NAICS Code for Printing Services

Primary Printing Industry Codes

Specialty	NAICS Code	Industry Title
General Commercial	323111	Commercial Printing (except Screen and Books)
Screen Printing	323113	Commercial Screen Printing
Book Printing	323117	Books Printing
Copy Shops	561439	Other Business Service Centers (including Copy Shops)
Pre/Postpress	323120	Support Activities for Printing

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What Does NAICS Code 323111 Cover?

According to the official 2022 NAICS data, code 323111 covers establishments primarily engaged in commercial printing (except screen and books) without publishing. This includes a wide range of processes such as lithographic, gravure, flexographic, letterpress, and digital printing.

In simple terms, this code applies to businesses that print on purchased stock materials for others. This includes:

• Advertising Materials: Coupons, flyers, and brochures.
• Business Forms: Manifold forms, invoices, and checks.
• Commercial Digital Printing: High-resolution digital prints and large-format graphics.
• Direct Mail Materials: Letters and postcards for mailing campaigns.
• Quick Printing: Establishments that combine traditional printing with document photocopying services.
• Stationery: Letterheads, envelopes, and business cards.

The important distinction here is printing on purchased stock. If you print on fabric rolls (grey goods) as part of a finishing process, you would fall under 313310 (Textile and Fabric Finishing Mills).

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Does My Printing Business Qualify?

Your business qualifies for NAICS code 323111 if:

• You provide printing services on a job-order or contract basis.
• You do not publish the materials you print (i.e., you are not the author or owner of the content).
• Your primary revenue comes from general commercial printing rather than specialized screen printing or book binding.

Your business may not qualify if:

• You Screen Print Apparel: If you primarily print on T-shirts, caps, or towels, use 323113.
• You Print Books: If you specialize in printing and binding books or pamphlets, use 323117.
• You are a Publisher: If you write/edit and publish newspapers or magazines, you belong in Subsector 513 (Publishing Industries).
• You are a Retail Copy Center: If you operate a storefront primarily for self-service copying and retail mailing, use 561439.

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Where Will You Need This Code?

Your NAICS code is essential for various professional requirements:

SBA Loan Applications. Printing equipment is expensive. Lenders use these codes to assess the industry risk and determine if your shop qualifies for SBA 7(a) or 504 loans for new presses or digital equipment.

Federal Contracting via SAM.gov. The Government Publishing Office (GPO) and other agencies contract billions in printing services annually. You must register on SAM.gov with the correct code to bid on these opportunities.

Business Insurance. Insurance providers use these codes to evaluate risks related to industrial machinery, chemical storage (inks and solvents), and fire hazards.

Tax Filings and Compliance. The IRS uses NAICS codes to categorize your business for statistical reporting and to ensure your deductions align with industry standard manufacturing costs.

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323111 in the NAICS Hierarchy

Every NAICS code sits inside a structured hierarchy. Here is exactly where 323111 fits:

Level	Code	Title
Sector	31-33	Manufacturing
Subsector	323	Printing and Related Support Activities
Industry Group	3231	Printing and Related Support Activities
NAICS Industry	32311	Printing
National Industry	323111	Commercial Printing (except Screen and Books)

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