WATADA PRINTING Co.,Ltd.

WATADA PRINTING Co.,Ltd. (和多田印刷株式会社) is a Japanese printing company headquartered in Minami-ku, Kyoto. Founded in 1899 by Yotaro Watada as a lithographic printing workshop in Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, the company has over a century of history and experience. It is particularly known for manufacturing and printing playing cards for Nintendo, a relationship that dates back to 1902. Beyond playing cards, Watada Printing specializes in packaging, commercial and publication printing, and advanced functional products such as RFID tags, contactless IC cards, magnetic cards, and rewritable cards. The company also provides graphic and package design services. The company serves a diverse range of industries, including food, cosmetics, gaming and anime, and daily necessities. Its packaging solutions cover planning, design, printing, processing, inspection, and delivery. Product offerings include packaging, POP displays, labels, card games, RFID products, clear files, booklets, and novelty items. Watada Printing operates multiple facilities: its headquarters and North and South factories in Kyoto, a Kusatsu factory in Shiga Prefecture, a Uji warehouse, a Tokyo sales office, and a Hong Kong subsidiary, Watada Printing (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd., established in 2006. Watada Printing has continuously invested in new technologies and equipment. It introduced Japan's first automatic sheet-fed two-color offset press (made by Komori) in 1962 and began manufacturing plastic playing cards in 1954. In recent years, the company has focused on quality and environmental responsibility, obtaining FSC forest certification (CoC) in September 2021 and maintaining ISO 9001 certification for the design, development, and manufacture of printed materials (including toy printing, printed paper containers, and commercial printing) and cards including RFID. The current president is Keisuke Watada, who assumed the role in 2020 as the fifth-generation leader.

WATADA PRINTING Co.,Ltd. was founded in 1899 by Yotaro Watada as Watada Printing Works (和多田印刷所) in Takoyakushi, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, starting with lithographic printing. In 1902, the company began manufacturing and printing playing cards for Nintendo Koppai (now Nintendo Co., Ltd.), and around this time introduced copperplate printing. In 1909, it became the first in Japan to produce lithographically printed labels for bottled sake for Kasagiya (now Gekkeikan Sake Co., Ltd.). The company moved its office to Muromachi, Nakagyo-ku in 1916. In 1950, the second-generation leader Shigeo Watada established Watada Printing Works Co., Ltd. (株式会社和多田印刷所). In 1954, the company began manufacturing plastic playing cards using copperplate printing. In 1962, it introduced Japan's first automatic sheet-fed two-color offset press (manufactured by Komori) and exhibited it at the 11th Printing Culture Festival. In 1988, Kyutaro Watada became the third-generation president. In 1989, the company changed its name to Watada Printing Co., Ltd. (和多田印刷株式会社). In 1992, the Kusatsu Factory was opened in Kusatsu, Shiga Prefecture. In 1994, the Tokyo Sales Office was opened in Taito-ku, Tokyo. In 2006, Watada Printing (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd. was established. In 2016, Kozo Watada became the fourth-generation president. In 2020, Keisuke Watada became the fifth-generation president. In September 2021, the company obtained FSC forest certification (CoC certification, certificate number SGSHK-COC-350566). The company continues to expand into new areas such as RFID and IC cards, while maintaining its core printing and packaging business.

• 2021

  Obtained FSC forest certification (CoC certification, certificate number SGSHK-COC-350566).

• 2020

  Keisuke Watada became fifth-generation president.

• 2016

  Kozo Watada became fourth-generation president.

• 2006

  Established Watada Printing (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd.

• 1994

  Opened Tokyo Sales Office in Taito-ku, Tokyo.

• 1992

  Opened Kusatsu Factory in Kusatsu, Shiga Prefecture.

• 1989

  Changed company name to Watada Printing Co., Ltd.

• 1988

  Kyutaro Watada became third-generation president.

• 1962

  Introduced Japan's first automatic sheet-fed two-color offset press (Komori) and exhibited at the 11th Printing Culture Festival.

• 1954

  Began manufacturing plastic playing cards using copperplate printing.

• 1950

  Established Watada Printing Works Co., Ltd. under second-generation Shigeo Watada.

• 1916

  Moved office to Muromachi, Nakagyo-ku.

• 1909

  First in Japan to produce lithographically printed labels for bottled sake for Kasagiya (now Gekkeikan).

• 1902

  Began manufacturing and printing playing cards for Nintendo Koppai; introduced copperplate printing.

• 1899

  Founded by Yotaro Watada as Watada Printing Works in Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, starting with lithographic printing.

High-quality, high-value-added printing and packaging solutions with advanced technology and a long history of craftsmanship.

• Nintendo playing cards

  Manufactured and printed for Nintendo since 1902.

• Packaging

  Packaging solutions for food, cosmetics, gaming, and daily necessities industries.

• RFID tags and IC cards

  Design, development, and manufacturing of RFID and IC cards.

• POP displays

  Point-of-purchase displays, including a utility model registered extra-large POP.

• Labels

  Various labels including gold foil-stamped labels.

• Card games

  Manufacturing of card games.

• Clear files

  Production of clear files.

• Booklets

  Booklet printing and binding.

• Novelty items

  Promotional novelty items such as masking tape and mini cans.

1. 1和多田印刷株式会社｜京都の印刷会社watada.co.jp
2. 2企業情報｜和多田印刷株式会社watada.co.jp
3. 3SDGs・品質方針｜和多田印刷株式会社watada.co.jp
4. 4各事業所・拠点｜和多田印刷株式会社watada.co.jp
5. 5和多田印刷 - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org
6. 6WATADA PRINTING Co.,Ltd. - Wikidatawikidata.org