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The World of Print to Reach $1 Trillion by 2004
Hanover, MA -- April 6, 2000: All things printed, I.T. Strategies estimates that the market opportunity for printing will reach $1 trillion by 2004. Today people worldwide spend over $800 billion annually to procure print. Advancements in technology are allowing digital printing to impact markets beyond traditional office applications and move into areas like books, packaging, labels, textiles, wall coverings, decorative laminates-in short, any product that cannot be sold without bearing a printed image.
"Digital printing is not just for the office anymore," said Patti Williams, consulting partner with I.T. Strategies. "The ability to now digitally print on fabric and wood and carpeting and wallpaper has created unprecedented demand for customized products. This, added to the demand for just-in-time manufacturing, makes digital the printing of choice."
I.T. Strategies believes that digital printing will absolutely penetrate the world of print. Digital printing has the capability to penetrate previously distinct types of printers/imagers. For example, color photo labs only used photographic equipment, service bureaus used image setters, sign shops operated using rotors and cutters, and copy shops specialized in monochrome copying with traditional copier equipment. Today, these printers are using digital technology in conjunction with their traditional equipment, and in some cases have converted entirely to digital printing, offering a wider range of products to meet customers' requirements. Wide format printing serves as a case in point. Wide format printing was first used by color photo labs to replace the expensive method of creating large photographs. Today, this technology has crossed the lines and is prevalent in most print provider shops where it is used for point-of-purchase applications, trade show events, billboards, etc.
According to I.T. Strategies, points of entry today for digital vendors include proofing and test marketing. The demand for these applications is there. Digital technologies can meet this demand. Ink jet and electrophotography appear to be popular technologies due to their ability to print on a variety of substrates and surfaces like plastics, metal, and corrugated packaging. Neither will replace current analog presses. They will complement existing technologies.
This year's DRUPA printing equipment show in Germany is expected to be a "defining event" for this trend toward digital printing. It will showcase technology breakthroughs that will expand the role of digital printing in labels, packaging, and wall and floor coverings. Key companies will be exhibiting the latest developments in digital print technologies and will showcase networked printing operations and digital workflows. Unlike previous years, many small companies will be showing new digital print technologies which illustrates the growing number of potential players tapping into this market. DRUPA will take place May 18-31, 2000 at Messe Dusseldorf in Duesseldorf, Germany. For the past 50 years, DRUPA has been the pilot show for the printing and paper industry. With the impact of digital printing and the developments with the Internet, this may be the last DRUPA Show as we know it.
I.T. Strategies, Inc. is an established research and consultancy firm
dedicated to serving companies in emerging digital printing markets. The
company delivers intelligent data, analysis, strategy, and implementation
practices to vendors in the digital printing industry around the world.
>From offices in Boston and Tokyo, I.T. Strategies conducts and delivers
research data, offers interpretation and advice, identifies specific opportunities,
and helps organizations implement these strategies to achieve effective
solutions.
Contact: Martha Popoloski, I.T. Strategies. T: 781 826 0200. E: popoloski@it-strategies.com.