Wide Format Printing Information

The world of wide format printing technologies continues to experience rapid change, not just in the influence of digital print technologies that are vying to be dominant, but in end-user applications and expectations as well. Wide format output covers a wide range of applications, including technical documents like line drawings and engineering schematics; photo quality giclee prints; POP signs; enormous billboards; and fleet graphics. As such, wide format spans classic print-for-pay environments like quick printers and repro shops, as well as new adopters in the prepress, photographic, and corporate markets. 

The wide format digital print market is large and fragmented, with many opportunities as well as challenges. Understanding this new world of visual communications takes focus and expertise.

Wide Format Market Considerations

Many opportunities exist in wide format digitally printed graphics. Of the overall $8.4 billion wide format digital printing market (hardware, ink, media, and service), the graphics segment commands the most attention, with growth rates remaining high and value-added supplies being offered by leading vendors. The total worldwide wide format graphics market showed revenues of $4.72 billion in 2004, and it is projected to grow to $6.8 billion by 2008.

The wide format digital graphics market has changed dramatically over the past 2-3 years, with a variety of new production technologies and vendors entering the market targeting outdoor and industrial applications. This is driving traditional suppliers into high quality markets where high margins and premiums based on high quality are the standard. 

In addition, as the wide format market matures, there are threats to several application areas that could represent major opportunities for companies positioned to take advantage of new, more productive digital workflows. One of those areas, and one that InfoTrends is monitoring closely, is the wide format technical document printing market, where emerging applications, the need for faster development cycles, and electronic document systems are having a dramatic effect on the production of technical documents. The dynamics in this market are similar to the business communications market, where more and more often, documents are produced when, where, and in the amount required instead of centrally printed and distributed in hard copy. The major effect of this transition is the increase in color wide format document production, which is growing almost 6.5% annually, versus monochrome wide format technical document production, which is declining 1.0% annually.

To prosper in this rapidly-evolving wide format environment, vendors and suppliers of hardware, consumables, and systems must make strategically accurate decisions based on the highest quality industry data and expert analysis. InfoTrends' WFP serviceconnects industry executives and senior managers with the experience and perspective of analysts that deliver timely and accurate solutions for their clients.