Douthitt

What Douthitt does

Douthitt Corporation is a Detroit, Michigan-based manufacturer founded in 1919 that builds Computer-to-Screen (CTS) imaging equipment and exposure systems for the graphic arts, screen printing, flexography, printed circuit board (PCB), and offset/conventional platemaking industries. The company's product line includes vacuum frames, screen drying cabinets, digital timers, lamps, bulbs, digital screen imagers, and exposure frames, organized under sub-brands including CTS Waxjet, the Option X vacuum system, FleXposure Series, Magic 83, and OEM-integrated Olec Olite and Theimer Violux exposure units. Core technology centers on the patented (or patent-pending) OPTION X Vacuum System, which provides uniform contact for imaging precision, and the company has been recognized with the GATF InterTech Technology Award.

The business operates on a capital equipment sales model, selling through established graphic arts supplier channel partners and maintaining visibility at industry trade shows including Printing United and Impressions Expo. Customers span screen printing shops, flexographic converters, PCB manufacturers, and offset platemaking operations—predominantly SMB and mid-market industrial buyers rather than large enterprises. Technical compatibility partnerships (notably with DuPont Dylux) extend the value proposition by validating interoperability with industry-standard consumables. The company is privately held with 11–50 employees and has operated continuously for over 106 years without disclosed funding rounds, acquisitions, or leadership transitions in the available record.

Name

Douthitt

Legal name

Douthitt Corporation

Website

https://douthittcorp.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1919

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Douthitt Corporation, founded 1919 in Detroit, manufactures Computer-to-Screen (CTS) imaging equipment, vacuum frames, and exposure systems for screen printing, flexography, PCB, and offset platemaking operations, selling globally through graphic arts channel partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Detroit

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Equipment Sales: Sale of CTS imaging systems, exposure units, vacuum frames, screen makers, and related manufacturing equipment. Products range from bench-top units to large format floor models. Sales conducted through graphic arts supplier channel partners.
2. Replacement Parts and Consumables: Replacement bulbs for Olite and Violux printing lamps, vacuum blankets, parts for AL53/AL83 power supplies, lamp heads, and accessories. Same-day shipping from Douthitt warehouse.
3. Service and Support: Comprehensive installation, training, and technical support for all equipment. Factory authorized sales and service for Olec Olite printing lamp assemblies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Douthitt Corporation manufactures Computer-to-Screen (CTS) digital imaging systems, direct method screen exposure units, vacuum frames, platemakers, flexographic exposure systems, printed circuit board exposure systems, and related support equipment including printing lamps, light integrators, vacuum pumps, and drying cabinets for the commercial screen printing, flexography, offset platemaking, and PCB fabrication industries. Equipment is sold exclusively through leading graphic arts supplier channel partners, with installation, training, and technical support provided as part of the offering.

Product overview

Douthitt Corporation is a manufacturer of Computer-to-Screen (CTS) imaging equipment and exposure systems for the screen printing, flexographic, offset, and printed circuit industries. The product portfolio centers on CTS Waxjet Digital Screen Imagers that eliminate film positives, Direct Method Screen Exposure Units (Models DMZ, DMH, DMZ-T, DMA, DMG, DME) and Free Standing Vacuum Frames (Models DMV, DML, DMS, DMW), Vacuum Frames and Platemakers including the Option X patented vacuum system, Gemini Twin Frame Platemaker, Console Overhead Platemaker, and Designer Series DCOPXD, Flexographic Exposure Units (FleXgem, EXPOD, DCOPXF, DCOPF, Cool Printer, BOSXF), Printed Circuit Exposure Systems (Taurus, SSX, Custom), and a comprehensive range of support equipment including Olec Olite and Theimer Violux printing lamps, Magic 83 and OLIX 975SC light integrators, Model 26 Silent Air Pump, screen drying cabinets, developing sinks, inspection tables, color viewers, and vacuum blankets. The company operates from Detroit, Michigan with 106 years of manufacturing excellence since 1919.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CTS Waxjet Digital Screen Imagers: Industry-leading CTS technology for Computer to Screen imaging solutions.
• Option X
• FleXposure Series
• Model Magic 83
• Olec Olite
• Theimer Violux

Products and services

• CTS Waxjet Digital Screen Imagers Computer-to-Screen imaging systems that deliver direct digital imaging to screen printing workflows, eliminating the need for film positives and providing exceptional accuracy and detail for commercial screen printing operations.
• Direct Method Screenmakers (DMZ, DMH, DMZ-T, DMA, DMG, DME) Self-contained and large format exposure units with Metal Halide lamps, automatic operation, and Deep Draw Black blankets designed for direct digital imaging exposure in screen making workflows across small to large format screen frames.
• Free-Standing Vacuum Frames (DMV, DML, DMS, DMW, DL, Wall Model, Model D, Bench, Bench on Stand, Elevating and Revolving) Vacuum frames for screen printing and platemaking applications offering ergonomic loading, 360-degree rotation, wall-mounted space-saving designs, and motorized blanket frames for handling large screens.
• Platemakers (Gemini Twin Frame, Console Overhead DCOPX, DCOPXD Designer Series, EXcono, Combo Platemaker and Dylux Proofer, Glass Down Dylux Proofer, Bellows, Elevating and Revolving) Platemakers for offset and conventional printing with twin programmable frames, overhead lamp assemblies, designer aesthetics for non-traditional environments, and combination platemaker/Dylux dry proofer functions.
• Flexographic Platemakers (FleXgem Twin Frame, EXPOD, DCOPXF, DCOPF High Definition, Cool Printer, BOSXF) Flexographic platemakers offering twin frame designs for NAPP newspaper plates, combination expose/detack/post expose processing, motorized diffusion filter control, 31-channel memory, and optional dual UV-A/UV-C light banks for high definition and temperature-controlled flexo workflows.
• PCB Exposure Systems (Model Taurus, Model SSX, Custom Large Format) Printed circuit board exposure systems providing double and single-sided exposure of image resists using dry film or liquid photoimageables, with self-contained dual drawer configurations available in 5kW or 8kW, plus custom large format exposure systems for special applications.
• Olec Olite Printing Lamps (AL25, AL35, AL53, AL83) Tri-level printing lamp assemblies available in 2500W, 3500W, 5000W, and 8000W configurations with replacement bulbs available, sold through Douthitt with factory-authorized sales and service.
• Theimer Violux Printing Lamps (VT6, VT8, Diazo and Multi Spectrum) Tri-level printing lamp assemblies including VT6 (6000W), VT8 (8000W), and various models with Diazo and Multi Spectrum bulb options, with replacement bulbs available.
• Light Integrators (Magic 83, OLIX 975SC) Combination light integrators and digital timers with programmable memories (10 in Magic 83, 31 in OLIX 975SC), automatic compensation for light source variations, vacuum time delay, remote control capability, filter control, and battery back-up.
• Model 26 Silent Air Pump Maintenance-free vacuum pump operating on compressed air using a multi-ejector system; silent, compact, cool-running with no moving parts, and designed to minimize pressure loss.
• Model Sahara Screen Drying Cabinet Heavy duty self-contained screen drying cabinet with digital temperature control and even air flow for drying screens after emulsion application.
• Heavy Duty Plate Developing Sink and Stainless Steel Developing Sink Type 316 stainless steel developing sinks with spray pipe, balanced fulcrum gear mechanism, FLAKELINE-coated interior, heliarc welding, and adjustable leveling screws for plate and screen developing applications.
• Screen Inspection Table Heavy duty screen inspection table with fluorescent lighting in two intensity ranges, tilting top from 0 to 70 degrees, and adjustable screen bar for screen inspection operations.
• xView Color Viewer Station Color viewing station with electronic ballasts, rheostat-controlled lighting, 5000 Kelvin standardized lighting, adjustable tilt, and optional storage configurations for proofing and color viewing operations.
• Heavy Duty Ink-Up and Utility Table Reinforced steel ink-up and utility table with rubber top, storage shelf, and epoxy enamel finish for plate and utility work in prepress operations.
• Vacuum Blankets (Universal Smooth and Deep Draw Black Gum) Replacement vacuum blankets including heavy duty smooth universal blanket with pure rubber sandwiched between canvas duck layers (anti-static), and Deep Draw Black Gum textured surface blanket that molds to screen frame shape under vacuum for direct method silk screen printing.
• UV Curing Systems UV curing systems with variable speed transfer belt, air cooling, and focused reflector for high UV energy concentration in industrial UV curing applications.
• Installation, Training, and Technical Support Services Comprehensive installation, training, and technical support services for all Douthitt equipment, plus factory authorized sales and service for Olec Olite and Theimer Violux printing lamp assemblies.

Quantifiable outcome

• OPTION X pays for itself in less than 3 months in one-shift operations through time saved and avoidance of remakes
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Agfa-Gevaert: Agfa supplies prepress, inkjet, and imaging solutions across commercial printing, packaging, and industrial applications. Its prepress and plate-exposure portfolio competes with Douthitt's offerings as part of a much wider imaging portfolio.
• Heidelberger Druckmaschinen (Heidelberg): Heidelberg is one of the world's largest manufacturers of commercial offset printing presses and platemaking equipment. It overlaps with Douthitt's offset platemaking and CTS workflow offerings as part of a much broader commercial printing portfolio.
• DuPont (Cyrel / Dylux): DuPont supplies Cyrel flexo plates and Dylux proofing materials — both referenced by Douthitt in its product specs. As a large specialty materials incumbent, it competes and partners across the flexo and proofing workflows that Douthitt's equipment supports.
• FUJIFILM: FUJIFILM's Graphic Communications division provides plates, inks, and imaging systems for commercial printing and packaging. It overlaps with Douthitt's platemaking, flexo, and screen exposure categories as part of a global imaging solutions portfolio.

Direct peers

• Esko (Danaher): Esko supplies prepress, flexo plate imaging, and workflow software for the printing and packaging industries. It directly overlaps with Douthitt's flexographic platemaking and screen exposure product lines and serves the same commercial printer and converter customers.
• Asahi Photoproducts: Asahi develops flexographic printing plates and related imaging equipment. It competes with Douthitt's FleXgem, DCOPXF, and DCOPF flexographic platemakers in the same flexo plate exposure workflow.
• Anatol Equipment: Anatol manufactures screen printing presses, exposure units, and dryers for the garment and graphic screen printing markets. Its exposure product line overlaps with Douthitt's CTS Waxjet and screen exposure equipment for similar end customers.
• M&R Companies: M&R is one of the largest U.S. manufacturers of screen printing equipment, including exposure units and drying cabinets. It competes head-to-head with Douthitt's Direct Method Screenmaker line and serves the same commercial screen printing segment.
• Orc Imaging (Orc Manufacturing): Orc Imaging manufactures UV exposure systems for PCB manufacturing, semiconductor lithography, and printing applications. It directly competes with Douthitt's Model Taurus and SSX PCB exposure systems in the same photolithography/imaging category.

Regional players

• ATMA Champ: ATMA is a Taiwan-based manufacturer specializing in screen printing exposure and drying equipment. It directly competes with Douthitt in screen exposure systems but primarily serves Asia-Pacific customers rather than the North American market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/douthitt-corp.

Compliance1 record

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 Douthitt