Paragon Print Systems, Inc.

What Paragon Print Systems, Inc. does

Paragon Print Systems, Inc. is a privately held, family-owned custom printing and barcode technology company founded in 1994 and headquartered in Erie, Pennsylvania. The company manufactures custom labels, business forms, tags, and commercial color print products using a multi-process stack that includes flexographic, UV flexo, UV screen, digital roll-to-roll, digital format-bed, offset, and thermal printing technologies, with sheeted and roll-based production supporting both short runs (as low as 25 labels) and long production runs. Under its BarcodeFactory sub-brand, launched in 1999, the company also serves as a premier authorized distributor of barcode printers, scanners, mobile computers, RFID equipment, point-of-sale systems, thermal ribbons, and related hardware from major OEMs including Zebra, Honeywell, Datamax, Sato, TSC, Datalogic, and Motorola Solutions. The company further offers enterprise solutions such as variable image printing with scan-on-press barcode verification, document security features (covert and overt), graphic design services, and managed supply chain programs including warehousing, distribution, and printer repair.

Paragon operates a consultative, direct-sales go-to-market with dedicated account managers, Certified Forms Consultants, phone-based quoting, and a separate BarcodeFactory e-commerce storefront for stock and SMB buyers, supplemented by authorized reseller channels. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time custom manufacturing orders (quote-based pricing on a $45 minimum order), hardware resale, and managed services such as warehousing, inventory tracking, print head protection programs, and printer repair. The company serves more than 175,000 clients across vertical segments including manufacturing and distribution, government and law enforcement, healthcare, retail, industrial/equipment, and agriculture/horticulture, ranging from small businesses to Fortune 100 enterprises. Distribution is supported by multiple warehouse locations throughout the USA and Canada to compress shipping costs and delivery times.

The business is structured around two complementary units: a custom printing operation (Paragon Print Systems brand) that monetizes specification-driven, value-added print with claimed 40% cost advantage over off-the-shelf alternatives, and a hardware/consumables distribution operation (BarcodeFactory brand) that monetizes authorized-channel relationships with major barcode OEMs and a high-margin thermal ribbon consumables business. The company has no institutional investors, no parent company, and no disclosed funding rounds; ownership remains with the founding family. Strategic emphasis is on deepening the OEM partnership ecosystem, expanding the RFID and document-security verticals, and capturing recurring revenue through managed supply chain and consumables programs.

Name

Paragon Print Systems, Inc.

Legal name

Paragon Print Systems, Inc.

Website

https://www.paragonprintsystems.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Paragon Print Systems is a family-owned custom printing and barcode technology company that manufactures custom labels, forms, tags, and color print products, and distributes barcode, RFID, and mobile computing hardware through its BarcodeFactory sub-brand to 175,000+ North American clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Erie

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Label Manufacturing: Custom labels produced in thermal transfer, direct thermal, laser, and ink jet formats. Includes specialty labels such as durable/waterproof, GHS warning, UL listed, security, and RFID tags. Revenue generated from both short runs (as low as 25 labels) and long production runs.
2. Custom Business Forms: Production of business forms including continuous forms, laser sheets, unit sets, pressure seal forms, snap-apart forms, and integrated form-label combinations. Revenue from both stock and custom configurations.
3. Custom Tags: Manufacturing of tags including blank paper tags, parking hang tags, horticultural tags, industrial nameplates, jewelry tags, multipart tags, outdoor tags, and RFID tags. Available in short runs as low as 100-250 units.
4. Commercial Color Printing: Full service short and long-run color printing including brochures, rack cards, flyers, banners, folders, posters, business cards, and large format printing. Offered in both digital and offset formats.
5. Barcode Hardware and Equipment: Sale of barcode printers, scanners, mobile computers, RFID equipment, point-of-sale systems, thermal ribbons, label handling equipment, and networking products through the BarcodeFactory brand.
6. Supply Chain Management Services: Managed services including warehousing, distribution, inventory tracking, blanket orders, print head protection programs, and printer repair/support. Focus on reducing total cost of ownership.
7. Professional Services: Graphic design, pre-press, finishing, fulfillment, product training, and specialty printing services. Includes custom online websites and marketing support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Paragon Print Systems manufactures and supplies custom labels, custom business forms, custom tags, custom commercial color printing, and forms handling equipment through its Paragon Print Systems brand, and resells barcode printers, scanners, RFID, mobile computers, thermal ribbons, label handling equipment, and wireless networking products through its BarcodeFactory sub-brand. The company complements these physical products with supply chain management services (warehousing, distribution, inventory tracking, blanket orders, print head protection, printer repair), graphic design, finishing, fulfillment, document security consulting, and Certified Forms Consultants who assist with document design across the USA and Canada.

Product overview

Paragon Print Systems, Inc. is a value-added supplier of printed products and hardware that operates through two main product lines: custom printing solutions (custom labels, forms, tags, and color printing) under the Paragon Print Systems brand, and barcode technology, RFID, and mobile computing solutions under the BarcodeFactory brand. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio including custom labels (thermal, laser, ink jet, printed), custom forms (business checks, booklets, continuous forms, laser integrated forms, pressure seal forms, snap apart forms), custom tags (paper, parking, horticultural, industrial, jewelry, outdoor, RFID), custom color printing, and forms handling equipment (Formax pressure sealers and folders). The BarcodeFactory brand provides barcode printers, scanners, mobile computers, RFID solutions, point of sale systems, software, thermal ribbons, wireless networking, and label handling equipment. Enterprise solutions include variable image printing, document security, label solutions, creative art design, and product supply chain management. Founded in 1994, the company serves over 175,000 clients with manufacturing and warehousing facilities throughout the USA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Custom Labels Custom label manufacturing with digital and offset capabilities, thousands of die sizes, and 25+ years of label expertise. Includes thermal labels, laser labels, ink jet labels, pre-printed labels, full color labels, custom blank labels, custom laser labels, and specialty printed labels such as asset labels, GHS warning labels, durable/waterproof labels, and UPC labels. Targeted at businesses that need product identification, asset tracking, compliance labeling, and barcode-enabled workflows.
• Custom Forms Custom business forms including business check printing, booklets, chain of custody forms, continuous forms, envelopes, jumbo roll forms, laser integrated card and label forms, laser sheet forms, multipart affixed label forms, pin-feed forms, pocket forms and mailers, pressure-seal forms and checks, snap-apart forms, software-compatible forms, and testing forms. Designed for businesses needing optimized information storage and retrieval.
• Custom Tags Custom tags including blank paper tags, parking hang tags, horticultural tags, industrial nameplates, jewelry tags, multipart tags, outdoor tags, RFID tags, and custom printed tags. Suited for businesses needing identification, asset tracking, parking, plant identification, and outdoor marking.
• Custom Color Printing Full-service short-run and long-run color printing in offset, digital, or web formats. Includes brochures, rack cards, color flyers, banners, flags, presentation folders, large format printing, and business cards for businesses and organizations needing marketing and commercial print collateral.
• Forms Handling Equipment Form sealing and folding machines, including Formax pressure sealers (FD 1000 through FD 2300 series) and folders (FD 300 through FD 38X), for low to high volume processing of self-mailing documents. Targeted at businesses processing pressure-seal forms and checks.
• BarcodeFactory (Barcode Equipment and Supplies Sub-Brand) North America's leading supplier of complete barcoding equipment and solutions. Offers barcode printers, scanners, stock labels, mobile computers, RFID, point-of-sale systems, software, thermal ribbons, wireless networking, label handling equipment, and parts/service from manufacturers such as Zebra, Honeywell, Datamax, Sato, TSC, Datalogic, Toshiba, Intermec, and Motorola Solutions. Targeted at businesses needing data capture and identification hardware.
• Variable Image Printing Solution Variable data printing solution including integrated labels, 1D and 2D barcoding, jumbo numbers, and variable data on documents. Features on-press scanning that verifies and grades barcodes for 100% accuracy. Suited to businesses needing error-free variable data and barcode output for forms, labels, healthcare, and government documents.
• Document Security Solution Counterfeit deterrent solutions for printed security products, including risk analysis, covert security (hidden inks, micro-printing, chemical stains, invisible fibers), overt security (watermarks, security inks, holograms, bleed-thru numbering), and security labels (tamper-evident, VOID pattern, destructible). Designed for organizations requiring secure documents and tamper-evident labeling.
• Label Solutions Consulting Comprehensive labeling consulting with access to more than 600 combinations of adhesives, face stocks, and liners. Includes design, warehousing, distribution, print head protection programs, and printer repair support for businesses seeking to standardize and outsource label programs.
• Creative Art Design Services In-house graphic design service assisting with project design from start to finish using Adobe Creative, InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat, and QuarkXPress on PC and Mac. Targeted at businesses needing design support for labels, forms, tags, and commercial print projects.
• Product Supply Chain Management Managed supply chain services that analyze and reduce costs of forms, labels, and hardware across their lifecycle, including procurement analysis, stocking programs, warehousing, distribution, inventory tracking, blanket orders, print head protection programs, and printer repair and support. Designed to lower total cost of ownership for label and printer programs.
• Enterprise Services (Paragon Print Systems Services) Enterprise services bundle offering 25+ years of experience delivering account management, business forms printing, commercial printing, digital printing, finishing, fulfillment, graphic design, large format printing, marketing support, pre-press, product training and support, and specialty printing for business customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Custom labels often 40% lower in cost than most off-the-shelf labels
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• FormaxcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor of Formax pressure seal equipment and folders ranging from low-volume desktop to high-volume production models for processing self-mailing documents.
• Zebra TechnologiescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremier certified partner for Zebra Technologies barcode printers and related equipment. Provides full warranty support and certified technical support for Zebra products.
• HoneywellcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized reseller of Honeywell mobile computing devices, barcode scanners, and printing equipment with full manufacturer support.
• DatamaxcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremier certified partner for Datamax label printers with full distribution and support capabilities.
• SatocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized partner for Sato barcode printers and labeling solutions with certified support services.
• TSC (Thermal Smart Control)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized reseller of TSC barcode printers with full technical support and warranty services.
• IntermeccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremier partner for Intermec (now Honeywell) industrial mobile computing and printing solutions.
• Motorola SolutionscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized reseller of Motorola Solutions mobile computers and barcode scanning equipment.
• DatalogiccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized partner for Datalogic barcode scanners and data collection devices.
• ToshibacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized reseller of Toshiba barcode printers and related equipment.
• CubcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized partner for Cub label handling equipment including label dispensers and applicators.
• Major RFID Inlay ManufacturerscoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with major RFID inlay manufacturers to provide right RFID inlay for customer applications. RFID inlays pre-encoded for retail, asset tracking, and DOD Mil specifications.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• CCL Industries: CCL Industries is the world's largest specialty label converter, operating across consumer packaging, healthcare, and security labels globally. Comparable to Paragon Print Systems as a custom label manufacturer with multi-process capabilities, though far larger and globally diversified.
• Avery Dennison: Avery Dennison is a global leader in pressure-sensitive label materials, RFID, and identification solutions. Comparable to Paragon Print Systems as a label manufacturer serving industrial, retail, and logistics customers with barcode/RFID-enabled products, but at materially greater scale and with proprietary substrate technology.
• Brady Corporation: Brady Corporation manufactures identification products including labels, signs, safety devices, and printer systems. Comparable to Paragon Print Systems in industrial and compliance labeling (UL, GHS), as well as barcode label printing equipment through Brady's desktop and industrial printer lines.
• Multi-Color Corporation (MCC): MCC is one of the world's largest label companies serving premium consumer, healthcare, and industrial markets. Comparable to Paragon Print Systems as a multi-process label converter with strong specialty/secure label capabilities, though with a much larger global footprint.

Direct peers

• Resource Label Group: Resource Label Group is a custom label converter serving consumer goods, healthcare, and industrial markets across North America. Highly comparable to Paragon Print Systems in custom pressure-sensitive labels, variable data printing, and multi-process production (flexo, digital, offset).
• Fortis Solutions Group: Fortis Solutions Group is a North American custom label and flexible packaging converter serving consumer packaged goods, nutraceutical, and industrial markets. Comparable to Paragon Print Systems as a custom label manufacturer with pressure-sensitive label capabilities, short and long-run production, and value-added services.
• Zebra Technologies: Zebra Technologies is the leading manufacturer of barcode printers, scanners, mobile computers, and RFID solutions. Comparable to Paragon Print Systems as both a technology supplier and customer acquisition channel — Paragon is a premier certified Zebra partner distributing Zebra hardware alongside its own label consumables.
• ScanSource: ScanSource is a major value-added distributor of barcode, point-of-sale, networking, and physical security technology solutions across North America. Directly comparable to BarcodeFactory as a barcode/AIDC distributor reselling the same major brands (Zebra, Honeywell, Datalogic).
• Barcoding Inc. Barcoding Inc. is a North American provider of barcode and RFID solutions, including enterprise mobility, automatic identification, and data capture software. Comparable to Paragon Print Systems/BarcodeFactory as a barcode technology solutions provider combining hardware distribution with label and software offerings.
• Coast Label Company: Coast Label is a US custom label manufacturer specializing in pressure-sensitive labels, including durable, security, and barcode labels. Comparable to Paragon Print Systems as a specialty custom label converter serving similar end markets with comparable production capabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/paragon-print-systems-inc

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 Paragon Print Systems, Inc.