PERCENTAGE OF OUTPUT BY TYPE 2015
Small-format (up to 14 inches wide) 8%
Medium-Format (15-35 inches wide) 15%
Wide-Format (36 to 95 inches wide) 55%
Grand-Format (96+ inches wide) 22%
PERCENTAGE OF OUTPUT BY TYPE 2016
Small-format (up to 14 inches wide) 7%
Medium-Format (15-35 inches wide) 14%
Wide-Format (36 to 95 inches wide) 53%
Grand-Format (96+ inches wide) 26%
future include: online portals/storefronts/ecommerce; UV
print technologies; electronic/digital displays/digital signage;
fabric printing/soft signage; variable data; and single-pass
print technology.
Th e industry changes so quickly, “It’s hard to keep customers
and sales abreast of all the new substrates and technologies
available,” says Dan Hirt, president of Primary
Color. “Be early adopters of new technology,” he
says, to gear up for the future. “Primary is really
focused on expanding our technology and off ering
automated solutions that enable our customers
to streamline their marketing operations. We
aim to become an integrated partner with our
customers, not just another vendor.”
“Print providers need to stay on top of technology
and how it impacts visual communication,”
with people who share our excitement and commitment to
evolving as a visual-marketing company.”
Seeking growth
As our Top 60 Shops look toward the future, they see a variety
of opportunities for growth – and, as you might guess, various
ways to get there.
In looking at what applications they could add, nearly 20%
of our Top Shops indicated that fabrics/textiles/soft signage
would be an application that they would bolster their shop’s
roster within in the next 12-24 months. Other top applications
on their list: décor/custom interiors and wallpaper/wall art,
plus 3D/dimensional printing and vehicle graphics.
“Growth opportunities on the wide-format side for Diadeis
are going to be in out-of-home, vehicle wraps, POP/POS. and
in-store visuals,” says Madsen. “Th ere has been a shift back to
traditional, coupled with new innovation to connect print to
digital. One area that is of great interest is to hide codes in the
graphics that consumers can scan to get more content. Leveraging
25%
this innovation yields measurement and engagement
Percentage of Top
60 shops that plan on
opening new locations
says Lisa Mawson, director of operations, ARC/Riot Creative
Imaging. “Th ere’s increased competition – everyone is getting
into color. We address these challenges by staying on top of
technology and providing quality products and services.”
Beyond the technology, however, are a company’s employees.
Th is year’s Top Shops indicate that the majority of their
in 2017
employees (19%) are on the output side of the shop, followed
closely by fi nishing (17%). Other department breakdowns
include: prepress (12%), customer service (9.5%), sales (8%),
and management (7%).
Th ose companies that are putting an emphasis on fi nding
new talent are setting themselves up for future success,
says Lovci. “Duggal is very aggressive on fi nding talent and
building our own pipeline of skilled employees – with local
colleges, trade, and design schools, as well as the exceptional
pool of talent found within our military veterans.
Any print company not exploring these channels of growth
and succession planning will fi nd themselves shorthanded
when it matters most, and in so doing, fail to meet their
customers’ expectations.”
“People are our single most important asset,” says Ball.
“Talent acquisition is a sustainable competitive advantage
in our business. We are highly focused on attracting,
hiring, and retaining inspired professionals who want to
work at the vanguard of innovation. We want to connect
like we’ve never seen – ultimately, building the
brands equity and sales.”
Dan Hirt, meanwhile, references restaurants,
experiential, and décor – “incorporating digital
technology into environments” – and Howard
Weinstein projects that “specialty event printing
throughout the industry will grow.”
“Duggal champions print as a fundamental
solution in the transformation and visual engagement
with any atmosphere – whether it be a trade
event, out-of-home, fi ne-art installation, or interior design,”
says Lovic. “We believe our greatest opportunities continue
to lie in our ongoing commitment to integrating the newest
technologies, develop their application, and educate designers
and creatives in how to implement across all industry and
solution channels.”
Ball echoes those “any atmosphere” thoughts: “Our ultimate
goal as a company is to help upscale brands and retailers merchandise
their products through the best visual marketing
available. We do whatever it takes to continually stay ahead
of our clients, by keeping our eyes out for innovative technologies
and services. Anything that will help us create powerfully
distinctive brand experiences is a worthwhile investment and
a growth opportunity for Coloredge. If that means investing
in 50 Durst Rhos, we’ll do it. If it means developing a way to
blend graphical, dimensional, and digital elements into a
rich sensory environment for a client, that’s what we’ll do.
Th is mindset has helped to fuel our growth and distinguish
Coloredge in the market.”
16 Wide-Format & Signage June 2017 PrintingNewscom