Union Network

What Union Network does

Union Network CO., LTD. (ユニオンネットワーク株式会社) is a privately held Japanese specialty printing company founded on May 30, 2001, and headquartered in Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo. The company positions itself as a "business card concierge" and general-affairs partner to corporate clients, operating a horizontal segment strategy that serves companies of all sizes and industries across Japan. Current representative director Masayoshi Matsubara succeeded founder Masaharu Matsubara; the firm is family-managed with no disclosed institutional investors or external funding, ¥15 million registered capital, and JIS Q 15001 / Privacy Mark certifications for personal data handling.

The business operates two complementary layers. The first is a broad in-house commercial printing practice—business cards, envelopes (including 长3 / Kakugata 0 formats), greeting cards, nengajo, brochures, posters, calendars, novelty goods, ID cards, T-shirts, and specialty items—produced on a fleet of high-end digital presses from Canon (imagePRESS), Ricoh (Pro C9210, Pro C5310S, Pro C7210S, Pro L5130e latex), and Konica Minolta (AccurioPress C83hc, C4080), supported by 13 MC-22T Plus finishing/cutting units and eco-friendly LIMEX materials. The second is proprietary software: U-net+ Order System, a cloud-based business card ordering and management platform (multi-level approval, inventory/cost tracking, automated data validation) used by 300+ corporate clients and also rented to peer printing companies as a B2B channel; and U-netα, a digital business card exchange system that integrates with Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, email, SMS, and SNS for contactless B2B networking.

Revenue mechanics split between transaction-based print revenue (one-off, quote-based pricing varying by quantity, paper, finishing) and recurring SaaS fees from U-net+ (including the platform-rental channel to other printers) and U-netα. The go-to-market is consultative field sales with mandatory client visits, supplemented by website self-service ordering, direct phone/fax, and presence in industry publications via co-marketing with Ricoh Japan and Canon. Geographic reach is Japan-domestic, with no disclosed international expansion, foreign subsidiaries, or M&A activity.

Name

Union Network

Legal name

Union Network CO.,LTD.

Website

https://union-1.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Tokyo-based specialty printing company serving Japanese corporates with business cards, envelopes, and commercial print, complemented by two proprietary SaaS platforms—U-net+ Order System (cloud business card management) and U-netα (digital business card exchange).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Business card printing services: Core revenue stream from business card printing. Offers next-day delivery with high quality. Includes various paper types (including LIMEX eco-friendly materials) and finishing options.
2. U-net+OrderSystem subscription/rental: Web-based business card ordering system offered to other printing companies for rental. Revenue from system usage fees and customization services.
3. Digital business card services (U-netα): Digital business card exchange services, potentially with subscription model for enterprise management features.
4. Various printing services: Envelope printing, greeting cards, announcement cards, company brochures, promotional materials, calendars, novelty goods, ID cards, large format printing, document scanning, T-shirt printing, and more.
5. Finishing and processing services: Corner rounding, embossing, foil stamping, lamination, die-cutting, numbering, and other finishing services for printed materials.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Union Network is a specialized Japanese printing company that produces high-quality business cards and a wide range of printed materials (envelopes, brochures, posters, ID cards, novelty goods, calendars, greeting cards) with same-day/next-day delivery. It complements its printing services with two proprietary software products: U-net+OrderSystem, a cloud-based business card web ordering and management platform used by 300+ corporate clients, and U-netα, a digital business card exchange system that enables contactless sharing via web meetings, email, SMS, and QR codes.

Product overview

Union Network operates as a specialized printing company with two core software products: U-net+ Order System (cloud-based business card web ordering/management platform with 7 workflow types, multi-user access, and 300+ corporate clients) and U-netα (digital business card exchange system enabling contactless sharing via web meetings, email, QR codes, compatible with Zoom/Microsoft Teams/Google Meet). The company provides comprehensive printing services including business cards, envelopes, greeting cards, posters, ID cards, novelty goods, calendars, New Year's cards, and specialty items like LIMEX and Braille business cards. All production is handled in-house with a fleet of high-end digital presses (Canon imagePRESS, Ricoh Pro, Konica Minolta AccurioPress, FujiFilm Revoria) and finishing equipment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• U-net+OrderSystem: Cloud-based business card web ordering and management system.
• U-netα

Products and services

• U-net+ Order System Cloud-based business card web ordering and management system enabling employees to order business cards online via PC, smartphone, or tablet. Features multi-level approval workflows, inventory management, cost tracking, and next-day delivery. Used by 300+ corporate clients and also offered for rental to other printing companies.
• U-netα (Digital/Web Business Card) Digital business card exchange system that enables contactless business card sharing via web meetings, email, SMS, and QR codes. Compatible with Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet for online networking scenarios, with messaging functions and online meeting integration.
• Business Card Printing Services High-quality business card printing with same-day and next-day delivery options. Offers various paper types including LIMEX, transparent film, water-soluble paper, and special finishes like gold/silver foil stamping and corner rounding.
• Envelope and Postcard Printing Printing services for envelopes (standard and custom sizes including Kakugata 0 to 長3), postcards, DM materials, invitations, and admission tickets with variable data and numbering capabilities.
• Greeting Card and Announcement Printing Professional printing services for greetings and announcements including company relocations, executive changes, anniversaries, and commemorative events. Includes layout design, printing, addressing, insertion, sealing, and mailing services.
• Corporate Brochures and Marketing Materials Full-service corporate brochure, pamphlet, and presentation material printing from planning through design to printing with one-stop internal production capabilities.
• Sales Promotion and Campaign Materials Custom promotional items, novelty goods, POP displays, and campaign materials with variable text and QR code printing options. Services include planning, production, printing, processing, and shipping management.
• Poster Printing Large format poster printing on various media including matte paper, glossy paper, and LIMEX materials. Offers lamination, PP coating, and corner rounding finishes.
• ID Card and Employee Badge Printing PVC card printing services for ID cards and employee badges with white printing capabilities. Supports small lot orders.
• Novelty Goods Printing Printing services for novelty items including ballpoint pens with custom printing, cardboard, CD cases, and other promotional merchandise in small minimum quantities.
• Receipt and Carbonless Form Printing Receipt printing and carbonless form production with numbering capabilities, including specialized services that are becoming rare in the market.
• New Year's Card (Nengajo) Printing New Year's greeting card printing with various special finishes including gold foil, silver, white ink, fluorescent colors, and metallic toners.
• Calendar Printing Desk calendars, wall calendars, and daily calendars with custom printing options including original designs.
• Large Format Scanning Services Scanning services for large format drawings and small scanning operations including TIFF, PDF, JPEG, PNG formats with resolution options from 200-1200 dpi.
• LIMEX Products Water-resistant business cards, envelopes, and POP materials made from LIMEX, a material that uses limestone rather than water or trees, offering environmental benefits and durability.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 300 companies use the U-net+ web ordering system

Named customers7 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• リコージャパン株式会社 (Ricoh Japan)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 March 2023Featured in Ricoh Japan's Print Compass publication. Company uses Ricoh printing equipment including Pro C9210, Pro C5310S, Pro C7210S, and Pro L5130e latex printer. Ricoh featured Union Network's case study on their website and in promotional materials.
• キヤノン株式会社 (Canon)coreTechnology or Integration · 29 November 2022Featured at Canon booth during IGAS2022. Canon introduced Union Network's case study at their exhibition booth. Company uses Canon imagePRESS series printers.
• リコージャパン株式会社 (Ricoh Japan)coreTechnology or Integration · 8 December 2021Union Network appeared in a Ricoh Japan interview video introducing the PRO L 5130e latex printer and its capabilities.
• アルボックス株式会社 (Al-Box Co., Ltd.)minorOthersRelated group company. Contact: TEL 03-5565-1313, FAX 03-6278-8666. Part of the corporate group structure.
• 三井住友銀行 京橋支店 (Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp., Kyobashi Branch)minorOthersPrimary banking partner listed in company profile.
• 三菱UFJ銀行 京橋中央支行 (MUFG Bank, Kyobashi Central Branch)minorOthersBanking partner.
• みずほ銀行 築地支店 (Mizuho Bank, Tsukiji Branch)minorOthersBanking partner.
• 商工組合中央金庫 池袋支店 (Shoko Chukin Bank, Ikebukuro Branch)minorOthersBanking partner.
• きらぼし銀行 日本橋支行 (Kiraboshi Bank, Nihonbashi Branch)minorOthersBanking partner.
• 城南信用金庫 銀座支部 (Jonan Shinkin Bank, Ginza Branch)minorOthersBanking partner.
• コニカミノルタ株式会社 (Konica Minolta)coreTechnology or IntegrationCompany uses Konica Minolta AccurioPress series equipment including C83hc and C4080 models.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/unionnetworkkabu
• Instagraminstagram.com/unionnetwork1/?hl=ja
• Xx.com/unionnetwork_

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Union Network