What Kosdown Printing does

Kosdown Printing Co Pty Ltd is a third-generation, family-owned Australian commercial printing manufacturer headquartered at a single 10 Rocklea Drive facility in Port Melbourne, Victoria. Founded by Dick Downie after his emigration from Edinburgh in the 1960s and formally established in 1980, the company is operated by directors Derek Downie, David Downie, and Sandra Downie, and today employs 13 staff across production, finishing, warehousing, and administration. Kosdown serves Australian businesses, government bodies, educational institutions, non-profits, boutique beverage brands, arts organisations, and event companies with a horizontal print portfolio spanning brochures, stationery, books, posters, stickers, labels, magnets, decals, exhibition displays, signage and banners, calendars, plastic loyalty cards, presentation packaging, and apparel.

Kosdown's offering is built on a fully vertically integrated in-house production stack. Two A2+ offset presses run 24 hours a day for high-volume commercial work, complemented by on-demand digital presses and an Anapurna P272 six-colre large-format flatbed printer paired with an Aristo cutting table — a capability it claims to have introduced to Australia. Pre-press uses waterless, chemical-free plate making (a Victoria-first adoption) and soy-based inks, supported by FSC Chain of Custody certified paper sourcing, Waste Wise certification (97% waste diversion), and a 62 kW rooftop solar system installed in 2020 that feeds surplus power back to the grid. Finishing and binding — perfect binding, saddle stitching, PUR binding, embossing, holographic and gold foil stamping, and forme-cutting — are all performed in-house, alongside on-site installation services with working-at-heights certification.

Kosdown monetises through quote-based, project-by-project print production, supplemented by recurring warehousing with pick-and-pack fulfilment, Australia Post-approved bulk mailing (printing, data cleaning, barcoding, inserting, lodgement), and installation services. Distribution combines an owned delivery vehicle and driver for Melbourne with national and international freight partners. The company does not operate e-commerce; all orders are taken via phone, email, or online quote request, with a KOSI client portal and Print IQ job management system serving repeat accounts. Customer acquisition leans on community-led marketing — the Kosi Community blog, AFL Footy Tipping Competition, podcast features, charity sponsorships (notably Jakob's Day for the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal), and local business awards — supplemented by direct sales and word-of-mouth. There is no external funding, parent company, or subsidiary structure disclosed.

Name

Kosdown Printing

Legal name

Kosdown Printing Co Pty Ltd

Website

https://kosdown.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kosdown Printing is a third-generation, family-owned Australian commercial printer in Port Melbourne offering offset, digital, and large-format printing with full in-house finishing, warehousing, bulk mailing, and installation services for businesses, government, education, and boutique brands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Printing Services

NAICS

Commercial Printing (except Screen and Books) (323111), Printing and Related Support Activities (323)

SIC

Commercial Printing (2750)

akta.pro primary industry

Commercial & Offset Printing (Sheetfed/Web) (MPAJALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Digital Printing (Short-Run, Variable Data) (MPAJALAC), Direct-to-Container & Digital Printing (Inkjet/Laser) (IMALAKAF)

Keywords

• Commercial printing services
• Offset and digital printing
• Large format signage
• Bulk mailing distribution
• Warehousing and logistics

Headquarters

HQ city

Port Melbourne, Victoria

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Print Production Services: Offset and digital printing services including brochures, stationery, books, posters, signage, packaging, and promotional materials. One-time project-based pricing per job.
2. Warehousing & Storage Services: On-site warehousing facility for bulk stock storage, paper warehousing, and supply chain management. Storage and pick & pack services for printed and non-printed goods.
3. Bulk Mailing & Distribution: Australia Post-approved bulk mail services including printing, data cleaning, addressing, inserting, and lodgement. End-to-end mail management.
4. Installation Services: On-site installation of signage, wall graphics, exhibition displays, and window decals. Includes certified working at heights capability.
5. Promotional Products: Face mask ear savers and other promotional merchandise sold directly to consumers and businesses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Kosdown Printing is a third-generation family-owned commercial printing manufacturer in Port Melbourne, Victoria, producing offset and digital print jobs, large format signage, finishing and binding (PUR, foil stamping, embossing), plus bulk mailing, warehousing, and on-site installation services. All production is conducted in-house at their Port Melbourne factory using two A2+ offset presses running 24 hours, an Anapurna large format digital printer, and waterless chemical-free plate making. The company serves Australian businesses, government, education, and arts clients with end-to-end print supply chain solutions.

Product overview

Kosdown Printing is a third-generation family-owned Australian printing company offering a comprehensive portfolio of offset printing, digital printing, and large format printing services. The core offering spans two A2+ offset presses operating 24/7, digital printing for on-demand work, and Anapurna 3.2 metre large format flatbed printing for signage and specialty substrates. The company provides complete in-house finishing capabilities including perfect binding, PUR binding, embossing, foil stamping (including holographic effects), and forme-cutting via Aristo Cutting Table. Client-facing software includes KOSI (online ordering and inventory management portal) and Print IQ (job management system). The product portfolio organises around: brochures and marketing materials; stationery (business cards, letterheads, envelopes); books and publications (including hardcase bound and PUR bound); posters, postcards and greeting cards; stickers, labels, magnets and decals; exhibition displays; signage and banners (outdoor corflutes, pull-up banners, vinyl banners, wall graphics); calendars and deskpads; plastic and loyalty cards; packaging and presentation materials; and apparel printing. Additional services include bulk mailing (specialising in Australia Post compliance) and warehousing with pick-and-pack distribution. All manufacturing is conducted in-house at the Port Melbourne factory.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Commercial Offset Printing

Quantifiable outcome

• 150,000+ litres water saved annually through waterless plate making
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered notable, core and minor.

• BBCnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerKosdown partnered with BBC and Wild Republic Australia to produce a range of enviro-friendly event merchandise for the BBC Earth Experience touring Melbourne. Kosdown's FSC certification over 15 years was key to the partnership. Produced postcards, greeting cards, notebooks, calendars and outer gift packaging in-house using recycled materials.
• Wild Republic AustralianotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner in BBC Earth Experience merchandise production. Kosdown used industry knowledge to source recycled materials that improved on European-produced versions.
• Four Pillars GincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership producing range of labelling and presentation material for iconic Healesville distillery. Flat sheet labels for boutique spirit production, neck tags, custom box packaging, cocktail recipe booklets. All work undertaken at Port Melbourne factory.
• The Gospel DistillerycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to produce printed materials for Brunswick-based rye whiskey producer. Neck tags and promotional materials.
• Farrago (University of Melbourne)notableStrategic or Co-development PartnerKosdown undertakes printing and distribution of bi-monthly University of Melbourne student magazine. Introduced holographic foil stamping for covers. FSC certified stock (100gsm EcoStar text, 350gsm Monza satin cover). Waterless plate making and non-toxic inks used.
• Jakob's DaynotableGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor sponsor of annual charity golf day fundraiser benefiting Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal. Kosdown has donated printing services for many years of past events.
• Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday AppealminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndirect benefit through Jakob's Day sponsorship. Jakob's Day has raised over $740,000 for the appeal over 16 years.
• University of Melbourne Student UnionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFarrago magazine is run by the Melb Uni Student Union (UMSU). Union rights are important to them, and Kosdown's unionised workforce aligns with their values.
• Linden GalleryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKosdown produced artwork for Danny Kneebone exhibition 'When Print Becomes Art' displayed at the long-running Post Card Show. Artwork won 'The Nina Taylor MP Birthday Card Award' at the show.
• Mordialloc Secondary CollegeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDavid Downie helped establish RW Scholarship Fund in memory of Richard 'Dickie' Williams. Four students each awarded $1,000 Student Scholarships. Good community relations initiative.
• Mordialloc Cricket ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRW Cricketers Scholarship Award of $1,000 presented to junior club member Jack Lowe. David Downie sits on scholarship fund board.
• City of Port PhillipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple projects including pop-up kids playground installations, bin wraps for St Kilda Market, signage installations. 'Live*love*local' promotion campaigns. Playgrounds, signage, and community installations.
• Port Melbourne Business AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChristmas window decals production for Bay Street traders. Over 100 sets of window sticker designs for shop fronts.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• IVE Group: ASX-listed (IGL) largest Australian commercial printer and marketing services group, offering offset, digital, and large format printing plus labels and packaging. Comparable as the dominant Australian incumbent across most of Kosdown's product categories, with significantly larger scale.
• Orora Limited: ASX-listed packaging and visual communications group including paper packaging and print/point-of-sale display. Comparable in packaging-related print, labels, and point-of-sale displays that overlap with Kosdown's label and packaging presentation offerings.

Direct peers

• Opus Group: Australian commercial print and business communications provider offering offset, digital, and direct mail. Comparable across print production and bulk mail services and a similarly broad customer base spanning corporate and government.
• Show Group: Australian printer and signage/exhibition company offering commercial print, large format, and event graphics. Comparable across Kosdown's signage, exhibition displays, and large format service lines.
• Finsbury Green: Australian commercial printing and direct mail company specializing in offset printing, digital, and bulk mail services. Direct peer on broad commercial printing and especially Australia Post bulk mail, which is a core Kosdown service line.
• Cactus Imaging: Australian large format and signage specialist offering wall graphics, exhibition displays, and premium prints. Comparable to Kosdown's large format digital printing and signage services, with similar commercial and event-focused customer base.
• Press Print: Mid-size Australian commercial printer focused on offset and digital printing for businesses and government. Comparable as another Australian commercial printer with a similar local-services positioning.
• BlueStar Print: Australian mid-market commercial printer offering offset and digital printing, signage, and finishing. Closely comparable as another Melbourne-based commercial printer serving similar SMB and mid-market segments with a multi-service offering.
• Print Dynamics: Australian commercial printer offering offset, digital, and large format printing plus labels and packaging. Directly comparable across Kosdown's core product set, including labels for boutique brands.

Emerging players

• Clover Imaging Group: While global rather than Australian, Clover is a relevant reference for the consumables and supplies side of the printing industry. Useful as a supplier-side comparable rather than a direct competitor for printing services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Jakobs-Day-678093015626802
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kosdown-printing

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Kosdown Printing