PARAMUS, NJ, January 21, 2001 — An updated report by The National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL) analyzing the effects of September 11th on the printing industry shows that while printers’ confidence has improved, companies continue to report slow growth. The December reading of NAPL’s Printing Business Index (PBI) was 38.8, indicating that more printers are reporting that business is slowing down rather than picking up. The PBI, a broad-based measurement of industry indicators, shows business increasing at ratings of 50 and above, decreasing at ratings below 50. The NAPL Index has been well below 50.0 for the past 13 months. According to NAPL Vice President and Chief Economist Andrew Papparozi, "This recession has been broad as well as deep, hitting printing companies of all sizes from the top line to the bottom line. I see weakness continuing through the first half of 2002, with a meaningful upturn beginning after midyear and accelerating rapidly in 2003." In addition to covering the recession’s effect on print, "Economic Update: The Printing Industry Since September 11th" includes critical information on productivity, corporate profits outlook, print advertising outlook, capital spending plans, and printing sales. The update is a product of NAPL’s Printing Economic Research Center. The Economic Update is available on a multimedia CD for $100; $50 for NAPL members. The CD includes a PowerPoint presentation to go with the discussion. To order, call NAPL at 800-642-6275, or visit the NAPL Website at www.napl.org. For more information about NAPL’s economics program, contact Andrew Paparozzi, Chief Economist, NAPL Printing Economic Research Center at [email protected].