Alexandria, VA (April 10, 2002) – According to Printing Industries of America (PIA), a trade association that represents over 13,000 companies in the manufacturing sector, Printers are beginning to experience a definite rebound for print sales and are increasingly optimistic about the economy. Printers responding to our Monthly Print Market Survey estimate that their March sales will increase an average of 2.6 percent from February. These projections are based on customer inquiries and purchase orders. This is the biggest month to month gain in several months. "There is also guarded optimism for print sales over the next 12 months. Survey respondents project an average sales increase of 3.9 percent over the next 12 months. About three-fourths are expecting sales gains and 15 percent project declines," Dr. Ron Davis, chief economist for PIA, explained. Davis estimates that total U.S. first quarter print sales will be off about one percent from last year’s first quarter. "Our forecast projects that second quarter sales will be about even with last year’s second quarter and we will see growth of 2 percent in the third quarter and 3 percent in the fourth," Davis added. Over the next 12 months total print sales are projected to increase around 2 – 3 percent---just a little less than printer's current expectations. At this rate of growth, around $165 billion in print sales should be generated over the 12 months covering the second quarter of 2002 through the first quarter of 2003. PIA’s ‘Monthly Market Survey’ is sponsored by Heidelberg America.