Fewer US graphic arts companies - TWGA survey

The shifting demographics of the graphic arts industry are a reflection of a changing media landscape, according to the latest report from US research organisation TrendWatch Graphic Arts.

“Times have rarely been as turbulent for those who produce graphic materials, but they've also never been more exciting, at least for those who know how and where to seek out new opportunities,” says the report.

“But taking advantage of those opportunities involves understanding many of the fine nuances of the widely different markets that comprise the industry.”

According to the report, it is the larger commercial printers that are responsible for producing most of the work in the US. While 48 per cent of printing and prepress establishments are small commercial and quick printers, these only account for 10 per cent of all shipments in the industry.

The report also shows that advertising agencies account for only 16 per cent of US design and production establishments, but generate 57 per cent of the revenues. Magazine publishers account for 33 per cent of publishing establishments in the US, and account for 40 per cent of the revenues, with capital expenditures up 4.5 per cent over last year.


US graphic design firms plan to spend an estimated $47 million or more on new software this year, a rise of 1.6 per cent from last year.

The TrendWatch Graphic Arts 2006 Graphic Arts Market Demographic Profiles report is available for purchase by visiting www.trendwatchgraphicarts.com . The 162-page report is priced at $995, and customers can download this report in PDF Acrobat format immediately after purchase.