PARAMUS, N.J., Nov. 25, 2008 — While small companies may best characterize the commercial printing industry, industry research suggests that size does matter where revenue is concerned, according to NAPL (www.napl.org). The recently released NAPL State of the Industry Report, 7th edition, reveals that commercial printers with 100 or more employees account for approximately 5% of all commercial printing establishments but will bring in more than half (53.6%) of total industry sales nationwide this year.
 
Other points of interest in the report include the following:
- The commercial printing industry mainly consists of small companies. Companies with fewer than 20 employees account for approximately 78% of the industry’s total establishments but represent only 14% of total sales.
 
 - Establishments with 20 to 99 employees account for approximately 17% of total establishments and represent approximately 32% of total sales.
 
 - The sharp contraction in the number of commercial printing establishments over the past 10 years (24.3%) has been relatively universal among companies of all sizes.
 
This latest edition of the State of the Industry Report is a powerful strategic planning tool that outlines not only the challenges and opportunities facing today’s graphic communications executives in the current economic climate, but also the importance of commercial printing to local business markets. The report provides guidelines for developing and implementing successful tailored strategies to bring printing businesses to the next level, and with it printers have influence to discuss key issues such as pending Do Not Mail legislation with key lawmakers and opinion leaders.
 
NAPL’s State of the Industry Report, 7th edition, (product code NP363) is based on data provided by 600 companies with annual sales ranging from less than $1 million to $200 million and is provided free to all NAPL and NAQP members as a direct member benefit. It can be purchased by nonmembers for $299. A midyear Strategic Perspective Study and subsequent Printing Business Conditions Reports comprise the comprehensive State of the Industry series and are available as expanded member benefits. The State of the Industry research is produced by NAPL’s PrintingEconomics Research Center and sponsored by Heidelberg (www.heidelbergusa.com).
 
Under the direction of Chief Economist Andrew Paparozzi, NAPL’s Printing Economic Research Center tracks data for the entire commercial printing industry in North America, monitoring business and financial data monthly to track and project industry status and trends. The Printing Economic Research Center is considered the most comprehensive and accurate resource on industry data. For more insight into the economy, its effect on the printing industry and action steps for progressive industry leaders, visit www.napl.org, or the association’s economic blog atwww.NAPLBizTrends.org.