Trends and Conditions in the Wide-Format Sector
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Technology Use
Companies are divided evenly between those that rely entirely on digital equipment (50.9%) and those that use it and other technologies as part of a multi-technological approach (49.0%). Almost all of the respondents have wide-format inkjet (89.6%) printers, and roughly one-third also use either dye sublimation (31.3%), screen printing (29.9%) or dry toner (29.9%) equipment. At least nine out of 10 companies (90.6%) offer finishing/post-production services.
The exchange of finishing services between printers happens more frequently on the production level, with 65.4% providing and 73.0% purchasing. At least half of respondents provide (52.8%) or purchase (55.3%) post-print services. This exchange of services allows companies to use production facilities more efficiently. Lamination (91.9%), installation (80.6%), grommeting (77.4%) and mounting (75.8%) continue to be the most frequently provided finishing services.
Dan Marx, Content Director for Wide-Format Impressions, holds extensive knowledge of the graphic communications industry, resulting from his more than three decades working closely with business owners, equipment and materials developers, and thought leaders.
Olga Dorokhina is a research coordinator for the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA).
