Data 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

Pre- and Postpress Establishments—2010–2021

Published: November 3, 2023

According to the latest, recently released edition of County Business Patterns, in 2021 there were 1,059 establishments in NAICS 32312 (Support Activities for Printing). This represents a decrease of 49% since 2010. In macro news, Q3 GDP was up 4.9%. Full Analysis

Turnover and Employment in Print in Europe—Denmark

Published: October 31, 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 Denmark, the 17th largest printing industry by turnover in Europe and the third largest in the Nordic region. Full Analysis

August Shipments: …And We’re Up Again

Published: October 27, 2023

August 2023 printing shipments came in at $7.44 billion, up from July’s $7.04 billion. Full Analysis

Book Printing Establishments—2010–2021

Published: October 20, 2023

According to the latest, recently released edition of County Business Patterns, in 2021 there were 370 establishments in NAICS 323117 (Commercial Book Printing). This represents a decrease of 31% since 2010—but a decrease of -2.4% from 2020. In macro news, AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) indicates that demand for design services decelerated in September, boding ill for commercial real estate construction and thus signage projects. Full Analysis

Turnover and Employment in Print in Europe—Romania

Published: October 17, 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 Romania, the fourth-largest printing industry by turnover in Central and Eastern Europe. Full Analysis

Q2 Industry Profits: The Latest From the Two Cities

Published: October 13, 2023

Quarter-over-quarter profit margin data can be fairly noisy but we’re on a general upward trend since the trough of the pandemic. Full Analysis

Tales from the Database: A Complete Package?

Published: October 6, 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 labels and packaging. Full Analysis

Screen Printing Establishments—2010–2020

Published: September 29, 2023

According to the latest, recently released edition of County Business Patterns, in 2021 there were 5,559 establishments in NAICS 323113 (Commercial Screen Printing). This represents an increase of 25% since 2010—but a decrease of -0.1% from 2020. In macro news, the third estimate of Q2 GDP is unchanged, but with some subtle changes “under the hood.” Full Analysis

Turnover and Employment in Print in Europe—Switzerland

Published: September 27, 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 Switzerland, the eighth-largest printing industry by turnover in Europe. Full Analysis

July Shipments: Down, Down We Go

Published: September 22, 2023

In a year that continues to surprise, July 2023 printing shipments came in at $7.04 billion, down from June’s $7.40 billion. Full Analysis

Commercial Printing Establishments—2010–2021

Published: September 15, 2023

According to the latest, recently released edition of County Business Patterns, in 2021 there were 15,592 establishments in NAICS 323111 (Commercial Printing except Screen and Books). This represents a decline of 26% since 2010. In macro news, inflation is alas up. Full Analysis

European Print Volume Trends

Published: September 12, 2023

European section editor Ralf Schlözer takes a break from the Europen country-by-country look at turnover and employment to provide a bigger-picture look at print volumes in Europe pre- and post-pandemic. Full Analysis

August Printing Production Employment Basically Flat

Published: September 8, 2023

Overall printing employment in August 2023 was down 0.2% from July. Production employment was down 0.3% while non-production employment was up 0.2%. Full Analysis

Printing Establishments—2010–2021

Published: September 1, 2023

According to the latest, just-released edition of County Business Patterns, in 2021 there were 21,521 establishments in NAICS 32311 (Printing). This represents a decline of 20% since 2010. In macro news, Q2 GDP revised downward. Full Analysis

June Shipments: Up, Up, and Away

Published: August 25, 2023

In a year that continues to surprise, June 2023 printing shipments came in at $7.38 billion, up from May’s $7.26 billion. Full Analysis

Turnover and Employment in Print in Europe—Portugal

Published: August 21, 2023

This bi-weekly series of articles aims at shedding 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 Portugal, the 15th-largest printing industry by turnover in Europe. Full Analysis

Printing Establishments—2010–2021

Published: August 18, 2023

According to the latest, just-released edition of County Business Patterns, in 2021 there were 22,580 establishments in NAICS 323 (Printing and Related Support Activities). This represents a decline of 22% since 2010. In macro news, July retail sales came in above expectations. Full Analysis

All Other Converted Paper Product Manufacturing Establishments—2010–2020

Published: August 4, 2023

According to County Business Patterns, in 2020 there were 360 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, Q2 GDP is up. Full Analysis

Turnover and Employment in Print in Europe—Hungary

Published: August 1, 2023

This series of short articles aims at shedding 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 Hungary, the 13th-largest printing industry by turnover in Europe and third largest in Central and Eastern Europe. Full Analysis

May Shipments Take an Unexpected—But Welcome—Turn

Published: July 28, 2023

May 2023 printing shipments came in at $7.26 billion, unexpectedly up from April’s $7.01 billion. Full Analysis

Turnover and Employment in Print in Europe—Austria

Published: July 25, 2023

This bi-weekly series of short articles aims at shedding 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 Austria, the tenth-largest printing industry by turnover in Europe. Full Analysis

Sanitary Paper Product Manufacturing Establishments—2010–2020

Published: July 21, 2023

According to County Business Patterns, in 2020 there were 123 establishments in NAICS 322291 (Sanitary Paper Product Manufacturing). This category saw a net decrease in establishments of -13% since 2010. In macro news, new business applications continue to rise. Full Analysis

June Printing Production Employment Up Slightly, Non-Production Down

Published: July 14, 2023

Overall printing employment in June 2023 was down -0.2% from March. Production employment was up 0.4% while non-production employment was down -0.6%. Full Analysis

Turnover and Employment in Print in Europe—Finland

Published: July 11, 2023

This bi-weekly series of short articles aims at shedding 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 Finland, the 14th largest printing industry by turnover in Europe and the second largest in the Nordic region. Full Analysis

Other Converted Paper Product Manufacturing Establishments—2010–2020

Published: June 30, 2023

According to County Business Patterns, in 2020 there were 483 establishments in NAICS 32229 (Other Converted Paper Product Manufacturing). This category saw a net decrease in establishments of -20% since 2010. In macro news, BEA revises Q1 GDP up. Full Analysis

April Shipments Maintain Seasonality—Just as We Feared

Published: June 23, 2023

April 2023 printing shipments came in at $7.00 billion, down from March’s $7.58 billion and in line with annual seasonality—although it is a bit below the previous two Aprils. Full Analysis

Stationery Product Manufacturing Establishments—2010–2020

Published: June 16, 2023

According to County Business Patterns, in 2020 there were 324 establishments in NAICS 32223 (Stationery Product Manufacturing). This category saw a net decrease in establishments of -35% since 2010. In macro news, the US birth rate increased insignificantly in 2022—the latest in a worrying demographic trend. Full Analysis

Turnover and Employment in Print in Europe—Czechia

Published: June 14, 2023

This bi-weekly series of short articles aims at shedding 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 Czechia (also called Czech Republic), the eleventh-largest printing industry by turnover in Europe and the second largest in Central and Eastern Europe. Full Analysis

Printing Pulse: Embellishment Edition

Published: June 9, 2023

This edition of our Friday data series offers a preliminary “sneak peek” at the results of the Taktiful and WhatTheyThink 2023 Specialty Digital Ink and Toner Embellishment Study. This study takes a deep dive into how current users of digital ink and toner embellishment technologies are utilizing them, what the response from customers has been, how satisfied print providers have been with the sales and profitability of these jobs, where the challenges lie, and their general feelings about the future of digital ink and toner embellishment technologies. Full Analysis

Paperboard Container Shipments Back up to Pandemic Levels

Published: June 2, 2023

In March 2023, the value of shipments of paperboard containers was $6.361 billion, the highest it has been since August 2022. Full Analysis

Paper Bag and Coated and Treated Paper Manufacturing Establishments—2010–2020

Published: May 26, 2023

According to County Business Patterns, in 2020 there were 723 establishments in NAICS 32222 (Paper Bag and Coated and Treated Paper Manufacturing). This category saw a net decrease in establishments of -12% since 2010. In macro news, the Architecture Billings Index suggests a recovery from the slowdown in the construction industry. Full Analysis

April Printing Production Employment Down Slightly, Non-Production Up

Published: May 19, 2023

Overall printing employment in April 2023 was down -0.2% from March. Production employment was down -0.8% while non-production employment was up 1.1%. Full Analysis

Turnover and Employment in Print in Europe—Poland

Published: May 15, 2023

This bi-weekly series of short articles aims at shedding 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 Poland, the sixth-largest printing industry by turnover in Europe and the largest in Central and Eastern Europe. Full Analysis

Other Paperboard Container Manufacturing Establishments—2010–2020

Published: May 12, 2023

According to County Business Patterns, in 2020 there were 278 establishments in NAICS 322219 (Other Paperboard Container Manufacturing). This category saw a net decrease in establishments of -20% since 2010. In macro news, inflation is slowing but still high. Full Analysis

March Shipments Maintain Seasonality—Make of That What You Will

Published: May 5, 2023

March 2023 printing shipments came in at $7.18 billion, up from February’s $6.46 billion and in line with annual seasonality—even if it is below the previous two Marches. Full Analysis