Last week Dr. Joe Webb of the WhatTheyThink Economics and Research Center reported decreased printing shipments in January:

January 2008 printing shipments were very disappointing. On a current dollar basis, they were down -$228 million, or -2.8%. On an inflation-adjusted basis, they were down -$575 million, or -6.8%.

Which lead to a revised forecast:

the WhatTheyThink forecasts have been revised through 2012, and what the economic environment holds for vendors and printers alike. “The distance between healthy printers and others is widening. All printers should have new scrutiny of credit, receivables, and investment plans in light of these new conditions. It is likely that healthy printers will find favorable conditions for acquisitions and mergers, as well as investment opportunities in superior used equipment of recent vintage.”

The Monthly U.S. Printing Shipments Report, contains both current and inflation-adjusted analysis of commercial printing and print services shipments, and forecasts of 2008 through 2012.

Today's Mondays with Dr. Joe (which is free this week -- no subscription required) looks at the current state of the economy.