What Simsa does

Simsa GmbH is a Vienna-based, family-owned specialty printing and print finishing company founded by Karl Simsa on July 1, 1972, and managed in its second generation by Mag. Florian Simsa since 2002. The company offers screen printing, UV inkjet digital printing (capable of formats up to 4.5m length and 50mm material thickness), hot foil stamping with real metallic effects, film lamination, 3D embossing, tactile/haptic printing, and security printing including single image hologram application. Its proprietary MetalPaper brand encompasses metallized papers and cardboards in variants such as High Gloss Mirror, Satin, Standard Economy, and Special Effects; sub-brands include MetallicSticker and Biofoil (biodegradable laminating films). Material coverage spans paper, cardboard, plastics, wood, leather, glass, textiles, and the composite substrates added through the 2024 Polehnia Materialverbunde acquisition.

The company's revenue model combines project-based, quote-priced custom print finishing services for B2B clients with a standardized e-commerce tail (shop.simsa.at) selling scratch-off labels and business cards on metallized materials. GTM is consulting-led and sales-led, anchored by a ~150,000-sample archive and press proofing service that enables client visualization, plus showroom consultations with English-speaking staff for international clients and event venues (Messe Wien, Hofburg, Austria Center Vienna, UNO-City Vienna). Strategic distribution partnerships include IPFG membership (5-continent referral network) since 2007. The customer base spans luxury brand retail (e.g., Porsche Design, Printstar Gold 2014), packaging printing, security/voucher printing, and institutional events.

Strategic differentiation rests on (i) a portfolio breadth described as Austria's largest print finishing range, (ii) banknote-printer-grade single image hologram capability, (iii) heavy specialized equipment including an 18-tonne Bobst SP102 acquired in 2004 and a single image hologram system installed 2021, (iv) Austrian Ecolabel UZ 24 certification (UW 855) plus 100% renewable electricity and on-site photovoltaics since 2020, and (v) educational presence at WIFI Vienna, BFI Salzburg, HTL for printing technology, and New Design University since 2005.

Name

Simsa

Legal name

Simsa GmbH

Website

https://simsa.at

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Simsa GmbH is a Vienna-based, family-owned specialty printing and print finishing company founded in 1972, serving B2B clients with screen and digital printing, real-metal and hologram effects, film lamination, and tactile finishes on diverse substrates.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Print Finishing Services

NAICS

Commercial Screen Printing (323113), Commercial Printing (except Screen and Books) (323111), Printing and Related Support Activities (3231)

SIC

Commercial Printing (2750), Coating, Engraving & Allied Services (3470)

akta.pro primary industry

Custom Printing & Decoration Services (Screen Print, Embroidery, Laser) (BPAFAMAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Security, Tamper-Evident & Track-and-Trace Printing (IMALAKAJ), Decoration & Branding Services (Printing, Hot Stamping, Metallization, Labeling) (IMALAJAN), Large-Format & Specialty Printing (Signage, Posters, Displays) (MPAJALAD)

Keywords

• Screen printing services
• Print finishing
• Hot foil stamping
• Security printing
• Metallized paper

Headquarters

HQ city

Vienna

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Print Finishing Services: Project-based print finishing services including screen printing, hot foil stamping, embossing, film lamination, and specialty effects on various materials. Revenue derived from bespoke print projects for B2B clients.
2. Metallized Materials (MetalPaper): Sale of proprietary metallized paper and cardboard products under the MetalPaper brand, including standard and specialty finishes.
3. Sample Services: Press proofing services and sample archive access for client project development and visualization.
4. Scratch-off Products: Direct sale of scratch-off labels and cards through e-commerce shop, including standard sizes and custom configurations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Simsa is a Vienna-based print finishing company that provides screen printing, UV inkjet digital printing, hot foil stamping with real metal effects, hologram effects (including single image holograms for security), film lamination, 3D embossing, UV varnish effects (glitter, relief, textured, scented), tactile printing, and scratch-off printing across paper, cardboard, plastics, wood, glass, leather, textiles, and composite materials. The company also sells proprietary products under the MetalPaper, MetallicSticker, and Biofoil brands and offers consulting, sample archive (~150,000 samples), and proofing services.

Product overview

Simsa is a Vienna-based screen printing and print finishing company offering a comprehensive portfolio of printing and finishing services. The core offerings include screen printing and UV inkjet digital printing across various materials. The company's specialty lies in print finishing services including film lamination, hot foil stamping with real metal effects (gold, silver, bronze), hologram effects (including single image holograms for security printing), UV varnish coatings (gloss, matte, relief, glitter, textured, scented), 3D embossing, scratch-off printing, and tactile prints. Simsa's proprietary product brands include MetalPaper (metallized papers in Standard Economy, Satin, High Gloss Mirror, and Special Effects variants) and MetallicSticker (metallized self-adhesive labels). The company prints on diverse materials including paper, cardboard, plastics, wood, glass, leather, textiles, and composite materials. Services include consulting, sample archives with 150,000+ samples, and proofing services. Simsa positions itself as the Austrian provider with the largest finishing product palette, serving industries from packaging to security printing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MetalPaper: Proprietary brand for metallized paper, carton, and cardboard products offering real metal surfaces in gold, silver, and other metallic finishes
• MetalPaper Satin
• MetalPaper High Gloss Mirror
• MetalPaper Standard Economy
• MetalPaper Special Effects
• MetalPaper Hologram
• MetallicSticker
• Biofoil
• simsa UV-Lack
• Flappi Mappi

Products and services

• Screen Printing (Siebdruck) Traditional screen printing service for various materials including plastic, paper, cardboard, textiles, and specialty substrates, offered to B2B customers.
• Digital Printing (UV Inkjet) UV inkjet digital printing services including large format printing up to 4.5 m length and materials up to 50 mm thickness, offered to B2B customers.
• Hot Foil Stamping / Real Metal Effects Hot foil stamping and metallization services applying real metal (gold, silver, bronze, copper, chromatic colors) in wafer-thin layers to paper, cardboard, plastics, and self-adhesive films for visual enhancement and counterfeit protection.
• Film Lamination (Folienkaschierung) Full-surface coating of paper, cardboard, self-adhesive film, or rigid plastic films with protective or decorative films in formats from 220x220 mm to 1,020x1,420 mm.
• Hologram Effects Full-surface and partial hologram effects applied to paper, cardboard, plastics, and self-adhesive films, including single image holograms for high-end security printing.
• Tactile Printing Haptic printing services including 3D relief varnish, embossing, tactile film laminations, and Braille printing that stimulate the sense of touch.
• UV Coating and Varnish Effects UV varnish coatings including high-gloss, matte, relief, glitter, textured (sand, linen, leather), and scented varnishes for visual and tactile enhancement.
• Scratch-off Printing Scratch cards and scratch-off labels in silver, gold, white, or custom colors with direct printing on paper or self-adhesive sticker formats, also sold via the e-commerce shop.
• Scent Print (Duftdruck) Fragrance printing service applying scented varnishes in various scents (flowers, fruits, spices, woods) or custom scents to paper.
• Security Printing / Counterfeit Protection Security printing features including hologram effects, microembossing, UV security coatings, and visible/tangible/hidden security elements for anti-counterfeiting of vouchers, certificates, and high-value documents.
• 3D Embossing Three-dimensional embossing and debossing services in single-level, multi-level, or sculptured relief styles with optional metallization or UV varnish enhancement for paper and cardboard up to 720x1,020 mm.
• Glitter Varnish Glitter and glamour varnish printing with gold, silver, multicolor, or iridescent effects using light-reflecting glitter platelets bound in high-gloss varnish.
• MetalPaper (Proprietary Brand) Proprietary brand of metallized papers and cardboards including Standard Economy, Satin, High Gloss Mirror, and Special Effects variants in gold, silver, holographic, and brushed aluminum finishes.
• MetallicSticker Self-adhesive metallized stickers and labels with real metal coating in silver, gold, hologram effects, or brushed aluminum finishes.
• Biofoil Biodegradable, compostable laminating films made from renewable raw materials such as wood cellulose or corn starch.
• Print Consulting Service Expert print consulting in German and English for event printing, shop decoration, signage, and bespoke print product development, including Austrian Ecolabel production.
• Sample and Proofing Service Sample archive access with ~150,000 individual samples and press proofing service creating samples on customer-specified materials using existing test forms to verify printing techniques and material suitability.
• Flappi Mappi Pocket Folder Branded pocket folder product for storing and presenting printed materials, sold under the Flappi Mappi product line.

Quantifiable outcome

• Longer attention span and improved memory retention through multi-sensory print appeal (visual + tactile + olfactory)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 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

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• PolehniamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Took over composite materials division (Materialverbunde) in 2024. New production systems enable customized composite materials from individual layers of paper, cardboard, paperboard, coating materials or films in formats up to 75x105cm, 0.4-12mm thickness, and 2-3+ layers.
• International Print Finisher Group (IPFG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007Accepted into membership in 2007 after extensive hearings and tests. Provides Simsa customers access to problem-solving expertise of a network with members on 5 continents.
• Pavlovsky CompanymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006Acquired in 2006, enabling entry into film lamination. This acquisition allowed Simsa to cover almost all varieties and techniques of print finishing, making them the provider with the largest finishing product portfolio in Austria.
• WIFI Vienna (Werbeakademie)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership providing teaching assignments for print finishing seminars since 2005.
• BFI SalzburgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership for packaging technician advanced courses and print finishing seminars.
• HTL for Printing TechnologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution partnership for print technology education using Simsa print finishing seminars.
• New Design University (FH)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with university of applied sciences for print finishing education and seminars.
• BobstcoreTechnology or IntegrationSwiss manufacturer of SP102 hot foil stamping and die-cutting machine (18 tons, full-sheet format) acquired in 2004. Enables high-volume foil stamping and packaging printing capabilities.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG: German-based manufacturer of printing presses and equipment. Not a direct competitor but adjacent as a supplier of capital equipment that print finishers like Simsa deploy, with overlapping customer base in commercial print shops.
• Koenig & Bauer AG: German printing press manufacturer with security printing division producing banknotes and secure documents. Comparable in the security printing niche where Simsa also operates with hologram capabilities, though at vastly different scale.

Direct peers

• API Group plc: UK-based manufacturer of foils, laminates, and holographic materials for security and packaging applications. Comparable in offering branded metallized substrates and security features for print finishing, with stronger global distribution.
• Ungricht GmbH + Co. KG: German-based screen printing and finishing specialist serving European premium brand customers. Comparable in delivering high-end decorative printing, hot foil stamping, and security printing for luxury packaging markets.
• Gietz AG: Swiss manufacturer of high-end hot foil stamping and embossing presses. Comparable as a provider of capital equipment and finishing technology in the same specialty segment as Simsa's hot foil stamping operations.
• SPS Group (Smart Print Solutions): European print finishing group offering screen printing, foil stamping, and embossing services. Comparable as a specialty print finisher with similar service portfolio focused on premium brand differentiation and security applications.
• ITW Foils: US-headquartered manufacturer of hot stamping foils and decorative finishing materials. Comparable as a supplier of metallization and specialty finishing substrates used across the print finishing industry including Simsa's segments.

Regional players

• Crown Holdings, Inc. Global metal packaging giant with decoration and printing operations across multiple continents. Comparable in metal packaging decoration though serves beverages/food rather than Simsa's premium print finishing focus.

Broad incumbents

• LEONHARD KURZ Stiftung & Co. KG: Germany-based global leader in hot foil stamping and metallization technology. Directly comparable as a foil stamping specialist with significantly broader scale, serving packaging and security printing across all industries including banknote printing.

Emerging players

• Pollard Banknote Limited: Canadian-based security printer producing lottery tickets, instant win games, and secure documents. Comparable in the security printing niche and scratch-off label production, which Simsa also offers through its e-commerce shop.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/simsa-druckveredelung

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Simsa