This WhatTheyThink executive report, prepared by Dr. Joe Webb and Richard Romano, looks back at 2016 and ahead to what the industry can expect, economically and technologically, in 2017. The centerpiece of the report is a detailed analysis of the results of the WhatTheyThink/ERC Printing Industry Survey conducted in Fall 2016. Data obtained in this survey of more than 400 industry executives include current and expected business conditions, top business challenges, top business opportunities, and planned investments for 2017. Additional questions asked about shops’ intent to expand into new specialty graphics areas such as wide-format or 3D printing, as well as planned trade show and other event attendance in 2017. These survey results offer one of the most complete pictures of today’s print businesses available.

The report also offers the latest government data on printing industry shipments, establishments, profits, and employment, as well as the economy in general. Dr. Webb offers his take on what the impact of the incoming Administration will be on the economy in general, and Mr. Romano looks at what technology trends the industry should prepare itself for in 2017. The report also offers Dr. Webb’s US printing industry forecast to 2021.

Print business owners will find the Forecast 2017 report essential for their planning, in order to put the marketplace and their strategic actions in realistic perspective. Industry suppliers will benefit from the insights into printer decision-making processes and the foundation of new industry demographic data that debuts in this report. Non-economic trends also offer ideas for what to pay attention to in the new year.