Analysis
NAICS 32311 is the 2022 NAICS industry for printing, part of 3231 (Printing and Related Support Activities). Census lists 187 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 21,354 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 369,691 people at an average annual payroll of $57,469 per employee (28th percentile of national industries). 51% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
By establishments it ranks 1st of the 2 codes at this level within Printing and Related Support Activities, with 95.8% of them.
Census lists 6 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 56143, 31331, 513 and 32312. Businesses that do several things are classified by their primary activity, the one that generates the most value, so check those boundaries before settling on this code.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments fell 9% and employment fell 11%. The 2018 count used NAICS 2017, so part of a large move can come from codes being redefined rather than from businesses opening or closing.
Across its national industries Census lists 187 index entries; typical ones are address lists commercial printing (except screen) without…, address lists screen printing without publishing and almanacs printing and binding without publishing.
Official definition
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.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Providing photocopying services on photocopy equipment without performing traditional printing activities | 56143 Business Service Centers |
| Printing on fabric grey goods | 31331 Textile and Fabric Finishing Mills |
| Printing and publishing, known as publishers | 513 Publishing Industries |
| Performing prepress or postpress services without performing traditional printing activities | 32312 Support Activities for Printing |
| Manufacturing bare printed circuit boards | 33441 Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing |
| Providing printing brokerage services | 56199 All Other Support Services |
Index entries (187)
- Address lists commercial printing (except screen) without publishing
- Address lists screen printing without publishing
- Almanacs printing and binding without publishing