(Weymouth, MA) January 27, 2006 -- According to new InfoTrends research, the U.S. inkjet media market is currently valued at over $2.6 billion. The proliferation of home computers and printers has created a large inkjet media market that continues to grow. By 2009, the total number of inkjet prints is expected to approach 170 billion, and the total value of the U.S. inkjet media market will exceed $2.89 billion. Uncoated media remains the dominant choice in terms of paper usage with 96% of total demand, but it only represents 28% of revenues. Specialty media, on the other hand, represents the remaining demand, yet accounts for over 70% of the revenue. Digital photo printing in the home is driving revenues in the specialty media market. At this time, the majority of digital photo prints are being produced at home on inkjet printers or all-in-one devices. Nevertheless, prints at home are expected to peak and then to start gradually declining over the next few years. By 2010, InfoTrends believes that retail photo print volumes will surpass those in the home. This drop could affect specialty media revenues. “Digital camera users just have so many options available to them today when it comes to digital photos, including retail photofinishing, online printing and storage, and storing photos on the computer,” commented Cathy Martin, a Consultant at InfoTrends. “These alternatives are rapidly growing because it is often more convenient and less expensive to use a photo service than it is to print at home on a desktop inkjet printer.” The inkjet media market represents a complex mix of products, and the demands of consumers and home office users are creating new challenges as well as opportunities for suppliers. These opportunities and challenges include the following: * Retail is the clear channel choice for inkjet purchases, both hardware and supplies. Office supply superstores and mass merchants lead the way in the category. * Private label products from retailers, especially office supply superstores, are impacting shelf placements and customer demand. * With the prices of inkjet cartridges now on par with the prices of printers, some home users are balking at the cost of replacement cartridges. Although the media products may be reasonably priced, some consumers are deciding that printing photos and other items at home is not worth the cost or effort. * Application software is a primary enabler for specialty media. Linking applications and media drives the use of specialty media products such as photo papers, art papers, card stocks, transfer papers, and film products. InfoTrends new research report, U.S. Narrow Format Inkjet Media Report: 2005, provides a detailed look at the inkjet media market from 2004 through 2009. The data in this document is presented in numerous ways, including by type of media (i.e. specialty and photo) and by distribution channel. The report discusses the impact technologies are having on the market place and highlights the key market players as well as pricing trends for popular types of inkjet media. The research report is available immediately to clients of InfoTrends’ North American Communication Supplies Consulting Service. For more information about the report or to make a purchase, visit our online store or contact Nicole Shown at (781) 616-2100 ext. 207 or [email protected].