CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for commercial printing companies in Charleston, SC
Commercial printing companies in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area: 23 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 7-person team.
- Establishments
- 23CBP 2023
- Employees
- 171mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 2.6U.S. 4.5
- Rank
- 103rd of 518areas by count
How many commercial printing companies are in Charleston, SC?
County Business Patterns counts 23 commercial printing companies (NAICS 323111, Commercial Printing (except Screen and Books)) in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area for 2023. They employed 171 people in mid-March and paid $8,908,000 in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 103rd out of 518 areas with published figures for commercial printing companies.
Measured against its 870,000 residents (2024 estimate), the area has 2.6 commercial printing companies per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 4.5, so Charleston, SC is 40.6% below the national figure. The average establishment here has 7.4 employees, compared with 18.5 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $52,094, 14.6% below the national $60,982.
| Measure | Charleston, SC | South Carolina | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 23 | 188 | 15,140 |
| Mid-March employees | 171 (moderate noise) | 3,762 (moderate noise) | 280,276 |
| Annual payroll | $8,908,000 | $212,222,000 (moderate noise) | $17,091,858,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 7.4 | 20.0 | 18.5 |
| Payroll per employee | $52,094 | $56,412 | $60,982 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 2.6 | 3.4 | 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.
Team sizes at commercial printing companies in Charleston, SC
Of the commercial printing companies in Charleston, SC that had employees in March 2023, 52.2% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 50.9%). 73.9% had fewer than ten. For a business of a few people, phone coverage is a staffing question as much as a technology one: someone has to be free to pick up, or the call needs somewhere sensible to go.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 12 | 52.2% | 50.9% |
| 5–9 employees | 5 | 21.7% | 19.1% |
| 10–19 employees | 3 | 13.0% | 11.9% |
| 20–49 employees | 3 | 13.0% | 10.0% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 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 Charleston, SC 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.
Calls a commercial printer in Charleston, SC might handle in a typical week include:
- A business calls for a quote on brochures.
- The printer calls a client about a file problem.
- A client calls about a rush order.
What commercial printing companies text about
Printers text proof notifications and pickup notices.
Because carriers require registration for business texting from local numbers, Callata files a 10DLC registration for a one-time $49; after approval, anyone on the team can reply from the business number.
What a phone system costs a commercial printer in Charleston, SC
The average commercial printer in Charleston, SC has 7.4 employees, so a 7-person team is a reasonable benchmark. On a per-user plan that headcount sets the bill: $174.65 a month on Ooma Office Pro or $210.00 on RingCentral RingEX Core at list price (checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $139.00 a month for 7 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $852 less than RingCentral for a commercial printer in Charleston, SC of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $139.00 | $1,668.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $133.00 | $1,596.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $161.00 | $1,932.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $174.65 | $2,095.80 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $189.00 | $2,268.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $210.00 | $2,520.00 |
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.
Getting a local number in Charleston, SC
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 2 area codes. 843 has the most, with 267 of 330 exchanges (81%). A local number lets clients in Charleston, SC call without dialing out of area. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, and which numbers are open in an area code depends on carrier inventory when you choose.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 843 | 267 | Eastern | 1998 | 854 |
| 854 | 63 | Eastern | 2015 | 843 |
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.
What commercial printing companies in Charleston, SC get with Callata
For $99 a month, Callata puts a team of up to 5 on one plan ($20 for each person after that): up to 3 local numbers, unlimited inbound calls, a pooled allowance of 1,500 outbound US and Canada minutes per user, browser and cell calling, voicemail transcription with urgency triage, recorded calls with AI summaries and business-hours routing, with E911 on every number.
Porting a number you already use in Charleston, SC is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many commercial printing companies are there in Charleston, SC?
Census County Business Patterns counted 23 commercial printing companies in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area in 2023. They employed 171 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 7-person commercial printer?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 7 users cost $210.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $174.65 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $139.00.
What area code should a commercial printer in Charleston, SC use?
Area code 843 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 854. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a commercial printer?
Yes. Callata's optional AI agents can answer when the team is busy or closed, take a message, text, email or transfer the call. They disclose that they are AI and are billed from prepaid AI minutes at $0.25 per minute.