Updated for 2011, a miniature, pocket-sized version of the Signwriters pricing guides. The same information as in the regular Sign Contractors Pricing Guide, the mini guide includes pricing for artwork, ...
Reviewed here, the report weighs UV-cure, roll-to-roll printers
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Liz Logue, an I.T. Strategies Inc. (ITS), Hanover, MA, senior consultant, has compiled and written a knife-edged report – “Future of Roll-to-Roll Printers” – that regards the future market of UV-cure, roll-to-roll printers. Even more, her report’s comparative nature forecasts a possible declining use of solvent-based printers and inks. Liz ques¬tions the continuing popularity of solvent inks and printers in light of present-day (heightened), environmental interests and safeguards, even though, she writes, UV-cure inks also have shortcomings.
I.T. Strategies Inc. (ITS) is an established, research and consultancy firm with offices in Boston and Tokyo. It serves the digital-color printing markets by providing research, surveys, data and analysis, plus interpretation, advice and opportunity identification for solu¬tion-seeking companies.
Liz and I.T. Strategies have allowed me to review their report. Because of space limitations, I’ve presented only partial information. You can purchase a full copy from the company (www.it-strategies.com).
Liz graduated from Simmons College, a school that lies southwest of downtown Boston, between Harvard’s Medical School and Back Bay Fens. Both U.S.News & World Report and the Princeton Review have recognized Simmons as a “Best College” choice. Liz’s degree is marketing and finance, an interesting and almost opposing blend. Her marketing- and finance-school insights reveal themselves in the report.
UV-cure inks’ success
Before the introduction of flatbed printers, primary print-machine manufacturers commonly offered roll-to-roll, solvent-ink printers that applied aqueous-, solvent- or eco-solvent-based inks. Flatbed, UV-ink printers have already gained notable success. From their introduction six years ago, the UV-cure flatbed market has grown from zero to almost $1 billion. They’ve affected – or, at least, begun to affect – the direct-to-rigid substrate print market formerly dominated by screenprinters. The flatbed printers have also simplified many signmaking tasks, especially POP.
I.T. Strategies’ research, Liz reports, indicates UV-cure, roll-to-roll printers could cut into the solvent-ink and printer market over the next five years, although only 11 UV-cure, roll-to-roll printer models currently exist, compared to some 200 solvent-ink printer lines.
Liz says the installed count of UV-cure, roll-to-roll printers (those using polymer-based inks cured by UV light) could increase from a 2006 base of 199 printers to 1,300 by 2011, a 46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). The accompanying hardware, ink and media CAGR revenue would increase by 36%, ascending from $121 million in 2006 to $560 million in 2011.
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