Lyra Research predicts that the market for wide-format inkjets that use solvent-based inks will grow substantially over the next five years–reaching 65,000 installed units by 2007.
Most of the growth will be driven by the demand for outdoor graphics and the greater availability of printers priced in the $35,000 to $100,000 range. Lower-priced printers that one were sold only in China and Korea are now appearing in European and US markets.
Founded in 1991, Lyra Research provides market, product, and technology information/analysis for printers, copiers, digital photography, and imaging supplies to more than 2000 customers.
Their Wide-Format Production Printing Advisory Service is led by senior analyst Lloyd “Grey” Held, who notes that: “We divide the wide-format production printing market into two segments: flatbed and solvent. Flatbed printers are at least 24 in. wide, print on at least “?-in. thick material, and use either aqueous, solvent, or UV-curable inks.”
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He adds, “We segment solvent printers into three subcategories: eco-solvent printers that use a mild type of solvent ink that doesn't require ventilation; midrange solvent printers that are priced below $100,000 and have a print width less than 3 meters, and high-end solvent printers that are either priced upwards of $100,000 and have a print width of 3 meters or more.” (Lyra Research: www.lyra.com)