Print in the 21st Century: Can we define, measure and predict the printing industry?

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Tags: events economics US printing industry

April 13, 2004

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In this special panel presentation by the Printing Industry Center at RIT, invited participants heard from four prominent industry economists about the state of the industry and their predictions on where the industry is going. They discussed such questions as: How have we measured and tracked printing industry productivity? How do we asses these impacts on print volume? What measures do each of the trade groups, government, or other organizations have in place to capture these impacts?

This panel discussion, moderated by Frank Romano, Professor in the RIT School of Print Media, informed his 2004 research project for the Center, "Transitioning to a New Print Industry."

Panelists

Ronnie H. Davis, GATF/PIA
Michael K. Evans, Evans, Carroll & Associates
Maryellen R. Kelley, Pamet Hill Associates
John Zarwan, J Zarwan Partners

View the Discussions

We invite you to watch the video of the event, presented in segments arranged by the questions asked of the panelists. (Quicktime video streaming)

• Introduction (6 m, 34 s)


• What do you see as the key changes in the printing industry over the last 20 years? (18 m, 41 s)


• What are the primary drivers of printing industry growth in the U.S.? Worldwide? (31 m, 59 s)


• What difference would there be if we divided print into two categories? (18 m, 40 s)

a. To supply published material to customers
b. Used in a business process, either for advertising, packaging, or product manufacturing

• What are the primary inhibitors of printing industry growth in the U.S.? Worldwide? (14 m, 21 s)
  
  
• How have we measured and tracked printing industry productivity? How do we assess these impacts on print volume? What measures do each of the trade groups, government, or other organizations have in place to capture these impacts?

Part A (22 m, 31 s)
Part B (19 m, 05 s)

• What role did the Internet play in printing industry volumes? (14 m, 46 s)
  
  
• Is there a preferred method or set of methods for measuring the impact that the Internet, specifically, has had on print volumes? (9 min, 20 sec)
  
  
• How will the baby boom retirements impact print, if at all? (12 m, 26 s)
  
  
• Can the printing industry stimulate its own growth? (13 m, 26 s)
  
  
• What do you see as changes in the printing industry over the next five years?
  (19 m, 45 s)