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New InfoTrends/CAP Ventures Research Indicates Satisfaction among Production Digital Color Printer Owners

(Weymouth, MA) July 27, 2004…Recent research by InfoTrends/CAP Ventures reveals high levels of satisfaction among print providers with digital color printing equipment. Over 60% of respondents credit the equipment with increased business through new customer acquisitions as well as greater shares of existing customers’ business.

Figure 1: Level of Satisfaction with Primary Production Digital Color Device

Sponsored by NexPress LLC, this study was conducted among 114 owners of production color digital printing equipment primarily in the U.S. and was completed in February 2004. The sample group was representative of the industry in terms of establishment size and type of print provider.

Our respondents came from a wide variety of printing operations, with 40% describing themselves as Commercial Printers, 27% describing themselves as Digital Print Specialists, and 11% describing themselves as Quick Printers. The balance was split between Direct Mail, Book, PrePress firms, and In-Plant printers.

Our survey respondents reported that the margins they generate from production color digital printing are much higher then margins they realize from traditional printing. On average, respondents reported printing margins of 46.1% for digital printing, 29.2% for traditional printing, and 35.3% for value-added services.

Figure 2: Average Printing Margins

The study also revealed that print providers who have production color digital printing equipment are more likely to offer value-added services. In many cases, production color digital print owners were two times more likely to offer value-added services than other print service providers.  

Figure 3: Value-Added Services Offered –Digital Production Color Owners vs. All Print Service Providers

Sources: InfoTrends/CAP Ventures’ NexPress Production Digital Color Printing Study and research with WhatTheyThink and OutputLinks

Other highlights of the research include:

• Print volume on the primary digital color production device is expected to increase 82% this year
• On average, our survey participants expected to purchase an additional digital color production device within 22 months; 61% of respondents were purchasing new equipment to add more capacity
• 59% of volume was short-run printing

“Owners of production digital color printing equipment ‘get it’ and are clearly ahead of the game,” commented Charlie Corr, a Director at InfoTrends/CAP Ventures. “With all of the benefits associated with this type of equipment, those who still have a single-minded focus on traditional printing revenue may find such an approach to be a recipe for disaster.”

To obtain a copy of the study, please click here. 

If you have questions regarding this report, please contact Alison Hipp at , ext. 126 or via e-mail at  .

InfoTrends/CAP Ventures is the leading worldwide market research and strategic consulting firm for the digital imaging and document solutions industry. InfoTrends/CAP Ventures provides research, analysis, forecasts, and advice to help clients understand market trends, identify opportunities, and develop strategies to grow their businesses. Additional information about InfoTrends/CAP Ventures is available on the Web at www.infotrendsresearch.com.