The printed matters collection includes official printed publications i.e. those of public authorities and other public bodies, including their bylaws and regulations, as well as publications by parties, political associations, and associations under private law, trade unions and other political, economic, and cultural organizations, including their yearbooks, annual and business reports, minutes, membership magazines, newsletters, and press services.

A significant part of the collection involves official and “party-official” pamphlets from the period before 1945. The ordinance sheets of the German civil and military authorities in annexed and occupied territories are almost complete in the archives. Of particular importance here is the collection of publications from the NSDAP, its sub-units, and affiliated associations, as well as the SS. There is, furthermore, a less extensive collection of pamphlets from the parties and associations of the Weimar era. The collection of printed matters from the early history of and years running up to the Federal Republic includes publications of Allied occupation authorities and the German authorities of the United Economic Zone in the West, the Parliamentary Council, the Länderrat (Council of States) of the US Zone, the Zonal Advisory Council, the Central Offices of the British Zone, and the German Office for Peace Issues.

The extensive collection of administrative and association documents of the Federal Republic of Germany is continually being expanded for selected central sources.