The Print Source

What The Print Source does

The Print Source, Inc. is a privately-held custom printing solutions provider headquartered at 404 S. Tracy, Wichita, Kansas. Founded in 1947 and operating with a workforce of 101–250 employees, the company delivers specialized printing services spanning screen, offset, digital, pad, and flexographic printing, together with finishing, laser engraving, and the proprietary Metalphoto® anodized aluminum imaging process. The product portfolio is organized into four core lines: Metalphoto® (extreme-durability identification and branding), Roll Labels (cost-effective flexible labeling), OEM Graphics (decals, screen printing, direct digital printing, engraving, and large-format printing for equipment labeling), and Product Branding (direct-to-surface digital printing, full-color decals and transfers, custom apparel). The company is one of only a few Certified Metalphoto® Converters nationwide.

The company's underlying capability stack is gated by an unusually dense set of certifications — ISO 9001, AS9100, ITAR compliance, UL authorization, Certified Metalphoto® Converter, and G7® Experts color management — which together restrict the qualified-supplier pool for aerospace, defense, and UL-listed product labeling. This certification stack, combined with in-house process engineering across multiple printing technologies, forms the basis of a custom-solution rather than catalog business.

The Print Source operates a sales-led, quote-based B2B model serving enterprise customers on a project-by-project basis. Pricing is custom-quoted based on specifications, quantities, complexity, and material requirements, with no published rate cards. Named enterprise customers span aerospace (Cessna, Textron Aviation, Beechcraft), industrial/manufacturing (Johnson Controls, CNH Industrial, BG Products, Viega, Yoder Smokers, Mokas, Great Plains Industries), and consumer products (Freddy's, Coleman). Existing customers are also served through an online login portal for repeat orders, and primary marketing is conducted through the company website with direct quote-request engagement.

Name

The Print Source

Legal name

The Print Source, Inc.

Website

https://theprintsourceinc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Print Source is a privately-held Wichita, Kansas-based custom printing company founded in 1947, offering Metalphoto®, roll labels, OEM graphics, and product branding to enterprise aerospace, industrial, and consumer products customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Printing

NAICS

Printing (32311), Commercial Screen Printing (323113)

SIC

Commercial Printing (2750), Coating, Engraving & Allied Services (3470)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYIMALAKAK

Specialty & Functional Labels (Linerless, RFID/NFC, Braille, Smart)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Packaging & Containers/Labels, Sleeves & Packaging Printing

SECONDARYIMALAKAF

Direct-to-Container & Digital Printing (Inkjet/Laser)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Packaging & Containers/Labels, Sleeves & Packaging Printing

SECONDARYMPAJALAD

Large-Format & Specialty Printing (Signage, Posters, Displays)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Publishing (Books, News, Magazines)/Print Production Services (Printing, Binding, Prepress)

SECONDARYIMALAKAJ

Security, Tamper-Evident & Track-and-Trace Printing

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Packaging & Containers/Labels, Sleeves & Packaging Printing

Keywords

• Custom printing services
• Product identification labels
• OEM graphics
• Industrial labeling
• Durable nameplates

Headquarters

HQ city

Wichita

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Printing Services: Revenue generated through custom printing services including MetalPhoto®, roll labels, OEM graphics, and product branding. Services are quoted on a per-project basis based on specifications, quantities, and complexity.
2. Professional Services: Expert consultation and collaboration services to develop custom printing solutions for unique challenges. Includes design support and application engineering.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

The Print Source is a full-service custom printing company that manufactures product branding, identification, and labeling solutions for industrial, aerospace, and commercial clients. Its portfolio spans four core product lines: MetalPhoto® (anodized aluminum durable identification), Roll Labels (flexible roll-form labeling), OEM Graphics (decals, screen printing, digital printing, engraving, large format printing for equipment labeling), and Product Branding (direct-to-surface digital printing, transfers, screen printing, laser engraving, custom apparel). The company operates as one of only a few Certified Metalphoto® Converters nationwide.

Product overview

The Print Source is a full-service custom printing company offering a portfolio of four core product lines: MetalPhoto® (harsh-environment durable identification and branding), Roll Labels (cost-effective flexible labeling), OEM Graphics (decals, screen printing, digital printing, engraving, and large format printing for equipment labeling), and Product Branding (digital printing, transfers, screen printing, laser engraving, and custom apparel). These solutions work together to provide end-to-end product identification, labeling, and branding services for industrial, aerospace, and commercial clients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MetalPhoto®: Long-term product branding and identification built to withstand harsh environments and processes.

Products and services

• MetalPhoto® Long-term product branding and identification solution built to withstand harsh environments and processes. Only a Certified Metalphoto® Converter is authorized to provide this specialized anodized aluminum photosensitive imaging product. Targeted at industrial, aerospace, defense, and OEM customers requiring extreme durability.
• Roll Labels Cost-effective and flexible custom branding solution provided as roll-form labels, applicable to virtually any product, application, and industry. Designed for high-volume label applications on manufactured goods.
• OEM Graphics Comprehensive original equipment manufacturer graphics including decals, screen and direct digital printing, MetalPhoto® and placards, and engraving for long-term labeling of parts and equipment. Serves industrial and aerospace OEMs.
• Product Branding High-quality product branding services including direct-to-surface digital printing, full-color decals and transfers, screen printing, laser engraving, and custom apparel. Serves consumer products manufacturers and commercial brands seeking durable and attractive product decoration.

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Sinclair & Rush: Manufacturer of custom printed and decorated products including labels, grips, and protective components for industrial and consumer OEMs. Comparable to The Print Source in custom multi-process printing serving similar enterprise accounts.
• Nameplates for Industry: Custom industrial nameplate, label, and signage manufacturer serving OEMs across aerospace, industrial, and medical sectors. Highly comparable to The Print Source due to shared focus on durable identification products and OEM-grade specifications.
• Identification Solutions Corp: Custom industrial identification products including MetalPhoto® nameplates, anodized aluminum labels, and durable graphic products for aerospace and defense. Most directly comparable peer given shared MetalPhoto® Converter credentials and aerospace vertical focus.
• Diversified Labeling Solutions: Custom industrial labeling and identification provider serving OEM and manufacturing customers with durable label solutions. Comparable to The Print Source in custom industrial label production for similar enterprise end markets.
• ID Technology: Provider of industrial labeling, coding, and marking solutions including custom labels and identification systems for manufacturing and logistics. Comparable to The Print Source in OEM-focused industrial label production and durable identification offerings.
• GBS Corporation: Industrial labeling and identification specialist serving aerospace, military, and commercial OEMs with custom printed products. Comparable given similar regulatory certification requirements and customer base overlap.
• Stranco Products: Producer of industrial identification products, custom labels, and graphic overlays for OEM applications. Closely comparable to The Print Source's OEM graphics and product identification business lines.

Broad incumbents

• Avery Dennison: Global, publicly listed manufacturer of pressure-sensitive labels, specialty tapes, and identification materials. A broad incumbent whose industrial label business overlaps meaningfully with The Print Source's roll-label and OEM graphics work.
• CCL Industries: World's largest specialty label producer serving consumer, industrial, healthcare, and aerospace end markets via converted labels. An incumbent with material overlap in industrial/aerospace labeling, though at vastly larger scale than The Print Source.
• Brady Corporation: Public, globally scaled manufacturer of identification products, labels, and safety solutions across industrial, healthcare, and electronics. A larger incumbent operating broadly across The Print Source's specialty industrial labeling niche.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance5 records

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 The Print Source