Specialty Graphic Imaging Association Digital Printing & Imaging Association
	Executive Summary December 2007

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It is well-known that the introduction of digital imaging triggered dramatic change in the printing and imaging communities. Well-defined boundaries, which had clearly defined the various sectors of the printing and imaging community, blurred or disappeared entirely.

In a time period of  only few years, digital imaging impacted almost every sector of the printing and imaging community, even though each sector employs different traditional imaging technologies. Digital imaging has affected sectors using screen printing, lithography, flexography, photo printing, and more.

Digital imaging technology has given printers and imagers the ability to look beyond their previously well-defined market segments and compete in new markets. This cross-over between the print sectors has added competition — competition coming from all directions — and confusion in the marketplace.

But, with the latest advancements in digital output, we are beginning to see some delineation return to the printing community. These new boundaries are being driven by the expanding price range and increasingly diverse capabilities of digital imaging solutions. For example, high production imaging equipment and the ability to print on a wider range of media and substrate will create segmentation.

At SGIA ’07 the high production capability of digital imaging was certainly in the spotlight. Many SGIA members have a long history of employing high production imaging solutions for specialty applications and these new developments in digital imaging fit these progressive companies like a glove. Walking the Expo floor, you could sense that both exhibitors and attendees have confidence in these advanced technologies.

With the rapid pace of change in the world today, I doubt we will ever return to the highly segmented world we knew a few years ago. But I do believe we’ll see an increase in market stability as new boundaries take shape within the community. Increased segmentation within the community will result in a more predictable and educated competition base, with competitors who are more in tune with market needs.