Web Consulting

Web Consulting Releases the 2007 U.S. Signage & Graphics Printing Report - An analysis of the $20.6 billion market opportunity for imaging providers.

Web Consulting is pleased to announce the immediate availability of the 2007 U.S. Signage & Graphics Printing Report. This report covers the U.S. markets for traditional signage, graphics screen printing and wide format inkjet printing. A new format in 2007, this report is based on the very popular "Sign & Screen Print Market Report" that has been published annually since 2001. Now including data on the wide format inkjet market, this report now offering a single resource on the entire U.S. graphics market - a market that Web Consulting estimates topped $20.6 billion in the in 2006. This is based on the value of finished products produced by wide & grand format inkjet, traditional signage and graphic screen printing.

Report highlights include:

Annual sales of finished signage, wide & grand format inkjet and graphic screen printed graphics
10-year historical sales trends plus five year sales projections
Analysis of the $5.6 billion market for sign, screen and inkjet supplies
Regional sales data and detailed analysis on specific market segments
Segmentation (by shop revenue & population by shop type) of the 40,000 shops serving the U.S. graphics industry
Application analysis comparing historical growth of each market: sign, screen, inkjet
Inkjet data includes analysis on aqueous, solvent and UV-curable market size and growth

Print Finishing a Source of Protection and Profits

Boston, MA (October 24, 2006) — Print finishing is a growing and increasingly profitable step in the production of wide format inkjet graphics according to a recent market research study by Web Consulting. The results indicate that the majority of shops surveyed that provide print finishing (mounting and laminating) do so as a protective measure and more than 90% describe print finishing as profitable. The results of the study were presented by Web Consulting at the annual meeting of the Post-Print Manufacturers Association (PPMA) in Chicago.

Alan Anderson, Managing Consultant of Global Market Research, highlights that “Several of the results of this survey are rather surprising. The majority of shops surveyed not only describe their print finishing a profitable process but 70% believe their mounting and laminating work will grow or maintain current production volumes in the next five years.”

According to Al Boese, Executive Director of the PPPMA, “Although advancements in printing technology have marginally diminished the need for some finishing services, other factors have caused an increase in demand. This can be attributed to a heightened awareness among buyers and providers to the value of protecting and enhancing printed images. We were pleased with the results from this survey as the findings strongly support the themes of the white paper published by the PPMA earlier this year.”

The online survey of current wide format inkjet users was conducted by Web Consulting in October 2006. The results are based on 109 responses and include statistically validated analysis on print finishing profitability, reasons for finishing and predictions on the future demand of laminating and mounting services.

The Post Print Manufacturers Association (PPMA) is a trade organization made up of member companies engaging in the manufacture and distribution of equipment and consumables used the finishing of printed images and documents. For more information please visit www.printfinish.org.

For more information or to purchase a copy of this market research report please email Michael Flippin at michael.flippin@web-na.com.

Alan Anderson Joins Web Consulting: Industry Veteran Strengthens Global Research Organization

Boston, MA (September 12, 2006) — Web Consulting, a leading global market research and strategic consultancy for the digital printing industry, is pleased to announce the appointment of Alan Anderson to Managing Consultant, Global Market Research. Mr. Anderson will be based in Virginia.

According to Web Consulting President, Michael Flippin, “This has been a most exciting year for the global Web Consulting organization. Earlier this year we established a long-term strategic partnership with infoSource (Geneva, Switzerland), and I am now very pleased to announce the addition of Alan to the Web Consulting team. His industry experience and market research expertise will be invaluable to our global client base.”

Alan Anderson has been involved in the printing industry since 1968. A life-long industry veteran with more than 30 years experience, he is a recognized expert in nearly all aspects of screen printing. In his new role, Mr. Anderson is responsible for managing all of Web Consulting’s online market research programs, assisting with technical questions, and overseeing many custom projects for the firm’s global client base. Prior to joining Web Consulting, Mr. Anderson spent 15 years as a member of the senior management staff of the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA), where he was responsible for educational programs, management information, and market research.

Mr. Anderson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Printing Science and Management from Rochester Institute of Technology and a Master of Science in Business Administration from Strayer University. He was elected to the Academy of Screen Printing Technology in 1999.

Booming Flatbed Inkjet Printer Sales will Impact Other Wide Format Printing Processes

Worldwide Sales of Flatbed Inkjets in 2005 will easily exceed 1,500 Units.

Abingdon, U.K. (January 27, 2005) — According to Web Consulting’s latest report, “Flatbed Inkjet Printing 2005,” worldwide unit sales of high-end and mid-range flatbed inkjet printers in 2004 grew by 82% over 2003 to reach 650 unit sales in the year. The report also forecasts ongoing growth in these sectors, plus the rapid emergence through 2005 of a significant new product category in low-cost flatbed inkjet devices.

“UV-curable inkjet inks have become dominant in flatbed inkjet printing, and we predict that this trend will continue,” reports Stewart Partridge, managing director of Web Consulting, the digital printing and imaging consultancy. “UV-curable inks are becoming preferred because of their superior technical performance and drying speed on non-absorbent, uncoated and rigid substrates and media. Our research also shows that increasing volumes of flexible media such as self-adhesive vinyls, banner vinyls, papers and textiles are also being printed on these machines.”

During 2004 the major winners in terms of market share were Durst, Vutek and NUR. Durst and Vutek both won market share by very aggressive pricing with new models in the mid-range sector, whilst NUR was “catching up on market share” after launching its Tempo product later than its competitors. Inca also grew market share, and remains the leading provider of the premium high productivity platforms.

“The development of flatbed UV inkjet is perhaps more significant than many agencies realise,” states Stewart Partridge. “Some have predicted the annihilation of the screen printing industry, which is an unrealistic assessment considering the versatility of the screen printing process. But certainly, we do see flatbed inkjet beginning to make significant inroads into the graphics sector of screen printing, particularly in Europe where adoption rates have been faster than USA or Asia Pacific. But this is not the whole story – ultimately UV-curable inkjet technologies will partly replace aqueous inkjet, and even solvent inkjet, in many higher-productivity printing sites.”

Web Consulting’s 100-page report “Flatbed Inkjet Printing 2005” report discusses the market development and emerging manufacturers of equipment and ink in more detail, and provides forecasts and analysis. “The next phase of UV flatbed growth will be into industrial applications, and we believe that Asian manufacturers will become strong players in some of these sectors.”

The report is available for GB£1,695 - Euro €2,460 or $2,990. Please contact michael.flippin@web-na.com