PRINTING United Alliance is grateful to serve its members who make such significant impacts on the printing industry. Through our Member Spotlights, we continue to recognize our members, and help our community get to know their peers better, both professionally and personally. The following is a Q&A with Dilo Wijesuriya, president & chief operating officer at ARC Document Solutions, headquartered in San Ramon, California.
Please provide a brief history of your company. Can you also explain the difference between your two brands—ARC and Riot?
ARC Document Solutions was founded 35 years ago with the acquisition of an existing reprographics company in Los Angeles. From the outset, our vision was to revolutionize the digital print and document management industry by introducing on-demand, short-run, high-quality digital print solutions, coupled with same-day print and delivery services. Over the years, we achieved this vision by acquiring and integrating 170 digital print companies into a unified organization.
Today, ARC operates 140 digital print locations across seven countries, supported by a dedicated team of 1,300 employees. Our core services include Digital Printing, Customer On-Site Print Services (Managed Print Services or MPS), Document Scanning, and Technology Solutions.
As a B2B service provider, ARC caters to over 50 key customer verticals, ranging from construction and architecture to retail and hospitality. Our solutions are designed to support businesses in their marketing efforts and help them optimize document workflows through advanced technology.
ARC vs. Riot: Two Brands, One Mission
Riot Creative Imaging is ARC’s specialized brand for color imaging and large-format printing, launched in 2010 as part of a strategic initiative to expand into on-demand, large-format print services. Riot is designed to meet the unique marketing and visual communication needs of high-end brands.
While ARC focuses on delivering comprehensive digital printing, document management, and workflow optimization for a diverse range of industries, Riot caters to businesses that require high-quality, visually impactful print products to elevate their branding and marketing efforts. Together, ARC and Riot empower our customers with seamless print and technology solutions that drive efficiency, consistency, and growth.
Are there any markets or industries outside of your traditional offerings you are looking to add (or have added)? If so, what?
Several years ago, ARC primarily served the design and construction community, providing essential print and document management solutions. However, with the launch of our Riot Creative Imaging brand, we implemented a strategic initiative to diversify our service offerings and expand into additional business verticals. Today, we proudly serve nearly 50 customer verticals, including retail, hospitality, education, healthcare, and more.
Looking ahead, we aim to strengthen our presence in federal, state, city, and municipal markets. These sectors represent a significant opportunity for growth, particularly as organizations prioritize efficiency and innovation in their document workflows and visual communication needs. With ARC’s recent transition to private ownership, we are now a 100% minority-owned company. This milestone positions us to better support large organizations in achieving their diversity spend goals.
Can you elaborate on ARC’s eco-friendly practices and what steps the company has in place to offer more sustainable solutions?
At ARC, we recognize the growing importance of sustainable solutions to our customers and the environment. To support this, we’ve introduced a range of eco-friendly initiatives, including the use of sustainable materials, eco-conscious inks, and finishing products made from recyclable content. Additionally, we’ve implemented print recycling programs to help our customers reuse prints. For example, printed materials are often converted into reusable items such as carry bags, while textile prints are repurposed into other sustainable products.
We also take pride in our Print & Plant Program, which combines printing with environmental stewardship. Through this program, we partner with organizations dedicated to reforestation efforts. Based on our customers’ annual print volumes, we plant trees on their behalf. Over the past few years, this initiative has resulted in the planting of nearly 10,000 trees, contributing to a greener planet while reflecting our customers’ commitment to sustainability.
Are you currently experimenting with or planning to implement AI into your business?
Yes, we are actively integrating AI into our cloud-based document management and archival systems. Many of our customers rely on our technology for streamlined document retention and cloud access, and their evolving needs are driving this innovation. By incorporating AI, we aim to enhance efficiency, accessibility, and overall user experience within these systems.
Beyond our current efforts, we are closely aligning our research with cutting-edge advancements in the digital print industry. In print management services, we are exploring AI-driven solutions for color management, proofing, job setup, and quality control systems. One of our primary objectives is to harness AI tools to improve color consistency and accuracy, ensuring that brand standards are met across every print run. Additionally, we are evaluating AI applications for personalization and variable data printing, enabling highly customized marketing collateral at scale.
What are some future goals for ARC/anything in the works that you would like to elaborate on?
At ARC, we are constantly evolving to stay ahead of industry trends and meet the growing demands of our customers. Our future goals center around three key pillars: innovation, sustainability, and customer-centric growth. Success of our employees is of huge importance to us as well.
Why did you decide to join the Alliance? Now that ARC has renewed its Alliance membership for the next five years, what resources are you looking forward to utilizing?
We decided to join PRINTING United Alliance due to our shared commitment to advancing the print industry through collaboration, innovation, and excellence. As the largest print association in the U.S., the Alliance provides an unparalleled platform for industry leaders to come together, exchange ideas, and shape the future of print.
Renewing our membership for the next five years was an easy decision because of the tremendous value the Alliance brings to ARC. It offers access to cutting-edge resources, industry research, and emerging trends that help us stay ahead of the curve in this ever-evolving industry. We are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and remain committed to leveraging the Alliance’s resources to contribute to the print industry’s continued success.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
ARC has not been part of any industry association for the past 15 years. We didn’t feel that there was an organization that could add value to us and our employees. However, we have seen the genuine effort put forth by PRINTING United Alliance. We are excited to be a part of your association and to continue to enhance our knowledge and business growth.
For more information on ARC Document Solutions, visit their website at https://www.e-arc.com/.