[BRADENTON, FL] The Book Manufacturers’ Institute (BMI) released the February results for its monthly survey on capacity and lead times for soft cover and hard cover books. This month’s survey also featured an update to the questions, factoring in both digital and offset printing methods.

In looking at digital printing, the average hard cover capacity is only 59%. That is well below the January overall capacity number. Lead time for digital hard cover books is only 21 days. Digital soft cover books are running at 68% capacity and 17 days lead time. Both of those numbers are less than the overall January numbers as well.

According to responses regarding offset printing, hard cover manufacturers are running at 76% of their capacity, with a 40 day lead time. The average soft cover capacity usage is 82% which is higher than the January overall average. Offset soft cover lead time is 27 days, continuing the trend of overall soft cover lead times going down.

With the new survey questions, respondents only answered the questions that were pertinent to their particular printing and finishing capabilities. Overall, 22 companies responded to the survey, keeping in line with what the average has been over the last year.