Gilbert

What Gilbert does

Gilbert (legal entity: gilbert design druck werbetechnik GmbH) is a family-owned, Essen-based full-service creative media house founded in 1955 and now led by second-generation owner Leander Gilbert. The company operates from a converted former soap factory in Essen-Rüttenscheid and offers an integrated portfolio across three lines: Design & Druck (offset, digital, and large-format printing of business cards, flyers, brochures, catalogs, mailings, books, and similar materials), Werbetechnik / advertising technology (vehicle wrapping, facade and window signage, LED illuminated letters, banners, flags, exhibition equipment with measurement, production, and nationwide installation), and specialized finishing (die-cutting, embossing, hot foil stamping, UV varnish, laser cutting, exotic substrates).

Underlying technology is conventional print manufacturing — offset, digital, and large-format presses with finishing capabilities (cutting, grooving, die-cutting, embossing, folding, gathering, binding) — augmented by water-based and latex inks for indoor and outdoor applications respectively. Gilbert is a member of the bvdm-Klimainitiative and markets climate-neutral production, FSC-certified papers, mineral oil-free inks, and chemical-free prepress as differentiators. Production runs locally with delivery via own drivers (including electric for short routes), DHL, freight partners, and couriers; international shipping and express/trade-show deliveries are available.

The business model is custom project-based pricing — no catalog, no flat rates, free non-binding quotes, pay-as-you-go billing (cash on pickup or advance transfer for new customers; invoicing for returning customers). Go-to-market is sales-led, combining direct customer consultation, a dedicated agency partner program, regional industry visibility, and a showroom/production-tour conversion channel. Primary customer segments are medium-to-large businesses and advertising agencies in German-speaking markets, with secondary reach into freelancers/SMBs, healthcare providers (medical-practice branding), and international corporations with German operations; named accounts include Masto Raumausstattung, Machtemes, Deutsche Botschaft Paris, Möbel Hensel, and various medical practices.

Name

Gilbert

Legal name

gilbert design druck werbetechnik GmbH

Website

https://gilbert.nrw

Company type

Private

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Gilbert is a family-owned, Essen-based full-service printing and advertising technology company serving medium-to-large businesses and advertising agencies with integrated design, offset/digital/large-format printing, finishing, vehicle wrapping, signage, and nationwide installation services since 1955.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Printing Services

NAICS

Commercial Printing (except Screen and Books) (323111), Graphic Design Services (54143), Printing and Related Support Activities (3231), Indoor and Outdoor Display Advertising (541850)

SIC

Service Industries For The Printing Trade (2790), Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)

akta.pro primary industry

OOH Production, Printing & Installation Services (MPAAAKAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Graphic Design & Visual Content Production (BPAFAIAC), Event Production & Technical Services (AV, Lighting, Staging) (BPAFAGAB)

Keywords

• Commercial printing services
• Advertising technology
• Graphic design services
• Large format printing
• Vehicle wrapping signage

Headquarters

HQ city

Essen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Design Services: Graphic design, layout, artwork creation for print and advertising materials
2. Printing Services: Offset printing, digital printing, and large format printing for various print materials including business cards, flyers, brochures, posters, catalogs, calendars, paper bags, notebooks, books, magazines, and mailings
3. Advertising Technology: Vehicle wrapping, signage, facade advertising, illuminated signs, flags, exhibition equipment, and installation services
4. Finishing and Refinement: Special finishes including blind embossing, hot foil stamping, partial UV varnish, relief lacquering, color cuts, neon or metallic colors, laser die-cutting, and special formats

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Gilbert is a full-service creative media house providing integrated design, printing, and advertising technology services from its Essen-Rüttenscheid facility. The company offers offset, digital, and large format printing for business materials, plus advertising technology services including vehicle wrapping, facade signage, illuminated signs, banners, and nationwide installation. All services are delivered in-house from initial design through production to final installation, with climate-neutral production practices.

Product overview

Gilbert Design Druck Werbetechnik GmbH is a full-service creative media house offering an integrated portfolio of design, printing, and advertising technology services from its Essen-Rüttenscheid location. The core offering consists of Design & Druck (encompassing offset printing, digital printing, large format printing, and all standard print materials) and Werbetechnik (covering vehicle lettering, facade signage, LED illuminated signs, banners, and nationwide installation services). The product range is enhanced by specialized add-on modules including Stanzungen & Sonderformate for custom die-cutting and special formats, Druckveredelungen for premium finishing (embossing, foil stamping, UV coatings), Design & Gestaltung for corporate design and logo development, and dedicated services for agency partners. The company operates as a single unified offering with all services available 'from one hand' to ensure seamless project execution.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Design & Druck (Design & Print) Full-service design and printing service covering offset printing, digital printing, and large format printing for business cards, flyers, brochures, posters, catalogs, invitation cards, letterheads, calendars, paper bags, notepads, books, magazines, mailings, and personalized advertising materials, targeted at businesses and agencies.
• Werbetechnik (Advertising Technology) Advertising technology services including vehicle lettering and wrapping, window and facade signage, LED illuminated signs, banners, flags, exhibition equipment, and complete advertising installations from measurement through production to nationwide on-site installation for businesses.
• Für Agenturen (Agency Partner Services) Specialized agency partner services including paper and budget consultation, sample creation, dummy productions, test prints, form and image proofs, press proofs, print inspections, measurement services for advertising technology, and project support for exceptional projects, targeted at advertising agencies.
• Druckveredelungen (Premium Print Finishing) Premium print finishing services including blind embossing, hot foil stamping, personalized white printing, spot UV coating, relief coating, color cuts, neon and metallic colors, laser cutting, exotic formats and substrates, scented lacquers, and scratch-off coatings for print materials.
• Stanzungen & Sonderformate (Custom Die-Cutting and Special Formats) Custom die-cutting and special format printing services enabling unique shapes for business cards, magazines with cut-out windows, personalized hang tags, packaging, booklets, and custom designs such as advent calendars.
• Design & Gestaltung (Creative Design Services) Creative design services including corporate design, logo development, print design for flyers, brochures and posters, illustrations, infographics, image editing, layout design for print and digital media, style guide creation, typography selection, and outdoor advertising design.

Named customers5 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.

• DesignersN8 CommunityminorOthers · 1 January 2011Hosted DesignersN8 in 2011, a creative event bringing together 300 creative professionals for talks, networking, and inspiration. This community-building event showcases Gilbert's commitment to the creative industry.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• WIRmachenDRUCK GmbH: German online commercial printer serving SMB and agency customers with offset and digital print plus finishing. Direct comparable to Gilbert's design + print offering for agencies and SMBs, with a more online-led go-to-market.
• Druckhaus Haberbeck GmbH: Mid-sized German commercial printer offering offset and digital print plus finishing. Comparable to Gilbert as a full-service regional Druckerei serving business customers with design, print, and finishing capabilities.
• Gieselmann Druck und Medienhaus: German full-service printing and media house offering offset/digital print, large-format, finishing, and design services to business customers. Directly comparable to Gilbert as a similarly structured regional Druckerei + Werbetechnik provider.

Broad incumbents

• Onlineprinters (RS Group / Onlineprinters GmbH): One of Europe's largest online commercial printers, offering offset, digital, and large-format print across multiple countries. Comparable to Gilbert in core commercial-print categories but vastly larger scale, online-first B2B motion, and broader geographic reach.
• Wall GmbH: German provider of decorative and promotional signage, displays, and OOH advertising installations. Comparable to Gilbert's Werbetechnik offerings (signs, banners, vehicle decoration, illuminated signage) with broader geographic and product reach.
• Flyeralarm GmbH: One of Germany's largest online printers with a broad portfolio including print, finishing, and promotional products. Comparable in product category to Gilbert's commercial print line, but operates at national/international scale with a much larger workforce.
• Ströer SE & Co. KGaA: Germany's leading out-of-home (OOH) advertising company, covering production and installation of large-format and signage. Comparable to Gilbert's Werbetechnik work (vehicle wrapping, facade signage, illuminated signs, nationwide installation) but at vastly larger scale.
• Mohn Media GmbH (Bertelsmann): Large German commercial printer serving publishers, retailers, and direct-marketing customers with offset and digital print plus finishing. Comparable in core print capabilities to Gilbert but operates at enterprise scale with national/international clients.

Regional players

• Oberndorfer Druckerei GmbH: Austrian family-run commercial printer offering offset and digital print plus finishing services. Comparable to Gilbert in product mix (full-service design + print + finishing for business customers) but operates primarily in Austria.
• Lensing Druck GmbH: Dortmund-based regional German printing company serving the Ruhrgebiet and wider North Rhine-Westphalia market. Comparable to Gilbert as a regional full-service printer in the same metropolitan catchment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gilbert-design-druck-werbetechnik-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Gilbert