NEW YORK -- December 10, 2002 -- TrendWatch Graphic Arts today released a special report, which analyzes the last seven years of data collected by the graphic arts research firm. The report, called "The Seven Year Itch: Mining the TWGA Database" is a 100+ page analysis of dramatic trends in the graphic arts industry since 1995, when TWGA first started collecting data. The report contains up to 15 points of data on hundreds of critical industry issues addressed over the seven years, including technological, economical and business concerns related to the graphic arts industry. The data is then presented in easy-to-read statistical charts showing the dramatic trends. The report is available for online purchase at the TWGA eStore in PDF format. For more information, please go to the TWGA website (www.trendwatchgraphicarts.com). Researcher's Quote... "With seven years of data, you begin to see very obvious trends," notes Vince Naselli, Director, TrendWatch Graphic Arts. "The trends we analyzed in the report tend to be very consistent in terms of either upward or downward slopes, given the predictable spikes from technology or economic change. Using this report allows industry managers to make strategic marketing decisions with confidence." According to the Report... Based upon analyzing the data since 1995, the following trends become apparent: -- PLANT PRODUCTIVITY: Concern about "increasing plant productivity" is on the decline, thus suppliers trying to sell equipment on the basis of incremental productivity improvements need to change their message; -- TECHNOLOGY CONCERNS: Concern about "keeping up with technological change" is also on the decline, so shops no longer see the need to acquire the latest and the greatest in order to be competitive; -- BUSINESS CHALLENGES: Prepress-related processes like preflighting, working with PC files, and PDF workflow are sharply declining as business challenges; giving rise to new service opportunities. -- SALES OUTLETS: "Increasing sales personnel" is decreasing as a sales opportunity at the same time that "working with print brokers" and "partnering with other graphic arts firms" is on the rise. When it comes to increasing sales, printers are starting to adopt the "no overhead" option. About the Report... The results of this report historically chart with data points from up to 15 surveys on the most industry-critical business issues: -- BUSINESS CONDITIONS: Which groups tend to be more optimistic and which are pessimistic in their outlook; -- SALES OPPORTUNITIES: Trend lines indicate where product and service offerings are on the rose, fell, spiked or dipped which makes where they're headed easier to predict; -- PLANNED INVESTMENTS: Understanding what industry consumers plan to purchase allows product managers to be more confident in their product and manufacturing budgets. Availability... The TrendWatch Graphic Arts "The Seven Year Itch: Mining the TWGA Database" report is available for purchase by visiting the secure TrendWatch Graphic Arts eStore online at www.trendwatchgraphicarts.com or by phone at 866-873-6310. The price for the report is $1595. TrendWatch Graphic Arts eStore customers can download this report in PDF Acrobat format immediately after purchase.