PRIMIR study to explore digital printing outlook
A new Print Industries Market Information and Research Organization (PRIMIR) study, Digital Printing Outlook in a Production Environment was launched last month. State Street Consultants, Inc. and John M Hamm and Associates, LLC will jointly conduct this new research effort. 

When completed in the fall of 2006, the study will provide a quantitative analysis of the 2005 North American installed base for variable-data-capable digital presses with print speeds of at least 50 pages per minute for color and 91+ for monochrome. 

In addition to a number of case studies, the study will also provide forecasts for 2006 as well as 2011, broken out in numerous ways including black and white vs. color, speed, type of technology (electrophotography, magnetography and inkjet).

The study will also provide:

• A forecast of the migration from offset to digital;
• an understanding of equipment replacement cycle time and possible markets for used digital equipment;
• an understanding of the workflow and the impacts on future installed base for feeding and finishing processes (including inline and offline in the physical workflow) and other areas such as web-to-print, JDF and UP31, hybrids (offset and digital), and software needs; and
• a quantitative contrast and comparison of substrate and other consumables usage patterns by technology, type of market segment and print product; and
  qualitative analysis of trends in the adoption of digital printing, barriers and drivers for adoption, and trends that may influence the growth of digital printing.

“We are excited about the team that we have selected to complete this research,” said Jackie Bland, managing director of PRIMIR. “State Street Consultants, with their long history of research in the digital printing market, has tremendous databases of graphic arts printing and publishing sites and solid experience in producing professional market research studies John M Hamm & Associates provides a solid knowledge base and insights into digital printing from both commercial printer and industry supplier perspectives.”

The Print Industries Market Information and Research Organization (PRIMIR), provides in-depth research and analysis for the graphic communications industry. It provides its members with current, relevant market data and detailed information on graphic arts and related fields.