Freehand

What Freehand does

Freehand Graphics, Inc. (Freehand) is a privately held, bootstrapped software development and consultancy firm specializing in screen printing pre-press workflow. Founded in 1983 by Charlie Facini and headquartered in Long Island, New York, the company has operated continuously for more than 40 years in a narrow vertical serving small-to-mid-size screen printing shops, with a reported 40,000+ customer base and a small team of 11-50 employees.

The company's product portfolio centers on AccuRIP Emerald (raster image processor / RIP software), Separation Studio NXT (color separation software), and NXT-Moves (an online designer add-on built on AWS infrastructure), together with a line of proprietary consumables including Dmax Dye Ink, Dark Star Dye Film, All Black Ink Kits, and Amaze-Ink, plus hardware consumables such as T3270 replacement chips. Core technology includes the Spot Process separation engine (originally launched in 1995) and the Freehand License Manager, a cloud-based license management platform that replaced the legacy iLok USB dongle activation system.

Freehand's business model combines direct-to-customer software subscriptions and perpetual licenses with consumables sales and bundled offerings such as the Master Bundle. Pricing spans approximately $199 to $999 per customer across the product line. Distribution is primarily through the company's own e-commerce platform, supplemented by partnerships with Great Dane Graphics (clip art and art services), Graphic Elephants (screen print consulting), and Rising Creative Media LLC (marketing). Marketing is conducted across YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook, with customer support positioned around 100+ years of cumulative domain experience and an 80,000+ ticket support history.

Name

Freehand

Legal name

Freehand Graphics, Inc.

Website

https://solutionsforscreenprinters.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Freehand Graphics is a privately held, bootstrapped software and consultancy firm that builds RIP software (AccuRIP Emerald), color separation tools (Separation Studio NXT), and proprietary consumables for small and mid-size screen printing shops worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Shoreham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Software Subscriptions: Annual subscription licensing model for AccuRIP Emerald and Separation Studio NXT software. Licenses are billed annually and renew automatically. Cloud activation with 24/7 Total User Activation Control included. Unlimited professional in-house support included with all active software licenses.
2. Hardware and Consumable Supplies: Sale of Dmax Dye Ink in various bottle sizes (500mL, 1 Liter), All Black Ink cartridge kits, Dark Star Dye Film, Amaze-Ink maintenance fluid, and Epson T3270 replacement chips. Products are sold as one-time purchases or in bundled starter packages.
3. Bundled Starter Packages: Pre-configured product bundles combining software licenses with supplies at discounted rates. Includes Master Bundle ($999 first year), Pro Plus Bundle, Pro Bundle, Essential Bundle, and software-only bundles. Multi-license discounts available ($80 savings per additional license).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Freehand develops and sells specialized pre-press software and proprietary inkjet consumables for the screen printing industry. Its core products are AccuRIP Emerald (a PostScript RIP that drives film output) and Separation Studio NXT (color separation software with Sim Process and vector PDF engines), supplemented by Dmax Dye Ink, Dark Star Dye Film, and related supplies. Products are sold via annual software subscriptions and direct e-commerce purchases, targeting screen printing businesses from hobbyists to commercial operations.

Product overview

Freehand Graphics offers a unified product ecosystem for screen printers comprising two core software products and complementary supplies. The flagship software includes AccuRIP Emerald (a PostScript RIP for film printing that drives printer output from Adobe/Corel design programs) and Spot Process Separation Studio NXT (color separation software with Sim Process and vector PDF engines). NXT-Moves serves as an online designer add-on for Sep Studio NXT. All software is managed via the Freehand License Manager cloud platform. Supporting the software portfolio is a line of proprietary inkjet supplies including Dmax Dye Ink (black UV-blocking dye reaching densities near 5.0), Dark Star Dye Film (waterproof 5ml film sheets and rolls), All Black Ink cartridge kits with auto-reset chips, Amaze-Ink printhead maintenance fluid, and Epson T3270 replacement chips. Products are sold individually, in bundles (Essential, Pro, Pro Plus, Master Bundle), and as starter packages for new screen printers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AccuRIP Emerald: Film printing RIP software for screen printers that drives the entire film output process, printing clean, sharp, durable, high density separations to transparent film media.
• Separation Studio NXT
• NXT-Moves
• Dmax Dye Ink
• Dark Star Dye Film
• All Black Ink
• Amaze-Ink
• Freehand License Manager
• Proof Positive
• N-Up Nesting
• Spot Process
• ColorCrunch
• PressFit
• PowerMerge

Products and services

• AccuRIP Emerald Film printing RIP (Raster Image Processor) software that transforms color separations to quality film positives for screen exposure. Drives the entire film output process from mainstream graphics programs including Sep Studio NXT, Adobe, and Corel. Supports both cartridge and tank printer configurations and includes Proof Positive preview, ABI/ST print modes, and Freehand License Manager cloud activation.
• Separation Studio NXT Color separation software for screen printers that handles single color to multicolor separations as Sim Process and Spot Color solids and/or halftones. Includes two built-in file management engines: a Spot Process engine for raster tonal images for Sim Process separations, and a second engine for vector PDF files that converts unwanted process colors to useful spot colors. Features automated underbase, choke/spread, PressFit, ColorCrunch, N-Up nesting, PowerMerge, and integrates with Adobe and Corel design workflows.
• NXT-Moves Online designer add-on for Sep Studio NXT that enables text, textile, symbols, patterns, and design enhancements on uploaded color separations while keeping separation layers intact. Powered by AWS and accessed through a menu in Sep Studio NXT.
• Freehand License Manager Cloud-based license management platform providing 24/7 user account control, Total User Activation Control (TUAC), hardware/OS crash and internet outage protection. Eliminates downtime from hardware failure with instant license transfer capabilities.
• All Black Ink Kits Refillable cartridge systems with custom formulated Dmax black dye ink for achieving high-density film results. Available for Epson 1430/1400, Canon iX6820, Canon iP8720, and Canon Pixma Pro-100 printers. Includes auto reset chips, syringes, blunt tip needles, and Amaze-Ink clog buster solution.
• Dmax Dye Ink Custom UV light blocking black dye formulation for inkjet film printing. Reaches densities at or near 5.0 for optimal UV blocking during screen exposure. Available in Canon and Epson formulations in 500mL and 1L bottle sizes. Works with refillable cartridge systems and EcoTank printers, with a 2-year shelf life.
• Dark Star Dye Film Quality 5ml waterproof inkjet film engineered for screen printers. Available in sheets (13 x 19 inch, 100 per box) and rolls (24 inch x 100 feet, 2 inch core). Features an emulsion coating that grabs and holds ink for quick drying and curing. Compatible with Dmax dye ink for dense, durable prints.
• Amaze-Ink Ammonia-free printhead clog buster and maintenance fluid for inkjet printers. Safe, non-caustic formulation that clears stubborn clogs without damaging print heads. Available in 500mL bottles with syringes, blunt tip needles, and silicone adapters for various Epson and Canon printer models.
• Dmax Epson T3270 Replacement Chip Replacement chip for Epson T3270 printers that resolves Epson's chip security issues preventing use of auto reset chips with third-party inks. Allows the T3270 to reset ink counter and use Dmax dye ink instead of Epson pigment ink. Each chip allows 700mL of ink to be printed with no time limit.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80,000+ support tickets successfully resolved
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Rising Creative Media LLCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRising Creative Media LLC is listed as a social media and marketing help partner for Freehand. They provide marketing assistance to Freehand Graphics with rare insight into the screen-print industry.
• Great Dane GraphicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreat Dane Graphics is featured as a 'Vendor We Love' providing clip art and art services. Pictured with Freehand CEO Charlie Facini and Graphic Elephants at industry events. Dane Clement represents Great Dane Graphics in these partnerships.
• Graphic ElephantscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGraphic Elephants is listed as a screen print consulting and production partner. Lon Winters represents Graphic Elephants and is featured alongside Freehand CEO Charlie Facini and Great Dane Graphics at industry events. They provide screen print consulting services.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wasatch Softworks: Wasatch makes RIP and color management software for screen printing, DTG, and digital textile workflows. It competes directly with AccuRIP Emerald and is supported by Freehand's Separation Studio NXT as a Hot Folder output.
• SA International (SAi): SAi produces Flexi sign-making and RIP software used in screen printing and signage production. It competes with Freehand across both RIP and color separation workflows for screen printers and sign shops.
• Onyx Graphics: Onyx provides RIP and color management software for wide-format and screen printing workflows. It competes with AccuRIP Emerald and is supported as a Hot Folder target from Freehand's Separation Studio NXT.
• Global Graphics Software (Harlequin RIP): Global Graphics' Harlequin RIP is a foundational RIP engine used across many screen and digital printing workflows. It is a direct competitor to Freehand's AccuRIP Emerald and is also supported as a Hot Folder output from Sep Studio NXT.
• CadLink Digital Solutions: CadLink makes RIP and workflow software for sign, vinyl, and screen printing production. It is a direct competitor to AccuRIP Emerald in screen printing film output and is also a supported Hot Folder target for Sep Studio NXT.

Broad incumbents

• Vastex International: Vastex manufactures screen printing presses, dryers, and exposure units plus related consumables. It is a broader incumbent in the screen printing shop production stack and competes for the same end customer's wallet.
• M&R Companies: M&R is a major manufacturer of screen printing equipment (presses, dryers, conveyors) serving the same screen printing shops Freehand targets. It competes broadly in the screen printing production workflow though not in pure pre-press software.
• Kornit Digital:

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses2 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/FreehandGraphics
• Facebookfacebook.com/softwareforscreenprinters
• Instagraminstagram.com/freehandgraphics
• Xx.com/Freehand_FG
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/freehand-graphics

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Freehand