(Luton, U.K.) December 06, 2005… Printing businesses are undergoing a fundamental transformation, and digital colour printing technology is one trigger that continues to impact the entire market. According to InfoTrends/CAP Ventures’ research, digital colour devices currently generate over 43 billion pages in Western Europe. This number is expected to grow at an average rate of 19% in the next five years, amounting to a retail value of €33 billion in 2009.

InfoTrends/CAP Ventures announces the launch of a new study entitled The Evolving European Digital Colour Printing Opportunity: A Production Print Perspective. The study will assist vendors and commercial users of digital colour printing technology by examining the opportunities, requirements, and market direction for this technology across Western Europe. It will address the issues of price elasticity, market assumptions, and expectations. The study will also shed critical light on the requirements for substrates and paper handling.

“When planning this study, we had two primary objectives in mind, the first of which is to provide vendors with critical information needed for product development, sales and marketing, distribution, and business planning,” commented Catherine Charlery, a Group Director at InfoTrends/CAP Ventures. “Our second goal is to provide equipment vendors with the information necessary to effectively and profitably utilize this new colour technology and leverage the resultant new opportunities.”

The study will also answer critical questions such as:

• What are overall page volume trends for the various classes of digital colour printing equipment?
• Are colour placements having an impact on black & white equipment purchases?
• What are existing brand preferences for digital production colour equipment and how might print providers’ behavior be influenced?
• What is the current state and future prospects for variable data (1:1) colour printing?
• How much black & white work is produced on these devices?
• What is the importance of digital front end systems (DFEs), workflow, software, and professional services in support of this equipment?
• How does direct imaging offset technology play in this market?
• What is the importance of a hybrid workflow that supports conventional offset and digital printing?
• How do print providers offer unique value? Which providers focus on craft and which ones focus on technological competence?

Reaearch for the study will consist of more than 400 interviews with print providers from France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and the U.K. Over 15 one-on-one interviews with industry leaders and influential users will also be conducted, providing insight on current investments, primary customer segments and applications, organizational issues, pricing strategies, future purchase plans, sales and marketing, and other critical business factors.

Early subscriber discounts are available until January 27, 2005. To learn more about the study or to sign up as a participant, contact:

In the U.S. Alison Hipp

In Europe Jason Russell +

InfoTrends/CAP Ventures is the leading worldwide market research and strategic consulting firm for the digital imaging and document solutions industry. We provide 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.