323120 - Support Activities for Printing
In the dynamic world of printing, there’s a vital niche that often works behind the scenes to ensure smooth production and exceptional quality—the Support Activities for Printing. Identified by NAICS Code 323120, this industry segment plays a critical role in preparing materials for various printing projects. Whether it's plate making, typesetting, or prepress services, businesses classified under this code are indispensable partners to traditional printing companies.
What is NAICS Code 323120?
NAICS Code 323120, titled Support Activities for Printing, comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing specialized support services related to printing. These services include several critical prepress operations such as:
- Plate making
- Typesetting
- Color separation
- Imagesetting
- Photocomposition
These activities are essential to preparing materials before the actual printing process begins, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and quality in finished print products.
Sector Overview: Printing and Related Support Activities
NAICS 323120 falls under the broader sector of Printing and Related Support Activities. Unlike the printing establishments themselves, businesses in this classification focus on the preparatory and finishing steps that facilitate printing. The sector covers a wide range of technical and craft skills, including:
- Prepress printing services (color separation, typesetting, photocomposition)
- Plate preparation (flexographic, lithographic, rotogravure, letterpress)
- Postpress services like embossing, gilding, foil stamping, folding, and gluing
- Professional and trade bookbinding without printing
Size Standards and Eligibility
Businesses operating under NAICS 323120 typically are classified as small if they have 550 or fewer employees. This size standard is important for government contracting and small business eligibility for certain programs.
Examples of Typical Businesses under NAICS 323120
- Prepress service providers
- Plate making and preparation shops
- Typesetting services (computerized or manual)
- Bookbinding shops not involved in printing
- Postpress finishing services like foil stamping and embossing
These companies serve printing houses and publishers by delivering crucial components and processes needed before printing presses roll.
Detailed Code Activities Table
| Activity Description | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Almanac binding without printing | Binding of almanacs without performing printing |
| Bookbinding shops | Facilities specializing in binding books, excluding printing |
| Bookbinding without printing | Binding services performed separately from printing |
| Color separation services, for the printing trade | Dividing printing artwork into separate color components |
| Dictionary binding without printing | Binding dictionaries without printing |
| Electronic prepress services for the printing trade | Digital prepress preparation including layout and file setup |
| Electrotype plate preparation services | Making printing plates through electrotyping |
| Embossing plate preparation services | Creating embossing plates for print finishing |
| Encyclopedia binding without printing | Binding encyclopedias without printing |
| Engraving printing plate, for the printing trade | Preparing engraved plates for printing |
| Fiction bookbinding without printing | Binding fiction books excluding printing |
| Flexographic plate preparation services | Creating flexible printing plates for flexography |
| Gold stamping books for the trade | Specialty finishing with gold stamping on books |
| Gravure plate and cylinder preparation services | Preparing gravure printing plates and cylinders |
| Imagesetting services, prepress | Converting text and artwork into images for printing |
| Letterpress plate preparation services | Creating plates for letterpress printing |
| Lithographic plate preparation services | Producing lithographic printing plates |
| Nonfiction bookbinding without printing | Binding nonfiction books excluding printing |
| Offset plate preparation services | Preparing plates for offset printing |
| Pamphlet binding without printing | Binding pamphlets excluding printing |
| Photocomposition services, for the printing trade | Typesetting and layout services using photographic techniques |
| Photoengraving plate preparation services | Engraving printing plates by photographic means |
| Phototypesetting services | Setting type for printing using photographic processes |
| Postpress services (e.g., beveling, bronzing, folding) | Finishing services after printing such as folding, gluing, and edging |
| Prepress printing services (color separation, typesetting) | Preprinting preparation including image and text setup |
| Printing plate preparation services | General creation of printing plates |
| Printing postpress services | Finishing printed products with processes like embossing and foil stamping |
| Professional bookbinding without printing | Expert bookbinding services excluding printing |
| Rebinding books, magazines, or pamphlets | Repair and rebinding services for printed materials |
| Religious bookbinding without printing | Binding religious texts excluding printing |
| Repairing books | Restoration and repair services for books |
| Rotogravure printing plates and cylinders preparation | Preparation of plates and cylinders for gravure printing |
| Samples mounting | Attaching samples/swatches for printing |
| School textbooks binding without printing | Binding school textbooks excluding printing |
| Screen for printing, preparation services | Preparing screens for screen printing |
| Swatches and samples, mounting for the trade | Mounting fabric or material swatches for printing |
| Technical manual paper (books) binding without printing | Binding technical manuals without printing |
| Trade binding services | Commercial bookbinding work excluding printing |
| Typesetting (computer controlled, hand, machine) | Setting text and images for print production by various methods |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What types of businesses operate under NAICS 323120?
Businesses specializing in prepress services such as plate making, typesetting, and postpress finishing (embossing, gilding) fall under this classification.
Is printing included in NAICS 323120?
No, actual printing operations are classified separately. NAICS 323120 focuses on support and preparatory activities that aid printing processes.
How many employees qualify as a small business in this industry?
The size standard is generally 550 employees or fewer to be considered small for contracting purposes.
Can bookbinding without printing be classified under this NAICS code?
Yes, bookbinding services that do not involve printing are included in this classification.
Are digital prepress services part of this NAICS code?
Yes, electronic prepress services such as digital layout, imagesetting, and photocomposition are covered under NAICS 323120.
Conclusion
NAICS Code 323120 - Support Activities for Printing is a critical yet specialized space within the printing sector that encompasses all the essential prepress and postpress functions. From plate making to sophisticated typesetting and postprinting finishings, these support activities enable the printing industry to deliver high-quality printed materials efficiently. Businesses in this sector, typically small with 550 or fewer employees, serve as essential suppliers and collaborators to printing firms, publishers, and others in related trades.
If you are involved in any of these services, understanding NAICS 323120 can help you navigate market opportunities, especially in government contracting and business development.
Keywords: NAICS 323120, Support Activities for Printing, printing support services, prepress services, typesetting, plate making, postpress services, printing industry, printing sector, bookbinding, printing plate preparation, printing finishing
