CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for commercial printing companies in Chicago, IL-IN
Commercial printing companies in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area: 686 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 22-person team.
- Establishments
- 686CBP 2023
- Employees
- 15,311mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 7.3U.S. 4.5
- Rank
- 3rd of 518areas by count
Commercial printing companies in Chicago, IL-IN by the numbers
The Census Bureau's 2023 County Business Patterns lists 686 establishments classified as Commercial Printing (except Screen and Books) (NAICS 323111) in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. They employed 15,311 people in mid-March and paid $1.1 billion in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 3rd out of 518 areas with published figures for commercial printing companies.
Measured against its 9.4 million residents (2024 estimate), the area has 7.3 commercial printing companies per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 4.5, so Chicago, IL-IN is 63.8% above the national figure. The average establishment here has 22.3 employees, compared with 18.5 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $70,601, 15.8% above the national $60,982.
| Measure | Chicago, IL-IN | Illinois | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 686 | 801 | 15,140 |
| Mid-March employees | 15,311 | 18,770 | 280,276 |
| Annual payroll | $1,080,965,000 | $1,258,428,000 | $17,091,858,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 22.3 | 23.4 | 18.5 |
| Payroll per employee | $70,601 | $67,045 | $60,982 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 7.3 | 6.3 | 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.
How big commercial printing companies in Chicago, IL-IN are
Of the commercial printing companies in Chicago, IL-IN that had employees in March 2023, 48.7% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 50.9%). 63.7% had fewer than ten. Small teams usually share the phone: the person who answers is often also serving a customer or doing the job, which is when calls get missed.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 334 | 48.7% | 50.9% |
| 5–9 employees | 103 | 15.0% | 19.1% |
| 10–19 employees | 77 | 11.2% | 11.9% |
| 20–49 employees | 94 | 13.7% | 10.0% |
| 50 or more employees | 78 | 11.4% | 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.
Why the phone matters for commercial printing companies in Chicago, IL-IN
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 Chicago, IL-IN:
- A client calls about a rush order.
- The printer calls a client about a file problem.
- A client calls to approve a proof.
Texting clients
Printers text proof notifications and pickup notices.
Texts sent from a local business number in Chicago, IL-IN have to be registered with carriers first (10DLC); on Callata that is a one-time $49 fee, after which the whole team can text from the shared number.
Phone system pricing for a 22-person commercial printer
The average commercial printer in Chicago, IL-IN has 22.3 employees, so a 22-person team is a reasonable benchmark. On a per-user plan that headcount sets the bill: $548.90 a month on Ooma Office Pro or $660.00 on RingCentral RingEX Core at list price (checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $439.00 a month for 22 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $2,652 less than RingCentral for a commercial printer in Chicago, IL-IN 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 | $439.00 | $5,268.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $418.00 | $5,016.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $506.00 | $6,072.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $548.90 | $6,586.80 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $594.00 | $7,128.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $660.00 | $7,920.00 |
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.
Which area code to use in Chicago, IL-IN
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 8 area codes. 630 has the most, with 778 of 3,886 exchanges (20%). A local number lets clients in Chicago, IL-IN 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 630 | 778 | Central | 1996 | 331 |
| 847 | 766 | Central | 1996 | 224 |
| 708 | 748 | Central | 1989 | 464 |
| 224 | 581 | Central | 2002 | 847 |
| 219 | 369 | Eastern and Central | 1948 | none |
| 815 | 292 | Central | 1947 | 779 |
| 331 | 224 | Central | 2007 | 630 |
| 779 | 128 | Central | 2007 | 815 |
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
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 Chicago, IL-IN 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 Chicago, IL-IN?
Census County Business Patterns counted 686 commercial printing companies in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area in 2023. They employed 15,311 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 22-person commercial printer?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 22 users cost $660.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $548.90 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $439.00.
What area code should a commercial printer in Chicago, IL-IN use?
Area code 630 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 847 and 708. 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.