PRIMIR, the Print Industries Market Information and Research Organization, the research unit of NPES, has announced that the record eight new research studies completed in 2015 are now available for purchase. After publication, these studies–valued at significantly over $500,000 in proprietary market research–were initially embargoed exclusively for PRIMIR members’ use as part of their membership benefits.

For each of these eight new studies, which are now available for purchase by non-members and the general public, the following summaries provide highlights of each study, including the objective, the consultants utilized, and non-member pricing:

Tag & Label Printing Trends
Focused on North America, this study covers tags and prime labels (wet glue, pressure sensitive, clear, stretch or shrink-wrap, and pull-out labels), as well as in-mold labels and heat transfer labels. Included are shipments, export data, information about functionality by product and market segment, technology investments (including speed, productivity, image quality, color consistency, run length, and more). Print process usage and shifts by market segment, substrate and other consumables usage stats and trends are included. (LPC). Full Study: $4,500 and Executive Summary: $995; both available in hard copy or digital file.

Print Applications: Revenues, Processes and Run Lengths in Commercial Printing
This study, focused on the North American market, provides historical statistics for 2010, current stats for 2012 and forecasts to 2017. The study includes commercial, quick and retail printers and focuses on marketing and advertising applications including: catalogs, brochures/ pamphlets, inserts, direct mail, coupons and more. The study helps manufacturers and dealers understand opportunities and trends by application and print process. Additionally, the study explores the revenue breakdown since the value of pages is different between the various processes. (I.T. Strategies). Full Study: $4,500 and Executive Summary: $995; both available in hard copy or digital file. This study is available to NPES members at no cost.

Adaptation Strategies for a Changing Business Environment for Printing Equipment Manufacturers
This study provides a qualitative analysis of changing revenue sources with some quantitative data regarding total revenue and percent derived from sales vs. new revenue sources such as service, retrofits, rebuilds, consulting services, etc. for the various PRIMIR and NPES constituents including press manufacturers, digital press manufacturers, bindery and other equipment and press accessories.  (Mason Consulting). Full Study: $995 and Executive Summary: $249; both available in hard copy or digital file. This study is available to NPES members at no cost.

The Future of Retail Advertising
This study provides comprehensive updates on an earlier PRIMIR report completed in 2005 and addresses the current and future status of retail advertising’s use of print media. It investigates both brick and mortar, as well as online advertising barriers and drivers, trends and growth areas. Segments include direct mail (blast and targeted), Sunday inserts, and digital media (mobile, online, coupons, QR codes, PURLS, etc.) This study includes a baseline year of 2013, with a 3-year look back (2010) and a 5-year projection (2018). This study also covers distribution, use of variable data printing, and emerging applications. (J Zarwan Partners). Full Study: $1,990 and Executive Summary: $498; both available in hard copy or digital file.

US Market Trends for Flexographic Printing
Perceived to be a high-growth printing process, flexography is examined in depth to provide an understanding of opportunities and threats through 2020. A key focus area is flexible packaging (corrugated is excluded) for the food, beverage, medical, bag, industrial, and other segments (as defined through the study) with analysis of quality/image requirements. This study addresses adoption rate vs. other processes, environmental issues or regional bans, life cycle cost, technological advancements and trends in presses, consumables (adhesives, doctor blades, plates) substrates and inks. Also addressed are process enhancements including digital, coatings and screen. (Freedonia Custom Research). Full Study: $3,995 and Executive Summary: $995; both available in hard copy or digital file. This study is available to NPES members at no cost.

Wide Format Inkjet Printing Trends & Opportunities
This study provides a definition of wide format, including market size, equipment, markets, etc., identifies equipment and media currently in use, and explores emerging trends in technologies and applications. Covering both analog and digital processes, the study sizes the market (both historical and 3-5 years hence); identifies typical vertical markets utilizing wide-format printing; evaluates workflow; provides data and analysis of equipment installed base (both press and finishing), inks and substrates data and trends, color trends, drivers and barriers for growth (such as electronic signage), and opportunities for the future. (IDC). Full Study: $4,500 and Executive Summary: $995; both available in hard copy or digital file.

Trends and Future of Direct Mail Through 2020
This study revisits findings from a 2004 GAMIS study, evaluating all aspects of direct mail. In addition to providing a definition of direct mail, the study identifies verticals using direct mail, utilization of new technologies including variable data printing, QR codes, PURLs, augmented reality, 3D and more. It addresses manufacturing technology changes, the role of ‘big data,’ and supply chain needs. Further, it explores end user (brand owner) perspectives including direct mail vs. other marketing media, response rates and generational reach differences; drivers for utilizing direct mail such as cost, quality, timing, and other newly identified drivers; and, also discusses the PSP-MSP role and how direct mail has changed. Historical as well as forecast data and trends for the future are included. (INTERQUEST). Full Study: $3,500 and Executive Summary: $995; both available in hard copy or digital file.

The Future of Print in the US – Landscape, Implications and Opportunities
As key outside forces drive huge change for the US commercial print industry, understanding the future landscape through the lens of major outside industry drivers can definitively highlight opportunities. Understanding preferences of US consumers and the direction of both the US economy and print related industries – technology, advertising, publishing and packaging – is critical. The print industry has seen shipments decline and businesses have disappeared or consolidated, with more potentially lost in the next five years. This study identifies critical trends including the evolution of the consumer experience, the rise of data, the importance of mass personalization and product differentiation, and the role of social media in content generation and consumption. Successful printers will emerge in formulating new business models based upon key concepts identified in the study that leverage these outside trends to innovate, differentiate, specialize and provide new services. (The Economist Intelligence Unit). Full Study (hard copy): $249 and Full Study (digital copy): $498. This study is available to NPES members at no cost.