Smaller Players to Suffer



Bigger players like Minolta, QMS and Tektronix have already consolidated their supremacy in the digital printing segment. This has led the small companies to face stiff competition. In the long run there may be virtual ouster of the smaller players.

Prices Going Down

Due to the aggressive consolidation by big players and tough competition in the printing segment, prices will dip. Some companies have even started rolling out complimentary free printers to important clients.

Decentralized Approach

Recently new trend in form of shift from centralized to decentralized approach is observed. This drastic change was much sought after. Many manufacturers are planning to deal with the demand generated.

Superior Quality Machines

The newcomer full-bleed B sized machines is a big hit in the markets. These patented printers have automatic system to determine the printing margins and thereby removes the need for post-printing trimming of margins. Much interest is shown in these superior quality machines by graphics art segment. The demand for these is going to rise steadily further. This trend shall make many printing machines models out-dated and less efficient.

Performance up Gradation

Better performance is awaiting the customers in terms of printing aspects. Printing speeds, power management, enhanced color manipulation as well as per page cost are all set to improve. So better quality printing services will be available easily.

Shift Towards Tandem Models

In coming future there is surely a trend in favor of tandem models with capacity of printing four colors in one go. Single drum models up to 1000-dollar price will also be in vogue soon, experts say.

Laser to Make Way for Inkjet

Gradually laser printers will go out of use; this emerges from the trends of year 2008. There are various reasons responsible for the ouster of laser printers. There is seengeneral trend leading to the paperless business transactions and communication, especially in the small and home based business. Now mostly online processes are undertaken in the flow of information and communication. No doubt the laser printers have many good points over Inkjets like, silent working and speed of functioning. But soon Inkjets will replace the laser printers everywhere. The main reason behind this strange trend is lesser overall printing cost of Inkjet printers and the lesser need for bulk printing in many cases. In addition the added advantages of an Inkjet printer are versatility in nature, smaller size. Even larger sized paper can be used with inkjet printers.

Trend of 3-Dimensional Printing

The system of 3-dimensional printing is soon ushering in. A company, namely JuJups.com claims using this technology. By this technology 3-dimensional object can be replicated on the paper. Materials slated to be used for printing process are polymers, cell and sugar etc. It involves mixing various substances and sandwiching them. Thus the misconception about the printing of 3-D images will be removed and it will be also useful for printing scientific study material.