A collection of regularly updated industry data about various measures of business activity. Continuously updated.
The number of establishments in the US organized by NAICS (North American Industrial Classification System). Updated annually.
The Printing Outlook 2026–27 report provides detailed analysis of the latest WhatTheyThink Printing Industry Survey, the latest industry economic data and macroeconomic trends, as well as industry and cultural technological trends to look out for in the latter half of 2026 and beyond. Purchase Report
10 Things PSPs Should Consider Before Adopting Robotics: What You Need to Know to Begin the Journey
Why Highly Targeted Communications Make Digital Print Essential to Modern Marketing
Wide Format in 2026: How Technology Is Reshaping Competitive Advantage
After an all-time worst month in February, shipments roared back up from $6.78 billion to $7.30 billion in March. Read More
According to the latest edition of County Business Patterns, in 2023 there were 947 establishments in NAICS 32312 (Support Activities for Printing). This represents a decrease of 54% since 2010. In macro news, Q1 GDP growth was revised down to 1.6%. Read More
April 2026 saw printing industry employment overall generally flat, down 0.4% from March. And while production employment was up 0.6%, non-production employment was down by 2.5%—basically the reverse of what we saw in March. Read More
Labor shortages, production bottlenecks, and growing workflow complexity are forcing print service providers to take a closer look at robotics and automation. In this article, Keypoint Intelligence examines where robotics can deliver the greatest operational impact, the challenges PSPs should prepare for, and the practical steps companies can take to build a more efficient and stable production environment. Read More
According to the latest edition of County Business Patterns, in 2023 there were 360 establishments in NAICS 323117 (Books Printing). This represents a decrease of 33% since 2010—although establishments were up from 2021 to 2022. In macro news, inflation in April grew 3.8% year-over-year. Read More
2026 kicked off with January shipments coming in at $7.08 billion, down from December’s $7.19 billion. Not a very auspicious beginning to the year. Read More
According to the latest edition of County Business Patterns, in 2023 there were 5,854 establishments in NAICS 323113 (Commercial Screen Printing). This represents an increase of 31% since 2010. In macro news, real GDP increased at an annual rate of 2.0% in Q1 2026 Read More
March 2026 saw printing industry employment overall generally flat, up 0.3% from February. And while production employment was down 0.8%, non-production employment was up by 2.9%. Read More
In a world overwhelmed by digital noise and AI-generated content, print is standing out. It is building trust, creating impact, and driving stronger results. Our research shows, marketing print applications continue to grow, reinforcing the opportunity—but capturing it requires a shift in thinking. Learn how leading print professionals are shifting the way they sell print to deliver more value, stronger results, and lasting customer partnerships. Read More
According to the latest, recently released edition of County Business Patterns, in 2023 there were 15,140 establishments in NAICS 323111 (Commercial Printing except Screen and Books). This represents a decline of 31% since 2010. Read More
December 2025 shipments came in at $7.21 billion, a slight rebound from November’s abysmal $7.11 billion. Read More
According to the latest, just-released edition of County Business Patterns, in 2023 there were 21,354 establishments in NAICS 32311 (Printing). This represents a decrease of 21% since 2010. In macro news, 2025 Q4 GDP growth revised down to 0.7%. Read More
February 2026 saw printing industry employment increase a scant 0.1% from January, with production employment up 0.2% and non-production employment down by 0.1%. Read More
According to the latest edition of County Business Patterns, in 2023 there were 22,301 establishments in NAICS 323 (Printing and Related Support Activities). This represents a decline of 23% since 2010. In macro news, inflation is still reasonably under control...for now. Read More
November 2025 shipments came in at $7.15 billion, a precipitous drop from October’s $8.08 billion. Read More
Wide-format printing no longer competes on capability alone. As production grows more complex and expectations rise, advantage depends on how deliberately technology and workflow are aligned to deliver consistent execution. This report explores automation, data, and AI shifts redefining efficiency and profitability in 2026. Read More
January 2026 saw printing industry employment decline 2.7% from December, with production employment down 1.8% and non-production employment down by 0.9%. Read More
The labels and packaging market is entering a phase where momentum alone is no longer enough. As digital print, software, and automation are judged more on performance than promise, technology and investment decisions are becoming more consequential. Keypoint Intelligence’s 2026 Labels & Packaging Predictions highlight the forces shaping this next phase, offering a clear view of how industry participants can turn insight into direction. Read More
According to County Business Patterns, in 2010, there were 2,378 establishments in NAICS 54185 (Outdoor Advertising). This NAICS grew post-Great Recession, with a slight decline mid-decade before climbing back up to 2,765 establishments in 2018. 2019 saw a massive drop in establishments, but it has climbed back up to 2,549 establishments in 2022. In macro news: Retail sales for November 2025 were up 0.6% from October, and up 3.3% year-over-year. Read More
October 2025 shipments came in at $8.00 billion, up from September’s $7.55 billion. Read More
According to County Business Patterns, in 2010, there were 5,824 establishments in NAICS 33995 (Sign Manufacturing). This NAICS category tumbled in the wake of the Great Recession, ultimately climbing back up to 5,865 establishments in 2019, but dipping a little in 2020, and then back up to an all-time high of 5,910 in 2022. In macro news: Q3 GDP grew at an annualized 4.4%. Read More
Print isn’t fading away, and digital isn’t taking over the way many expected. New research from Keypoint Intelligence shows how customer behavior and regulatory realities are reshaping the communications landscape and challenging long-held assumptions about channel preference. Here we examine what that shift means for organizations working to modernize customer communications without losing trust. Read More
According to County Business Patterns, in 2022 there were 364 establishments in NAICS 322299 (All Other Converted Paper Product Manufacturing). This category saw a net decrease in establishments of -21% since 2010, although establishments grew slightly from 2021 to 2022. In macro news, inflation growth was virtually flat from September to November. Or was it? Read More
September 2025 shipments came in at $7.62 billion, up from August’s $7.40 billion. Read More
Robotics is reaching a tipping point in production print, moving from experimental to essential as shops look for answers to labor shortages, bottlenecks, and rising productivity demands. Yet new Keypoint Intelligence research shows that while interest is surging, buyers still want proof: real-world use cases, reliable performance, seamless workflow integration, and partners who understand print. This article explores why robotics adoption is accelerating, what’s holding some providers back, and how your peers are evaluating the next wave of automation. If you're considering robotics—or questioning whether the industry is truly ready—this is the insight you need. Read More
Net printing employment in September 2025 saw printing industry employment decline 0.3% from August—overall, production employment was down 0.6% and non-production employment was up by 0.2%. Read More
According to County Business Patterns, in 2022 there were 132 establishments in NAICS 322291 (Sanitary Paper Product Manufacturing). This category had been seeing a net decrease in establishments since 2010, but the post-COVID period saw an increase in establishments. In macro news, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Architecture Billings Index (ABI) found demand for new commercial construction projects to be stagnant. Read More
…in Canada. As we wait for US data to start being released, let us take an overdue look at Canadian printing shipments. Read More
According to County Business Patterns, in 2022, there were 496 establishments in NAICS 32229 (Other Converted Paper Product Manufacturing). This category saw a net decrease in establishments of -18% since 2010, but saw an increase since 2021. In macro news, um…uh…aha! ADP employment data! Read More
Every print operation wants stronger performance from its existing equipment, yet many don’t realize how much untapped potential sits on their production floor. Without clear visibility into day-to-day press activity, it’s easy to miss where time and profit slip away. This piece from Keypoint Intelligence explores how better data insight and smart automation can help print providers capture that hidden value and turn efficiency into growth. Read More
Net printing employment in August 2025 saw printing industry employment decline 0.3% from July—overall, production employment was down 0.9% and non-production employment was up by 0.8%. Read More
According to County Business Patterns, in 2022 there were 317 establishments in NAICS 32223 (Stationery Product Manufacturing). This category saw a net decrease in establishments of 36% since 2010. In macro news, what have we missed? Read More
July 2025 shipments came in at $7.41 billion, a very slight increase from June’s $7.36 billion. Read More
The packaging floor doesn’t look like it used to. Shorter runs, faster turnarounds, personalization, labor shortages, and sustainability mandates are reshaping how converters operate. Digital print is no longer optional—it’s becoming essential for agility, customer retention, and growth. The diagram below shows digital’s progression in folding carton: it has established an entry position (phase 1) and is expected to gain share from analog technologies like offset as performance and cost improve. In this article, Keypoint Intelligence explores how digital print delivers speed, flexibility, and responsiveness—giving adopters a competitive edge in meeting today’s evolving packaging demands. Read More
Publishing had a rough time during the pandemic, although all three publishing segments—especially books—saw a rebound afterwards, with a leveling off as revenues returned to trend. Advertising in general has been on a steep rise. Read More
According to County Business Patterns, in 2021 there were 708 establishments in NAICS 32222 (Paper Bag and Coated and Treated Paper Manufacturing). This category saw a net decrease in establishments of -14% since 2010. In macro news, Q2 GDP growth was revised up to 3.8%. Read More
In recent years, marketers have been shifting their budgets into digital channels. But as inboxes overflow, internet displays are ignored, and cookies disappear, a familiar/traditional option is gaining new relevance: direct mail. Keypoint Intelligence shares highlights from its US Digital Production Printing Application Forecast (2024–2029). Read More
Net printing employment in July 2025 saw printing industry employment decline 0.9% from June—overall, production employment was down 0.9% and non-production employment also down by 0.9%. Read More
According to County Business Patterns, in 2022 there were 266 establishments in NAICS 322219 (Other Paperboard Container Manufacturing). This category saw a net decrease in establishments of -24% since 2012. In macro news, Q2 GDP growth was revised up. Read More
June 2025 shipments came in at $7.33 billion, down only very slightly from May’s $7.41 billion. Read More
According to County Business Patterns, in 2022 there were 567 establishments in NAICS 322212 (Folding Paperboard Box Manufacturing). This category saw a net increase of 15% since 2010. In macro news,inflation is creeping up. Read More
While industry headlines often spotlight the largest players, it’s the small and mid-sized print service providers that are quietly reshaping wide-format printing. Operating with lean teams and tight footprints, these businesses are driving growth through fast service, niche applications, and smart investments. Keypoint Intelligence’s latest study, Beyond the Big Shops, uncovers how they’re doing it and why vendors should be paying attention. Read More
According to County Business Patterns, in 2022 there were 1,885 establishments in NAICS 32221 (Paperboard Container Manufacturing). This category saw a net decrease of 15% since 2010. In macro news,checking in with Calculated Risk’s “Recession Watch.” Read More
May 2025 shipments came in at $7.35 billion, down slightly from April’s $7.38 billion, an atypical May decline. Read More
According to County Business Patterns, in 2022 there were 9,180 establishments in NAICS 51913 (Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portals). This category saw a net increase of 70% since 2010, but a 4% drop from the previous year. In macro news, ihe AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index indicated that demand for architectural design services continues to be relatively sluggish, which will impact the demand for new signage projects. Read More
Net printing employment in May 2025 saw printing industry employment stay relatively flat (on net) from April—overall, production employment was down 0.5% and non-production employment up by 0.6%. Read More
New data from Keypoint Intelligence shows rising interest in robotics among in-plant providers, fueled by labor shortages and new automation tech. What once felt like science fiction is now a strategic necessity—and this article reveals where robots are making the biggest impact and what PSPs need to know to stay competitive. Read More
According to County Business Patterns, in 2022 there were 1,321 establishments in NAICS 511199 (All Other Publishing). This category had been seeing a gradual decrease throughout the 2010s, but establishments shot up from 2020 to 2021, and then spiked 82% from 2021 to 2022. What?! In macro news, Q1 GDP growth revised down to -0.5%. Read More
April 2025 shipments came in at $7.35 billion, down slightly from March’s $7.36 billion, but still better than February, which isn’t saying much. Read More
According to the latest edition of County Business Patterns, in 2022 there were 113 establishments in NAICS 511191 (Greeting Card Publishers)—unchanged from 2021. Although this represents a net increase of 10% since 2010, it has been a category that has ebbed and flowed over the course of the decade, although we’re not talking about a tremendous number of establishments. In macro news, inflation in May increased 0.1%. Read More
In an age of digital saturation, print’s role in marketing is shifting from routine to strategic. This article explores how print, when used strategically, doesn’t just stand out. It strengthens digital campaigns, boosts engagement, and drives results. Whether you’re a PSP, marketer, or strategist, this is a fresh look at where print fits now and why it still matters. Read More
Net printing employment in April 2025 saw printing industry employment stay relatively flat (on net) from March—overall, production employment was up 0.4% and non-production employment down by 0.4%. Read More
According to the latest edition of County Business Patterns, in 2022 there were 1,434 establishments in NAICS 51119 (Other Publishers). This represents a net increase of 41% since 2010—and a 71% increase from the previous year. In macro news, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Architecture Billings Index (ABI) found demand for new commercial construction projects to be stagnant. Read More
March 2025 shipments came in at $7.47 billion, up quite a bit from February’s utterly dismal $6.87 billion, and better than March 2024. Cold comfort, to be sure, but we’ll take what we can get. Read More
According to the latest edition of County Business Patterns, in 2022 there were 526 establishments in NAICS 51114 (Directory and Mailing List Publishers). This represents a decrease of 68% since 2010. In macro news, in Q1 2025, GDP growth declined for the first time since 2022. Read More
Net printing employment in February 2025 saw printing industry employment stay relatively stable from January—overall, production, and non-production employment were all down by 0.1%. Read More
This ongoing series of short articles provides some country details on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country, especially tracking the number of printing establishments. This time we look at the UK. Read More
Everything is changing—markets, technology, and customer expectations—so why should folding cartons be any different? While demand remains steady, consumer preferences, regulatory changes, and supply chain evolution are in constant motion. The real story lies in how print-service providers, converters, and equipment manufacturers will need to adapt. Read More