COMMERCIAL PRINTING Outlook -- Shadows Cast on 2006

Forecasts of any sort ultimately amount to educated best guesses, especially when the human factor and Mother Nature are among the variables. NAPL's Paparozzi agrees with the assertion that there is a greater than normal degree of unpredictability in the economic outlook heading into the new year.

"There is much more uncertainty about the economy going into 2006 than there has been in three or four years," he says. "At the same time, our industry is not simply changing, it is being redefined. That is creating historic opportunity for companies that are prepared and profound threats for those who try to do business the same old way.