Key Highlights:

• Print volume that originates online is expected to grow dramatically in the course of the next two years – from 10% to 18% by 2014.
• There is sizable growth from a software adoption and print volume perspective in variable data, automated production, and web-to-print.
• Investment plans for digital color printing equipment top the list of planned investments.
• 64% of respondents believe they need to transform or have already transformed from a print service provider (PSP) into a marketing services provider (MSP).

Conducted in cooperation with the Eurographic Press, a group of leading graphic arts trade magazines in Europe, InfoTrends polled 241 European respondents across 14 different countries to get an update on adoption and usage of hardware, software, and services in addition to investment plans and business strategy decisions.

“The printing industry is changing at a rapid pace which is driven by new production technology as well as changes in demand and competition from other media for time and money,” commented Ralf Schlozer, Director of InfoTrends. “As a result, the number of printing companies declined sharply since 2000. Printers will need to adapt to the changing market conditions and take the appropriate steps with their investment plans, strategies, and general opinion of how they look at industry trends.”

The partnership with the Eurographic Press magazines yielded a relatively large share (57%) of commercial printers in the survey. The next largest group consists of respondents describing themselves as digital printing specialists. Other types of companies, like quick printer/copy shops, transaction/direct mail printers, in-house sites, and marketing companies with printing services represent a relatively small share. A sign of diversity in the printing industry is the relatively high share of respondents classifying themselves as “Other” printers despite nine types of companies already being listed.

Industry in Transition
InfoTrends’ research shows an industry in transition – moreover, it is an industry where the transition is happening at different speeds. The findings from these reports provide printer manufacturers, software suppliers, integrators, and other companies that have an interest in the European print market with up-to-date market insights. Key topics include:

• Print equipment adoption and investment trends, including offset, digital, and wide format
• Application trends
• Preferences on finishing
• Print volume trends
• Software adoption and investment plans
• Workflow automation
• Business strategy, including new services, profitability, and threats/opportunities

For more information contact Stephanie Tose at +1 781 616 2103 or email stephanie_tose@infotrends.com.