ECONOMIC & PRINT MARKET: SCARY NUMBERS

In his latest Flash Report, Printing Industries of America Chief Economist Dr. Ronnie Davis provides a preliminary profile of 2009 print markets and updates his outlook for the economy. The fourth quarter print market survey reveals that print markets remained extremely weak at the end of 2009, however, printers expect significantly improved conditions in 2010. On a preliminary basis (subject to additional adjustment for "survival bias" from the decline in printing plants during the year), nominal print sales declined by 12.7% over the year compared to 2008. This is the largest percentage decline since Printing Industries began its own tracking system in the early 90s. On a "real" or price-adjusted basis, print sales declined by 7.5% in 2009 since respondents reported average printing prices down by 5.2% for the year. Read more here.