Anchor Printing

What Anchor Printing does

Anchor Printing Inc. is a privately held, family-owned print shop headquartered at 6211 W Forest Home Ave. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded around 1984 and operating for over 40 years, the company functions as a traditional local print provider rather than a software or platform business, with a stated team of six named individuals covering ownership (Rick and Debbi), office management (Sue), and production (Catarina, Jacob, Benji). Ownership is bootstrapped with no external investors, no parent company, and no subsidiary entities identified.

The company's core offering is full-service print production coordinated in-house from design through finishing and delivery. Service lines include graphic design, digital printing across business and personal use cases, large-format signs and banners (vinyl, coroplast, foam core, PVC, aluminum, vehicle magnets, window clings), self-inking stamps, in-house finishing and bindery (collating, drilling, folding, laminating, numbering, perforating, scoring, stapling), and USPS mailing services including bulk mail and Every Door Direct Mailings. The underlying technology is centered on Canon digital print and sign equipment, with no disclosed software platform, APIs, or AI/ML capabilities.

Commercially, Anchor Printing operates a direct-to-consumer model with a horizontal segmentation spanning local small and medium businesses (primary segment) and individual consumers (secondary segment). Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, and revenue is generated almost entirely through one-time transactional projects rather than recurring contracts. Distribution combines a walk-in/appointment physical location, phone-based inside sales, free local delivery in the Milwaukee area, and nationwide direct shipping for out-of-region customers. The marketing mix is dominated by the company website and word-of-mouth referrals, with no public social media presence, no partnerships, no awards, and no certifications disclosed.

Name

Anchor Printing

Legal name

Anchor Printing Inc.

Website

https://anchorprint.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Anchor Printing is a family-owned Milwaukee print shop offering full-service digital printing, large-format signs, design, finishing, and mailing services. It serves primarily local small and medium-sized businesses and individual consumers in the Milwaukee metropolitan area through a quote-based, transactional model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Printing Services

NAICS

Commercial Printing (except Screen and Books) (323111), Printing and Related Support Activities (3231)

SIC

Commercial Printing (2750)

akta.pro primary industry

Commercial & Offset Printing (Sheetfed/Web) (MPAJALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mailing, Inserting & Distribution Services (Addressing, Direct Mail, Kitting) (MPAJALAH), Finishing & Post-Press Services (Cutting, Folding, Collating, Laminating, Foil, Emboss) (MPAJALAF), On‑Demand Copy & Print Shops (Walk‑In / Quick Print) (EDAEAJAA), Printing & Copy Services Retail (CRALABAD)

Keywords

• Commercial printing services
• Digital printing
• Large format signage
• Graphic design services
• Direct mail services

Headquarters

HQ city

Milwaukee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Printing Services: One-time transaction-based printing services for business and personal projects including business cards, invitations, brochures, flyers, signs, banners, and custom printing jobs.
2. Mailing Services: Bulk mailing and direct mail services including printing, inserting, addressing and delivering mailings to post office.
3. Design Services: Custom graphic design services for logos, layouts, and marketing materials as part of full-service printing support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Anchor Printing is a full-service print shop that produces custom commercial and personal printed materials using in-house digital print equipment. Its offerings span graphic design, digital printing of marketing collateral and stationery, large format outdoor signage and banners, self-inking stamps, finishing/bindery, USPS bulk mail and Every Door Direct Mail processing, plus local delivery and nationwide direct shipping. The shop coordinates every project from design through finishing and postal delivery under one roof.

Product overview

Anchor Printing is a family-owned full-service print shop offering traditional printing services rather than a software platform. The company provides a comprehensive suite of print products and services including graphic design, digital printing, large format signs/banners, self-inking stamps, finishing and bindery services, mailing services, and shipping/delivery. Their core offerings include business marketing materials (brochures, flyers), wedding invitations, and various signage products (vinyl banners, A-frame signs, retractable banners, store signs). All services are coordinated in-house from design through production, with finishing capabilities for cutting, scoring, mounting, folding, numbering, perforating, and laminating. The company also offers USPS mailing services including bulk mail and Every Door Direct Mailings, plus nationwide shipping and local delivery.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Graphic Design Services Professional custom logo design, designs and layouts for business or personal projects, created by the company's in-house graphic designers. Targeted at businesses and individuals needing original creative assets before print production.
• Digital Printing Digital printing services for business or personal use, from announcements and brochures to thank you cards, utilizing digital print equipment for quick turnaround. Serves both local SMBs and individual consumers with short-run and on-demand print jobs.
• Signs, Posters & Banners Large format printing for outdoor and indoor signs including coroplast, foam core, PVC, vinyl, aluminum, decals, labels, vehicle magnets, and window clings printed with UV fade resistant ink for durability. Serves businesses needing storefront, event, and vehicle signage.
• Self-Inking Stamps Custom-designed self-inking stamps for business or personal use with free set-up, available in numerous sizes and ink colors and customizable with logos or emblems. Targets small businesses and individuals needing branded or personalized stamps.
• Finishing & Bindery In-house finishing services including collating, drilling, folding, laminating, numbering, perforating, scoring, and stapling to give Anchor Printing complete control over the final stage of every project. Bundled with print jobs for local SMB and consumer customers.
• USPS Mailing Services Complete mailing services including printing, inserting, addressing, and delivering mailings directly to the post office, with bulk mail service using customer or customized mailing lists and Every Door Direct Mailings. Targeted at local businesses running direct mail campaigns.
• Shipping & Delivery Direct shipping of completed print projects anywhere in the continental United States plus free local delivery to businesses in the Milwaukee area. Enables the shop to serve both local walk-in customers and out-of-state buyers.

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• AlphaGraphics: Franchise network of independently owned print and marketing services centers offering commercial printing, signage, and mailing — directly comparable full-service local model to Anchor.
• Minuteman Press: Franchise commercial printing and marketing services franchise with design, print, and mailing capabilities serving SMBs locally — same business model and customer base as Anchor.
• Sir Speedy: Franchise printing and marketing services network providing commercial printing, signage, and finishing — structurally similar to Anchor's full-service walk-in print shop.

Broad incumbents

• FedEx Office: National chain of walk-in print and copy centers offering digital printing, large format, and shipping — broader portfolio but overlapping walk-in SMB and consumer use cases.
• The UPS Store: National retail chain offering printing, copying, and shipping services to SMBs and consumers — overlapping walk-in service model with Anchor's local print shop.
• Vistaprint: Online commercial printing platform competing for the same SMB marketing materials spend (business cards, brochures, flyers) that Anchor serves — represents the primary online substitution threat.
• Office Depot: National office supplies retailer with in-store and online print and copy services targeting SMBs — comparable customer base and product overlap with Anchor.
• Staples: Office supplies retailer offering printing, copying, and direct mail services to SMBs — broader catalog but overlapping commercial print use cases for Anchor's target customers.

Emerging players

• MOO: Online premium printing brand specializing in business cards, marketing materials, and design-forward print products — competing for higher-end SMB print jobs Anchor also targets.
• Shutterfly: Consumer-focused printing platform for invitations, stationery, and personalized print products — overlapping Anchor's wedding invitations and personal stationery segment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Anchor Printing