Wide Format Imaging

"Mergers are to be expected in a competitive marketplace where there are many small companies, but mergers are almost always a double-edge sword. Mergers offer the opportunity for larger companies to acquire technology and key personnel while reducing or eliminating the competition," says Anderson. "I'd say that mergers have not had a significant impact on the industry other than to increase cost of supplies due to a reduction in competition."

"We don't perceive a major change," says Sheikh. "Ones to watch for are the interesting acquisitions made by FujiFilm, acquiring two of the technology components that are integral to successful new products: print heads and inks. Fuji now owns Sericol and Xaar. It also employs a large sales channel in Enovation."

According to Ken Madsen, owner, GSG, the more impactful mergers are the ink and substrate providers. "Fuji recently bought Sericol. Florida-based Sign Supply USA has been buying up small art supply shop around the country. Notably, one of the largest commercial graphic art suppliers, Pitman Company, recently bought the largest commercial art supplier, Charrette. Not surprisingly, the focus now seems to be on the consumable end."

Green Printing

One of the topics that keep coming to the surface is based around more environmentally-friendly, or green, options. Several manufacturers have begun work on inks, printers, and media that will help print providers become more environmentally conscious, while shops are discovering a certain benefit to using and producing these types of products for their clients.

"We are going to hear a lot more about the developing sensitivity to environmental issues," says Greene. "What is kind of a whisper now may be much more openly discussed a year or so from now when some of the 'greener' products now under development will hit the market."

"The advent of eco-solvents is providing a greener solution and more pleasant working conditions but at increased cost and somewhat reduced effectiveness," says Madsen. "European countries are subject to more stringent environmental codes and have essentially barred traditional solvent inks in favor of a variety of low or non-solvent alternatives. The US should expect to follow responsibly."

According to Robertson, one of the "next big steps" will be in addressing sustainability issues. For most applications, digital imaging reduces waste. "We'll see more inks produced from renewable resources and biodegradable media suited to a wide range on product requirements," he says. "We are looking ahead to non-solvent or reduced-solvent ink technologies that offer ease of use and fewer safety and environmental concerns while still meeting product requirements."