The Association was founded as the National Printing Equipment Association in 1933. The 26 charter members included manufacturers of printing presses, bindery equipment, typesetting machinery and specialty equipment.

Today NPES represents manufacturers, importers and distributors of equipment, supplies, systems and software used in every printing, publishing and converting process from design to distribution. Virtually all industry products and processes are represented by the member companies, which range in size from under $1 million in annual sales revenue to more than $1 billion.

NPES makes available to its members a wide range of services, including:

• Informational publications

• Statistical, safety, marketing and education data and programs

• Government affairs representation

• Safety and technical standards development coordination in the national and international arenas

• International trade assistance

NPES headquarters also house the offices of the Graphic Arts Show Company (GASC). GASC events include the International PRINT® Show, the national GRAPH EXPO® and CONVERTING EXPO® exhibitions, GUTENBERG^SM & DIGITAL OUTLOOK^SM and the VUE/POINT® Digital Imaging Conference.

Also housed at NPES are the offices of the Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation, created by the owners of GASC in 1983, that serves as a means to channel a percentage of show revenues back into the industry. Since its founding, GAERF has distributed more than $4 million to more than 80 projects at more than 30 institutions.