(Weymouth, MA) October 05, 2004 … InfoTrends/CAP Ventures expects the global wide format aqueous hardware and consumables market to grow from $3.9 billion in 2003 to $4.4 billion in 2008. New low-cost units for the prepress and photo markets and the increased demand for high-quality wide format printing applications are driving steady, although unspectacular growth in the wide format aqueous inkjet market.

Figure 1: Global Wide Format Aqueous Inkjet Revenues ($M)

InfoTrends/CAP Ventures’ new forecast entitled Wide Format Aqueous Inkjet Market Forecast: 2003-2008 provides shipment and revenue forecast information on wide format hardware, ink, and media from 2003 through 2008 for the technical and graphics markets.

Key findings of the study include:

• The total number of wide format aqueous inkjet printers shipped is expected to grow from 200,800 units in 2003 to 238,500 units in 2008. This includes the graphics and technical markets.
• The installed base of technical wide format aqueous printers will increase by just over 30,000 units over the forecast period, so this is largely a replacement market. Meanwhile, the graphics aqueous printer population will demonstrate a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.8%.
• Wide format aqueous inkjet ink revenue is expected to increase from $1.5 billion in 2003 to $2.07 billion in 2008, representing a CAGR of 6.5%.
• Over the forecast period, wide format aqueous inkjet graphics printer media consumption will demonstrate a CAGR of 5.8% while technical media consumption will show a CAGR of 2.9%.

“New low-end units are fueling shipment growth in the wide format aqueous inkjet graphics market,” commented Tim Greene, an Associate Director at InfoTrends/CAP Ventures. “The technical side shows very slow growth, driven by emerging color technical applications such as GIS.”

InfoTrends/CAP Ventures’ forecast entitled Wide Format Aqueous Inkjet Market Forecast: 2003-2008 is available immediately to clients of the Visual Communications Technologies Consulting Service. To learn more about this forecast or to make a purchase, please contact Alison Hipp at (781) 616-2100, ext. 126 or via e-mail at alison_hipp@infotrends.com.

InfoTrends/CAP Ventures is the leading worldwide market research and strategic consulting firm for the digital imaging and document solutions industry. We provide research, analysis, forecasts, and advice to help clients understand market trends, identify opportunities, and develop strategies to grow their businesses. Additional information about InfoTrends/CAP Ventures is available on the Web at www.infotrendsresearch.com.