Gorham Printing

What Gorham Printing does

Gorham Printing Inc. is a family-owned, short-run digital book printer founded in 1976 in Centralia, Washington, specializing in custom book production for quantities of 25 to 5,000 copies. The company operates a 7,500-square-foot main facility in Centralia handling customer service, design, prepress, digital printing, and softcover bindery, with a separate production site in Portland, Oregon for hardcover and spiral binding operations. It ships to all 50 US states with limited Canadian delivery.

The core technology stack is 100% digital printing using CMYK toner on Canon Digital Presses, calibrated daily under the G7 Color methodology, with software-managed RGB-to-CMYK conversion during output. The product portfolio comprises four binding types — softcover, hardcover, spiral, and booklets (added in 2026) — plus complementary services including eBook conversion (EPUB/MOBI), professional cover and interior design at tiered price points ($299 Standard, $599 Deluxe for covers), and premium finishing add-ons such as real foil stamping, 3D Spot UV, custom endsheets, and ribbon markers. A self-serve online quote generator and cover template tool sit alongside phone/email customer service.

Gorham generates revenue on a transactional, project-based model: customers pay per-book unit pricing with volume discounts up to 30% for 5,001+ copy orders, plus one-time fees for design and eBook conversion services, with a 50% deposit required to start production. Go-to-market combines direct-to-consumer self-serve ordering, inside sales, and content marketing (blog, bi-weekly newsletter, Instagram, free 64-page Self-Publishing Guidebook) targeting individual self-publishing authors as the primary segment, alongside independent publishers, educational institutions (e.g., ACHS partnership for custom textbooks), artists/photographers, family historians, nonprofits, and government clients. The company transitioned to new ownership in 2023, is certified as a Minority Woman Owned Family Operated Business, and is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026.

Name

Gorham Printing

Legal name

Gorham Printing Inc.

Website

https://gorhamprinting.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Gorham Printing is a 50-year-old family-owned short-run digital book printer based in Centralia, Washington, producing 25 to 5,000-copy custom softcover, hardcover, spiral, and booklet orders for self-publishing authors, independent publishers, educational institutions, and SMBs nationwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Book Printing and Publishing Services

NAICS

Books Printing (323117), Printing and Related Support Activities (323)

SIC

Book Printing (2732), Commercial Printing (2750), Blankbooks, Looseleaf Binders & Bookbindg & Relatd Work (2780)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Printing (Short-Run, Variable Data) (MPAJALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Book & Magazine Binding Services (Perfect, Case, Saddle Stitch) (MPAJALAE), Finishing & Post-Press Services (Cutting, Folding, Collating, Laminating, Foil, Emboss) (MPAJALAF)

Keywords

• Custom book printing
• Short-run book printing
• Self-publishing services
• Digital book manufacturing
• Book design services

Headquarters

HQ city

Centralia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Book Printing Services: Short-run custom book printing (25-5000 copies) with various binding styles (softcover, hardcover, spiral, booklet), paper stocks, and premium features. One-time transaction-based pricing based on quantity, page count, and specifications.
2. eBook Conversion Services: Conversion of print books to ePub and Mobi formats. Offered standalone or packaged with print orders at 25% discount when combined. One-time fee for digital file creation.
3. Book Design Services: Professional cover and interior design services at multiple tiers (Standard, Deluxe). Pricing ranges from $299 for standard cover design to $599 for deluxe cover design with multiple concepts and consultation.
4. Proofing Services: Online proof included with PDF orders; optional printed proof upgrade available for color and quality verification before production.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Gorham Printing is a short-run digital book printing company that produces custom softcover, hardcover, spiral-bound, and booklet books in quantities from 25 to 5,000 copies. The company complements its printing services with professional cover and interior design, eBook conversion, premium finishing add-ons (foil stamping, 3D Spot UV, custom endsheets, ribbon markers), and a free self-publishing guidebook for authors. Production is performed at its Centralia, Washington facility using Canon digital presses, with binding operations in Portland, Oregon.

Product overview

Gorham Printing is a short-run book printing company specializing in custom digital printing services for self-publishing authors, independent publishers, and businesses. The core product portfolio includes four main binding types—Softcover Books, Hardcover Books, Spiral Books, and Booklets—spanning quantities from 25 to 5,000 copies per print run. Complementary services include eBook Conversion (producing EPUB and MOBI formats), professional Cover Design and Interior/Text Design Services, and a Cover Template Generator tool for DIY formatting. Premium Add-ons such as foil stamping, 3D Spot UV, ribbon markers, and custom endsheets allow further customization. The company also offers proofing services (digital and printed proofs) and shipping to all 50 US states. A free 64-page Self-Publishing Guidebook provides educational resources for authors. Production is handled at their 7,500 square foot facility in Centralia, Washington using Canon digital presses, with hardcover and spiral binding performed in Portland, Oregon.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Softcover Books Softcover (perfect bound) books are the most cost-effective binding option, suitable for any genre with page counts from 32 to 900 pages. Intended for self-publishing authors, independent publishers, and businesses needing affordable short-run books.
• Hardcover Books Premium hardcover books with rigid covers offering durability and aesthetic appeal, with page counts from 24 to 900 pages. Available with printed, fabric, or imitation leather covers. For self-publishing authors, publishers, and businesses seeking a premium book format.
• Spiral Books Spiral-bound books that lie completely flat when opened, ideal for cookbooks, notebooks, workbooks, and textbooks. Available with plastic spiral coil or metal Wire-O binding. For authors, educators, and businesses needing lay-flat formats.
• Booklets Short-run booklet printing service for businesses, nonprofits, and educators with fast turnaround times and professional finishes. A new binding format added in 2026 to complement the existing softcover, hardcover, and spiral offerings.
• eBook Conversion Digital conversion service producing EPUB and MOBI file formats for eReader devices. Offered standalone or at a 25% discount when combined with a print order. For self-publishing authors wanting both print and digital versions of their book.
• Cover Design Services Professional cover design with two service levels: Standard ($299, one concept with preview) and Deluxe ($599, two concepts with one-on-one consultation). Transforms customer content into professionally designed book covers. For self-publishing authors who lack cover design expertise.
• Interior/Text Design Services Professional interior layout design transforming raw manuscripts (Word documents) into beautifully formatted books. Three design levels available to match book complexity and budget. For self-publishing authors needing interior typesetting and layout.
• Premium Add-ons Premium finishing features including 3D Spot UV, Real Foil Stamping, Ribbon Markers, Custom Endsheets, Interior Foldouts, and Inside Cover Printing to elevate book quality. For self-publishing authors and businesses seeking high-end finishes.
• Shipping Services Domestic shipping to all 50 US states via UPS Ground, UPS Expedited, USPS Media Mail, and Old Dominion Freight. International shipping to limited Canadian locations. Books packed in 8.5x11x12 inch or 9x12x12.5 inch boxes. For all customers receiving printed book orders.

Quantifiable outcome

• 25% eBook conversion discount when combined with print orders
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 September 2016ACHS in Portland, Oregon chose Gorham Printing as their book printer for custom textbooks due to being a family-owned business within 100 miles, offering Rainforest Alliance Certified paper stocks, and recycling 100% of paper processing and printer waste. Gorham prints full-color interior textbooks for ACHS students with runs as few as 25 copies for frequently updated materials.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Versa Press: Versa Press is a larger commercial book printer serving publishers with both short-run digital and high-volume offset capabilities, representing the broader incumbent competition Gorham faces when customer runs scale beyond 5,000 copies.

Direct peers

• PrintNinja: PrintNinja offers short-run book printing including graphic novels, comics, and trade books, serving indie creators and small publishers with similar custom binding, cover finishes, and short-run quantity tiers.
• BookBaby: BookBaby is a direct competitor offering self-publishing services including short-run book printing, cover design, and eBook conversion for independent authors—overlapping with Gorham's core self-publishing author segment across nearly all service lines.
• IngramSpark: IngramSpark provides print-on-demand and short-run book manufacturing with distribution into Ingram's bookstore network, directly competing for the same self-publishing and independent publisher customers Gorham serves, with comparable trim sizes and binding types.
• Digi Printing: Digi Printing (operating bookprinting.com) is a short-run digital book printer serving self-publishers with softcover, hardcover, and spiral binding—directly comparable to Gorham's product mix and customer base.
• Lulu: Lulu operates a print-on-demand and short-run book printing platform serving self-publishing authors and small publishers, with similar binding options (softcover, hardcover), cover design services, and global distribution—a closely matched offering to Gorham's.
• Acutrack: Acutrack provides book printing, eBook conversion, and fulfillment services for self-publishers and small presses, overlapping with Gorham's printing and digital conversion offerings.
• 48 Hour Books: 48 Hour Books specializes in fast-turnaround short-run book printing (their namesake 48-hour production), competing head-to-head with Gorham in the self-publishing and small publisher space with hardcover, softcover, and spiral options.
• Color House Graphics: Color House Graphics is a book printer specializing in short to medium-run runs (50–10,000 copies) for self-publishers and small publishers, directly competing with Gorham's short-run digital niche.
• Publishing Xpress: Publishing Xpress offers book printing, cover design, and eBook conversion targeting self-publishing authors and independent publishers with comparable service bundles and price points.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/gorhamprinting
• Instagraminstagram.com/gorham.printing
• Xx.com/GorhamPrinting

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Gorham Printing