FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2004
Eco Solvent Printers Poised to Shake Up PFP Market
Hanover, MA -- In March 2004, I.T. Strategies surveyed 149 companies about eco
solvent printers. Of the companies surveyed, 75% either have or plan to purchase an eco solvent ink jet
printer. Of the 29% of the companies that plan to purchase an eco solvent ink jet printer, half of them
plan to make that purchase within the next three months; 25% of respondents say they will never purchase
an eco solvent printer. The survey was conducted on line in conjunction with Signindustry.com, an online
resource for professionals in the sign industry and as a result is heavily biased toward sign shops,
which represent more than 70% of respondents.
Reason for Purchase/Plan to Purchase
Respondents were given choices as to why they purchased/planned to purchase an eco solvent printer:
- Brand preference
- Want to get into new markets
- Customers asking for it
- Losing business to other print providers
- Don’t want to outsource this type of printing any longer
- Other: respondents were asked to specify reason
The #1 response for buying an eco solvent printer was to enter new markets. The #2 response was because
companies already in these markets don’t want to outsource the printing any longer. According to I.T. Strategies
analyst, Liz Ziepniewski, “Light solvent/eco solvent devices have opened up the outdoor vinyl market to smaller
players, allowing sign shops to expand into new markets including both indoor and outdoor applications. Sign
shops going after new markets will start to enter the territory of print-for-pay (PFP) shops with traditional solvent
machines from companies such as Vutek, Nur and Scitex. PFP shops with these traditional solvent machines could
be adversely affected through the loss/decrease of their wholesale business.”
I.T. Strategies, Inc. is an established research and consultancy firm dedicated to serving companies in emerging digital printing markets.
The company delivers intelligent data, analysis, strategy, and implementation practices to vendors in the digital printing industry around
the world. From offices in Boston and Tokyo, I.T. Strategies conducts and delivers research data, offers interpretation and advice,
identifies specific opportunities, and helps organizations implement these strategies to achieve effective solutions.
IT Strategies, Inc.
51 Mill St, Suite 2
Hanover, MA 02339
Phone: (781) 826-0200
E-Mail: williams@it-strategies.com
Website URL: www.it-strategies.com