What Visual Magnetics does

Visual Magnetics is a privately held, family-owned materials innovation company headquartered in Mendon, Massachusetts, with a secondary office in Brooklyn, New York for its Foster sub-brand. Founded and operating since 2007, the company invented and brought to market the first magnetic receptive print media technology under the MagnaMedia product line, forming the basis of its core VM-Graphic System platform sold into retail environments. The platform pairs MagnaMedia printable substrates (films, fabrics, and specialty materials including the PVC-free and post-consumer recycled lines such as VM-LUNA 14) with InvisiLock engineered sheet magnets and ActiveWall Micro-Iron primer to enable quick-change in-store graphics on walls and fixtures.

The company monetizes primarily through one-time, project-based sales of magnetic receptive substrates, magnet components, primers, and specialty films to print service providers, retailers, and brand owners. In 2017, Visual Magnetics extended its patented magnetic materials technology beyond retail via the Foster by Visual Magnetics sub-brand, offering intelligent wallcoverings for collaborative workplace and learning environments with a 100% ghost-free dry erase surface. The Foster go-to-market combines bespoke design consultation, made-to-order production, and either turnkey or contractor-led installation with virtual expert support. Pricing is quote-based with multi-year contract cadences possible; direct sales are the primary channel and the company has begun offering MagnaMedia on stock for immediate shipment. Visual Magnetics operates exclusively in the United States, holds multiple registered trademarks and patents, manufactures in the USA, and reports its products in use at 300+ leading retailers.

Name

Visual Magnetics

Legal name

Visual Magnetics Limited Partnership

Website

https://visualmagnetics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Visual Magnetics is a US-based, family-owned materials manufacturer that invented magnetic receptive print media, selling the VM-Graphic System (MagnaMedia, InvisiLock magnets, ActiveWall primer) to 300+ retailers and the Foster wallcovering line to workplace and learning customers for quick-change graphics and collaborative surfaces.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Blackstone

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Magnetic Receptive Print Media Sales: Sale of MagnaMedia printable substrates and VM-Graphic System components including films, fabrics, and specialty materials to retailers and brands for in-store graphics.
2. Foster Wallcovering Systems: Sale of intelligent wallcoverings and modular accessories for learning environments and workplaces, including custom design and installation services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Visual Magnetics manufactures and sells the VM-Graphic System, a magnetic receptive print media platform comprising MagnaMedia substrates, InvisiLock sheet magnets, and ActiveWall Micro-Iron primer that together enable quick-change in-store graphics for retailers. Through its Foster sub-brand, the company also sells made-to-order intelligent wallcoverings and modular accessories with dry erase functionality for workplaces and learning environments. All products are 100% PVC-free with sustainable post-consumer recycled options and manufactured in the USA.

Product overview

Visual Magnetics offers a portfolio of magnetic receptive print media and intelligent wallcovering solutions. The core VM-Graphic System platform uses patented magnetic receptive technology (originally introduced with MagnaMedia in 2007) enabling quick-change graphics for retail environments. Supporting products include InvisiLock engineered sheet magnets and ActiveWall Micro-Iron primer which together create magnetic surfaces. The Foster sub-brand extends the portfolio into intelligent wallcoverings for collaborative work and play spaces. All MagnaMedia products are 100% PVC-free, with several lines featuring post-consumer recycled content. The company manufactures in the USA and serves over 300 leading retailers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Foster: A line of Intelligent Wall Coverings and modular accessories developed with patented magnetic materials technology, designed for mind mapping, brainstorming, and visual collaboration in work and play environments.
• VM-Graphic Systems

Products and services

• VM-Graphic System Award-winning magnetic receptive media system for quick-change graphics in retail environments, combining MagnaMedia substrates, InvisiLock magnets, and ActiveWall primer to enable easy installation and removal of in-store graphics. Designed for retailers and brand environments.
• MagnaMedia The original and now industry-standard magnetic receptive print media product line, sold as PVC-free substrates including films, fabrics, and specialty materials compatible with various printing technologies (including HP Latex Inks certified SKUs). Used by retailers and brands for in-store graphics and visual merchandising.
• Foster Intelligent Wall Coverings Made-to-order intelligent wallcoverings and modular accessories developed with patented magnetic materials technology, featuring a 100% ghost-free dry erase surface that withstands years of heavy use without marker stains or yellowing. Sold to workplaces, schools, and learning environments for collaborative brainstorming and writable surfaces.
• InvisiLock Custom engineered sheet magnet sold separately as part of the VM-Graphic System, available in high-energy (HE) and standard-energy (SE) variants and multiple thicknesses (15-40 mil). Options include adhesive-backed rolls and 2-sided magnets for permanent or reconfigurable magnetic wall applications. Used with MagnaMedia and ActiveWall primer.
• ActiveWall Micro-Iron Primer Commercial grade water-based Micro-Iron latex primer sold separately as part of the VM-Graphic System. Enables magnetic receptivity on walls and other surfaces when used with InvisiLock 40HE magnets, allowing any surface to become a reconfigurable magnetic display.

Quantifiable outcome

• Industry standard for magnetic receptive media since 2007
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hexis: Hexis produces self-adhesive vinyl films and digital printing media for vehicle wraps, signage, and architectural applications. It is comparable to Visual Magnetics as a manufacturer of printable graphic media sold into retail and commercial channels.
• Mactac (Lintec Group): Mactac manufactures pressure-sensitive adhesive films and graphic media products for the print, graphics, and labeling industries. It overlaps with Visual Magnetics in printable substrates used for retail and commercial graphics.
• IDEA Paint: IDEA Paint provides clear-coat dry erase paint that turns surfaces into writable walls. It is directly comparable to Visual Magnetics' Foster intelligent wallcoverings for collaborative workspaces and learning environments.
• Drytac: Drytac manufactures adhesive films, print finishing media, and laminates used in large-format print and graphics applications. It is directly comparable to Visual Magnetics' MagnaMedia print media business for graphics, signage, and visual merchandising.
• Arlon Graphics: Arlon produces cast vinyl films, print media, and graphic substrates for signage and fleet applications. It is comparable to Visual Magnetics as a manufacturer of printable media films used in retail and commercial environments.
• PolyVision (Steelcase): PolyVision provides dry erase surfaces, architectural glassboards, and collaboration products for learning and workplace environments. It is comparable to Visual Magnetics' Foster wallcoverings used in collaborative workspaces and classrooms.

Broad incumbents

• Avery Dennison: Avery Dennison is a global label and graphic materials manufacturer serving multiple industries. Its Graphics Solutions segment is comparable to Visual Magnetics' retail and commercial graphics substrates business.
• Steelcase: Steelcase is a global office furniture and workspace solutions provider offering collaborative learning and workplace products. Its broader portfolio overlaps with Visual Magnetics' Foster wallcovering solutions for learning environments.
• Orafol: Orafol is a globally leading manufacturer of self-adhesive graphic films and reflective materials with broad international distribution. It overlaps with Visual Magnetics in printable media films while also serving reflective and industrial segments.
• 3M Commercial Solutions: 3M's Commercial Solutions division offers a wide range of graphic films, surface solutions, and signage materials as part of a much larger industrial portfolio. It competes broadly with Visual Magnetics in printable media and surface solutions while serving many other end markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/visualmagnetics
• Instagraminstagram.com/vm_graphicsystems

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Visual Magnetics