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.