Data Analysis

All Other Converted Paper Product Manufacturing Establishments—2010–2021

Published: September 13, 2024

According to County Business Patterns, in 2021 there were 358 establishments in NAICS 322299 (All Other Converted Paper Product Manufacturing). This category saw a net decrease in establishments of -22% since 2010. In macro news, inflation was virtually flat in August. Full Analysis

June Shipments: An Unpleasant Surprise

Published: September 6, 2024

June 2024 shipments came in at $7.22 billion, down from May’s $7.42 billion—an unexpected and unwelcome drop. Full Analysis

Sizing the Print Industry in Europe—Czechia

Published: September 3, 2024

This bi-weekly series of short articles provides some country details on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country, especially tracking the number of printing establishments. This time we look at Czechia. Full Analysis

Sanitary Paper Product Manufacturing Establishments—2010–2021

Published: August 30, 2024

According to County Business Patterns, in 2021 there were 126 establishments in NAICS 322291 (Sanitary Paper Product Manufacturing). This category saw a net decrease in establishments of 11% since 2010. In macro news, the American Institute of Architects’ Architecture Billings Index (ABI) indicates that billings have declined for the 18th consecutive month. Full Analysis

Tales from the Database: Technology Outlook

Published: August 23, 2024

Drawing on six years’ worth of Print Business Outlook surveys, our “Tales from the Database” series looks at historical data to see if we can spot any particular hardware, software or business trends. This installment rounds up some technology outlook-related challenges and investments, as well as our periodic question about the extent to which print businesses are looking to expand into new product areas. Full Analysis

May Shipments: Another Pleasant Surprise

Published: August 16, 2024

May 2024 shipments came in at $7.43 billion, up from April’s $7.35 billion—continuing an unexpected but welcome rebound. Full Analysis

Sizing the Print Industry in Europe—Croatia

Published: August 12, 2024

This bi-weekly series of short articles provides some country details on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country, especially tracking the number of printing establishments. This time we look at Croatia. Full Analysis

Other Converted Paper Product Manufacturing Establishments—2010–2020

Published: August 9, 2024

According to County Business Patterns, in 2021 there were 484 establishments in NAICS 32229 (Other Converted Paper Product Manufacturing). This category saw a net decrease in establishments of -20% since 2010. In macro news, the July jobs report may have been below expectations, but other economic indicators are still strong. Full Analysis

Sign Non-Production and PR Firms Win June Graphic Arts Employment Report

Published: August 2, 2024

Overall printing employment in June 2024 was generally unchanged—up 0.1% from May—with production employment up 0.8% and non-production employment down 1.5%. Full Analysis

Enhancing Direct Mail: The Impact of Personalization and Specialty Print in a Digital Era

Published: August 1, 2024

A recent study of print demand in key vertical industries found the transition to digital is undeniable, but direct mail remains a vital component of modern messaging campaigns. This article explores how personalization and specialty print can further increase the effectiveness of direct mail. Full Analysis

Sizing the Print Industry in Europe—Bulgaria

Published: July 30, 2024

This bi-weekly series of short articles provides some country details on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country, especially tracking the number of printing establishments. This time we look at Bulgaria. Full Analysis

Stationery Product Manufacturing—2010–2021

Published: July 26, 2024

According to County Business Patterns, in 2021 there were 318 establishments in NAICS 32223 (Stationery Product Manufacturing). This category saw a net decrease in establishments of -36% since 2010. In macro news, June inflation was practically 0. Full Analysis

Sizing the Printing Industry in Europe—Belgium

Published: July 23, 2024

This bi-weekly series of short articles provides some country details on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country, especially tracking the number of printing establishments. This time we look at Belgium. Full Analysis

April Shipments: A Pleasant Surprise

Published: July 19, 2024

April 2024 shipments came in at $7.30 billion, up from March’s $7.24 billion—an unexpected but welcome rebound. Full Analysis

Artificial Intelligence and What It Means for Marketers

Published: July 12, 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) significantly impacts marketing by improving customer experience and campaign effectiveness. This article explores AI's current influence and potential future impact on marketers. Discover how AI applications like static image recognition, tagging, and cyberattack prevention are transforming the marketing landscape. Arm yourself with the best data available and learn how to successfully leverage AI. Full Analysis

Sizing the Printing Industry in Europe—Austria

Published: July 8, 2024

This bi-weekly series of short articles provides some country details on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country, especially tracking the number of printing establishments. This time we look at Austria. Full Analysis

Paper Bag and Coated and Treated Paper Manufacturing—2010–2021

Published: June 28, 2024

According to County Business Patterns, in 2021 there were 276 establishments in NAICS 32222 (Paper Bag and Coated and Treated Paper Manufacturing). This category saw a net decrease in establishments of -13% since 2010. In macro news, Q1 GDP revised up to 1.4%. Full Analysis

Q1 Industry Profits: The Two Cities Become One (and Not a Good One)

Published: June 21, 2024

Quarter-over-quarter profit margin data can be fairly noisy but had been on a general upward trend since the trough of the pandemic—although we had another crash in Q4 2023, which is proving difficult to climb out of. Full Analysis

Sizing the European Print Industry

Published: June 18, 2024

Kicking off a regular series of country-by-country analyses, European section editor Ralf Schlözer looks at the demographics of the printing industry in Europe as a whole—identifying revenue, employment, and the number of establishments. Full Analysis

Other Paperboard Container Manufacturing Establishments—2010–2021

Published: June 14, 2024

According to County Business Patterns, in 2021 there were 276 establishments in NAICS 322219 (Other Paperboard Container Manufacturing). This category saw a net decrease in establishments of -21% since 2010. In macro news, inflation was virtually unchanged in May. Full Analysis

Vertical Market Research from Keypoint Intelligence Uncovers Key Industry Trends

Published: June 10, 2024

In late 2023, Keypoint Intelligence completed a comprehensive multi-client study to gain a better understanding of how print demand is changing in key vertical industries. The vertical industries that were covered in depth include education, finance/banking, healthcare, hospitality, insurance, manufacturing, retail, and publishing. Full Analysis

Tales from the Database: Finishing Up

Published: June 7, 2024

Drawing on six years’ worth of Print Business Outlook surveys, our “Tales from the Database” series looks at historical data to see if we can spot any particular hardware, software or business trends. This issue, we turn our attention to various aspects of finishing, including mailing and embellishments. Full Analysis

April Graphic Arts Employment A Mixed Bag

Published: May 31, 2024

Overall printing employment in April 2024 was generally up—+0.5% from March—with production employment up +1.3% and non-production employment down +1.4%. Full Analysis

Folding Paperboard Box Manufacturing—2010–2021

Published: May 24, 2024

According to County Business Patterns, in 2021 there were 578 establishments in NAICS 322212 (Folding Paperboard Box Manufacturing). This category saw a net decrease of 18% since 2010. In macro news,inflation in April eased a bit. Full Analysis

March Shipments: We Got Good News and Bad News

Published: May 17, 2024

March 2024 shipments came in at $7.24 billion, up from February’s $7.04 billion—and yet the worst March the industry has had. Full Analysis

Paperboard Container Manufacturing Establishments—2010–2021

Published: May 10, 2024

According to County Business Patterns, in 2021 there were 1,895 establishments in NAICS 32221 (Paperboard Container Manufacturing). This category saw a net decrease of 15% since 2010. In macro news, early Q2 GDP predictions are bullish. Full Analysis

March Graphic Arts Employment A Mixed Bag

Published: May 3, 2024

Overall printing employment in March 2024 was generally up—+0.4% from February—with production employment down -0.2% and non-production employment up +1.5%. Full Analysis

Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portal Establishments—2010–2021

Published: April 26, 2024

According to County Business Patterns, in 2020 there were 8,947 establishments in NAICS 51913 (Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portals). This category saw a net increase of 66% since 2010. In macro news, Q1 GDP is much lower than expected. Full Analysis

February Shipments: Well, At Least It’s Seasonal

Published: April 19, 2024

February 2024 shipments came in at $6.01 billion, down from January’s $7.04 billion—and right between February 2021 and 2022. Full Analysis

Assorted Publishing Establishments—2010–2021

Published: April 12, 2024

According to County Business Patterns, in 2021 there were 726 establishments in NAICS 511199 (All Other Publishing). This category saw a net decrease of 39% since 2010, although establishments spiked from 2020 to 2021. In macro news, estimates of Q1 GDP are running around +2%. Full Analysis

Tales from the Database: These Are Not the Applications You’re Looking For

Published: April 5, 2024

Drawing on six years’ worth of Print Business Outlook surveys, our “Tales from the Database” series looks at historical data to see if we can spot any particular hardware, software, or business trends. This issue, we turn our attention to specialty printing—or any printing beyond traditional offset or digital commercial work. Full Analysis

February Graphic Arts Employment Remains Generally Flat

Published: March 29, 2024

Overall printing employment in February 2024 was little changed from January, with production employment down -1.0%, while non-production employment was down -0.6%, with net employment down -0.1%. Full Analysis

Greeting Card Publishing Establishments—2010–2021

Published: March 22, 2024

According to the latest edition of County Business Patterns, in 2021 there were 113 establishments in NAICS 511191 (Greeting Card Publishers). Although this represents a net increase of 10% since 2010, it has been a category that has ebbed and flowed over the course of the decade, although we’re not talking about a tremendous number of establishments. In macro news, inflation increased in February. Full Analysis

January Shipments: Back to Normal?

Published: March 15, 2024

January 2024 shipments came in at $7.04 billion, up from December’s $6.94 billion—and right between January 2021 and 2022. Full Analysis

“Other” Publishing Establishments—2010–2021

Published: March 8, 2024

According to the latest edition of County Business Patterns, in 2021 there were 839 establishments in NAICS 51119 (Other Publishers). This represents a net decrease of 18% since 2010, but a 26% increase in the past year. In macro news, Q4 GDP was revised down slightly. Full Analysis

December Shipments: Ending the Year on a Low Note

Published: March 1, 2024

December 2023 shipments came in at $6.98 billion, down from November’s $7.24 billion—and, alas, the lowest of the year. Full Analysis

Directory and Mailing List Publishing Establishments—2010–2021

Published: February 23, 2024

According to the latest edition of County Business Patterns, in 2021 there were 548 establishments in NAICS 51114 (Directory and Mailing List Publishers). This represents a decrease of 67% since 2010. In macro news, retail sales dipped slightly in January. Full Analysis

January Graphic Arts Employment Generally Flat

Published: February 16, 2024

Overall printing employment in January 2024 was unchanged from December, with production employment up 0.7%, while non-production employment was down -1.3%. Full Analysis

Tales from the Database: Looking at the Cloud from Both Sides

Published: February 9, 2024

Drawing on eight years’ worth of Print Business Outlook surveys, our “Tales from the Database” series looks at historical data to see if we can glean any particular hardware, software, or business trends. This issue, we turn our attention to software—specifically, migration to the cloud. Full Analysis

Book Publishing Establishments—2010–2021

Published: February 2, 2024

According to the latest edition of County Business Patterns, in 2021 there were 2,386 establishments in NAICS 51113 (Book Publishing). Although this represents a decrease of 20% since 2010, establishments ticked up by 29 establishments in 2021. In macro news, Q4 GDP grew 3.3%. Full Analysis

November Shipments: Tis the Season…

Published: January 26, 2024

November 2023 shipments came in at $7.24 billion, down from the year’s high of $7.76 billion a month earlier. Full Analysis

Periodical Publishing Establishments—2010–2021

Published: January 19, 2024

According to the latest edition of County Business Patterns, in 2021 there were 4,315 establishments in NAICS 51112 (Periodical Publishing). This represents a decrease of 40% since 2010. In macro news, December retail sales were up from November. Full Analysis

Turnover and Employment in Print in Europe—Croatia

Published: January 16, 2024

This bi-weekly series of short articles aims to shed a spotlight on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country and how revenues and employment developed in 2020, when the pandemic impacted businesses. In this final installment, we look at Croatia, which ranks at number 19 among the printing industries by turnover in Europe. Full Analysis

October Shipments: Peak Performance

Published: January 12, 2024

October 2023 printing shipments came in at $7.84 billion, up from September’s $7.37 billion. Full Analysis

Tales from the Database: Prints Charming

Published: December 15, 2023

Drawing on six years’ worth of Print Business Outlook surveys, our “Tales from the Database” series looks at historical data to see if we can spot any particular hardware, software or business trends. In this installment, we turn our attention to printing technologies. Full Analysis

Newspaper Publishing Establishments—2010–2021

Published: December 8, 2023

According to the latest, recently released edition of County Business Patterns, in 2021 there were 6,260 establishments in NAICS 51111 (Newspaper Publishing). This represents a decrease of 20% since 2010. In macro news, what is going on with GDP? Full Analysis

Turnover and Employment in Print in Europe—Norway

Published: December 5, 2023

This bi-weekly series of short articles aims to shed a spotlight on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country and how revenues and employment developed in 2020, when the pandemic impacted businesses. This time we look at Norway, which ranks at number 18 among the printing industries by turnover in Europe. Full Analysis

September Shipments: Heading into the Fall

Published: December 1, 2023

September 2023 printing shipments came in at $7.42 billion, down from August’s $7.47 billion. Full Analysis

Publishing Establishments—2010–2021

Published: November 17, 2023

According to the latest, recently released edition of County Business Patterns, in 2020 there were 30,939 establishments in NAICS 511 (Publishing Industries [except Internet]). This represents an increase of 10% since 2010 and increase of 13% since 2016. In macro news, October inflation was unchanged from September. Full Analysis

October Graphic Arts Employment Up Slightly

Published: November 10, 2023

Overall printing employment in October 2023 was up 0.8% from September. Production employment was up 0.7% while non-production employment was up 1.1%. Full Analysis