Kaspar Graphic Solutions

What Kaspar Graphic Solutions does

Kaspar Graphic Solutions, Inc. is a private industrial equipment and consumables company headquartered in Inman, South Carolina, that operates as the exclusive US representative of Heliograph Holding — a family-owned multinational network of printing form manufacturers. Founded in 1978 as K. Walter Service Corp. to serve as the North American sales, service, and spare-parts arm of parent Kaspar Walter Germany, the company has expanded over four decades into a full-service prepress solutions provider spanning equipment distribution, proprietary consumables manufacturing, and technical services. It serves printing form manufacturers operating across seven printing methods — gravure, flexo, offset, dry offset, screen, relief/letterpress, and embossing/hot stamping — with primary focus on gravure and flexographic applications in flexible packaging, labels, security printing, publication printing, and container decoration.

The company's core technology portfolio combines distributed equipment lines (HELL electromechanical and direct laser engravers, Schepers laser systems, Lüscher CTP, K.Walter plating, Daetwyler surface processing, Bauer automation, Ohio Gravure specialty engravers, Glunz + Jensen processors) with two proprietary KAREL product lines: KARELDIRECT elastomer/rubber plates featuring a unique cross-linking process for direct laser imaging, and KARELPURE flexographic washout chemistry developed in collaboration with EPA Presidential Green Chemistry Award recipients. In-house capabilities include cylinder manufacturing with copper/chrome plating tanks (handling cylinders up to 3.3 meters), a precision machine shop (since 1995), elastomer plate production in Greeneville, Tennessee, and a Heliograph Innovation Center for product and process development. Quality control is supported by proprietary measurement instruments (Duromet, Diamet, HelioMet, MicroMet, RZ-STAR, Thickness-STAR FE).

Kaspar generates revenue across multiple streams: equipment sales (prepress machinery distributed from Heliograph group manufacturers), consumables (KARELDIRECT plates, KARELPURE chemistry, HELIO gravure consumables), and professional services (cylinder manufacturing, machine shop fabrication, equipment maintenance and repair, training, spare parts, and analytical services). The go-to-market model combines direct sales in North America from its Inman, SC headquarters with a global sales partner network covering Europe, Middle East, Asia, Africa, South America, and Oceania through regional Heliograph-affiliated entities. Pricing is quote-based across all streams with no public price list. The company is a controlled operating subsidiary within the family-owned Heliograph network with no public listing, venture capital, or private equity signals in the disclosed data.

Name

Kaspar Graphic Solutions

Legal name

Kaspar Graphic Solutions, Inc.

Website

https://kaspar-gs.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Kaspar Graphic Solutions is the US subsidiary of Heliograph Holding, distributing prepress equipment and manufacturing proprietary printing plates and chemistry (KARELDIRECT, KARELPURE) for printing form manufacturers across gravure, flexo, offset, and other printing methods worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Inman

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware Equipment Sales: Sales of prepress equipment including electromechanical engravers, direct laser engravers, CTP systems, plating equipment, and measurement instruments from Heliograph group manufacturers.
2. Printing Plates and Consumables: Sales of elastomer plates (KARELDIRECT product line) and flexo washout chemistry (KARELPURE product line) along with gravure consumables, plating chemicals, and filter materials.
3. Service and Maintenance: Equipment installation, preventive maintenance, repairs, phone/remote support, software updates, calibration, and troubleshooting services for rotogravure, flexography, and offset equipment.
4. Cylinder Manufacturing: Cylinder repair, copper/chrome plating, circumference changes, and specialized cylinder plating services for publication and packaging customers.
5. Machine Shop Services: Precision machining and fabrication including milling, turning, drilling, welding, grinding, and metalworking for custom parts and complete machines.
6. Spare Parts Sales: Spare parts for Heliograph machinery (K.Walter, Hell, Daetwyler Graphics, Bauer, Lüscher, Schepers) and Glunz + Jensen equipment.
7. Training Services: Training for operators, service personnel, and management on in-house equipment including hands-on training in cylinder production for gravure.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Kaspar Graphic Solutions is a B2B provider of prepress equipment, printing plates, chemistry, consumables, and related services for printing form manufacturers. Its core offering includes proprietary KARELDIRECT elastomer plates for direct laser imaging, KARELPURE flexographic washout chemistry, HELIO Gravure Consumables, measurement instruments for rotogravure cylinder quality control, and the full Heliograph group equipment portfolio (electromechanical and direct laser engravers, plating systems, CTP equipment) for gravure, flexo, offset, screen, dry offset, relief, and embossing/hot stamping applications, plus cylinder manufacturing and machine shop services.

Product overview

Kaspar Graphic Solutions offers a comprehensive portfolio of prepress equipment and printing solutions primarily for the North American market. The company provides two main product lines: KARELDIRECT elastomer printing plates (Flexo, Dry, Security, Corrugated, and Coating variants) for direct laser imaging, and KARELPURE flexographic washout chemistry (ULTRA, NX, MULTI, and ECO variants). The portfolio is complemented by measurement instruments (Duromet, Diamet, HelioMet, MicroMet, RZ-STAR, Thickness-STAR FE) for quality control in rotogravure cylinder production, HELIO Gravure Consumables, and various printing solutions including Gravure Imaging, Gravure Cylinder Lines, Offset Printing, Screen Printing, Dry Offset & Pad Printing, Relief Printing, and Embossing & Hot Stamping. The company also provides comprehensive services including Cylinder Manufacturing, Machine Shop, Maintenance & Service, Training, Spareparts, Analysis, KARELPURE Product Support, and Glunz + Jensen Service. The HELIOGRAPH Innovation Center serves as the cornerstone facility for product development and testing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KARELDIRECT: Elastomer and rubber plates for direct laser imaging including Flexo, Dry, Security, Corrugated, and Coating variants
• KARELPURE
• HELIO Gravure Consumables

Products and services

• KARELDIRECT Elastomer Plates Elastomer and rubber plates for direct laser imaging covering Flexo, Dry, Security, Corrugated, and Coating variants, manufactured for printing form manufacturers using direct laser imaging with a unique cross-linking process attaching elastomers to substrates.
• KARELPURE Flexographic Washout Chemistry High-quality, low-odor flexo washout chemistry product line including ULTRA, ULTRA K, ULTRA L, NX, ULTRA SPECIAL, MULTI, LO, and ECO variants for processing flexo plates, including formulations developed with EPA Presidential Green Chemistry Award recipient chemistries.
• HELIO Gravure Consumables Gravure consumables including replacement parts, filter materials, and plating and correction products for rotogravure printing form manufacturing.
• Gravure Imaging Solutions Electromechanical engraving (HELL HelioKlischograph), etching mask technology (LAMS laser ablation mask system), and direct laser engraving solutions for gravure cylinder imaging with multi-channel frequencies of 8 and 12 kHz.
• Gravure Cylinder Lines Complete electroplating, cylinder machining, automated transportation, storage, and safety systems for gravure cylinder production lines, including K.Walter plating equipment and Bauer inline transportation/storage systems.
• Embossing & Hot Stamping Solutions 3D surface finishing solutions for packaging, security features (securities, banknotes), and decoration (furniture, floors, automotive interiors) using rotary and flatbed technologies, with male and female dies, embossing cylinders, and flat forms.
• Offset Printing CTP Systems Internal drum CTP systems and external drum CTP systems (Lüscher Xpose! FlexLine, Multi DX! 320) for waterless offset plates for bank cards, wet offset plates, and security features with high resolution up to 10,160 dpi.
• Screen Printing CTP Systems Flatbed and rotary screen CTP systems for industrial screen printing applications across ceramics, glass, textiles, panels, solar cells, PCBs, automotive parts, and smartphone/tablet displays.
• Dry Offset & Pad Printing Solutions Indirect printing solutions for container decoration and pad printing on surfaces of any shape, covering metal drink and aerosol cans, polymer cups, tubes, and promotional articles.
• Relief Printing Solutions Photopolymer plate technology, HELL PremiumSETTER L1700 and D1000 systems, and letterpress printing solutions for relief printing applications.
• Duromet Measurement Instrument Measuring instrument for copper and chrome hardness of rotogravure cylinders using the Vickers principle.
• Diamet Measurement Instrument Measuring instrument for circumference and diameter of rotogravure cylinders with touchscreen interface.
• HelioMet Measurement Instrument Measuring instrument for determination of engravability of rotogravure cylinders using the eddy current method.
• MicroMet Measurement Instrument Measuring instrument for non-destructive determination of chrome layer thickness on rotogravure cylinders.
• RZ-STAR Roughness Measurement Device Mobile wireless roughness measurement device for checking surface roughness on gravure cylinders.
• Thickness-STAR FE Coating Thickness Gauge Coating thickness gauge for non-destructive measurement of copper coating thicknesses on rotogravure cylinders.
• Cylinder Manufacturing Services Cylinder repair, copper/chrome plating, circumference changes, and specialized cylinder manufacturing services for publication and packaging customers, capable of handling cylinders from medium packaging size up to 3.3 meter publication size using automatic copper plating tanks, alkaline copper strike tank, adapter-less copper tanks, CFM cutting and polishing machines, and Daetwyler Polishmaster.
• Machine Shop Services Precision machining and fabrication services including milling, turning, drilling, welding, grinding, and metalworking for custom parts and complete machines.
• Maintenance & Service Equipment installation, preventive maintenance, repairs, phone/remote support, software updates, calibration, and troubleshooting services for rotogravure, flexography, and offset equipment.
• Training Services Training for operators, service personnel, and management on in-house equipment, including hands-on training in cylinder production for gravure printing.
• Spare Parts Sales Spare parts for Heliograph machinery (K.Walter, Hell, Daetwyler Graphics, Bauer, Lüscher, Schepers) and Glunz + Jensen equipment.
• Analysis Laboratory Services Laboratory analysis services for electrolyte, chrome and copper layer measurements, and layer thickness analysis.
• KARELPURE Product Support Product support including installation, pipeline optimization, product disposal, gas chromatography testing, and equipment services for KARELPURE chemistry users.
• Glunz + Jensen Service Service and spare parts for Glunz + Jensen plate making equipment in North America, including processors for offset and flexo printing, exposure units, dryers, and light finishers (such as Glunz + Jensen Flex-i Pro 520).
• HELIOGRAPH Innovation Center State-of-the-art facility for product development, formulation testing, and process development for Gravure, Flexographic, Dry offset, and Elastomer technology, leveraging 100+ years of combined expertise across the Heliograph network.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 40 years of rotogravure experience providing deep industry knowledge
• +2 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and regional.

• Heliograph HoldingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company. Kaspar represents the Heliograph product and service portfolio in the United States. The Heliograph group is a family-owned network of dedicated manufacturers and solution providers covering all relevant printing methods.
• HELL Gravure SystemscoreTechnology or IntegrationElectromechanical and direct laser engravers for gravure cylinders; direct laser engravers for elastomer relief printing forms and metal embossing cylinders.
• Ohio Gravure TechnologiescoreTechnology or IntegrationSpecial electromechanical engravers for packaging and decorative gravure; layout software solutions.
• Schepers Laser TechnologycoreTechnology or IntegrationDirect laser engravers for universal use; coating machines, LAMS lasers, and spray etching machines for etching masks of gravure and embossing cylinders.
• Lüscher TechnologiescoreTechnology or IntegrationLaser imaging equipment for exposing wet and dry offset, flexo, letterpress, screen and pad printing forms for packaging, labels, and industrial applications.
• K.WaltercoreTechnology or IntegrationPlating equipment and process technology for gravure cylinders; automation of complete gravure cylinder production lines; measurement systems.
• Daetwyler GraphicscoreTechnology or IntegrationSurface processing equipment for gravure cylinders including turning, milling, grinding, and polishing capabilities.
• BauercoreTechnology or IntegrationInline transportation and storage systems for automatic gravure cylinder production lines; automatic storage racks for cylinders and flexo mandrels.
• Glunz + JensencoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerService & Spareparts Partner of Glunz + Jensen in North America. Provides service, spare parts, and consumables for Glunz + Jensen Denmark equipment including processors, exposure units, dryers, and finishers.
• Kaspar Graphic Solutions, Inc. (USA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary contact for Kaspar products in North America (USA). Provides direct sales, service, spare parts, and support for US customers.
• Heliograph (S.E.A.) Pte LtdregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional sales partner covering Singapore, New Zealand, and Oceania markets.
• HELL Gravure Technologies (Beijing) Co., Ltd.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional sales partner covering China market.
• Heliograph Japan K.K.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional sales partner covering Japan market.
• Daetwyler Hell Iberica S.L.U.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional sales partner covering Morocco and North Africa markets.
• MDC Max Daetwyler do BrasilregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional sales partner covering Brazil market.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• BOBST: Large multinational supplier of equipment, services, and consumables for packaging printing and converting, including gravure and flexo. Broad incumbent that overlaps with Kaspar's full gravure cylinder line solutions across multiple printing methods.
• Koenig & Bauer: Major manufacturer of offset, flexo, and digital printing presses plus post-press equipment. Broad incumbent that overlaps with Kaspar's offset, screen, and flexo equipment offerings for industrial printing customers.

Direct peers

• XSYS (formerly Flint Group Flexographic): Global manufacturer of flexographic printing plates (nyloflex, Flexceed) and printing sleeves. Direct competitor to KARELDIRECT elastomer plates in the same flexo plate-making customer base.
• Anderson & Vreeland: North American distributor and converter of flexographic printing plates, equipment, and consumables. Direct competitor in the U.S. flexo prepress channel serving narrow-web and packaging printers.
• Mark Andy: Manufacturer of narrow-web flexo and hybrid digital printing presses plus related plate-making and consumable solutions. Direct competitor in the flexo printing form and equipment value chain serving labels and packaging converters.
• HELL Gravure Systems: Manufacturer of electromechanical and direct laser engravers for gravure cylinders. Direct competitor and Heliograph group partner supplying Kaspar's core gravure imaging equipment line, serving the same printing form manufacturers.
• Esko: Supplier of prepress workflow software, plate imaging, and flexo plate-making equipment (CDI, XPS). Direct competitor in flexo plate imaging and CTP solutions used by the same printing form manufacturers.
• Uteco Group: Italian manufacturer of gravure and flexo presses for flexible packaging. Direct competitor for complete gravure cylinder production line and consumables sales into packaging printing form manufacturers.
• DuPont Cyrel Solutions: Producer of Cyrel flexographic printing plates and processing equipment. Direct competitor in flexo plates and plate processing chemistry, the same core product category as KARELDIRECT and KARELPURE.
• Dantex Group: Supplier of flexo and digital printing plate-making equipment and consumables. Direct competitor in flexo plate imaging and processing chemistry serving the same narrow-web and packaging customers.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kaspar-graphic-solutions

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 Kaspar Graphic Solutions