FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2004
Web Consulting Releases 2004 U.S. Wide Format Inkjet Printer & RIP Trends Report -- Eco-solvent printers become fastest-growing product segment
Boston, MA -- Web Consulting, Inc., the North American office of global digital printing and imaging consultancy Web Consulting, has just released the 2004 U.S. Wide Format Inkjet Printer & RIP Trends report. According to this edition of the annual study previously published by Vector Marketing, eco-solvent and solvent-based printers have become the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. wide format printing market.
The study, based on March 2004 research, indicates that the installed base for U.S. wide format aqueous printers is changing. While there is no question that aqueous printers still dominate the market, the share of the installed base that these printers represent appears to be shrinking. This loss in share has recently been transferred to both wide format eco-solvent and solvent-based inkjet printers. According to this year’s survey sample, 81% of the U.S. installed base of wide format inkjet printers were aqueous printers down from 89% in 2003.
“The growth in eco-solvent and solvent printers is apparent,” said Michael Flippin, Vice President of Web Consulting, Inc. “But even more interesting is that, according to our survey, only 57% of 2004 planned wide format inkjet printer purchases are expected to be aqueous printers. This means that of the shops we surveyed planning to make a new printer purchase in 2004, 43% are planning to buy an eco-solvent, solvent or flatbed inkjet printer.”
Web Consulting’s annual review of the U.S. wide format markets for inkjet printers and RIPs captures and measures new or changing market trends. For this report, Web Consulting interviewed 342 print shops providing information on a total of 615 installed wide and grand format inkjet printers and 389 primary branded RIP installations. The data in the report is provided as a market total as well as by six specific print market segments: sign shops, graphic screen printers, photofinishing labs, reprographics houses, digital printers and quick printers. Web Consulting defines wide format as printers with print widths between 24 and 99 inches (61cm 249cm).
“It is worth noting that when asked about possible inkjet purchases in 2004, survey respondents confirmed a trend that has been building for the past three years. There has been movement toward specialty printers in this case, eco-solvent printers,” said Lisa Onesto, Senior Consultant of Web Consulting, Inc. “The comparison of new printer purchases from 2001 through 2003, along with the indication of the models that those surveyed would most-likely consider this year, shows a decline in interest for general-purpose inkjet printers, and a continued move towards more application specific machines.”
Interestingly, image quality, which topped last year’s list of important printer product features, has all but disappeared as an important factor for buyers of new inkjet printers (mentioned by 30% of respondents in 2002 but 4% in 2004). End users must now take superior image quality for granted. As the market continues to mature and technology becomes more reliable, most print providers seek other benefits from a new printer purchase.
In addition to the data on printer technology, this report also provides detailed market share information on the sales and the installed base of U.S. wide format inkjet printers and RIPs. It also includes market share by key product models, customer satisfaction analysis, positive and negative key product features, attributes desired for new printer and RIP purchases and key brand-selection criteria. Most of this data is provided by specific market segment in addition to the overall market results.
Web Consulting uses both industry data and primary research as the basis of the study. For more information about purchasing the U.S. Wide Format Inkjet Printer & RIP Trends report, please contact Michael Flippin in Web Consulting’s Boston office at Tel: (617) 536 5925.
Web Consulting
Originally founded in 1993, Web Consulting (www.webconsulting.co.uk) is a leading global consultancy to the digital and analog printing and imaging industries. The company provides primary market research, technology information, merger and acquisition support, strategic analysis, and supporting services such as implementation, training and project management. The company specializes in graphics, textiles and industrial applications for digital and analog printing and decoration. In December 2003, Web Consulting, Inc. acquired Vector Marketing’s digital printing research and consulting business.
Web Consulting, Inc.
Phone: (617) 536 5925
Website URL: www.webconsulting.co.uk
