Print & Graphic Communications Association

What Print & Graphic Communications Association does

The Print & Graphic Communications Association (PGCA), founded in 1922 and headquartered in Amherst, NY, is a regional non-profit trade association serving the printing, packaging, and graphic communications industry across seven states plus the District of Columbia (NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, DC). Following the October 2024 merger with the Printing & Graphics Association MidAtlantic (PGAMA), PGCA describes itself as the premier trade association for the largest print market in the world. The association operates with a small professional staff (six named personnel) including two Co-Presidents (Tim Freeman, Melissa Jones) and supports three primary member segments: print and graphic communications companies, associate supplier/vendor members, and educational institutions, with the latter receiving complimentary membership.

PGCA delivers a portfolio of member services rather than a single software product, organized around six pillars: Human Resources Solutions (employment law consulting via partner Ferrara Fiorenza PC), EHS Solutions (OSHA compliance, safety audits, FSC/PrintReLeaf certification), Management Tools (benchmarking, peer networking, "Ask a Member" advisory), Education (the Print[ED] accreditation program for high schools/junior colleges plus the 90+-course Print University on-demand LMS with Spanish captioning), Insurance & Risk Strategies (NYS Workers' Comp Safety Group up to 45% savings, 401(k) MEP, group health, cyber), and Government Affairs/Advocacy. The technology stack consists of a member portal, an on-demand webinar/training platform, and a virtual event management infrastructure; no AI/ML capabilities are disclosed.

Revenue is generated primarily through recurring tiered monthly membership dues (14 brackets from $20 to $745/month based on member company sales volume), $1,575/year associate dues from suppliers and consultants, complimentary education memberships, and affiliate/referral income from a preferred-vendor group purchasing catalog (CardConnect for credit card processing, UPS, Constellation Energy, ITU AbsorbTech, Paylocity, Experian, and others). The Neographics Awards Gala and a calendar of regional events (Virginia Golf Tournament, HR Academy, Sales Briefs, Emerging Leaders Workshop) provide non-dues engagement revenue. Go-to-market is sales-led, relying on direct membership acquisition via the website, referrals, events, and peer networking across the seven-state territory.

Name

Print & Graphic Communications Association

Legal name

Print & Graphic Communications Association

Website

https://printcommunications.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1922

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

PGCA is a regional non-profit trade association serving printing, packaging, and graphic communications companies across seven Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states plus DC, delivering tiered membership dues, HR/EHS consulting, on-demand training, insurance programs, group purchasing discounts, and legislative advocacy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Amherst

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Active Membership Dues: Monthly membership dues based on annual sales volume, ranging from $20/month for companies with up to $250K in sales to $745/month for companies exceeding $30M in sales. Revenue is recurring and tiered based on member company size.
2. Associate Membership Dues: Annual dues at $1,575/year for equipment suppliers, consultants, service businesses, paper vendors, and other allied members.
3. Education Membership: Complimentary membership for educational institutions including high schools, trade schools, and colleges.
4. Group Purchasing Programs: Member discount programs on credit card processing, UPS shipping, energy procurement, printer towels, and other business services. Association earns revenue through preferred vendor relationships and group buying power.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

PGCA is a member-funded trade association that delivers HR solutions, EHS/OSHA compliance training, group purchasing discounts, insurance programs, industry advocacy, and professional education to print and graphic communications companies across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic United States. Core services include tiered membership subscriptions priced by member sales volume, on-demand safety and skills training via Print University, and access to negotiated vendor pricing on credit card processing, shipping, energy, and insurance.

Product overview

Print & Graphic Communications Association (PGCA) is a trade association offering a comprehensive suite of services to the print and graphic communications industry. The organization provides a portfolio of interconnected services rather than a single software product, including Human Resource Solutions (employment law support, HR compliance), EHS Solutions (OSHA training, environmental compliance), Management Tools (benchmarking, peer networking), Print University (90+ on-demand training courses), Print[ED] accreditation program, Safety Webinars (OSHA compliance), Employment Services (job postings), Member Discounts (group purchasing), Insurance & Risk Strategies (workers' comp, health insurance, 401k MEP), Government Affairs/Advocacy, Events/Networking, and the Neographics Awards program. The association serves members across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Print University On-demand industry training platform offering 90+ courses across 13 tracks covering print fundamentals, production printing, finishing, sales strategies, business skills, and market updates, with Spanish closed-captioned subtitles. For member companies and individuals seeking professional development in graphic communications.
• Print[ED] Accreditation Nationally recognized accreditation program for high schools, trade schools, and junior colleges teaching graphic communications. Provides program standards, industry-approved competencies, and assessments aligned with Federal Perkins V Funding eligibility. For educational institutions.
• OSHA Safety Webinars On-demand OSHA compliance training available 24/7, 365 days a year covering Lockout/Tagout, Hazard Communication, Emergency Action Plans, Lift Truck Safety, Pallet Jack Safety, and other OSHA-mandated topics in English and Spanish versions. For member companies needing OSHA-compliant workforce training.
• Group Purchasing Programs (Member Discounts) Group purchasing program providing members deep discounts on credit card processing (up to 40%), UPS shipping, energy procurement, printer towels, credit reports, and other business services through preferred vendor partnerships. For member companies seeking to reduce operational costs.
• Insurance & Risk Strategies Insurance solutions through partner Gilroy Kernan & Gilroy including workers' compensation, health insurance, 401(k) MEP plans, commercial insurance, and cyber liability coverage. For member companies needing comprehensive insurance and benefits.
• NYS Workers' Compensation Safety Group Group workers' compensation program offering up to 45% savings with upfront premium discounts, consistent cash dividends, and professional safety and claims support for New York-based member companies.
• Print and Graphics Retirement Plan MEP Multiple Employer 401(k) Plan providing administrative relief, reduced fiduciary liability, professional plan administration, and lower annual expenses for member companies.
• Human Resources Solutions Comprehensive HR support including employment law consulting through partner Ferrara Fiorenza PC, compliance guidance, HR communications and alerts, and annual HR conference. For member companies managing workforce and employment law matters.
• Employment Services Free online job posting service for member companies, resume submission portal, and candidate matching connecting job seekers with member companies in the print industry.
• Government Affairs and Advocacy Industry advocacy monitoring state and federal legislation, grassroots campaigns, coalition building, and direct lobbying on issues affecting print and graphic communications businesses. For member companies benefiting from collective industry representation.
• Neographics Awards Annual industry awards competition recognizing exceptional achievements in print, packaging and graphic communications with categories including Power of Print Award, Best of Category, Franklin Award, and individual achievement awards.

Named customers9 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

Integration12 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ferrara Fiorenza PCcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPGCA Association Counsel providing professional HR/employment law support. Nicholas J. Fiorenza serves as Partner, offering legal guidance on federal, state, and local employment law matters for members.
• Gilroy Kernan & Gilroy (GKG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPGCA Preferred Insurance Partner providing comprehensive insurance, benefits, and risk management solutions. Manages NYS Workers Compensation Safety Group with up to 45% savings, group 401(k) MEP, health insurance, and cyber insurance. Contacts: Andy Biernat, Ross Kraft, Sarah Armstrong.
• ITU AbsorbTechminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPrinter towel service partner offering economical and EPA wipes rule compliant service. Provides annual rebate and first week free for PGCA members.
• CardConnectminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCredit card processing partner offering up to 40% savings on credit card processing fees for PGCA members.
• ConstellationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEnergy procurement partner helping members manage energy costs, achieve budget certainty, and financial protection.
• UPSminorGTM or Marketing PartnerShipping partner offering discounts on express and ground shipping for PGCA members.
• PacksizeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOn-demand box making equipment installed FREE for PGCA members ($11,000 value) for companies needing custom packaging solutions.
• PinnacollcminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSOC 2 reporting, cybersecurity consulting, and internal controls compliance services for PGCA members.
• Mailers HubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMailers Council providing expert guidance through webinars and forums discounted for PGCA members.
• The Sales VaultminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSales training partner offering discounted subscription with live webinars, templates, scripts and archived content through Bill Farquharson.
• Girls Who PrintminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGirls Who Print membership offered FREE for all PGCA members, providing networking and professional development resources.
• PrintlinkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerExpert recruiting services for management, leadership, operations, and sales careers within the print industry.
• Bill of Rights InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to obtain donations of pocket Constitutions for high schools through the Print Drives America initiative.
• TecnauminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor partner providing innovative post-press automation solutions for roll-fed and cut-sheet production, with certified integration for HP PageWide Web Press.
• Konica MinoltaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor partner recognized for industry-leading service through Pro-Tech Service Awards and positioned as Leader in IDC MarketScape for high-speed digital label printers.
• Komori CorporationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor partner whose 2026 calendar won Silver Prize and Special Jury Prize at 77th National Calendar Exhibition.
• Diversion StrategiesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConsulting firm specializing in recycling, packaging, and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance for PGCA members.
• ExperianminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCredit reporting services offering 45% discount on credit reports for PGCA members.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Graphic Arts Association: Regional trade association serving print and graphic communications companies in the Mid-Atlantic. Highly comparable to PGCA in mission, services (HR, training, advocacy), and customer type; a natural consolidation peer.
• Pacific Printing Industries Association: Regional trade association serving printing and graphic arts companies in the Pacific Northwest. Operates the same membership, advocacy, education, and group services model as PGCA in a different geography, making it a near-perfect structural parallel.
• PRINTING United Alliance: National trade association formed from the merger of Printing Industries of America (PIA) and Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA). Directly comparable to PGCA as a print industry member organization offering advocacy, training, and group benefits, but at national scale with substantially larger member base.
• Idealliance: Non-profit industry association for digital printing, graphic communications, and workflow standards. Comparable to PGCA as a membership body serving print/graphic communications professionals with training, certification, and standards programs.
• Printing & Graphics Association MidAtlantic (PGAMA): Former independent regional print trade association that merged into PGCA in October 2024. Closest historical peer—same industry, same geography, same service model—now consolidated under PGCA.

Broad incumbents

• SkillsUSA: National workforce development organization for skilled trades including printing. PGCA's Print[ED] accreditation aligns with SkillsUSA chapters, making it an ecosystem partner/peer in workforce and education for the trades.
• Direct Marketing Association (DMA — now part of ANA): Trade body for direct/marketing-driven print and mail, overlapping with PGCA's mailers/marketing members. ANA/DMA provides national advocacy on postal and data issues that complement PGCA's regional advocacy on packaging and environmental regulation.
• American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA): National trade association for the U.S. paper and forest products industry. Comparable advocacy and trade-body operating model at upstream vertical; PGCA partners through FSC/PrintReLeaf sustainability programs.
• Chamber of Commerce (regional — e.g., Buffalo Niagara Partnership): General-purpose regional business chamber offering advocacy, networking, and group benefits to all industries. Overlaps with PGCA's HR/legal, advocacy, and group purchasing services but lacks print-industry specialization.

Regional players

• National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers (NAPIM): Trade association representing ink manufacturers supplying PGCA's print company members. Adjacent vertical within the same industry ecosystem, serving suppliers rather than printers but sharing the trade association operating model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/PrintGraphicCommunicationsAssociation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/print-graphic-communications-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/print_graphic_communications

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Print & Graphic Communications Association