What Printing SA does

Printing SA (legally Printing Industries Federation of South Africa NPC, PIFSA) is a non-profit industry association founded in 1911 that represents the printing, packaging, branding, creative design, marketing and communications industry in South Africa. The organization delivers a multi-revenue-stream operating model combining recurring membership fees, paid training programmes, security printing accreditation, and event/conference income. Its core technology is a web-based Learning Management System (lms.printingsa.org) that delivers both asynchronous e-learning and blended technical programmes, alongside PrintSecure, an ISO 14298-aligned accreditation body for security printers operating under Printing SA's auspices.

The association's service portfolio spans apprentice trade theory (Technical Theoretical Modules TT1–TT3), specialised skills programmes covering flexography, lithography, carton making, bookbinding, finishing, and digital printing, Adobe Creative Cloud certification pathways delivered in partnership with Keyline Digital Design College, and a standalone AI and Generative AI for Graphic Design course. Supporting member services include a membership directory, job board, tenders listing, research reports, and Career Days. Operations are organised around a Midrand head office and regional offices in Cape Town (Western Cape) and Durban (KwaZulu-Natal). Strategic partnerships include FP&M SETA for trade certification, FESPA for international course rollout, Kyocera as Diamond Sponsor, Glueup for event management, and the Institute of Packaging SA for co-located seminars.

The business model rests on three fee-paying pillars: (i) subscription recurring membership; (ii) transactional training delivered through the LMS with tiered member/non-member pricing (e.g., R13,208–R19,780 for technical programmes; R5,750 for the AI/Generative AI course); and (iii) accreditation licensing via PrintSecure with initial inspection and annual renewal fees. Distribution is primarily domestic self-serve through the website and LMS, supplemented by direct regional office support and channel-led promotion through corporate membership directories. The customer base spans enterprise security printers (e.g., Shave and Gibson, Novus Print, Uniprint Global), commercial print and packaging companies, creative design firms, and individual job seekers.

Name

Printing SA

Legal name

Printing Industries Federation of South Africa NPC

Website

https://printingsa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1911

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Printing SA is a 115-year-old South African non-profit industry association providing training, PrintSecure ISO 14298 accreditation, membership services, and events to the printing, packaging, branding, and creative design industries across Midrand, Cape Town, and Durban.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Midrand

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees for companies in the printing, packaging and related industries. Members receive discounted pricing on training courses and access to member-only resources.
2. Training Courses and Programs: Revenue from technical theoretical modules, skills programs, Adobe certification courses, and other training offerings. Pricing varies between member and non-member rates.
3. PrintSecure Accreditation: Fees for security printing accreditation and certification services, including initial inspection and annual renewal fees.
4. Events and Conferences: Revenue from event registrations, sponsorships, and exhibitions including AGM, Women in Print, and Business Leaders Conference.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Printing SA is a non-profit industry association that delivers training programmes, skills development, and professional certification for the printing, packaging, branding, creative design, marketing and communications industries in South Africa. It operates a Learning Management System for online courses, runs PrintSecure accreditation for security printers, provides HR/labour/consulting services to members, and represents the industry through advocacy, events, and resources.

Product overview

Printing SA is an industry association representing the printing, packaging, branding, creative design, marketing and communications industry in South Africa. The organization operates primarily as a training and professional development provider, offering a comprehensive portfolio of programmes through its Learning Management System (LMS). The core educational offerings include Technical Theoretical Modules (TT1, TT2, TT3) for apprentice trade theory training, specialized Skills Programmes covering carton making, bookbinding, and finishing operations, and Adobe Creative Cloud certification courses in partnership with Keyline Digital Design College. Supporting services include Colour Management e-Learning, AI training for graphic designers, PrintSecure security printing accreditation, a membership directory, career days programme, research reports, and a job board. The portfolio is delivered through a web-based LMS platform (lms.printingsa.org) complemented by face-to-face training, with courses priced for both members and non-members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PrintSecure: Security printing standards and accreditation body controlled by Printing SA, offering accreditation services to South African security printers and suppliers of security products seeking certification locally and in Africa.
• Women in Print

Products and services

• Technical Theoretical Module 1 (TT1)
• Technical Theoretical Module 2 (TT2)
• Technical Theoretical Module 3 (TT3)
• Sheetfed Lithographers Assistant Programme (SLA)
• Sheetfed Lithographers Multi-colour Print Production Programme (MPP)
• Sheetfed Lithographers Printing Technology Programme (SCP)
• Carton Making Fundamentals (CMF)
• Carton Design (CD)
• Carton Die Making (CDM)
• Carton Die Cutting and Creasing Machine Minder (DC)
• Carton Production (CP)
• Bookbinder's Assistant (BA)
• Guillotine Operator (GO)
• Folding Machine Operator (FO)
• Hard-Cover Binding Technology (HC)
• Saddle Stitching Machine Operator (SS)
• Adhesive Binding Machine Operator (AB)
• Soft-Cover Book Production (SCB)
• Flexographic Plate Mounter Skills Programme
• Flexographic Plate Maker Skills Programme
• Reelstand Operator Skills Programme
• Lithographic Plate Maker Programme
• Introduction to Digital Printing (CDP)
• Colour Management e-Learning (CM)
• Digital Cutting and Creasing (DCC)
• Adobe Photoshop CC Level 1
• Adobe Photoshop CC Level 2 Advanced
• Adobe Illustrator CC Level 1
• Adobe Illustrator CC Level 2 Advanced
• Adobe InDesign CC Level 1
• Adobe InDesign CC Level 2 Advanced
• AI and Generative AI for Graphic Design
• Excel Beginner to Intermediate
• Estimating for Printers
• Mechanical Aptitude Test
• PrintSecure Accreditation
• Membership
• HR, Labour Relations and Commercial Consulting
• Industry Representation and Legal Services
• Job Board
• Tenders
• Research Reports
• Career Days Programme

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 200 exhibitors at major industry events
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers14 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

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PrintSecure (under Printing SA auspices)coreOthersPrintSecure is a security printing standards and accreditation body operating under the auspices and control of Printing SA. It provides accreditation services to South African security printers and suppliers of security products seeking certification locally and in Africa.
• FESPAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFESPA provided funding for the development of the Colour Management e-Learning course which is now being presented internationally by Printing SA.
• FP&M SETAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFP&M SETA (Fibre Processing & Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority) provides certification for technical theoretical modules and trade theory examinations.
• Keyline Digital Design CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide industry with up-to-date Adobe training including Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator courses, enabling learners to apply for Adobe Certified Professional examination.
• Institute of Packaging SAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-located event partner for industry seminars at Propak Cape 2026 exhibition.
• KyoceraminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond sponsor for Printing SA events and activities.

Scale indicators4 records

Direct peers

• Two Sides: Global independent not-for-profit promoting the responsible use of print and paper, with parallel advocacy, member services, and industry-representation activities to Printing SA.
• FESPA: Global federation of national associations for screen, digital, and textile printing; both an international partner of Printing SA (funded the Colour Management e-Learning course) and a comparable industry-body peer offering training, accreditation, and events.
• PRINTING United Alliance: The primary trade association serving the printing, graphics, and visual communications industry in the United States, with comparable training (PIA training), certification, events, advocacy, and member services operating model. Mirrors Printing SA's mix of industry representation, skills programs, and member benefits.
• Intergraf: European Federation representing the print and digital communication industry across Europe, providing advocacy, training, and certification services comparable to Printing SA's mission and service mix.
• BPIF (British Printing Industries Federation): UK trade association representing the printing, packaging, and graphic arts industries, offering training, HR/legal support, certification, events, and industry advocacy directly comparable to Printing SA's service portfolio.

Regional players

• Master Printers Association of Kenya: East African (Kenya-based) printing industry association providing training, advocacy, and member services to printers in the region; relevant regional comparable given PrintSecure's stated ambition to serve suppliers "locally and in Africa."
• APAN (Australian Printing Industries Association): Australian peak industry body for printing and graphic communications, offering training, events, certification, and advocacy directly comparable to Printing SA's service portfolio, but in a different geography.

Broad incumbents

• VDMA Printing and Paper Technology: German mechanical-engineering industry association division representing printing and paper technology equipment manufacturers — a broader industry-body peer with overlapping standards, training, and trade-show functions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/OfficialPrintingSA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/printingsa
• Instagraminstagram.com/printingsa/?hl=en

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Printing SA