HF Group
HF Group is a US-based printing and binding services company providing library binding, short-run digital book production, and archival storage to libraries, publishers, government agencies, and educational institutions across the United States.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersChesterland, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What HF Group does
HF Group, LLC is a US-based specialized printing and binding services company headquartered in North Manchester, Indiana, with production and service operations in Utica, Nebraska; Greensboro, North Carolina (now a transportation hub post-restructuring); and Newbury and Gahanna, Ohio. The company provides library binding, short-run digital book production, custom archival storage, and ancillary specialty services (AssureVault depository storage, Archival Boxes, Print My Genealogy, Thesis on Demand). Core binding offerings include library and custom hardcover/paperback binding with multiple leaf attachment methods (PUR, Double Fan Adhesive, Side Sew), while the Digital Book Production division uses a Canon varioPRINT iX Sheetfed Inkjet Press to produce runs of 1–1,000 hardcover and paperback books. The ABLE Web application, a Java-based tool launched via Web Start, is used by library customers to prepare materials for binding. The firm employs 251–500 people across five US locations.
The company operates a sales-led, B2B-dominant model with quote-based pricing and pay-as-you-go billing. Customer segments are academic, public, and institutional libraries; traditional and self-publishers; federal, state, and local government agencies; educational institutions; and individual genealogists and thesis authors. Hardcover orders typically ship in 1–2 weeks and paperbacks in approximately one week, with rush service available. HF Group was built largely through a roll-up of regional binderies between 2014 and 2018 (Hoster, Riverside, TNO, Bridgeport National, Houchen), consolidated under a unified brand in 2022. In February 2026, the company divested three divisions (ECS Conservation, Government Records Preservation, and Digitizing Services) to Kofile Technologies, Inc., and subsequently consolidated North Carolina library binding operations into Indiana.
Revenue is generated through project-based service contracts and small-batch production runs, with no disclosed subscription, licensing, or platform revenue. Notable customer relationships include Washington and Lee University, Kent State University, Ohio University, the Library of Congress, the United Nations, La Frontera, and Esquire Publications, supplemented by long-tail self-publisher and genealogy customers. Note: firmographic data lists a founding year of 1821 (likely reflecting heritage of a predecessor bindery), while the company history attributes HF Group's formal establishment to 2013.
HF Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- HF Group
- Legal name
- HF Group, LLC
- Website
- https://hfgroup.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- HF Group is a US-based printing and binding services company providing library binding, short-run digital book production, and archival storage to libraries, publishers, government agencies, and educational institutions across the United States.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
HF Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Library Binding & Digital Book Production Services
- NAICS
- Books Printing (323117), Printing and Related Support Activities (3231), Support Activities for Printing (323120)
- SIC
- Blankbooks, Looseleaf Binders & Bookbindg & Relatd Work (2780), Book Printing (2732), Service Industries For The Printing Trade (2790)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Book & Magazine Binding Services (Perfect, Case, Saddle Stitch) (MPAJALAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Trade Book Print-on-Demand (Fiction & Nonfiction) (MPAJANAA), Finishing & Post-Press Services (Cutting, Folding, Collating, Laminating, Foil, Emboss) (MPAJALAF)
Keywords
Where HF Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chesterland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
HF Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Binding Services: Professional binding services for books, including library binding, custom hardcover and paperback binding, with various leaf attachment options (PUR, Double Fan Adhesive, Side Sew).
- Digital Book Production: Short run digital printing (up to 1,000 books) and print-on-demand services for publishers and authors, offering quick turnaround times.
- Archival Boxes and Storage: Custom archival storage box manufacturing based on customer measurements for preservation needs.
- Genealogy Printing: Family history printing and binding services via PrintMyGenealogy.com.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Short Run Digital Printing - up to 1,000 books |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Print on Demand - 1-10 books |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
HF Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
HF Group provides professional library binding services (hardcover, paperback, PUR adhesive, Double Fan Adhesive, and Side Sew options) and digital book production services including short run printing (up to 1,000 books) and print-on-demand (1-10 books) using Canon varioPRINT iX Sheetfed Inkjet Press technology. The company also offers specialty services such as AssureVault library depository storage, custom archival box manufacturing, genealogy printing, and thesis binding for libraries, publishers, government agencies, and educational institutions.
Product overview
HF Group operates as a diversified printing and preservation services company offering multiple distinct product lines under a unified corporate umbrella. The core products include Binding Services (formerly AcmeBinding) providing traditional and library binding, and Digital Book Production (formerly Book Partners) offering short-run digital printing and print-on-demand capabilities using Canon varioPRINT iX technology. Specialty services include AssureVault (library depository storage), Archival Boxes (custom storage solutions), Print My Genealogy (family history printing), and Thesis on Demand. Following a February 2026 acquisition by Kofile Technologies, the company sold three divisions—ECS Conservation, Digitizing Services, and Government Records Preservation—significantly narrowing its portfolio to focus on binding and digital book manufacturing.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- AssureVault: Archival storage solutions and services
- Thesis on Demand
- Archival Boxes
- Print My Genealogy
- Library SUMMIT Covers
Products and services
- Binding Services (formerly AcmeBinding) Library binding and book-related binding services providing traditional and specialty binding solutions for institutional and commercial customers, including hardcover, paperback, PUR adhesive, Double Fan Adhesive, and Side Sew options.
- Digital Book Production (formerly Book Partners) Short run digital printing and print-on-demand book manufacturing services producing 1 to 1,000 hardcover and paperback books using Canon varioPRINT iX inkjet technology.
- AssureVault Library depository storage and vault services for secure long-term preservation of library materials.
- Archival Boxes Custom archival storage box manufacturing service where customers provide measurements and receive tailored storage solutions.
- Print My Genealogy Family history printing and binding service enabling users to print genealogy records and family history books from PDF files created from popular online genealogy programs.
- Thesis on Demand Thesis and academic document printing and binding service.
Companies that use HF Group
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
HF Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
HF Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators1 record
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
HF Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Friesens Corporation: One of North America's largest book manufacturers producing hardcover, paperback, and specialty bound books for publishers. Directly comparable to HF Group's Digital Book Production division in short-run and trade book printing.
- Reindl Bindery: Independent US library and conservation bindery providing hardcover binding, repair, and preservation services to academic and public libraries. Closest direct competitor to HF Group's Binding Services division in the library binding niche.
- Sheridan Books: US book manufacturer specializing in short-run, on-demand, and trade book printing for publishers. Comparable to HF Group in serving traditional publishers with short-run digital and offset print production.
- Thomson-Shore: Family-owned US book printer producing hardcover, paperback, and specialty bound books for university presses, trade publishers, and self-publishers. Directly comparable book production services and customer base.
- BookMobile: US short-run and print-on-demand book manufacturer serving self-publishers, independent publishers, and university presses. Comparable to HF Group's Digital Book Production in target customer and short-run POD economics.
- Typecraft Inc. US book manufacturer producing hardcover, paperback, and digitally printed books for publishers, with strong academic press heritage. Directly comparable to HF Group in book manufacturing for institutional publishers.
Emerging players
- 48 Hour Books: US print-on-demand and short-run book manufacturer focused on fast turnaround for self-publishers and small publishers. Partial overlap with HF Group's POD offering but differentiated by online ordering and self-service pricing.
- Book1One: US print-on-demand book manufacturer serving self-publishers and small presses with short-run digital printing and binding. Comparable technology stack and small-run economics to HF Group's Digital Book Production.
Broad incumbents
- Kofile Technologies: US records and information management company that acquired HF Group's ECS Conservation, Government Records Preservation, and Digitizing Services divisions in Feb 2026. Comparable in serving libraries/archives/government on preservation and digitization, now controlling the ex-HF Group side of that business.
- Ingram Content Group: Global book distributor and print-on-demand operator (IngramSpark, Lightning Source) serving publishers, libraries, and retailers. Broader-scale incumbent that competes for publisher print-on-demand wallets alongside HF Group's Digital Book Production.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
HF Group social profiles
Digital presenceHF Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
HF Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
HF Group subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
HF Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
HF Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about HF Group
What does HF Group do?
HF Group provides professional library binding services (hardcover, paperback, PUR adhesive, Double Fan Adhesive, and Side Sew options) and digital book production services including short run printing (up to 1,000 books) and print-on-demand (1-10 books) using Canon varioPRINT iX Sheetfed Inkjet Press technology. The company also offers specialty services such as AssureVault library depository storage, custom archival box manufacturing, genealogy printing, and thesis binding for libraries, publishers, government agencies, and educational institutions.
Is HF Group a public or private company?
HF Group is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was HF Group founded?
HF Group was founded in 2013. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is HF Group based?
HF Group is headquartered in Chesterland, United States, in the North America region.
How does HF Group make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Binding Services are the primary driver. The others are digital Book Production, archival Boxes and Storage and genealogy Printing.
Who are HF Group's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Friesens Corporation, Reindl Bindery, Sheridan Books, Thomson-Shore, BookMobile and Typecraft Inc.. Emerging players are 48 Hour Books and Book1One. Broad incumbents are Kofile Technologies and Ingram Content Group.
Does HF Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for HF Group.
What industry is HF Group in?
HF Group's product category is Library Binding & Digital Book Production Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJALAE, Book & Magazine Binding Services (Perfect, Case, Saddle Stitch), with a secondary code of MPAJANAA, Trade Book Print-on-Demand (Fiction & Nonfiction). Its NAICS code is 323117 and its SIC code is 2780.