ALEXANDRIA, VA (April 2, 2003) – The Graphic Arts Marketing Information Service (GAMIS), a special interest group of the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation/Printing Industries of America (GATF/PIA), recently commissioned BDA, Marietta Georgia, to complete a study entitled “The Effect of Potential New Printing Technologies on the Performance Requirements for Paper Substrates.” The study will cover the time period 2003 – 2008 for commercial printing in North America. The primary objectives of the research will be to: 1. Determine what printing technologies will be adopted in the near future. This will be based on a review of existing and new printing technologies and key processes, how these technologies are changing currently, and how they will likely change over the next five years. 2. Identify how these printing changes will change print properties and the focus of print property enhancements. Based on both the technical aspects of these changes as well as potential changes in end use requirements and user preferences, the study will identify the printing enhancements that will likely take place and the specific print properties that will be desired. 3. Determine what impact these printing technologies will have on the requirements of the paper substrate. Similar to the above objective, the change in base substrate performance requirements, properties, and characteristics will be determined as a result of these technical changes. The research will be completed and presented exclusively to GAMIS members in late Fall of 2003. For more information about GAMIS membership or the “Paper Characteristics” study please contact Jackie Bland, GAMIS Executive Director at (703) 519-8179, [email protected], or visit www.GAMIS.org.