Draplin Design Co
Draplin Design Co. is a Portland, Oregon-based independent graphic design studio founded in 1995 by Aaron Draplin, providing logo design, brand identity, and screen-printed posters and merchandise to clients across music, outdoor, government, and publishing sectors, alongside direct-to-consumer e-commerce and published works.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersPortland, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Draplin Design Co does
Draplin Design Co. is a privately-held, founder-operated graphic design studio and direct-to-consumer merchandise business founded in 1995 by Aaron Draplin and headquartered in Portland, Oregon. The company provides logo design, brand identity, illustration, and poster design services to a diverse client roster spanning music (Jack White, Dinosaur Jr., Sub Pop, Pearl Jam, Phish), outdoor and active gear (Patagonia, Nike, Burton, Lib Tech), government and institutional clients (NASA/JPL, USPS, State of Oregon, Obama administration's ARRA logo), publishing (Esquire, New York Times, Field & Stream), and political campaigns (Biden/Harris 2020, Bernie Sanders). A 1-10 person operation, DDC operates without external institutional investment, parent company, or acquisition activity, with merchandise fulfillment handled by Aaron Draplin's partner Leigh McKolay.
The business runs four interlocking revenue streams: professional design services (logo and identity work), direct-to-consumer e-commerce through draplin.com (375+ SKUs including screen-printed posters at $14.99-$34.99, apparel, office supplies, leather goods, and premium collaborations like the $89.99 DDC-333 Tactile Turn Bolt Action Pen), book royalties from "Pretty Much Everything" published by Abrams Books in 2016 and now in its 14th printing, and speaking/workshop revenue at venues such as Adobe MAX 2024 and Skillshare. Distribution is multi-channel: a Squarespace-based global e-commerce store, live merch booths at concerts and festivals, wholesale accounts with stockists, and third-party retail partnerships (Henry Ford Museum gift shop, Threadless for Oregon State Parks). Production is outsourced to a network of regional screen-printing partners (Seizure Palace in Portland, Mama's Sauce in Orlando, Vahalla Studios in Kansas City, The Half and Half in South Carolina, Baker Prints in Chicago, Industry Print Shop in Austin).
The value proposition is anchored in Aaron Draplin's personal brand and signature thick-lined, "As-Orange-As-Possible" Americana aesthetic, supported by affiliated platforms including DDC Fonts (licensable typefaces) and long-standing co-promotion with Field Notes Brand. The company is not technology-driven; its defensibility rests on the founder's 30-year body of work, his relationships with marquee clients across music and outdoor verticals, and a loyal collector base that drives sell-through of limited-edition screen-printed runs of 200-300+ units.
Draplin Design Co firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Draplin Design Co
- Legal name
- Draplin Design Co.
- Website
- https://draplin.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Draplin Design Co. is a Portland, Oregon-based independent graphic design studio founded in 1995 by Aaron Draplin, providing logo design, brand identity, and screen-printed posters and merchandise to clients across music, outdoor, government, and publishing sectors, alongside direct-to-consumer e-commerce and published works.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Draplin Design Co industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Graphic Design Services
- NAICS
- Graphic Design Services (541430), Graphic Design Services (54143)
- SIC
- Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Visual Identity & Brand Design Systems (BPAFAEAC)
Keywords
Where Draplin Design Co is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Portland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Draplin Design Co business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Design Services: Client work creating logos, identities, and design work for various brands across music, government, active gear, publishing, and political sectors.
- Merchandise Sales: Direct e-commerce sales of screen-printed posters, apparel, office supplies, accessories, and branded merchandise through draplin.com
- Book Sales: Sale of 'Pretty Much Everything' book published by Abrams Books, celebrating 14th printing as of 2025
- Speaking/Classes: Revenue from speaking engagements at universities, design schools, and conferences like Adobe MAX
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | DDC-333 Tactile Turn Bolt Action Pen |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | DDC Click Pen - Various Colors |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | DDC-249 Voyager 2 Poster |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | DDC-355 Happy Sun Poster |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Draplin Design Co product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Draplin Design Co. is a Portland-based graphic design studio founded by Aaron Draplin that provides logo design, brand identity, poster, and illustration services to clients across music, government, active gear, publishing, and politics. The company also sells an in-house catalog of screen-printed posters, apparel, office supplies, and accessories direct-to-consumer through draplin.com, and licenses custom typefaces via the DDC Fonts platform. Additional revenue is generated through published works (the 'Pretty Much Everything' book via Abrams Books) and paid speaking engagements and design classes.
Product overview
Draplin Design Co. is a graphic design studio and e-commerce operation run by Aaron Draplin in Portland, Oregon. The company operates as a single unified offering centered on Aaron Draplin's personal brand of design, selling screen-printed posters (for concerts, states, and themes), office supplies (pens, pencils, rulers), and various branded merchandise. The business also publishes the 'Pretty Much Everything' book and offers DDC Fonts. Design services (logo work, brand identity) are showcased through an extensive portfolio section. The company's aesthetic is characterized by bold graphics, thick lines, and the distinctive 'As-Orange-As-Possible' color scheme. Products are sold directly through the e-commerce store and at live events, with affiliated Field Notes memo books sold through a separate brand.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Design Services Professional logo design, brand identity, poster, and illustration services for clients across rock & roll artists, government agencies (NASA, USPS, State of Oregon), political campaigns, outdoor and active gear brands (Patagonia, Nike), publishing (Esquire, New York Times), and cultural institutions.
- DDC Posters Screen-printed concert, event, state-themed, and homage posters featuring designs for musicians (Jason Isbell, Jack White, Dinosaur Jr.), government commissions (NASA Voyager 2, Oregon State Parks 100th), and geographic/homage themes. Sold individually as collectible art, often in limited-edition runs of 200–300 copies.
- DDC Office Supplies Branded writing instruments and office accessories including click pens, highlighters, rulers, pencils, and the DDC-333 Tactile Turn Bolt Action Pen, featuring the distinctive 'As-Orange-As-Possible' aesthetic.
- DDC Merchandise Branded merchandise catalog (375+ items) including action caps, beanies, patches, decals, pins, key tags, bags, drinkware, softgoods, leather goods, torso covers, signage, games, paper goods, personal care, and furniture.
- Pretty Much Everything (DDC Book) Aaron Draplin's published design monograph documenting his career, portfolio, and creative ethos, published by Abrams Books and now in its 14th printing.
- DDC Fonts Custom typefaces designed by Draplin Design Co., licensed and sold through the affiliated DDC Fonts platform.
Quantifiable outcome
- 14 printings of 'Pretty Much Everything' book since 2016
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Draplin Design Co
Customer profileNamed customers18 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Draplin Design Co technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Draplin Design Co partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Field Notes BrandcoreLong-standing partnership and affiliation. Cross-promotion of products, joint Field Notes editions (Lucky Edition, Rivers Run Through It, Birds and Trees), and mutual brand support. Leigh McKolay handles DDC merch while Field Notes produces collaborative products.
- DDC FontscoreFont foundry partnership offering DDC-designed typefaces for licensing. Listed as affiliate on main site.
- Leigh McKolay DesigncorePartnership with Aaron Draplin's partner Leigh McKolay who handles DDC merchandise shipping and management, and maintains her own design brand.
- SkillshareminorOnline design education platform hosting Draplin's classes. Listed as affiliate on main site.
- Tactile TurnminorCollaboration on DDC-333 Bolt Action Pen line. Tactile Turn manufactures machined pens in Dallas, Texas with DDC branding.
- Seizure PalacecorePrimary screen-printing partner in Portland, Oregon responsible for most poster production. Also known as Alien Tenders.
- Mama's SaucecoreScreen-printing shop in Orlando, Florida (near Space Coast) that prints Space Shuttle tribute posters.
- Vahalla StudioscoreMidwestern screen-printing partner in Kansas City, Missouri. Prints state posters and various merchandise items.
- The Half and HalfminorScreen-printing partner in Columbia, South Carolina that printed the Half & Half x ACLU Peace Fingers poster.
- Baker PrintsminorChicago-based printer that produced Jack White Portland, Maine poster.
- RubySue GraphicsminorAthens, Georgia printer that produced Umphrey's McGee Detroit poster.
- Industry Print ShopminorAustin, Texas print shop where Madeline Hagy prints cosmic and sun-themed posters.
- Abrams BookscorePublisher of Aaron Draplin's 'Pretty Much Everything' book, now in its 14th printing since 2016.
- Goodby, Silverstein & PartnersminorSan Francisco advertising agency that directed the Hewlett Packard 'Windows of Hope' project during COVID-19.
- Third Man RecordsminorJack White's record company facilitated DDC poster projects for Jack White concerts.
- ATO RecordsminorRecord label that released Cordovas 'Destiny Hotel' album with DDC-designed vinyl packaging.
- Fluff & Gravy RecordsminorRecord label that released Kevin Lee Florence album with DDC album art.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Draplin Design Co competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Sagmeister Inc. Designer-led graphic design studio founded by Stefan Sagmeister in New York. Closely mirrors Draplin's model: personal-brand-driven, signature aesthetic, works across music/culture/commercial clients, and sells branded merchandise and books.
- &Walsh: Independent design studio founded by Jessica Walsh in NYC. Directly comparable personal-brand creative firm offering brand identity, art direction, and creative campaigns with a similarly curated client portfolio.
- Manual: Independent brand design studio with strong focus on visual identity systems. Directly comparable in offering (brand strategy, identity design) and serves similar premium brand clients in active lifestyle, music, and culture verticals.
- Collins: Independent brand and design firm known for visual identity and strategic design. Comparable in serving premium clients across culture, music, and consumer brands, with a similar team-size studio model.
- Obey Giant (Shepard Fairey): Artist-led brand and merchandise business built on Shepard Fairey's personal brand. Closely analogous to Draplin's merch-and-artworks model with screen-printed posters, apparel, and collectibles sold direct-to-consumer alongside client commissions.
- House Industries: Designer-founded type and design company selling fonts, merchandise, and licensed products. Directly comparable IP-monetization model, including a typeface foundry and a lifestyle merchandise catalog.
- Field Notes Brand: Memo-book and lifestyle brand with which DDC has a 'core strategic partnership'. Comparable D2C merchandise company in the design/analog-goods space, selling limited-edition collectibles through their own storefront.
Broad incumbents
- Pentagram: Larger multi-partner design firm with strong brand identity practice. Overlaps with Draplin on logo/identity work and competes for the same enterprise clients, but operates at materially greater scale and lacks a single founder signature.
- Landor & Fitch: Global brand consulting and design firm in the same brand identity category. Competes for similar large enterprise identity engagements but at far greater scale and with broader strategic offerings.
Others
- Aaron Draplin (Obey/Shepard Fairey model) — Emerging peer: Nicewerk: Tactile Turn, DDC's pen-manufacturing partner, is an adjacent/ecosystem peer — a premium machined-pen maker that co-brands with designers and sells direct-to-consumer, mirroring DDC's limited-drop collaboration playbook.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Draplin Design Co social profiles
Digital presenceDraplin Design Co financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Draplin Design Co leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Draplin Design Co funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Draplin Design Co 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 Draplin Design Co
What does Draplin Design Co do?
Draplin Design Co. is a Portland-based graphic design studio founded by Aaron Draplin that provides logo design, brand identity, poster, and illustration services to clients across music, government, active gear, publishing, and politics. The company also sells an in-house catalog of screen-printed posters, apparel, office supplies, and accessories direct-to-consumer through draplin.com, and licenses custom typefaces via the DDC Fonts platform. Additional revenue is generated through published works (the 'Pretty Much Everything' book via Abrams Books) and paid speaking engagements and design classes.
Is Draplin Design Co a public or private company?
Draplin Design Co is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Draplin Design Co founded?
Draplin Design Co was founded in 1995. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Draplin Design Co based?
Draplin Design Co is headquartered in Portland, United States, in the North America region.
How does Draplin Design Co make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Design Services are the primary driver. The others are merchandise Sales, book Sales and speaking/Classes.
Who are Draplin Design Co's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Sagmeister Inc., &Walsh, Manual, Collins, Obey Giant (Shepard Fairey), House Industries and Field Notes Brand. Broad incumbents are Pentagram and Landor & Fitch. Aaron Draplin (Obey/Shepard Fairey model) — Emerging peer: Nicewerk is listed as an others.
Does Draplin Design Co have an API?
No public API is recorded for Draplin Design Co.
What industry is Draplin Design Co in?
Draplin Design Co's product category is Graphic Design Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAFAEAC, Visual Identity & Brand Design Systems. Its NAICS code is 541430 and its SIC code is 7330.