ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA (October 25, 2001) – In response to member needs, the Economics and Research Department of the Printing Industries of America (PIA), Incorporated, is issuing once or twice monthly Economic and Print Market Flash Reports through email and postings on the Graphic Arts Information Network, www.gain.net. The first report appeared the week of October 8. This service will continue indefinitely. The Flash Reports supplement PIA’s monthly economic advisory, which is distributed through the Management Portfolio. The Flash Reports are available to members of PIA, the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation, and registered users of GAIN. "The Flash Reports are designed to provide PIA and GATF members the latest economic and print market data trends with outlooks so they may adjust their operations accordingly," said Dr. Ron Davis, Ph.D., PIA’s chief economist. Based on surveys of PIA members, the first of the Flash Reports included graphs and narratives signaling shifts in the U.S. print markets before and after the September 11 incidents. The October 8 Flash Report included the following: * printers’ sales were down an average of 17 percent compared to what would have likely taken place for the month of September, amounting to perhaps a $2 billion loss in print sales; * printers' sales will probably be down around 1 percent on a year-to-date basis for the third quarter and 1-1.5 percent for all 2001 against their 2000 levels; and * print markets are projected to grow by only around 2 percent in 2002, or to around $166 billion, which is just slightly ahead of their 2000 level.