Commercial Printing (except Screen and Books) — Business Survival Rate

An estimated 67% of commercial printing (except screen and books) businesses survive their first 5 years, based on U.S. Census Bureau Business Dynamics Statistics. The annual business closure rate is 7.8%.

67%
5-Year Survival Rate
-0.6%
Net Growth Rate
19,572
Total Firms
1,423
Annual Firm Deaths

Is Commercial Printing a Good Business to Start?

With a 67% five-year survival rate, commercial printing (except screen and books) has an above-average survival rate compared to the national average of roughly 50%. This makes it a relatively safe industry to enter — businesses here tend to find stable demand and sustainable economics.

The annual exit rate of 7.8% is lower than many sectors, suggesting that once established, these businesses have staying power. That said, lower failure rates often correlate with higher barriers to entry or established competition.

Entry vs. Exit Rates

Annual rate of new businesses opening versus existing businesses closing.

Entry Rate (new businesses)6.3%
Exit Rate (closures)7.8%

Net negative: more businesses closing than opening (-1.5 pp spread).

Job Creation & Destruction

10.4%
Job Creation Rate
11.0%
Job Destruction Rate
-0.6%
Net Job Growth

The industry is losing jobs faster than creating them — which may indicate automation, consolidation, or declining demand. Total employment: 386,218 workers across 19,572 firms.

Want to know how much commercial printing (except screen and books) businesses actually make?

See full revenue benchmarks for Commercial Printing (except Screen and Books) →

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of commercial printing (except screen and books) businesses fail?
Approximately 33% of commercial printing (except screen and books) businesses fail within their first 5 years. The annual closure rate is 7.8%, with 1,423 firms closing permanently in 2023.
Is the commercial printing (except screen and books) industry growing or shrinking?
The commercial printing (except screen and books) industry is currently stable with a net job creation rate of -0.6% per year. New businesses are entering at 6.3% while 7.8% close annually.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (2023). Survival rate estimated from annual exit rates.