Big Prints, Big Profits

Wide-format technology is advancing rapidly. Is it time for your in-plant to get on board?

By Linda Formichelli

You've probably heard Americans are getting bigger. But you may not have heard that our graphics are getting bigger, too.

According to CK Associates, a consultancy, the aggregate growth rate in the market for ink-jet graphics greater than 45˝ wide will be 9 percent over the next few years. And according to Deborah Hutcheson, Agfa's senior marketing manager for color systems and workflow, the graphic applications for wide-format printers have a compounded annual growth rate of 20 percent. In 2003, the engines, ink and media sold for wide-format applications are expected to produce about $23 million in retail products.