Printing sales increased in September for the first time in more than a year but the printing industry's recovery from recession is going “painfully slow,” according to a recent report released by a trade association.
The National Association for Print Leadership's report found that price and profitability pressures continue to weigh on print providers. Though economic indicators show gradual improvement in the industry rather than a double-dip recession, improvement is coming slowly, the association said.
Print sales rose 3.6 percent in September, the study found. It marked the first time overall monthly sales in the industry had risen in 16 months, the association said.
In October, for the third month in a row, more printers reported increasing business activity than decreasing activity, the study said. The statistic is a crucial indicator of overall improvement in the industry, the association said. Kennesaw, GA-based print solutions provider Heidelberg USA Inc. sponsored the study.
