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Non-Disclosure Agreement for Printing & Related Support Activities

Printing and Related Support Activities · NAICS 323 · Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)

In the printing industry, your competitive edge often lies in what isn't on the printed page: your customer lists, proprietary prepress workflows, specialty ink formulations, and unique substrate sourcing. A single leak to a competitor or a subcontractor can undermine years of investment. This Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) is tailored for NAICS 323 businesses—commercial, digital, flexographic, and specialty printers—to protect your confidential assets when sharing them with print buyers, vendors, or potential partners. It uses industry-specific language to cover the full range of trade secrets you need to safeguard, from color profiles to client pricing.

When you need this document

Before sharing your customer list or pricing with a new print broker or sales representative.
When a prospective client sends you their proprietary packaging design files and asks you to quote.
When you are evaluating a new ink or coating supplier and must reveal your production volumes or formulations.
Before outsourcing overflow work to a trade shop that will see your prepress files and job specifications.
When discussing a joint venture or merger with another printing company and need to exchange financial and operational data.

What the generated draft includes

Clear definition of Confidential Information with printing-specific examples.
Purpose clause limiting use to the stated business need.
Exclusions and exceptions standard to NDAs.
Obligations of the receiving party, including safeguarding and non-disclosure.
Term and survival clause tailored to trade secrets.
Return or destruction of materials, including digital files and samples.
Remedies and injunctive relief provisions.
General provisions: governing law, entire agreement, and signature blocks.

Frequently asked questions

Why can't I just use a generic NDA?

Generic NDAs often miss the specific types of confidential information that printers handle, like prepress files, color profiles, and substrate sources. This NDA explicitly covers those assets, reducing ambiguity and making it easier to enforce if a dispute arises.

What if the other party refuses to sign?

If they refuse to sign, it's a red flag. You can offer to narrow the scope or term, but if they still won't agree to protect your trade secrets, you may want to reconsider sharing sensitive information. Some information, like customer lists, may be better protected by other means.

Does this NDA protect me if a subcontractor shares my files with a competitor?

Yes, if the subcontractor signs the NDA as the receiving party. The agreement includes a 'return or destruction' clause and injunctive relief, which gives you legal recourse. However, you should also ensure your own agreements with subcontractors include confidentiality obligations.

Self-help document generator: you get a structured draft based on the facts you provide. It is not legal, tax, or financial advice; verify jurisdiction-specific rules before sending.