Business phone system for commercial printing companies in Massachusetts
320 commercial printing companies operated in Massachusetts in 2023. Where they are, how big their teams are, and what phone service costs them.
- Establishments
- 320CBP 2023
- Employees
- 4,768mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 4.5U.S. 4.5
- State rank
- 16th of 51by count
How many commercial printing companies operate in Massachusetts
The Census Bureau counted 320 commercial printing companies in Massachusetts in its 2023 County Business Patterns (NAICS 323111). They employed 4,768 people in mid-March and reported $312.9 million in annual payroll. That is the 16th highest count among the 51 states and DC with published figures. Commercial printing companies make up 0.17% of the 183,767 business establishments in the state.
Per 100,000 residents (2024 estimate) Massachusetts has 4.5 commercial printing companies, in line with the national rate of 4.5. The average establishment has 14.9 employees against 18.5 nationally. Payroll per employee is $65,620, 7.6% above the U.S. figure of $60,982.
| Measure | Massachusetts | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 320 | 15,140 |
| Mid-March employees | 4,768 | 280,276 |
| Annual payroll | $312,877,000 | $17,091,858,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 14.9 | 18.5 |
| Payroll per employee | $65,620 | $60,982 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 4.5 | 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.
Where commercial printing companies in Massachusetts are concentrated
Census published commercial printer counts for 7 metro or micropolitan areas that include part of Massachusetts. The largest is Boston, MA-NH, with 220 establishments (a multi-state area; its count covers every state it spans). Single-state metro and micropolitan areas account for 28% of the statewide total; the rest are outside any published area or in areas Census suppressed.
| Area | Establishments | Employees | Per 100k residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA-NH | 220 | 2,960 | 4.4 |
| Providence, RI-MA | 88 | 1,675 | 5.2 |
| Worcester, MA | 30 | 334 | 3.4 |
| Springfield, MA | 26 | 615 | 5.6 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | 14 | — | 6.0 |
| Pittsfield, MA | 11 | — | 8.5 |
| Amherst Town, MA | 7 | 30 | 4.2 |
Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023; population from Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Team sizes at commercial printing companies in Massachusetts
48.1% of Massachusetts's commercial printing companies with employees had fewer than five people in March 2023, compared with 50.9% nationally. 70.3% had fewer than ten. At that size the phone is shared, so routing (who rings, when, and what happens after hours) matters more than the number of desk phones.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 154 | 48.1% | 50.9% |
| 5–9 employees | 71 | 22.2% | 19.1% |
| 10–19 employees | 35 | 10.9% | 11.9% |
| 20–49 employees | 36 | 11.3% | 10.0% |
| 50 or more employees | 24 | 7.5% | 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts might handle in a typical week include:
- The printer calls a client about a file problem.
- A business calls for a quote on brochures.
- A client calls to approve a proof.
What commercial printing companies text about
Printers text proof notifications and pickup notices.
Texting from a local number in Massachusetts requires carrier registration (10DLC), a one-time $49 fee on Callata.
Phone system pricing for a 15-person commercial printer
Commercial printing companies in Massachusetts average 14.9 employees, so the comparison uses a 15-person team. On a per-user plan that headcount sets the bill: $374.25 a month on Ooma Office Pro or $450.00 on RingCentral RingEX Core at list price (checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $299.00 a month for 15 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $1,812 less than RingCentral for a commercial printer in Massachusetts 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 | $299.00 | $3,588.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $285.00 | $3,420.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $345.00 | $4,140.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $374.25 | $4,491.00 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $405.00 | $4,860.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $450.00 | $5,400.00 |
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 Massachusetts
Massachusetts has 9 geographic area codes in service according to NANPA. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, so a commercial printer can hold a number in more than one of them.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 978 | 773 | Eastern | 1997 | 351 |
| 781 | 769 | Eastern | 1997 | 339 |
| 617 | 768 | Eastern | 1947 | 857 |
| 508 | 749 | Eastern | 1988 | 774 |
| 413 | 602 | Eastern | 1947 | none |
| 774 | 524 | Eastern | 2001 | 508 |
| 857 | 362 | Eastern | 2001 | 617 |
| 339 | 104 | Eastern | 2001 | 781 |
| 351 | 92 | Eastern | 2001 | 978 |
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 Massachusetts
Callata is a business phone system priced at $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user. Callata Office includes up to 3 local business numbers, unlimited inbound calling, 1,500 pooled outbound US and Canada minutes per user each month, a browser softphone that can also ring your cell, voicemail with transcription, call recording with AI summaries, business-hours routing and E911 on every number.
Porting a number you already use in Massachusetts 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 in Massachusetts?
320 in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns. They employed 4,768 people in mid-March.
Which Massachusetts metro area has the most commercial printing companies?
Boston, MA-NH, with 220 establishments in 2023.
What does a phone system cost a 15-person commercial printer?
$450.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core or $374.25 on Ooma Office Pro at month-to-month list prices (checked September 28, 2026); $299.00 on Callata ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user).
Do I need to register to text customers from a Massachusetts 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.