2026 Fast-Track Firm: ER2 Image Group

By Toni McQuilken

The following article was originally published by Printing Impressions. To read more of their content, subscribe to their newsletter, Today on PIWorld.

The “Fast-Track” company profiles provide insight on why some companies on the Printing Impressions annual list of the largest printing companies in the U.S. and Canada have performed so well. We spoke with them to find out how they view their companies and the printing industry in general moving forward.

The businesses recognized as this year’s fast-track firms have cracked the code due to a variety of factors including innovation, a willingness to invest in technology and people, and a commitment to flexibility.

Read below why Printing Impressions recognized ER2 Image Group as a Fast-Track Firm.

ER2 Image Group | Hanover Park, Illinois

Most Recent Fiscal Year Sales: $18.2 million
Previous Fiscal Year Sales: $12 million
Percentage Change: 51.67%

ER2 Image Group has had an impressive year. Gary Schellerer, vice president and partner, attributes the growth in large part to large-scale retail and branded environment programs.

“We’ve seen our business evolve from a high volume of smaller projects to managing fewer but much larger and more complex initiatives,” he explains. “That type of work can create year-to-year fluctuations depending on the timing and scale of rollout programs, but over a longer multiyear period, we’ve seen strong and consistent growth overall.”

He also attributes his company’s success to his customers, who he notes have told him they are looking for true partners — not just graphics or sign producers.

“They need companies that can manage logistics, maintain consistency across locations, communicate effectively, and execute under tight timelines,” he says. ER2 pivoted to meet that need, and the results speak for themselves.

But Schellerer and his team aren’t content to stop there. They have been making continuous investments in workflow, technology, and communications systems, and he sees that continuing in the next 12 months as well.

“Our focus … is continuing to improve our operations and position the company for larger, more integrated projects,” he notes. “We recently expanded our facility space to better support production flow and fulfillment as project sizes continue to grow. We’re also continuing to invest in workflow improvements and technology that help us stay efficient, responsive, and consistent for our customers.”

Specifically, the company has invested in a number of new machines to expand capabilities, such as the Dimense printer from Roland, which allows the company to produce textured and structural wallcoverings. The operation is also in the middle of installing a new HP Latex FS70 W, with the goal of increasing production capacity, efficiency, and quality as it continues to win bigger and more complex jobs.

Looking ahead, Schellerer sees continued growth in large-scale, branded retail environments, along with growth in areas such as retail programs, interior graphics, and specialty applications that combine print, signage, and installation into cohesive solutions.

“We also believe there will be continued opportunities in customized wallcoverings, experiential branding, and projects that require consistent execution across multiple locations,” Schellerer says. “As technology and customer expectations evolve, our goal is to adapt while maintaining the service, relationships, and quality that have been the foundation of our business for decades.”

Adaptability, along with a willingness to pivot where the market and customers are going, is a key piece of advice he offers to his fellow printers — advice that he implements in his own operation.

“Customers are looking for more than just a print provider — they want partners that communicate well, stay organized, solve problems, and execute consistently under tight timelines,” he says.

“We also believe it’s important to continue investing in both people and technology. Equipment matters, but building a strong team and creating efficient workflows are just as important for long-term success. Companies that remain flexible and continue to evolve with their customers’ needs will be in the best position moving forward.”