(Weymouth, MA) November 15, 2005 -- According to new research by InfoTrends/CAP Ventures, the retail value of wide format digital graphics in North America in 2005 is $9 billion for UV-curable, solvent, and aqueous technologies. This number is expected to reach nearly $13 billion by 2009, representing a compound annual growth rate of 10.2%. “This revenue projection considers several important trends in the wide format digital graphics market that are discussed throughout our new research report,” commented Tim Greene, Director at InfoTrends/CAP Ventures. “One of the most important trends influencing this market is the demand for new wide format digital printing capacity, which will introduce further price pressures brought on by increasing competition.” New production technologies such as solvent, eco-solvent, and UV-curable inkjet are also enabling market growth by the more cost-effective digital production of signs, banners, and products that were formerly produced using screen or other production printing methods. InfoTrends/CAP Ventures believes that these production technologies will continue to evolve in their ability to meet the demands of the marketplace by reducing the cost of production and improving the durability and quality of these wide format graphic images. In fact, 40% of survey respondents who expected to purchase or lease a new printer indicated they were most likely to purchase a solvent or eco-solvent inkjet printer. Survey participants also indicated a significant amount of interest in UV-curable inkjet printers-- 16.7% of respondents reported that they would most likely purchase a UV-curable inkjet printer, which is remarkable considering that there are presently so few wide format UV-curable inkjet printers installed for digital graphics printing. InfoTrends/CAP Ventures’ new research report, North American Wide Format Professional Digital Graphics Study, describes the state of the wide format digital graphics market based on end-user research from nearly 400 companies. The report examines the hardware that wide format service providers have, what they plan on purchasing in the future, and what is influencing their decision to purchase. User feedback on applications, channels, supplies requirements, and finishing is also provided. The research is available immediately to clients of InfoTrends/CAP Ventures’ Visual Communication Technologies Consulting service. For more information about the report or to make a purchase, visit our online store or contact Alison Hipp at (781) 616-2100 ext. 126 or [email protected].