Business phone system for commercial printing companies in Alabama
190 commercial printing companies operated in Alabama in 2023. Where they are, how big their teams are, and what phone service costs them.
- Establishments
- 190CBP 2023
- Employees
- 2,281mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 3.7U.S. 4.5
- State rank
- 24th of 51by count
How many commercial printing companies operate in Alabama
Alabama had 190 commercial printing companies in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 323111, Commercial Printing (except Screen and Books)). They employed 2,281 people in mid-March and reported $115.1 million in annual payroll. That is the 24th highest count among the 51 states and DC with published figures. Commercial printing companies make up 0.18% of the 105,720 business establishments in the state.
Per 100,000 residents (2024 estimate) Alabama has 3.7 commercial printing companies, 17.2% below the national rate of 4.5. The average establishment has 12.0 employees against 18.5 nationally. Payroll per employee is $50,460, 17.3% below the U.S. figure of $60,982.
| Measure | Alabama | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 190 | 15,140 |
| Mid-March employees | 2,281 | 280,276 |
| Annual payroll | $115,100,000 | $17,091,858,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 12.0 | 18.5 |
| Payroll per employee | $50,460 | $60,982 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 3.7 | 4.5 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Commercial printing companies by metro area in Alabama
Census published commercial printer counts for 16 metro or micropolitan areas that include part of Alabama. The largest is Birmingham, AL, with 59 establishments. Single-state metro and micropolitan areas account for 87% of the statewide total; the rest are outside any published area or in areas Census suppressed.
| Area | Establishments | Employees | Per 100k residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | 59 | 1,202 | 4.9 |
| Montgomery, AL | 24 | 266 | 6.2 |
| Huntsville, AL | 12 | 106 | 2.2 |
| Mobile, AL | 12 | 102 | 2.9 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | 11 | — | 3.4 |
| Decatur, AL | 11 | 96 | 6.9 |
| Daphne, AL | 9 | — | 3.4 |
| Albertville, AL | 8 | 177 | 7.8 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 6 | — | 2.1 |
| Auburn, AL | 5 | 45 | 2.4 |
| Florence, AL | 5 | 36 | 3.2 |
| Dothan, AL | 5 | — | 3.2 |
| LaGrange, GA-AL | 5 | — | 4.7 |
| Fort Payne, AL | 4 | 28 | 5.5 |
| Gadsden, AL | 3 | — | 2.9 |
| Cullman, AL | 3 | 14 | 3.2 |
Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023; population from Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Team sizes at commercial printing companies in Alabama
52.7% of Alabama's commercial printing companies with employees had fewer than five people in March 2023, compared with 50.9% nationally. 69.7% had fewer than ten. That is the size of team where a missed call usually means nobody was free, not that nobody was on staff.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 99 | 52.7% | 50.9% |
| 5–9 employees | 32 | 17.0% | 19.1% |
| 10–19 employees | 32 | 17.0% | 11.9% |
| 20–49 employees | 22 | 11.7% | 10.0% |
| 50 or more employees | 3 | 1.6% | 8.2% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
What commercial printing companies in Alabama use the phone for
Print shops handle quotes, proofs and deadlines, and clients call often to check on jobs. Rush jobs depend on quick responses.
Typical inbound and outbound calls for commercial printing companies in Alabama:
- A client calls about a rush order.
- A client calls to approve a proof.
- A designer calls about paper stock.
Calls after closing time
Deadline calls can arrive late in the day.
Callata voicemail is transcribed and triaged for urgency, and business-hours routing decides where calls go once you close.
Callata vs. per-seat pricing for commercial printing companies in Alabama
Commercial printing companies in Alabama average 12.0 employees, so the comparison uses a 12-person team. On a per-user plan that headcount sets the bill: $299.40 a month on Ooma Office Pro or $360.00 on RingCentral RingEX Core at list price (checked September 28, 2026). On Callata the same 12 people cost $239.00 a month, less than either per-seat plan.
The annual difference against RingCentral's monthly list price comes to $1,452. Some vendors discount annual contracts; the table shows month-to-month prices.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $239.00 | $2,868.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $228.00 | $2,736.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $276.00 | $3,312.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $299.40 | $3,592.80 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $324.00 | $3,888.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $360.00 | $4,320.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Area codes in Alabama
Alabama has 7 geographic area codes in service according to NANPA. You can choose local numbers in the area codes your clients know, subject to carrier inventory, or port your current number for free.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 256 | 786 | Central | 1998 | 938 |
| 205 | 785 | Central | 1947 | 659 |
| 334 | 784 | Central | 1995 | 483 |
| 251 | 528 | Central | 2001 | none |
| 938 | 193 | Central | 2010 | 256 |
| 659 | 177 | Central | 2019 | 205 |
| 483 | 11 | Central | 2026 | 334 |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
How Callata works for commercial printing companies in Alabama
Callata Office costs $99 per month for up to 5 people, and each additional user is $20 a month. That covers up to 3 local numbers, calling from a browser or your cell, transcribed voicemail, recorded calls with AI summaries, after-hours routing and E911 on each number.
If you already have a number in Alabama, porting it to Callata is free. Texting from a local number requires a one-time carrier registration (10DLC, $49), and the numbers available in any area code depend on carrier inventory when you choose them.
Optional AI agents (receptionist, sales, support or scheduler) can answer calls after hours or when nobody picks up, take messages, text, email and transfer to your team. They are billed from prepaid AI minutes at $0.25 per minute, identify themselves as AI, and may only place outbound calls to people who consented, between 8am and 9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many commercial printing companies are in Alabama?
190 in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns. They employed 2,281 people in mid-March.
Which Alabama metro area has the most commercial printing companies?
Birmingham, AL, with 59 establishments in 2023.
What does a phone system cost a 12-person commercial printer?
$360.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core or $299.40 on Ooma Office Pro at month-to-month list prices (checked September 28, 2026); $239.00 on Callata ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user).
Do I need to register to text customers from a Alabama number?
Yes. US carriers require business texting from local numbers to be registered (10DLC). On Callata the registration is a one-time $49 fee, and texting turns on once it is approved.