Finnish printing company supplies millions of red-edged New Testaments to Ukraine

A Finnish Bible printer has seen demand surge due to global crises, supplying over 15 truckloads of New Testaments to Ukraine since the war began, Yle reports.

St Michel Print, based in Mikkeli, has delivered millions of red-edged Bibles to the Ukrainian military, according to CEO Rami Paajanen. The company specialises in thin-paper products, with 95 percent of its books exported—primarily religious texts like Bibles and hymnals.

Geopolitical conflicts have driven growth, Paajanen said, with revenue rising up to 60 percent in recent years while much of the printing industry stagnates. Africa is another key market, where population growth is increasing demand. The company has developed a new thin-spine Bible design tailored for African customers, with initial shipments already underway.

Beyond religious texts, St Michel Print produces instruction manuals for devices like sports watches and medical equipment, accounting for about 20 percent of revenue. The company aims to expand this segment, particularly in pharmaceutical packaging, leveraging a partnership with Mölnlycke’s wound-care plant in Mikkeli.

Investments totaling nearly €10 million are planned to boost printing and finishing capacity, with automation expected to improve cost efficiency. The company, which employs 84 workers across three shifts, projects revenue of €16 million this year, targeting €20–30 million within five years.

St Michel Print’s success stems from a 1980s decision to specialise in thin-paper products—a niche it dominates in the Nordics. While not the cheapest option, the company competes on reliability and quality, Paajanen noted. Its main press now operates 24/7, producing over 50 million printed items annually.