(Weymouth, MA) September 18, 2007 -- In the world of graphic arts communications, buyers’ demands and expectations of print services providers are evolving rapidly. Although cost is still a very important metric of consideration, many are looking for more effective, multi-channel ways to communicate with their prospects and existing customers. This evolution is fundamentally changing the commercial printing market.
To keep up with this fast-moving market, service providers are striving for super efficiency and, more importantly, they need to demonstrate their industry knowledge and marketing skills. Service providers must possess expertise not only in print services, but also in supply chain management, multi-channel communication, and the print application needs of customers in specific vertical markets.
These changes present growth opportunities as well as challenges for print services providers as they expand their service offerings to meet the needs of the market. A new InfoTrends research study, The Future of Commercial Printing in the United States: Digital Technology Driving Change, will explore the changing dynamics of this market. The study will take into account the full range of commercial printing establishments, from small quick printers to large commercial printers. It will examine where the industry is today and where future opportunities reside. The study will consider what changes in strategies, business models, and the staffing of these establishments will take place as service providers expand their offerings to include a range of higher value added services.
In addition, the study will investigate the speed and nature of the migration to digital printing and integrated workflows. It will determine the barriers and adoption rates of these technologies, as well as the future of the traditional tools of the trade. It will build on InfoTrends’ previous study, The Changing Print for Pay Market: The Future of Commercial Printing, which was published in 2004 and provides a benchmark to assess the rate of market change.
This study is designed to profile the commercial printing and print-for-pay markets and evaluate current trends. The results of the study will present information that will help you:
- Prioritize product and market opportunities
- Size the commercial printing/print-for-pay market now and in the future
- Understand how the market is segmented
- Understand the trends impacting the commercial printing market
- Identify new business opportunities
- Support product and service strategic planning
- Improve sales and marketing activities in key market segments
- Understand the purchasing process and the impact that technology is having on that process
- Understand customer perceptions, brand preferences, and requirements
- Identify successful print providers
- Assess competitive pricing strategies
Research for the study will include discussions with key commercial printers regarding the dynamics they are observing in the commercial printing market. These discussions will cover their current state and future plans, as well as their views on critical industry topics.
“We will deploy a random survey of the commercial printing industry, with a broad scope and project design to ensure that the results provide statistically relevant data by key sub segments,” commented Jim Hamilton, a Group Director at InfoTrends. “The research will enable us to define today’s commercial printing environment, identify the trends that are impacting these operations, and develop a future picture of the commercial printing market."
For more information on the study, or to become a participant, contact Scott Phinney at +1 781 616 210 ext. 123 or via e-mail at [email protected]. Clients that sign up early can review and provide input on the structured surveys.