EyeC
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersHamburg, Germany
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What EyeC does
EyeC GmbH is a Hamburg-based, founder-owned software and machine vision company founded in 2002 that builds automated artwork and print quality inspection systems for the printing and packaging industry. Its core technology combines proprietary scanners with inspection software algorithms to perform PDF-to-PDF comparison, print image inspection, Braille verification (ISO 17351:2013), and 1D/2D barcode inspection. Two product lines anchor the offering: the Proofiler offline scanner family (covering formats from 400 DTe entry-level to 1700 DT large-format and RS roll-to-sheet variants), and the ProofRunner inline camera-based family (Web, Sheetfed, Carton) for 100% inline inspection. The 2026 launches of Proofiler Graphic Connect (cloud-based SaaS prepress inspection) and AI-based defect classification via pre-trained neural networks signal a strategic shift toward recurring software revenue and intelligent automation.
The company sells primarily to enterprise customers in regulated industries — most prominently pharmaceutical packaging (Novartis, AUGUST FALLER, IDT Biologika, WALA, Queisser Pharma, All4Labels) — where regulatory compliance (FDA 21 CFR Part 11, EU Annex 11) and validation documentation (IQ/OQ/PQ) drive purchasing decisions. Additional verticals include commercial printers, design and prepress agencies, brand owners, and RFID manufacturers (TAGEOS). Go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales (Sales Director, regional Sales Managers, Sales Coordinator) with exclusive distribution partners in specific geographies, most notably Beijing Transwest Automation for China (2026), supported by wholly-owned subsidiaries in Poland, UK, and USA. The pricing model is hybrid: one-time licenses for hardware/software bundles (predominant), professional services for installation and validation, and an emerging SaaS subscription layer via Proofiler Graphic Connect.
EyeC claims over 3,000 inspection systems deployed worldwide and operates without disclosed external funding, explicitly maintaining owner-managed independence ("Selbstbestimmungsrecht"). The business model is shifting from pure hardware-plus-software license toward a hybrid recurring revenue structure as SaaS and ecosystem integrations (HYBRID Software, Esko Automation Engine) mature. Key risks include: concentration of strategic significance in the pharmaceutical vertical, hardware-cycle volatility, founder-dependence without disclosed succession planning, and competitive pressure from larger industrial automation vendors moving into print inspection.
EyeC firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- EyeC
- Legal name
- EyeC GmbH
- Website
- https://eyec.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
EyeC industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Machine Vision Print Inspection Systems
- NAICS
- Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)
- SIC
- Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Inspection, Checkweighing & Detection Systems (Vision, Metal, X-ray) (IMALAOAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Industrial Vision & Quality Inspection (HDAAAEAG)
Keywords
Where EyeC is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hamburg
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
EyeC business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Inspection Software Licenses: EyeC generates revenue through sale of inspection software licenses, including the Proofiler and ProofRunner product lines. Software is sold with bundled scanners and software for integrated quality control solutions.
- SaaS Subscription (Proofiler Graphic Connect): New cloud-based Proofiler Graphic Connect launched June 2026 operates on SaaS model, providing scalable, system-independent prepress inspection as subscription.
- Hardware Systems: EyeC sells complete inspection systems including proprietary scanners (Proofiler 400/600 DT, 900/1200 DT, 1700 DT, RS series) and EyeC ProofRunner inline inspection hardware.
- Professional Services: Services include installation, system customization, customer training, and validation support (IQ, OQ, PQ). Service team provides worldwide on-site support.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | Annual | Modular pricing with bundled scanner and software packages |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
EyeC product offering
Product offeringCore offering
EyeC builds machine vision inspection systems for the printing and packaging industry, combining proprietary scanners with inspection software. The Proofiler line provides offline artwork and print sample inspection (including a cloud-based SaaS option, Proofiler Graphic Connect), while the ProofRunner line delivers 100% inline camera-based inspection during production. Solutions cover PDF-to-PDF comparison, Braille verification, barcode/Datamatrix inspection, and AI-powered defect classification, sold to pharmaceutical, printing, brand owner, and RFID manufacturers.
Product overview
EyeC provides two main product lines for automated artwork and print inspection: the Proofiler family (offline scanner-based systems) and the ProofRunner family (in-line camera-based systems). The Proofiler line includes Graphic Connect (cloud-based SaaS), Graphic Classic (desktop scanner), and multiple DT/RS scanner models (400 DTe, 400/600 DT, 900/1200 DT, 1700 DT, 900/1050 RS, 1500 RS) for various substrate sizes. The ProofRunner line includes Web (labels/flexible packaging), Sheetfed, and Carton variants for 100% in-line inspection. Both lines support AI-powered capabilities through the ProofRunner AI module for intelligent error classification. Quality Link provides centralized quality management across systems.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Proofiler: Offline inspection systems for artwork and print quality control
- ProofRunner
- Quality Link
- EyeC ProofRunner AI
Products and services
- Proofiler Graphic Connect Cloud-based, scalable artwork inspection SaaS solution that automates PDF-to-PDF comparisons for prepress quality control. System- and hardware-independent platform that integrates with workflow systems via REST API.
- EyeC Proofiler Graphic (Classic) Offline scanner-based inspection system for artwork checking that compares print-ready files against approved templates and checks layout, Braille, barcodes, and Datamatrix codes.
- Proofiler 400 DTe Entry-level offline scanner-based inspection system for essential print quality verification needs.
- Proofiler 400/600 DT Offline scanner-based inspection system with 400/600 DT capability for print quality verification.
- Proofiler 900/1200 DT High-resolution offline scanner-based inspection system for larger format print quality verification.
- Proofiler 1700 DT Large-format offline scanner-based inspection system for oversized print materials.
- Proofiler 900/1050 RS Scanner-based offline inspection system with RS configuration for roll-to-sheet applications.
- Proofiler 1500 RS Large-format scanner-based offline inspection system for roll-to-sheet applications.
- EyeC ProofRunner Web In-line camera-based inspection system for 100% quality control of labels, leaflets, and flexible packaging.
- EyeC ProofRunner Sheetfed In-line inspection system for sheet-fed printing presses.
- EyeC ProofRunner Carton In-line inspection system specifically designed for carton and folder-gluer applications.
- EyeC Quality Link Quality management software linking EyeC inspection systems for centralized quality control data and reporting.
- EyeC ProofRunner AI (AI Print Inspection) AI-powered error classification module that filters detected deviations by type using pre-trained neural networks, isolating irrelevant suspicious areas such as dust and material inclusions to reduce waste and false positives.
- EyeC ProofRunner Web Evo AI-powered in-line inspection system for labels and flexible packaging that delivers 100% quality control during printing production.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 3,000 EyeC inspection systems in use worldwide
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use EyeC
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
EyeC technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
AI capability4 records
Feature6 records
EyeC partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Beijing Transwest AutomationcoreExclusive distribution partnership for Chinese market. Beijing Transwest Automation provides local printers and packaging manufacturers direct access to EyeC quality control solutions including 100% print image inspection and barcode verification. Partnership includes on-site service and technical support, targeting high-growth sectors including pharmaceuticals, food, and cosmetics in China's packaging market.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
EyeC competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Erhardt+Leimer: German-headquartered manufacturer of web inspection, web guiding, and print inspection systems. Direct overlap with EyeC's ProofRunner inline product line serving labels, flexible packaging, and paper converters globally.
- BST eltromat International: Specialist in 100% web inspection and color management for the printing and converting industry. Closely comparable to EyeC ProofRunner for inline defect detection on labels, folding cartons, and flexible packaging.
- Laetus (Barry-Wehmiller): Provider of print inspection, camera-based quality control, and track-and-trace solutions with a strong pharmaceutical packaging focus. Highly comparable to EyeC's pharma artwork and serialization use cases.
- Futec Global: Japanese specialist in print inspection systems for labels and packaging, with strong presence in Asia. Overlaps directly with EyeC Proofiler offline and ProofRunner inline product offerings.
- Nireco Corporation: Japanese manufacturer of web guiding, web inspection, and print quality control systems for packaging and converting. Comparable to EyeC in offline and inline inspection across labels and flexible packaging.
- AVT (Advanced Vision Technology): Israel-based provider of automatic print inspection systems for labels, flexible packaging, and cartons (now part of Danaher/ESKO). Directly competes with EyeC Proofiler/ProofRunner in pharma and packaging QC.
Broad incumbents
- ISRA VISION (Atlas Copco): Global machine vision specialist (now part of Atlas Copco) offering surface inspection and print image inspection for packaging, metals, and paper. Wider portfolio than EyeC but directly competes in print/packaging QC.
- Cognex Corporation: Global leader in machine vision and barcode reading for industrial automation. Larger and more diversified than EyeC but increasingly overlaps in packaging inspection and pharma line applications.
- Keyence Corporation: Major industrial sensor and vision system vendor. Provides general-purpose machine vision used in quality control that competes on price-performance in packaging and print applications alongside EyeC.
- SICK AG: German sensor and industrial automation company with machine vision solutions for packaging, printing, and logistics. Broader portfolio than EyeC but overlapping capabilities in inline packaging inspection.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
EyeC social profiles
Digital presenceEyeC compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
EyeC financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
EyeC leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
EyeC subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
EyeC funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
EyeC 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 EyeC
What does EyeC do?
EyeC builds machine vision inspection systems for the printing and packaging industry, combining proprietary scanners with inspection software. The Proofiler line provides offline artwork and print sample inspection (including a cloud-based SaaS option, Proofiler Graphic Connect), while the ProofRunner line delivers 100% inline camera-based inspection during production. Solutions cover PDF-to-PDF comparison, Braille verification, barcode/Datamatrix inspection, and AI-powered defect classification, sold to pharmaceutical, printing, brand owner, and RFID manufacturers.
Is EyeC a public or private company?
EyeC is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was EyeC founded?
EyeC was founded in 2002. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is EyeC based?
EyeC is headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does EyeC make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Inspection Software Licenses are the primary driver. The others are saaS Subscription (Proofiler Graphic Connect), hardware Systems and professional Services.
Who are EyeC's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Erhardt+Leimer, BST eltromat International, Laetus (Barry-Wehmiller), Futec Global, Nireco Corporation and AVT (Advanced Vision Technology). Broad incumbents are ISRA VISION (Atlas Copco), Cognex Corporation, Keyence Corporation and SICK AG.
Does EyeC have an API?
No public API is recorded for EyeC.
What industry is EyeC in?
EyeC's product category is Machine Vision Print Inspection Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMALAOAH, Inspection, Checkweighing & Detection Systems (Vision, Metal, X-ray), with a secondary code of HDAAAEAG, Industrial Vision & Quality Inspection. Its NAICS code is 33451 and its SIC code is 3823.