Wide-Format Imagers Predict a Good Year Ahead

For Immediate Release
December 29, 2005
Contact: Kate Achelpohl, SGIA
703.359.1301
kate@sgia.org

Fairfax, Virginia  — More than 90 percent of wide-format imagers recently told SGIA they believe their company's digitally-derived revenue will increase in the next year. Of that group, a third (29.1 percent of total respondents) said it will increase significantly.

SGIA's "Future of Wide Format Digital Printing Survey," conducted in November 2005, showed local businesses (21.6 percent), advertising agencies/graphic designers (15.5 percent), retail stores (13.5 percent) and corporate identity (12.8 percent) as the primary markets for wide-format imaging. Top end-products include point-of-purchase materials (18.9 percent), outdoor signs/billboards (12.2 percent) and indoor signage (11.5 percent).

"Interestingly enough, 12.8 percent of respondents listed 'other' as their primary product specialty — a result that's indicative of the potential for digital imaging," said Dan Marx, SGIA Vice President, Markets & Technology.

To create these products, most printers report they use a variety of systems, such as solvent-based inkjet (50.4 percent), aqueous inkjet (47 percent), UV-curable (31.6 percent) and eco-solvent inkjet (17.9 percent). They're printing on vinyl (74.4 percent), paper (54.7 percent), and banners/textiles (50.4 percent), but slightly more than one-third (35.1 percent) are also clearly in the flatbed world, printing on rigid substrates such as wood, foam board, cardboard and plastics.

SGIA conducted the "Future of Wide-Format Digital Printing Survey" through Surveys and Statistics on SGIA.org. To get a handle on up-to-the-minute industry trends and data, participate on the site. There's no charge, and respondents receive access to survey results.

SGIA — Supporting the Leaders of the Digital & Screen Printing Community
"Specialty imaging" comprises digital imaging, screen printing and the many other imaging technologies SGIA members use, including those they'll tap in the future. These are the imaging processes and technologies employed to create new products and to enhance existing products including point-of-purchase displays, signs, advertisements, garments, containers and vehicles. To make the most of your specialty imaging business, take full advantage of the information on SGIA.org, and experience the specialty graphic imaging industry first-hand at SGIA '06 (Las Vegas Convention Center, September 26–29, 2006).

SGIA press releases and artwork are available at SGIA.org.

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