Print Suppliers Weigh In on Print Volumes in 2009

Print Buyers Online.com recently asked our print supplier members, “What are your projections regarding client orders for the first and second quarter of 2009?” While our initial polling showed that print suppliers are evenly split over whether their client orders will decrease or remain constant, there is an interesting perspective from the 9% that believe there will be an increase in print projects. Here is what some of our print suppliers had to say:“I was encouraged when meeting with a longtime client of mine and was told that his company will be tripling its marketing efforts immediately for 2009. He believes that many of his competitors will be cutting back spending and sacrificing marketing efforts. However, my client believes this is the time to revamp their current marketing materials and make an impressive visual statement that will put them heads and shoulders above their competition and increase sales.”
—Darren Peterson, Account Executive, Central Printing Corp., Delavan, WI.

“While we have experienced some slow down in our Commercial Offset Division, we have seen growth in digital printing, short and long run variable data orders. This is a continuation of an expected trend.”
—Charles J. Sherman, EVP, Vision Integrated Graphics.

“2009, I believe, will continue to see orders stay steady, but we'll continue to see more focus on non-traditional media to reach a client base. Suppliers will up the ante by increasing the amount/type of services available. By becoming supplements to formal agencies and providing marketing solutions in regards to smaller design projects, suppliers will be able to help their clients to further maximize decreasing advertising budgets.”
—Christine M. Richardson, Director of Marketing, Gator Media Group.

Care to share your thoughts about what you see happening in 2009? Is pessimism in order or will things improve? Post your Comments below.