Formax Printing Solutions
Formax Printing Solutions is a privately held St. Louis commercial printer, founded in 1985, operating five specialized production facilities that serve U.S. and Canadian business, nonprofit, self-publishing, trade-printer, and creative customers with books, full-color print, lamination, mailing, and fulfillment services on a quote-based, no-minimum model.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1985
- HeadquartersSt Louis, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Formax Printing Solutions does
Formax Printing Solutions is a privately held U.S. commercial printing company headquartered at 1822 Craig Road, St. Louis, Missouri, founded in 1985 and led by President & CEO Rick Stallings. The firm operates five specialized production facilities that run offset and digital presses, allowing each project to be matched to the most cost-efficient press based on run size (digital under 500 units, sheet-fed offset for 500+, web press for 10,000+). Services span book printing (perfect bound, saddle stitch, spiral/coil, wire-O, hard and soft cover), laminated printing, miniature folding, map printing, full-color commercial print (brochures, flyers, postcards, business cards, catalogs, manuals, directories), and adjacent mailing, fulfillment/distribution, and artwork-assistance offerings. Distribution extends across the continental United States and nine Canadian provinces; the company does not ship overseas.
The company's customer base is horizontally segmented and includes business organizations (the primary segment, sourcing training manuals, workbooks, compliance materials, handbooks, and policy manuals), nonprofit organizations (newsletters, donor appeals, fundraising materials, annual reports), authors and self-publishers (book printing), trade printers (white-label production work), and creative professionals (comics, coloring books, children's books). Revenue is generated project-by-project on a quote-based, pay-as-you-go basis with no minimum order requirement; pricing varies by printing method, paper, binding, quantity, and finishing. There is no outside sales force — customers request quotes via online form or by phone and are supported by dedicated in-house print coordinators, with a 100% satisfaction guarantee (reprint, rework, or refund within seven business days) underwriting the relationship. The firm is privately held with no external investors, parent company, funding rounds, or acquisitions disclosed in the source material, and employs between 1 and 10 people at headquarters.
Formax Printing Solutions firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Formax Printing Solutions
- Legal name
- Formax Printing Solutions
- Website
- https://formaxprinting.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1985
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Formax Printing Solutions is a privately held St. Louis commercial printer, founded in 1985, operating five specialized production facilities that serve U.S. and Canadian business, nonprofit, self-publishing, trade-printer, and creative customers with books, full-color print, lamination, mailing, and fulfillment services on a quote-based, no-minimum model.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Formax Printing Solutions industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Commercial Printing Services
- NAICS
- Commercial Printing (except Screen and Books) (323111), Books Printing (323117), Printing and Related Support Activities (3231)
- SIC
- Commercial Printing (2750), Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330), Book Printing (2732)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Printing & Business Forms (continuous forms, checks, tickets) (IMAMAHAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Mailing, Inserting & Distribution Services (Addressing, Direct Mail, Kitting) (MPAJALAH), Finishing & Post-Press Services (Cutting, Folding, Collating, Laminating, Foil, Emboss) (MPAJALAF), Digital Printing (Short-Run, Variable Data) (MPAJALAC)
Keywords
Where Formax Printing Solutions is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- St Louis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Formax Printing Solutions business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Custom Printing Services: One-time printing services for various products including books, brochures, flyers, postcards, business cards, envelopes, forms, labels, maps, catalogs, manuals, directories, and promotional materials. Revenue generated per job based on specifications, quantity, paper type, binding method, and finishing options.
- Mailing and Fulfillment Services: Postcard campaigns and fulfillment/distribution services for printed materials, handling mailing requirements regardless of size.
- Project Management Services: Dedicated account managers and print coordinators provide personalized service throughout the printing process, from quote to delivery.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | No minimum order requirement |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Custom quote-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Formax Printing Solutions product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Formax Printing Solutions provides custom commercial printing services spanning books, brochures, flyers, postcards, business cards, envelopes, labels, and maps, including laminated and folded products. In addition to printing, the company offers mailing services, fulfillment and distribution, and artwork services, serving business customers across the Continental US and Canada from five specialized production facilities in St. Louis, Missouri.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Book Printing Custom book printing services producing finished book products (including softcover and hardcover formats) for publishers, self-publishing authors, and organizations needing book runs.
- Laminated Printing Laminated print products (cards, brochures, menus, signage, and similar pieces requiring protective film finishing) for businesses and organizations.
- Mini Folding Compact folded print products (such as booklets, folded cards, and small-format folded brochures) for businesses needing short-run folded printed materials.
- Map Printing Custom map printing services producing finished folded or flat maps for publishers, tourism, real estate, and organizational customers.
- Full Color Printing Commercial full-color printing of brochures, flyers, postcards, business cards, envelopes, and labels for businesses and organizations across the US and Canada.
- Mailing Services Direct mailing services handling preparation, addressing, and delivery of printed materials for businesses and organizations running mail campaigns.
- Fulfillment & Distribution End-to-end fulfillment and distribution services including packing and shipping of finished printed products to end customers across the Continental US and Canada.
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee with options for reprint, rework, or refund within seven business days
Companies that use Formax Printing Solutions
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Formax Printing Solutions technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Formax Printing Solutions partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Formax Printing Solutions competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- PrintPlace: PrintPlace is an online commercial printer offering business cards, brochures, flyers, postcards, booklets, and banners for SMBs. Directly comparable to Formax on product categories, with a self-serve quoting model that competes against Formax's inside-sales approach.
- PsPrint: PsPrint is an online commercial printing company producing business cards, brochures, postcards, banners, and marketing collateral for SMBs. Comparable to Formax on product mix and target customer, with a web-first ordering model that competes for the same quote-driven buyer.
- 4over: 4over is a wholesale trade printing marketplace serving resellers, agencies, and print shops with commercial offset and digital printing. Directly comparable to Formax's trade-printing business across business cards, postcards, brochures, books, and large-format, with similar combo-run economics.
- MOO: MOO is an SMB-focused premium print brand offering business cards, brochures, postcards, and branded print materials via a polished web-to-print experience. Directly comparable to Formax on product categories and SMB target customer, differentiated mainly by premium positioning and stronger digital UX.
- 48HourPrint: 48HourPrint is an online commercial printer specializing in fast-turnaround business cards, postcards, brochures, and flyers for SMBs. Directly comparable to Formax on product mix and SMB target customer, with a web-to-print ordering model optimized for speed rather than dedicated account management.
- Cimpress (Vistaprint): Cimpress, parent of Vistaprint, is the dominant web-to-print platform for SMB commercial printing — directly competing with Formax in business cards, brochures, postcards, and marketing collateral via an automated, self-serve model. Comparable on product scope and SMB target customer, though vastly larger and platform-driven rather than relationship-driven.
- AlphaGraphics: AlphaGraphics is a franchise network of commercial print and marketing-services centers producing business cards, brochures, signs, and direct mail for SMB and mid-market customers. Closely comparable to Formax on service mix, customer type, and inside-sales-driven model, though distributed across many franchise locations.
- The Printing House: The Printing House is a multi-location commercial printing company offering business cards, stationery, brochures, books, and direct mail with personalized in-store service. Directly comparable to Formax on product breadth and high-touch customer-service model, though primarily Canada-based.
Broad incumbents
- FedEx Office: FedEx Office is a national chain offering walk-in printing, copying, binding, and direct mail services. Overlaps with Formax on basic commercial print, binding, and mailing but operates at retail scale with standardized offerings rather than customized project work.
Emerging players
- Printful: Printful is a print-on-demand platform focused primarily on apparel and soft goods with growing paper products. Adjacent to Formax in serving small businesses and creators, though its core offering is custom apparel rather than commercial offset/digital print.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Formax Printing Solutions social profiles
Digital presenceFormax Printing Solutions financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Formax Printing Solutions leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Formax Printing Solutions funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Formax Printing Solutions 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 Formax Printing Solutions
What does Formax Printing Solutions do?
Formax Printing Solutions provides custom commercial printing services spanning books, brochures, flyers, postcards, business cards, envelopes, labels, and maps, including laminated and folded products. In addition to printing, the company offers mailing services, fulfillment and distribution, and artwork services, serving business customers across the Continental US and Canada from five specialized production facilities in St. Louis, Missouri.
Is Formax Printing Solutions a public or private company?
Formax Printing Solutions is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Formax Printing Solutions founded?
Formax Printing Solutions was founded in 1985. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Formax Printing Solutions based?
Formax Printing Solutions is headquartered in St Louis, United States, in the North America region.
How does Formax Printing Solutions make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Custom Printing Services are the primary driver. The others are mailing and Fulfillment Services and project Management Services.
Who are Formax Printing Solutions's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are PrintPlace, PsPrint, 4over, MOO, 48HourPrint, Cimpress (Vistaprint), AlphaGraphics and The Printing House. FedEx Office is listed as a broad incumbent. Printful is listed as an emerging player.
Does Formax Printing Solutions have an API?
No public API is recorded for Formax Printing Solutions.
What industry is Formax Printing Solutions in?
Formax Printing Solutions's product category is Commercial Printing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAMAHAH, Printing & Business Forms (continuous forms, checks, tickets), with a secondary code of MPAJALAH, Mailing, Inserting & Distribution Services (Addressing, Direct Mail, Kitting). Its NAICS code is 323111 and its SIC code is 2750.