Commercial Printing (except Screen and Books)
Description
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in commercial printing (except screen printing, books printing) without publishing (except fabric grey goods printing). The printing processes used in this industry include, but are not limited to, lithographic, gravure, flexographic, letterpress, engraving, and various digital printing technologies. This industry includes establishments engaged in commercial printing on purchased stock materials, such as stationery, invitations, labels, and similar items, on a job-order basis. Establishments primarily engaged in traditional printing activities combined with document photocopying services (i.e., quick printers) or primarily engaged in printing graphical materials using digital printing equipment are included in this industry.
Hierarchy
| Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 32 | Manufacturing 2-digit sector | The Sector as a Whole The Manufacturing sector comprises establishments engaged in the mechanical, physical, or chemical transformation of materials, substances, or components into new products. The assembling of component parts of manufactured products is considered manufacturing, except in cases where the activity is appropriately classified in Sector 23, Construction. Establishments in the Manufacturing sector are often described as plants, factories, or mills and characteristically use power-driven machines and material handling equipment. However, establishments that transform materials or substances into new products by hand or in the worker's home and those engaged in selling to the general public products made on the same premises from which they are sold, such as bakeries, candy stores, and custom tailors, may also be included in this sector. Manufacturing establishments may process materials or may contract with other establishments to process their materials for them. Both types of establishments are included in manufacturing. Selected industries in the Manufacturing sector are comprised solely of establishments that process materials for other establishments on a contract or fee basis. Beyond these dedicated contract manufacturing industries, establishments that process materials for other establishments are generally classified in the Manufacturing industry of the processed materials. The materials, substances, or components transformed by manufacturing establishments are raw materials that are products of agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining, or quarrying as well as products of other manufacturing establishments. The materials used may be purchased directly from producers, obtained through customary trade channels, or secured without recourse to the market by transferring the product from one establishment to another, under the same ownership. The new product of a manufacturing establishment may be finished in the sense that it is ready for utilization or consumption, or it may be semi-finished to become an input for an establishment engaged in further manufacturing. For example, the product of the alumina refinery is the input used in the primary production of aluminum; primary aluminum is the input to an aluminum wire drawing plant; and aluminum wire is the input for a fabricated wire product manufacturing establishment. The subsectors in the Manufacturing sector generally reflect distinct production processes related to material inputs, production equipment, and employee skills. In the machinery area, where assembling is a key activity, parts and accessories for manufactured products are classified in the industry of the finished manufactured item when they are made for separate sale. For example, an attachment for a piece of metalworking machinery would be classified with metalworking machinery. However, component inputs from other manufacturing establishments are classified based on the production function of the component manufacturer. For example, electronic components are classified in Subsector 334, Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing, and stampings are classified in Subsector 332, Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing. Manufacturing establishments often perform one or more activities that are classified outside the Manufacturing sector of NAICS. For instance, almost all manufacturing has some captive research and development or administrative operations, such as accounting, payroll, or management. These captive services are treated the same as captive manufacturing activities. When the services are provided by separate establishments, they are classified in the NAICS sector where such services are primary, not in manufacturing. The boundaries of manufacturing and the other sectors of the classification system can be somewhat blurry. The establishments in the Manufacturing sector are engaged in the transformation of materials into new products. Their output is a new product. However, the definition of what constitutes a new product can be somewhat subjective. As clarification, the following activities are considered manufacturing in NAICS: <table width=100%><tr><td width=10%> </td><td><dl><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Milk bottling and pasteurizing;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Water bottling and processing;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Fresh fish packaging (oyster<br/> shucking, fish filleting);</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Apparel jobbing (assigning<br/> materials to contract<br/> factories or shops for<br/> fabrication or other contract<br/> operations) as well as<br/> contracting on materials<br/> owned by others;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Printing and related activities;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Ready-mix concrete production;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Leather converting;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Grinding lenses to<br/> prescription;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Wood preserving;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Lapidary work for the trade;</dt></dl></td><td width=10%> </td><td><dl><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Electroplating, plating, metal<br/> heat treating, and<br/> polishing for the trade;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Fabricating signs and<br/> advertising displays;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Rebuilding or remanufacturing<br/> machinery (i.e., automotive<br/> parts);</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Making manufactured homes<br/> (i.e., mobile homes) or<br/> prefabricated buildings,<br/> whether or not assembling/<br/> erecting at the customers'<br/> site;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Ship repair and renovation;</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Machine shops; and</dt><dt style='padding-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;'>Tire retreading.</dt></dl></td><td width=10%> </td></tr></table> Conversely, there are activities that are sometimes considered manufacturing, but which for NAICS are classified in another sector (i.e., not classified as manufacturing). They include: 1. Logging, classified in Sector 11, Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting, is considered a harvesting operation; 2. Beneficiating ores and other minerals, classified in Sector 21, Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction, is considered part of the activity of mining; 3. Constructing structures, assembling prefabricated buildings, and fabricating at the construction site by contractors are classified in Sector 23, Construction; 4. Breaking bulk and reselling in smaller lots, including packaging, repackaging, or bottling products, such as liquors or chemicals; assembling and selling computers on a custom basis; sorting and reselling scrap; mixing and selling paints to customer order; and cutting metals to customer order for resale are classified in Sector 42, Wholesale Trade, or Sector 44-45, Retail Trade; and 5. Publishing and the combined activity of publishing and printing, classified in Sector 51, Information, transform information into a product for which the value to the consumer lies in the information content, not in the format in which it is distributed (i.e., the book or software compact disc). |
| 323 | Printing and Related Support Activities 3-digit subsector | Industries in the Printing and Related Support Activities subsector print products, such as newspapers, books, labels, business cards, stationery, business forms, and other materials, and perform support activities, such as data imaging, platemaking services, and bookbinding. The support activities included here are an integral part of the printing industry, and a product (a printing plate, a bound book, or a computer disk or file) that is an integral part of the printing industry is almost always provided by these operations. Processes used in printing include a variety of methods used to transfer an image from a plate, screen, film, or computer file to some medium, such as paper, plastics, metal, textile articles, or wood. The printing processes employed include, but are not limited to, lithographic, gravure, screen, flexographic, digital, and letterpress. In contrast to many other classification systems that locate publishing of printed materials in manufacturing, NAICS classifies the publishing of printed products in Subsector 513, Publishing Industries. Though printing and publishing are often carried out by the same enterprise, it is less and less the case that these distinct activities are carried out in the same establishment. When publishing and printing are done in the same establishment, the establishment is classified in Subsector 513, Publishing Industries, in the appropriate NAICS industry even if the receipts for printing exceed those for publishing. This subsector includes printing on clothing because the production process for that activity is printing, not clothing manufacturing. For instance, the printing of T-shirts is included in this subsector. In contrast, printing on fabric (or grey goods) is not included. This activity is part of the process of finishing the fabric and is included in Industry 31331, Textile and Fabric Finishing Mills. Excluded from this subsector are establishment primarily engaged in manufacturing bare printed circuit boards. These establishments print, perforate, plate, screen, etch, or photoprint interconnecting pathways for electric current on laminates and are classified in Industry 33441, Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing. Establishments primarily providing printing brokerage services are classified in Industry 56199, All Other Support Services. |
| 3231 | Printing and Related Support Activities 4-digit industry group | Industries in the Printing and Related Support Activities subsector print products, such as newspapers, books, labels, business cards, stationery, business forms, and other materials, and perform support activities, such as data imaging, platemaking services, and bookbinding. The support activities included here are an integral part of the printing industry, and a product (a printing plate, a bound book, or a computer disk or file) that is an integral part of the printing industry is almost always provided by these operations. Processes used in printing include a variety of methods used to transfer an image from a plate, screen, film, or computer file to some medium, such as paper, plastics, metal, textile articles, or wood. The printing processes employed include, but are not limited to, lithographic, gravure, screen, flexographic, digital, and letterpress. In contrast to many other classification systems that locate publishing of printed materials in manufacturing, NAICS classifies the publishing of printed products in Subsector 513, Publishing Industries. Though printing and publishing are often carried out by the same enterprise, it is less and less the case that these distinct activities are carried out in the same establishment. When publishing and printing are done in the same establishment, the establishment is classified in Subsector 513, Publishing Industries, in the appropriate NAICS industry even if the receipts for printing exceed those for publishing. This subsector includes printing on clothing because the production process for that activity is printing, not clothing manufacturing. For instance, the printing of T-shirts is included in this subsector. In contrast, printing on fabric (or grey goods) is not included. This activity is part of the process of finishing the fabric and is included in Industry 31331, Textile and Fabric Finishing Mills. Excluded from this subsector are establishment primarily engaged in manufacturing bare printed circuit boards. These establishments print, perforate, plate, screen, etch, or photoprint interconnecting pathways for electric current on laminates and are classified in Industry 33441, Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing. Establishments primarily providing printing brokerage services are classified in Industry 56199, All Other Support Services. |
| 32311 | Printing 5-digit NAICS industry | This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in printing on apparel and textile products, paper, metal, glass, plastics, and other materials, except fabric (grey goods). The printing processes employed include, but are not limited to, lithographic, gravure, screen, flexographic, digital, and letterpress. Establishments in this industry do not manufacture the stock that they print, but may perform postprinting activities, such as folding, cutting, or laminating the materials they print, and mailing. |
| 323111 | Commercial Printing (except Screen and Books) 6-digit U.S. detail | This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in commercial printing (except screen printing, books printing) without publishing (except fabric grey goods printing). The printing processes used in this industry include, but are not limited to, lithographic, gravure, flexographic, letterpress, engraving, and various digital printing technologies. This industry includes establishments engaged in commercial printing on purchased stock materials, such as stationery, invitations, labels, and similar items, on a job-order basis. Establishments primarily engaged in traditional printing activities combined with document photocopying services (i.e., quick printers) or primarily engaged in printing graphical materials using digital printing equipment are included in this industry. |
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Classification References
- 01Screen printing on purchased stock materials (except books, grey goods, and manifold business forms)--are classified in U.S. Industry 323113, Commercial Screen Printing;
- 02Printing on fabric grey goods--are classified in Industry 313310, Textile and Fabric Finishing Mills;
- 03Printing books and pamphlets--are classified in U.S. Industry 323117, Books Printing;
- 04Manufacturing paper stock materials, including stationery, invitations, labels, and similar items--are classified in Subsector 322, Paper Manufacturing;
- 05Manufacturing and printing advertising specialties--are classified in the Manufacturing sector according to the products made;
- 06Providing photocopying services on photocopy equipment without performing traditional printing activities--are classified in U.S. Industry 561439, Other Business Service Centers (including Copy Shops);
- 07Printing and publishing, known as publishers--are classified in Subsector 513, Publishing Industries;
- 08Manufacturing bare printed circuit boards--are classified in U.S. Industry 334412, Bare Printed Circuit Board Manufacturing; and
- 09Providing printing brokerage services--are classified in Industry 561990, All Other Support Services.
Index Items
Address lists commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Advertising materials (e.g., coupons, flyers) commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Agricultural magazines and periodicals commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Albums (e.g., photo, scrap) and refills manufacturing
Appointment books and refills manufacturing
Art prints commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Atlases commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Blankbooks and refills manufacturing
Books, sales, manifold, printing
Business directories commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Business forms commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Business forms, manifold, printing
Calendars commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Cards (e.g., business, greeting, playing, postcards, trading) commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Catalogs commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Catalogs of collections commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Checkbooks and refills printing
Comic books commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Commercial digital printing (except books)
Commercial engraving printing (except books)
Commercial flexographic printing (except books)
Commercial gravure printing (except books)
Commercial letterpress printing (except books)
Commercial lithographic (offset) printing (except books)
Commercial printing (except screen, books)
Commercial quick printing (except books)
Computer forms (manifold or continuous) printing
Credit and identification card imprinting, embossing, and encoding
Databases commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Diaries manufacturing
Digital printing (e.g., billboards, other large format graphic materials, high resolution) (except books)
Directories commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Discount coupon books commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Financial magazines and periodicals commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Flexographic printing (except books, grey goods)
Globe covers and maps commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Gravure printing (except books, grey goods)
Greeting cards (e.g., birthday, holiday, sympathy) commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Guides, street map, commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Heat press printing apparel and textile products (e.g., caps, napkins, placemats, T-shirts, towels) (except grey goods and T-shirt shops)
Hydrographic printing
Instant printing (i.e., quick printing) (except books)
Intaglio printing (except books)
Job printing (except screen, books)
Job printing, engraving (except books)
Job printing, flexographic (except books)
Job printing, gravure (except books)
Job printing, letterpress (except books)
Job printing, lithographic (except books)
Job printing, offset (except books)
Juvenile magazines and periodicals commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Labels, commercial printing (except screen), on a job-order basis
Lithographic printing (except books, grey goods)
Looseleaf binders and devices manufacturing
Magazines and periodicals commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Manifold business forms printing
Maps commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Music, sheet, commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Newsletters commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Newspapers commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Offset printing (except books, grey goods)
Patterns and plans (e.g., clothing patterns) commercial printing (except blueprinting, screen) without publishing
Periodicals commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Photo albums and refills manufacturing
Postcards commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Posters commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Print shops, digital (except printing books)
Print shops, engraving (except printing books)
Print shops, flexographic (except printing books)
Print shops, gravure (except printing books)
Print shops, letterpress (except printing books)
Print shops, lithographic (offset) (except printing books)
Print shops, quick (except printing books)
Printing apparel (except screen printing)
Printing manifold business forms
Printing, digital (e.g., billboards, other large format graphical materials, high resolution) (except books, grey goods)
Printing, engraving, on paper products
Printing, flexographic (except books, grey goods)
Printing, gravure (except books, grey goods)
Printing, letterpress (except books, grey goods)
Printing, lithographic (except books, grey goods)
Printing, photo-offset (except books, grey goods)
Printing, quick (except books, grey goods)
Professional magazines and periodicals commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Quick printing (except books)
Racetrack programs commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Racing forms commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Radio guides commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Radio schedules commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Religious magazines and periodicals commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Rotogravure printing (except books)
Sales books, manifold, printing
Scholarly journals commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Scholastic magazines and periodicals commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Scrapbooks and refills manufacturing
Sheet music commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Shipping registers commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Stationery, commercial printing (except screen), on a job-order basis
Technical magazines and periodicals commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Telephone directories commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Television guides commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Time planners/organizers and refills manufacturing
Trade journals commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Trade magazines and periodicals commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
Unit set forms (e.g., manifold credit card slips) printing
Yearbooks commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
How Item Can Help
Streamline printed product warehousing with real-time inventory tracking for perishable commercial stock materials.
Optimize yard management for high-volume pallet loading of stationery and label orders during peak seasons.
Accelerate cross-dock fulfillment for quick printers by rapidly transferring jobs from inbound to outbound zones.
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External Resources
Commercial Printing (except Screen and Books)
Official US Census Bureau page detailing the definition and characteristics of NAICS code 323111.
Printing and Publishing Industry Outlook
US Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational outlook handbook providing employment projections and statistics for this sector.
Small Business Resources for Printing
SBA guide offering templates and advice for small businesses seeking to start or expand a commercial printing enterprise.
