NEW YORK -- October 5, 2005 -- In 2002, TrendWatch Graphic Arts undertook a first-of-its-kind, landmark study of the graphic arts industry. Using the reliable TrendWatch methodology, the study collected market share and installed base data for more than a dozen graphic arts products, from offset presses and digital printing equipment to graphic arts film and plates, from desktop scanners to computer-to-plate equipment--in more than a dozen graphic arts market segments. These data were supplemented by nearly a decade of TWGA trending analysis to put market share and installed base numbers in context, as well as provide a seven-year forecast for each equipment and product category. The resulting "TrendWatch Graphic Arts Installed Base Market Share Benchmark Study" was a crucial research tool for longtime subscribers, as well as many other companies industry-wide. In response to demand from industry vendors, manufacturers, and researchers struggling to cope with a rapidly changing and dynamic market, TWGA announces that it is beginning a series of updates to this study that will be released periodically throughout 2005 and 2006. The first three product categories that are now available are: -- Computer-to-plate systems; -- Wide-format printers; -- Digital color printing systems. Coping With Changing Market Dynamics... Changing technologies and business dynamics within the graphic arts markets have made the process of understanding the future difficult at best--even understanding the present has become a challenge. What is the true state of the business? How many shops have implemented a direct-to workflow? What are market shares of prepress and printing equipment by market and segment --and by size of shop and business class? What's really happening, not just in commercial print shops and pressrooms, but also in the shops of print customers--and print customers' customers? How do changes in the creative process of document and cross-media creation, and the changing market for print culture-wide, affect the market for graphic arts equipment? The TrendWatch Graphic Arts Installed Base Market Share Benchmark Study was a crucial tool for helping to address the challenges wrought by this turbulent landscape, allowing suppliers to the graphic industries to understand not only where the market has been, but also its current dynamics as well as their competitive positioning within these markets--all while being able to predict future end-users' requirements. Times change, and there is the need to constantly readdress and finesse the dynamics and the needs of the graphic arts market. The updated study will provide: -- Installed base estimates for key equipment; -- Five-year forecast projections for all products; -- Market size and share for 2005; -- Enhanced trending (market, technology, purchases) based on TWGA surveys; -- Strategic advice for subscribers. Targeted Segments... Graphic arts market segments to be included are: -- Small commercial and quick printers; -- Sheetfed commercial printers; -- Web/publication printers; -- Digital printing businesses; -- Inplant printing departments; -- Newspapers; -- Prepress service bureaus; -- Package converting operations; -- Book and magazine publishers; -- Catalog publishers; -- Graphic designers; -- Advertising agencies; -- Corporate design departments. The study will provide brand tracking of major industry manufacturers with names like Creo, Epson, Fuji, Heidelberg, Hewlett Packard, Xerox, and many others. Methodology... This study uses the well-established TrendWatch methodology to ensure that survey responses are representative of the markets. The approach is enhanced by a larger sample size and multiple research techniques to ensure proper coverage of market segments. This study has been driven by a special mail survey to 10,000 graphic arts end users. Survey responses were tabulated by market, size of establishment and brand of equipment. TWGA experts analyzed these data and combined them with market trending data from previous print, publishing and creative market surveys--and the Graphic Arts Blue Book Data Base--as well as extensive secondary research. Pricing... The price for each of these updated sections is $2,000, or $5,400 for the set of three. As always, we will provide special billing plans for study purchasers who need to meet unique budget cycles. As additional updated sections are announced, TWGA will offer special pre-subscription rates. Contact Judy Ryer to be automatically notified of new section updates. More information... For more details please contact Judy Ryer, TrendWatch Graphic Arts at (646) 746-7234 or send inquiries to [email protected]