COMMERCIAL PRINTING OUTLOOK -- Ambiguity is Certain

Getting back to the shorter term, the PIA and NAPL economists agree there are a variety of other developments that will shape the outlook for the coming year.

There's good news and bad news concerning the outlook for printers' operating costs in 2003, Davis says. "On the positive side, the loose print labor markets should keep wage and salary costs in check. Also, consumables—such as ink, film and plates—shouldn't escalate too much. Two potential areas of concern are paper prices and employee health care costs," he explains.