAAAEAC)

Keywords

• Large format printing
• Visual marketing displays
• Custom fabrication services
• Exhibit design production
• Retail graphics installation

Headquarters

HQ city

Hawthorne

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Custom Visual Marketing Projects: Custom project-based services for designing, building, and displaying visual marketing exhibits, graphics, and displays for events, entertainment, retail, and corporate clients. Projects are scoped individually based on client requirements for exhibits, wall coverings, retail displays, and event installations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Olson Visual is a full-service large-format digital graphics provider offering design, fabrication, and installation of visual marketing exhibits, graphics, and displays. The company serves major entertainment entities, elite brands, and corporations with custom projects including event displays, retail installations, wall coverings, trade show booths, and entertainment marketing stunts. Core capabilities span large-format printing, CNC cutting, LED walls, video projection mapping, 3D rendering, and wood/metal fabrication, all delivered from their Hawthorne, California studio.

Product overview

Olson Visual operates as a single, full-service visual marketing studio offering design, build, and display services. Their core offering centers on large-format printing and custom fabrication, supported by in-house capabilities including CNC cutting, wood/metal work, 3D rendering, LED walls, and installation services. Products include SEG Graphics and Rigid Graphic Panels designed for the beMatrix b62 modular frame system, Light Walls for illuminated displays, and various shop products like Essential Graphics and Green Screen solutions. Services span event production, entertainment projects for film studios, retail displays, wall coverings, trade show booths, interactive kiosks, pop-ups, and dimensional walls—delivered through a proprietary collaborative approach from their Hawthorne, California studio.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Large Format Printing
• Custom Fabrication Services
• Design and 3D Rendering Services
• LED Walls and Video Projection Mapping
• Event Production
• Entertainment Visual Marketing Projects
• Retail Display and Graphics Projects
• Wall Coverings and Murals
• Trade Show Booths and Pop-Ups
• SEG Graphics and b62 System Graphics
• Light Walls
• Vehicle and Surface Wrapping
• Interactive Kiosks and Dimensional Walls

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving major entertainment entities, elite brands, and corporations globally

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• beMatrixcoreTechnology or IntegrationOlson Visual partners with beMatrix to bring exceptional printed graphics to the industry-leading b62 System. The partnership enables production of high-quality rigid graphic panels and SEG fabric graphics that integrate seamlessly with beMatrix modular frames, featuring full-bleed visuals with minimal aluminum exposure. Olson Visual specializes in precision printing and fabrication for various configurations including sharp or rounded corners, angled walls, indentations, T-joints, arches, and curves.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Moss: Moss is a large-format graphics and fabric display producer serving events, exhibits, and retail environments. Directly comparable to Olson Visual in printing-driven visual marketing for events and brand activations.
• GES (Global Experience Specialists): GES provides event, exhibit, and conference services with in-house graphics and fabrication. Mirrors Olson Visual's full-service design-build-display model for trade shows and corporate events at larger scale.
• The Freeman Company: Freeman delivers end-to-end event and exhibit production including custom fabrication and large-format graphics. Closely comparable enterprise competitor in exhibit design, build, and installation.
• 2020 Exhibits: 2020 Exhibits designs and fabricates custom trade show exhibits with in-house graphics production. Comparable to Olson Visual's design, build, and display service mix for trade show and event clients.
• George P. Johnson Experience Marketing: George P. Johnson designs and produces brand experiences and exhibits for enterprise clients. Overlaps with Olson Visual in delivering custom visual marketing stunts for major brands and entertainment entities.
• Jack Morton Worldwide: Jack Morton is a global experiential marketing agency producing events, exhibits, and brand experiences. Comparable to Olson Visual's work on enterprise brand campaigns, entertainment events, and trade shows.
• Sparks: Sparks designs and produces brand experiences, exhibits, and live events with fabrication and graphics capabilities. Directly comparable to Olson Visual's full-service experiential offering for enterprise clients.
• Nimlok: Nimlok provides custom exhibit design, fabrication, and modular display solutions including graphics integration. Comparable to Olson Visual's beMatrix-integrated display and exhibit offering for trade shows.

Others

• beMatrix: beMatrix manufactures the modular b62 frame system that Olson Visual integrates with. It is a strategic partner and enabling supplier rather than a direct competitor, central to Olson Visual's SEG and rigid graphic panel business.

Emerging players

• FX Design Group: FX Design Group produces custom retail displays, exhibits, and branded environments. Comparable to Olson Visual's retail and event fabrication work, though typically focused on retail fixture deployments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/olsonvisual
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/olson-visual-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Olson Visual