Verband Schweizer Druckindustrie

What Verband Schweizer Druckindustrie does

Verband Schweizer Druckindustrie (VSD), operating as VSD, is the Swiss industry trade association (Verband) representing the publishing, printing, and packaging sectors in Switzerland. Headquartered at Schosshaldenstrasse 20, Bern, with a Geschäftsstelle of approximately 5-6 staff, VSD delivers member services that span industry representation, legal advice (employment, social security, copyright, data protection), workplace safety certification, social-insurance schemes (AGRAPI, FAZU), and a portfolio of digital and event-based offerings. The association's go-to-market is membership-driven: Vollmitglied (printing/packaging companies) at CHF 750 plus a payroll-share component, VSD-Publisher members at CHF 750, Einzelmitglied at CHF 250, and three sponsorship tiers at CHF 1,500-3,000.

The underlying platform stack comprises the publishing.club community (free webinars, networking, knowledge exchange), the Lernhub learning management system (97+ video modules on Adobe software, AI tools, and publishing workflows), the asa control web-tool and mobile application that powers the EKAS/SECO-certified Betriebsgruppenlösung G03 workplace safety solution, and recurring event formats including GV+ Generalversammlung, Feierabend-Apéros, and publishing.akzente webinars. The association also administers the Publisher Basic and Publisher Professional industry certifications (transitioning to a 'Media Designer – Print & Digital' brand) and provides member access to SANU Lexonline legal compliance content, ClimateCalc CO2 footprint measurement, FSC group certification, and the Intergraf Economic Report.

VSD's commercial model is subscription-based annual dues, sponsorship, and incremental paid training revenue (CHF 200/year for Lernhub access by VSD-Publisher members). After absorbing publishingNETWORK in September 2023 under a '3P – Publishing, Printing, Packaging' single-brand strategy, VSD entered a November 2025 cooperation agreement with dpsuisse covering joint FSC certification, shared occupational safety solutions (with the G03 product scheduled to migrate to dpsuisse's Branchenlösung by January 2027), ClimateCalc, and joint participation in the Swiss Print Award, while preserving its independent legal status as a separate Verband.

Name

Verband Schweizer Druckindustrie

Legal name

Verband Schweizer Druckindustrie

Website

https://vsd.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1894

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Verband Schweizer Druckindustrie (VSD) is a Swiss industry trade association based in Bern that represents publishing, printing, and packaging companies, delivering membership-based services including workplace safety certification, legal advice, social-insurance schemes, and the publishing.club community and Lernhub e-learning platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industry Association Services

NAICS

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54)

SIC

Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

Quality Engineering & Risk Management (ICH Q9/Q10, validation, change control) (HLAGAKAL)

Keywords

• Printing industry association
• Publishing industry training
• Workplace safety certification
• Social insurance schemes
• Media production education

Headquarters

HQ city

Bern

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from printing companies (Vollmitglied), publishing companies (Publisher-Mitglied light), and individuals (Einzelmitglied). Membership fees range from 250 CHF to 750 CHF plus payroll share annually.
2. Sponsorship Programs: Gold, Silver, and Bronze sponsorship tiers providing website presence, event access, newsletter visibility, and member benefits. Sponsorship fees range from 1,500 CHF to 3,000 CHF annually.
3. Training and Certification Services: Revenue from Publisher Basic/Professional certification exams, Lernhub course modules, and Print Academy partner arrangements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Verband Schweizer Druckindustrie (VSD) is a Swiss industry trade association representing the publishing, printing, and packaging sectors. Its core offerings include membership-based services (industry representation, legal advice, social insurance schemes AGRAPI/FAZU, and the EKAS/SECO-certified workplace safety solution G03 delivered via the asa control web-tool), educational and community platforms (publishing.club free community, Lernhub learning management system with 97+ modules, and Publisher Basic/Professional certifications), and event formats (GV+ General Assembly, Forum der Grafischen Industrie, Feierabend-Apéros, publishing.akzente webinars).

Product overview

Verband Schweizer Druckindustrie (VSD) is a Swiss industry association for the printing, publishing, and packaging sectors that operates a service portfolio combining member benefits with educational platforms. The core offerings include publishing.club (a free community with webinars and networking), lernhub (a paid learning management system with video modules for Adobe software and AI tools), publisher certification programs (VSD publisherBASIC and publisherPROFESSIONAL), and the VSD-Betriebsgruppenlösung G03 workplace safety solution. Event formats like GV+ and Feierabend-Apéros provide networking and knowledge exchange. VSD full members and gold sponsors receive complimentary access to lernhub and Lexonline; publisher members pay CHF 200/year for lernhub access.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• publishing.club: Community platform for inspiration and knowledge exchange among publishing professionals. Offers free webinars (publishing.akzente) and the Lernhub learning platform.
• Lernhub
• GV+
• Publisher Basic / Publisher Professional
• Media Designer – Print & Digital

Products and services

• publishing.club A free community platform for publishers offering webinars (publishing.akzente), networking events, and knowledge exchange in the print and media production industry. Members can access Lernhub modules and engage with the publishing professional community.
• Lernhub An academy/learning management system within publishing.club offering video modules (97+ modules) for professional development in media production, covering Adobe software (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Lightroom, Express), AI tools, and publishing workflows. Free access for VSD full members and Gold sponsors; CHF 200/year for VSD-Publisher members.
• Publisher Basic / Publisher Professional Certificates VSD-branded industry certifications including VSD – publisherBASIC, VSD – publisherPROFESSIONAL Gestaltung, and VSD – publisherPROFESSIONAL Multimedia for career changers in media production. Program includes the Media Designer – Print & Digital course offered through IBAW, Klubschule Pro/Migros Ostschweiz, and Digicomp.
• VSD-Betriebsgruppenlösung G03 (asa control) A certified workplace safety and health management solution (EKAS/SECO certified) for publishing, printing, and packaging companies, featuring a web-based platform (asa control) with mobile application for document management, hazard assessment, and training administration. WEB-tool includes documentation, hazard identification, measures, and training records management.
• GV+ Generalversammlung Plus A combined annual general meeting and industry event format featuring compact official proceedings, inspirational talks, and networking opportunities for VSD members. Replaces the traditional Generalversammlung with an enhanced hybrid meeting/networking experience.
• Feierabend-Apéros On-site networking events combining welcome remarks, panel discussions, facility tours, and aperitivo-style networking, organized at member company locations throughout Switzerland. Multiple events held annually across the Swiss printing/publishing/packaging industry.
• publishing.akzente Webinars Free webinar series within publishing.club delivering current industry knowledge and practical skills to publishing professionals. Topics include Adobe software (Lightroom, Express), AI tools, digital workflows, and industry trends.

Quantifiable outcome

• Exclusive access to Intergraf Economic Report (value: 490 EUR for non-members)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, moderate and minor.

• Intergraf (European Federation for Print and Digital Communication)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVSD is a member of Intergraf, the European federation representing national printing industry associations. VSD members (full members and Gold/Silver sponsors) receive exclusive access to Intergraf's Economic Report. Intergraf provides market intelligence and represents European printing interests at EU level.
• Arbeitgeberverband Schweiz (Swiss Employers Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVSD is a member of the Swiss Employers Association (SAV), which advocates for employer interests in Swiss economic policy and legislation. This membership strengthens VSD's lobbying capabilities for the printing industry.
• Verein ugracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVSD is a trustee of Verein ugra, which promotes standardization and research in the printing and media industry. The association is sole shareholder of Ugra Swisstesting AG, which provides testing and certification services.
• Verein PDFX-readymoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerVSD has been a founding trustee of PDFX-ready since its establishment, actively participating in projects. The initiative promotes PDF/X as a standard in Switzerland through the 'PDFX-ready' quality certificate.
• ECMA (European Carton Makers Association)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerVSD membership in ECMA provides access to the international network of folding carton organizations, manufacturers, national associations, and suppliers in the European folding carton industry.
• dpsuisse (Verband der Print- und Medienindustrie)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership announced November 2025 to jointly offer services and exclusive member benefits. Includes joint FSC group certification, shared workplace safety solution (transitioning VSD G03 to dpsuisse branch solution by 2027), ClimateCalc marketing, and joint participation in Swiss Print Award. VSD supports dpsuisse's 'This is print' industry campaign.
• SANU LexonlinemoderateTechnology or IntegrationVSD provides free access to SANU Lexonline platform for full members and Gold sponsors. The platform ensures legal compliance for environment, safety, and health at the workplace. Bronze/Silver sponsors and other members access at reduced rates.
• AEH AG (Zentrum für Arbeitsmedizin, Ergonomie und Hygiene)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerAEH AG collaborates with VSD as part of the Betriebsgruppenlösung (BGL) board. The partnership ensures current knowledge and relevant information for workplace safety training content.
• Print AcademymoderateChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVSD partners with Print Academy as a training provider. VSD members receive discounted 'association rates' for Print Academy's expert knowledge courses in printing and media production.
• ASA ControlcoreTechnology or IntegrationASA Control provides the web-based platform (asa control) for VSD's Betriebsgruppenlösung G03. The tool manages workplace safety documentation, hazard identification, measures, and training records with mobile app support.
• IGB (Interessengemeinschaft Berufsbildung Verpackungstechnologie)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerVSD contributes to the IGB as a founding partner, supporting packaging technology professional education. IGB organizes cross-company courses, manages qualification procedures, and ensures quality of training content.
• ClimateCalcmoderateTechnology or IntegrationIn collaboration with dpsuisse, VSD advises members on implementing ClimateCalc for measuring CO2 footprints of production facilities and printed products. ClimateCalc is developed at European level for the printing industry.
• Trägerschaft KV Marketing + KommunikationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVSD is a member of the board for commercial basic education in the Marketing + Communication sector. Supports training for the EFZ certification as entry into versatile career paths.
• dpsuisse FSC Group CertificationmoderateChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJoint FSC group certification program through dpsuisse. VSD members can participate at the same rates as dpsuisse members, facilitated by the November 2025 partnership agreement.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Two Sides: Global sustainability initiative for the print and paper industry promoting responsible print practices. Emerging peer with thematic overlap to VSD's sustainability offerings (FSC, ClimateCalc, Imprim'Vert) but with different scope and geographic focus.

Broad incumbents

• Intergraf: European federation representing national printing industry associations including VSD itself. Broader incumbent providing market intelligence (Economic Reports) and EU-level lobbying, serving as the umbrella body for VSD and parallel national associations across Europe.

Regional players

• PRINTING United Alliance: Leading North American printing industry association formed from the merger of Printing Industries of America and SGIA. Regional peer providing member services, training, certifications, and industry advocacy comparable to VSD's offering in the US market.

Direct peers

• BVDM (Bundesverband Druck und Medien): German printing and media industry association (Bundesverband Druck und Medien) representing printing, publishing, and media companies in Germany. Direct peer providing comparable trade association services including workplace safety solutions, training, and industry advocacy.
• FESPA: Federation of European Screen Printers and Associated Print Technologies representing specialty printing communities across Europe. Direct peer offering industry events, training, certification, and sustainability programs comparable to VSD's service portfolio.
• ECMA (European Carton Makers Association): European association of folding carton manufacturers, suppliers, and national associations. Direct peer through VSD's ECMA membership, providing international network access for packaging industry members and comparable trade association services in the carton sector.
• FINAT: European association for the self-adhesive label industry with members including label manufacturers and suppliers. Direct peer providing trade association services in the broader print/packaging space that overlap with VSD's packaging member segment.
• dpsuisse: Swiss print and media industry association (Verband der Print- und Medienindustrie) serving overlapping printing, publishing, and packaging member companies in Switzerland. Direct peer that signed a cooperation agreement with VSD in November 2025 and is assuming the G03 workplace safety solution by 2027.

Others

• Smithers: Global provider of testing, certification, and market research services for the printing, packaging, and paper industries. Industry ecosystem participant whose testing and research services are comparable to VSD's certification offerings and Intergraf Economic Reports access.
• PDFX-ready: Swiss initiative promoting PDF/X standards in the printing industry, with VSD as a founding trustee. Ecosystem participant that complements VSD's standardization and quality certification services for the Swiss print industry.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PLNDuZfA5HhZPzdcJuUBg0YNmnS7ExaOGu
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/verband-der-schweizer-druckindustrie

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Verband Schweizer Druckindustrie