NACE 18.1 – Printing and Service Activities Related to Printing | Public Tenders
NACE 18.1: printing services in public tenders. CPV codes, contracting authorities and typical public-sector printing contracts.
Definition: NACE 18.1 covers the commercial production of printed matter of all kinds — from newspapers and books to official forms to promotional items and packaging printing. Printing services are among the classic procurement needs of public administration.
Legal basis: NACE Rev. 2 (Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006) · Last updated: January 2026
What does NACE 18.1 cover?
NACE 18.1 (Printing and service activities related to printing) classifies printing houses and publisher-printers that produce printed matter to third-party order — an indispensable service area for the public sector.
Group 18.1 within Section C and Division 18 (Printing and reproduction of recorded media) contains the following classes:
| Class | Title | Typical Services |
|---|---|---|
| 18.11 | Printing of newspapers | Newspaper production in rotary printing |
| 18.12 | Other printing | Books, brochures, forms, promotional items, packaging printing |
| 18.13 | Pre-press and pre-media services | Typesetting, repro, binding, folding |
| 18.14 | Binding and related services | Binding, folding, cutting, gluing |
Public tenders: printing services
Printed matter and printing services are demanded regularly and in large volumes by public contracting authorities — official gazettes, information brochures, official forms and annual reports are just a few examples.
Typical contract types
- Official print products: Forms, decisions, ID documents and official notices for authorities at federal and state level
- Information and public-relations work: Brochures, flyers, posters for official communication and campaigns
- Annual reports and publications: Annual reports of public undertakings, university publications, museum guides
- Educational materials: Schoolbooks, learning materials, teaching materials for educational institutions
- Election documents: Ballot papers, polling notifications, postal-vote documents for electoral authorities
- Digital printing and small runs: Short-notice needs for conferences, events, notifications
Thresholds and procedure types
Printing contracts are awarded nationally or EU-wide depending on the volume. For large contracts (e.g. schoolbooks across a federal state, official publications), EU-wide procedures are often conducted. Smaller, recurring needs can be bundled under framework agreements.
Relevant CPV codes for NACE 18.1
| CPV Code | Title | Application |
|---|---|---|
| 79800000 | Printing and related services | General printing services |
| 79810000 | Printing services | Offset printing, digital printing |
| 79820000 | Services related to printing | Typesetting, repro, bookbinding |
| 79823000 | Printing and delivery services | Printing with distribution |
| 22000000 | Printed matter and related products | Books, brochures, forms |
| 22100000 | Printed books, brochures and leaflets | Public-sector publications |
Current tenders with these CPV codes are published on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) and on national procurement platforms.
Contracting authorities and bidders
Public contracting authorities
Printing contracts are awarded by nearly all public bodies: federal ministries (official forms, publications), state authorities (information brochures, official gazettes), municipalities (citizen information, event material), school authorities (teaching materials), universities (textbooks, commemorative publications) and electoral authorities (election documents). Central purchasing bodies frequently bundle printing needs under framework agreements.
Companies and bidders
Printing houses participating in public procurement should bring the following:
- Technical equipment: Evidence of suitable printing technologies (offset, digital, large format) and corresponding capacities
- Quality management: ISO 9001, industry-specific PSO (Process Standard Offset) or FSC chain of custody
- Delivery dates: Reliable adherence to tight delivery dates (especially for election documents and official publications)
- Reference projects: Evidence of comparable printing contracts for public or private bulk customers
Frequently asked questions about NACE 18.1 and public tenders
Can small printing houses participate in EU-wide tenders?
Yes, particularly via bidding consortia or as subcontractors to general providers. Many printing needs are also split into lots (e.g. by print volume or product category), enabling SME printing houses to participate.
Which environmental requirements apply to printing tenders?
Public contracting authorities frequently require the use of certified paper (FSC, PEFC), environmentally friendly inks (free from mineral oils, low VOC emissions) and evidence of an environmental management system (ISO 14001 or EMAS). The Blue Angel for printed products is a recognised form of evidence.
NACE 18.1 in context: Section C and Division 18
- NACE C – Manufacturing: Parent section
- NACE 18 – Printing and reproduction of recorded media: Parent division
- NACE 18.2 – Reproduction of recorded media: Related group
Last updated: January 2026
All information provided without warranty. For legally binding advice, please consult a law firm specialising in public procurement law.
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