Color House Graphics
Color House Graphics is a privately held U.S. book manufacturer in Grand Rapids, Michigan offering digital, offset, and inkjet printing plus binding, finishing, ebook conversion, and fulfillment for publishers, self-published authors, nonprofits, and educational publishers nationwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersGrand Rapids, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Color House Graphics does
Color House Graphics, Inc. (CHG) is a privately held, full-service book manufacturer founded in September 1987 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, by three former Zondervan Corporation employees. The company operates a single manufacturing facility at 3505 Eastern Avenue SE and is currently solely owned by co-founder Steve Landheer following the retirements of Ken Postema (2012) and Bill Landheer (2002). It serves a diversified mix of trade book publishers, independent publishers, self-published authors, nonprofits and religious organizations (including Christian publishers), and educational publishers nationwide across the United States.
The company's core technology combines digital printing (including a newly added high-speed production-focused color inkjet press via Five Lakes Press), large-format offset printing using 40-inch sheet-fed presses, and a comprehensive in-house binding and finishing operation that supports soft cover, hard cover, saddle stitch, coil, and specialty finishes such as foil stamping, embossing, and spot UV. Supporting services include eBook conversion to ePub/MOBI/fixed-layout formats (available only for books CHG prints), ISBN and barcode registration assistance, design and editing connections, and self-publishing guides. Distribution is handled through sister company JPL Fulfillment, which offers direct-to-consumer shipping, wholesale/retail distribution, and virtual in-warehouse print services.
Revenue is generated on a transaction-based, quote-by-project model with no subscription or recurring component; pricing varies by trim size, page count, quantity, paper, binding, and finishing choices. The company employs a sales-led go-to-market approach combining a regional/national direct sales team, a 24/7 self-serve online quote system, event participation (ACP, IBPA, PCPA), and content marketing aimed at authors and independent publishers. Paper is sourced exclusively from FSC and SFI certified mills, positioning CHG for sustainability-focused procurement. Revenue, headcount growth rate, and customer concentration are not publicly disclosed.
Color House Graphics firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Color House Graphics
- Legal name
- Color House Graphics, Inc.
- Website
- https://colorhousegraphics.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Color House Graphics is a privately held U.S. book manufacturer in Grand Rapids, Michigan offering digital, offset, and inkjet printing plus binding, finishing, ebook conversion, and fulfillment for publishers, self-published authors, nonprofits, and educational publishers nationwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Color House Graphics industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Book Manufacturing & Printing Services
- NAICS
- Books Printing (323117)
- SIC
- Book Printing (2732), Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Prepress & Composition Services (Typesetting, Layout, Color Management, Proofing) (MPAJALAA)
Keywords
Where Color House Graphics is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Grand Rapids
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Color House Graphics business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Book Printing Services: Primary revenue stream from printing books using digital and offset printing technologies. Revenue is generated on a per-project basis with pricing based on quantity, paper type, binding style, and finishing options. No recurring subscription component; purely transaction-based printing services.
- Binding and Finishing Services: Revenue from book binding services including perfect binding, case binding, saddle stitching, coil binding, and specialty finishes like foil stamping and embossing. Typically bundled with printing orders.
- eBook Conversion Services: Revenue from converting printed books to eBook formats (ePub, MOBI). Additional revenue stream for books CHG prints, providing a complete publishing solution.
- Fulfillment Services: Shipping and fulfillment services through sister company JPL Fulfillment, handling direct-to-customer shipments and bulk distribution to retailers and wholesalers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Quote-based pricing customized per project |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Color House Graphics product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Color House Graphics is a full-service book manufacturer that produces physical books using both short-run digital printing (production inkjet) and large-format offset printing. It bundles comprehensive binding and finishing services (soft cover, hard cover, saddle stitch, foil stamping, embossing, etc.), eBook conversion (ePub, MOBI), and fulfillment/distribution via sister company JPL Fulfillment to deliver complete book production solutions to publishers, self-published authors, nonprofits, and educational publishers nationwide.
Product overview
Color House Graphics is a full-service book manufacturing company offering an integrated suite of printing and publishing services. The core offerings include Digital Printing (short-run, quick turnaround for quantities under 500), Offset Printing (large-format, cost-effective for high-volume runs), Book Binding & Finishing (soft cover, hard cover, various binding styles, and cover enhancements like foil stamping and embossing), eBook Conversion (ePub, MOBI, fixed layout formats), and Fulfillment Solutions (through sister company JPL Fulfillment for direct-to-consumer and wholesale distribution). Supporting services include Self-Publishing Support with ISBN/barcode assistance, Design & Editing Services, and tools such as the Spine Bulk Calculator and Print Ready Checklist. The company recently added a Production Inkjet Press to expand digital capabilities for short-run and flexible production needs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Digital Printing Short-run digital printing with quick turnaround for quantities typically under 500 copies. Offers variable data printing, reduced inventory management, and faster speed-to-market. Available for trade books, workbooks, manuals, and replenishment runs.
- Offset Printing Large-format offset printing for high-quality, large-quantity book runs. Supports 1-color through 6-color printing with consistent color reproduction, fine details, and wide paper options. Most cost-effective for larger orders with decreasing unit cost per copy.
- Book Binding & Finishing Complete book binding including soft cover, hard cover (Smyth and adhesive), side sewn, double wire, saddle stitch, plastic coil, loose leaf, plastic comb, and French flap covers. Finishing solutions include metallic foil stamping, embossing/debossing, dull/gloss combo, spot UV over matte lamination, lamination (gloss and soft touch matte), aqueous and press varnish, and digital spot 3D varnish and foil.
- eBook Conversion Converts print books to eBook formats including ePub2, ePub3, children's graphic books, Kindle MOBI, and fixed layout. Files viewable on Apple devices, iPad, Kindles, Nook, Android, and Mobipocket readers. Service only available for books printed by CHG.
- Fulfillment Solutions Cost-effective fulfillment services through sister company JPL Fulfillment. Handles one book shipped direct to customers or bulk shipments to wholesalers and retailers. Includes virtual in-warehouse print services for short-run inventory replenishment, with inventory in/out charges waived for books from CHG manufacturing facilities.
- Self-Publishing Support Resources and guidance for self-publishing authors including step-by-step process walkthrough, ISBN registration assistance, barcode generation, and connections to professional book editors and designers.
- Design & Editing Services Connects authors with professional book editors and designers for manuscript editing, proofreading, interior book design, and cover design services.
- ISBN Registration & Barcode Services Assistance with ISBN (International Standard Book Number) registration and barcode generation for books to be sold in bookstores, libraries, and online retailers like Amazon.
- Production Inkjet Press High-speed production-focused color inkjet press for efficient short-run book manufacturing. Targets trade books, workbooks, manuals, and replenishment runs with faster turnaround times and flexibility for variable content and frequent updates. Fills the gap between traditional digital and offset printing.
Quantifiable outcome
- Reduced upfront inventory investment through hybrid offset-digital strategy (example: 5,000 initial offset + digital replenishment vs 8,000 full offset run)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Color House Graphics
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Color House Graphics technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Color House Graphics partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- JPL FulfillmentcoreJPL Fulfillment is described as CHG's 'sister company' established to provide publishers and authors access to most book retailers and wholesalers. CHG provides complete book manufacturing capabilities while JPL handles distribution and fulfillment services. JPL offers virtual in-warehouse print services for short-run inventory replenishment and accepts both CHG-printed and customer-supplied inventory.
- Five Lakes PressminorFive Lakes Press added a high-speed production-focused color inkjet press for efficient short-run book manufacturing. This investment expands CHG's digital capabilities and fills the gap between traditional digital and offset printing.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Color House Graphics competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- CJK Group: CJK Group is a large, diversified print and packaging conglomerate with multiple book manufacturing and print subsidiaries. A broader incumbent that overlaps CHG on book printing but operates at much greater scale and across adjacent print markets.
Direct peers
- BookBaby: BookBaby offers self-publishing printing, binding, eBook conversion, and distribution services aimed at independent and first-time authors. Direct competitor to CHG's self-publishing segment and short-run digital offering.
- King Printing: King Printing is a U.S. book and publication printer providing digital and offset printing with full binding and fulfillment. Comparable to CHG in short-run digital, offset, and direct-to-publisher services.
- Malloy Incorporated: Malloy is a Michigan-based book printer offering digital printing, offset, binding, and prepress for trade and educational publishers. Directly comparable to CHG on services, region, and customer segments.
- Sheridan Books: Sheridan Books is a U.S. book manufacturer producing hardcover and softcover trade, religious, and educational books. Comparable to CHG in trade and religious publishing focus and full-service binding capabilities.
- Thomson-Shore: Thomson-Shore is a Michigan-based book manufacturer offering offset, digital, and POD printing with full binding and finishing. Closely comparable to CHG in scale, services, geography, and customer mix (trade publishers and self-publishers).
- Worzalla: Worzalla is a Wisconsin-based book printer producing trade, children's, and educational books via offset and digital presses. Comparable to CHG in serving trade publishers and offering FSC-certified sustainable printing.
- Versa Press: Versa Press is a U.S.-based book manufacturer specializing in short-run digital, offset, and print-on-demand production with integrated fulfillment. Competes head-to-head with CHG on digital and offset book runs for publishers and self-authors.
- Ingram Content Group (Lightning Source): Lightning Source, part of Ingram Content Group, is the largest print-on-demand and short-run digital book manufacturer globally. Directly comparable to CHG on digital short-run printing, offset, and integrated wholesale distribution through Ingram's bookstore/wholesale network.
Emerging players
- Bind-Rite / Bindtec Services: Bind-Rite and affiliated bookbinding services provide short-run binding, finishing, and on-demand book assembly for publishers and printers. Comparable to CHG's binding/finishing arm and POD-focused replenishment work.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Color House Graphics social profiles
Digital presenceColor House Graphics compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Color House Graphics financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Color House Graphics leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Color House Graphics funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Color House Graphics 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 Color House Graphics
What does Color House Graphics do?
Color House Graphics is a full-service book manufacturer that produces physical books using both short-run digital printing (production inkjet) and large-format offset printing. It bundles comprehensive binding and finishing services (soft cover, hard cover, saddle stitch, foil stamping, embossing, etc.), eBook conversion (ePub, MOBI), and fulfillment/distribution via sister company JPL Fulfillment to deliver complete book production solutions to publishers, self-published authors, nonprofits, and educational publishers nationwide.
Is Color House Graphics a public or private company?
Color House Graphics is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Color House Graphics founded?
Color House Graphics was founded in 1987. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Color House Graphics based?
Color House Graphics is headquartered in Grand Rapids, United States, in the North America region.
How does Color House Graphics make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Book Printing Services are the primary driver. The others are binding and Finishing Services, eBook Conversion Services and fulfillment Services.
Who are Color House Graphics's main competitors?
CJK Group is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are BookBaby, King Printing, Malloy Incorporated, Sheridan Books, Thomson-Shore, Worzalla, Versa Press and Ingram Content Group (Lightning Source). Bind-Rite / Bindtec Services is listed as an emerging player.
Does Color House Graphics have an API?
No public API is recorded for Color House Graphics.
What industry is Color House Graphics in?
Color House Graphics's product category is Book Manufacturing & Printing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJALAA, Prepress & Composition Services (Typesetting, Layout, Color Management, Proofing). Its NAICS code is 323117 and its SIC code is 2732.