In this four-part series, we’ll take a look at how each indicator from the Monthly Conditions Dashboard is affecting your business based on the survey results from the past 11 months. Charts are also provided to show the trends in an easy-to-read format, so you can benchmark your current market conditions with hundreds of other printers. Where do you expect your sales to go in 2013? Earlier this month in Industry Trends Report: Part 1—Monthly Sales, we told you about printers’ wide swings and recent modestly rising sales based on the Monthly Industry Conditions Dashboard.* This report is a new industry market trends report from our Economic and Market Research department that allows you to plan your business strategies each month. How does it all work? Survey respondents provide information in five principle areas—1) Monthly Sales, 2) Sales Expectations, 3) Profits, 4) Print, and 5) Paper Prices. Current sales and profits are compared to the previous month. Printing prices and paper prices are current-month compared to 12 months earlier. Sales expectations are expectations for next month compared to the current month. Respondents are asked to report the directional change of each of the five key indicators (increasing, decreasing, or no change). We’re taking a little vacation in July, but check back in August to see the latest industry profit trends in Part 3 of the series! The findings you will read are based on May 2012 to May 2013 calculations using a net diffusion index, where the percentage of respondents reporting an increase is subtracted from the percentage of respondents reporting a decrease. The net diffusion index provides a simple snapshot of printers’ market perceptions for each variable. Part 2: Sales Expectations Printers’ sales expectations have also experienced wide swings over the past 13 months and generally are a leading indicator for next month’s sales. The expectations index peaked at 39.6% in February of  2012 after hitting a low of –18.9% in November—one of only three negative readings during the past 13 months. The overall sales expectations index average for the period was 14.6%. In the first quarter of 2013, the monthly sales diffusion index and sales expectations index changed drastically from month to month. The end result was no growth in the first quarter of 2013 according to our Quarterly Print Market Survey. So far the first two months of the second quarter point toward slightly more consistent and moderate growth. Our panel expects the second quarter to end strong with 21% more expecting June sales to be stronger than May sales than those expecting sales in June to decline compared to May. Printing Industries of America members respond to a survey to uncover some of the key...

In this four-part series, we’ll take a look at how each indicator from the Monthly Conditions Dashboard is affecting your business based on the survey results from the past 11 months. Charts are also provided to show the trends in an easy-to-read format, so you can benchmark your current market conditions with hundreds of other printers. Where do you expect your sales to go in 2013? Earlier this month in Industry Trends Report: Part 1—Monthly Sales, we told you about printers’ wide swings and recent modestly rising sales based on the Monthly Industry Conditions Dashboard.* This report is a new industry market trends report from our Economic and Market Research department that allows you to plan your business strategies each month. How does it all work? Survey respondents provide information in five principle areas—1) Monthly Sales, 2) Sales Expectations, 3) Profits, 4) Print, and 5) Paper Prices. Current sales and profits are compared to the previous month. Printing prices and paper prices are current-month compared to 12 months earlier. Sales expectations are expectations for next month compared to the current month. Respondents are asked to report the directional change of each of the five key indicators (increasing, decreasing, or no change). We’re taking a little vacation in July, but check back in August to see the latest industry profit trends in Part 3 of the series! The findings you will read are based on May 2012 to May 2013 calculations using a net diffusion index, where the percentage of respondents reporting an increase is subtracted from the percentage of respondents reporting a decrease. The net diffusion index provides a simple snapshot of printers’ market perceptions for each variable. Part 2: Sales Expectations Printers’ sales expectations have also experienced wide swings over the past 13 months and generally are a leading indicator for next month’s sales. The expectations index peaked at 39.6% in February of  2012 after hitting a low of –18.9% in November—one of only three negative readings during the past 13 months. The overall sales expectations index average for the period was 14.6%. In the first quarter of 2013, the monthly sales diffusion index and sales expectations index changed drastically from month to month. The end result was no growth in the first quarter of 2013 according to our Quarterly Print Market Survey. So far the first two months of the second quarter point toward slightly more consistent and moderate growth. Our panel expects the second quarter to end strong with 21% more expecting June sales to be stronger than May sales than those expecting sales in June to decline compared to May. Printing Industries of America members respond to a survey to uncover some of the key...

Where would we be today without technology and innovation? We’ve seen new technologies in areas like workflow automation, high-speed inkjet, and intelligent mail that provide industry members with expanded opportunities. Printing Industries of America has a dedicated team that stays on top of advancing technologies and how they will likely impact the future of our industry. What began with the Lithographic Technical Foundation (LTF), which became the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (GATF), has grown into the Center for Technology and Research. Members of the printing and graphic arts community recognize us as the trusted source for technical information, testing services, publications, expert training, and consultation. So what can the Center for Technology and Research do for you? Take a look at some of the benefits we offer that make your organization more profitable and efficient. Contract Research, Consulting, and Custom Training We have solutions for your unique issues. When your company needs testing to solve a production issue, we create a customized research plan. Consultation services provide an unbiased assessment of your company’s performance. Our custom training programs give your employees the training they need when and where they need it. Lab Services, Process Controls, and Product Testing Do you need to implement materials quality control? Do you have a print problem leaving you stumped? We’re one of the few places in the world with the expertise and equipment to diagnose and analyze it for you. We also design and sell devices such color bars, test forms, and light indicators to improve your control of print production. Finally, we routinely test paper, ink, and other materials on press to help suppliers improve their products. Technical Hotline Speaking of “calling upon” experts, with our Tech Hotline, just pick up the phone and dial a technical expert! This is a free member service. We’ve helped with thousands of issues, so call our Technical Consultant, Dillon Mooney, at 1-800-910-4283, ext 786. Simulators This one-of-a-kind press training simulation software recreates press operations which schools and companies can use as a practice press. It exposes trainees to a variety of printing conditions and problems, provides a “hands on” component to a training class, and can also be used to assess an individual’s skill level. InterTech Technology Award Has your company developed an innovation that you expect to have a significant impact on the industry? The InterTech™ Technology Awards have honored the development of technologies predicted to have a major impact on the graphic arts and related industries. More than 80% of technologies that receive an award experience continued commercial success in the marketplace. Automation and JDF We have solutions and best practices for implementing automation in your facility, regardless of its size. Our JDF...

Where would we be today without technology and innovation? We’ve seen new technologies in areas like workflow automation, high-speed inkjet, and intelligent mail that provide industry members with expanded opportunities. Printing Industries of America has a dedicated team that stays on top of advancing technologies and how they will likely impact the future of our industry. What began with the Lithographic Technical Foundation (LTF), which became the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (GATF), has grown into the Center for Technology and Research. Members of the printing and graphic arts community recognize us as the trusted source for technical information, testing services, publications, expert training, and consultation. So what can the Center for Technology and Research do for you? Take a look at some of the benefits we offer that make your organization more profitable and efficient. Contract Research, Consulting, and Custom Training We have solutions for your unique issues. When your company needs testing to solve a production issue, we create a customized research plan. Consultation services provide an unbiased assessment of your company’s performance. Our custom training programs give your employees the training they need when and where they need it. Lab Services, Process Controls, and Product Testing Do you need to implement materials quality control? Do you have a print problem leaving you stumped? We’re one of the few places in the world with the expertise and equipment to diagnose and analyze it for you. We also design and sell devices such color bars, test forms, and light indicators to improve your control of print production. Finally, we routinely test paper, ink, and other materials on press to help suppliers improve their products. Technical Hotline Speaking of “calling upon” experts, with our Tech Hotline, just pick up the phone and dial a technical expert! This is a free member service. We’ve helped with thousands of issues, so call our Technical Consultant, Dillon Mooney, at 1-800-910-4283, ext 786. Simulators This one-of-a-kind press training simulation software recreates press operations which schools and companies can use as a practice press. It exposes trainees to a variety of printing conditions and problems, provides a “hands on” component to a training class, and can also be used to assess an individual’s skill level. InterTech Technology Award Has your company developed an innovation that you expect to have a significant impact on the industry? The InterTech™ Technology Awards have honored the development of technologies predicted to have a major impact on the graphic arts and related industries. More than 80% of technologies that receive an award experience continued commercial success in the marketplace. Automation and JDF We have solutions and best practices for implementing automation in your facility, regardless of its size. Our JDF...

This is a guest blog post from John Conley, Vice President Commercial Print and Publishing at Xerox Corporation. For more information about the National Buying Programs available to members through Printing Industries of America affiliates, visit www.printing.org/buyingpower. We are all faced with having to deal with the fast pace of change brought about by advances in technology.  This is particularly true in the graphic arts, where we see content providers, equipment vendors, and service suppliers making changes to their product lines and service offerings and developing or using new technology.  In the past only large companies had the scale and bandwidth to take advantage of these changes, but organizations like Printing Industries of America have helped to bring the  economic advantages of a large printer to small- and medium-size print service providers through programs like the Printing Industries of America National Buying Program with Xerox. The Xerox Buying Program is one of the tools that Printing Industries of America provides to its members which allow print service providers (PSPs) and marketing service providers (MSPs) to compete with any size organization when it comes to acquiring equipment and services at highly competitive prices. The power of Xerox comes to your doorstep at equipment pricing levels that allow you to compete effectively anywhere in the market. This is extremely important as PSPs and MSPs are able to compete outside of their geographies thanks to the expanded branding opportunities that are created by strong Web-to-print solutions. In addition to competitive equipment prices that members through Printing Industries of America receive with the program, users also gain access to all of the tools and services that are a part of the Xerox Go to Market Value proposition—which is focused on creating more value, productivity, and profitability for PSPs and MSPs. Your Xerox sales and service teams can help you with all elements of your business from new equipment, to workflow, to unique materials, to fresh ideas for new capabilities working with valued partners and subsidiaries like XMpie. Xerox and Printing Industries of America have been working together successfully for more than 10 years. The Xerox Buying Program is a key value-added service that is focused on keeping you competitive in the market while at the same time helping to strengthen the programs and services that Printing Industries of America and its Affiliates bring to its members.  It is a win-win for everyone. Talk to your affiliate director, Xerox sales representative, or your peers in your affiliate who are already Xerox customers. Start benefiting from the power of the Printing Industries of America National Buying Program with Xerox. Learn more at...

This is a guest blog post from John Conley, Vice President Commercial Print and Publishing at Xerox Corporation. For more information about the National Buying Programs available to members through Printing Industries of America affiliates, visit www.printing.org/buyingpower. We are all faced with having to deal with the fast pace of change brought about by advances in technology.  This is particularly true in the graphic arts, where we see content providers, equipment vendors, and service suppliers making changes to their product lines and service offerings and developing or using new technology.  In the past only large companies had the scale and bandwidth to take advantage of these changes, but organizations like Printing Industries of America have helped to bring the  economic advantages of a large printer to small- and medium-size print service providers through programs like the Printing Industries of America National Buying Program with Xerox. The Xerox Buying Program is one of the tools that Printing Industries of America provides to its members which allow print service providers (PSPs) and marketing service providers (MSPs) to compete with any size organization when it comes to acquiring equipment and services at highly competitive prices. The power of Xerox comes to your doorstep at equipment pricing levels that allow you to compete effectively anywhere in the market. This is extremely important as PSPs and MSPs are able to compete outside of their geographies thanks to the expanded branding opportunities that are created by strong Web-to-print solutions. In addition to competitive equipment prices that members through Printing Industries of America receive with the program, users also gain access to all of the tools and services that are a part of the Xerox Go to Market Value proposition—which is focused on creating more value, productivity, and profitability for PSPs and MSPs. Your Xerox sales and service teams can help you with all elements of your business from new equipment, to workflow, to unique materials, to fresh ideas for new capabilities working with valued partners and subsidiaries like XMpie. Xerox and Printing Industries of America have been working together successfully for more than 10 years. The Xerox Buying Program is a key value-added service that is focused on keeping you competitive in the market while at the same time helping to strengthen the programs and services that Printing Industries of America and its Affiliates bring to its members.  It is a win-win for everyone. Talk to your affiliate director, Xerox sales representative, or your peers in your affiliate who are already Xerox customers. Start benefiting from the power of the Printing Industries of America National Buying Program with Xerox. Learn more at...