COMMERCIAL PRINTING Outlook -- Shadows Cast on 2006

"In fact, the results from our '2006 State of the Industry' survey show the top concerns heading into 2006 are (in ranked order) rising energy prices, rising wages and benefits—particularly benefits—and the economy," he adds.

As for print sales, NAPL now expects industry revenues to grow between 2.5 and 3.5 percent in 2005. That figure will probably gravitate toward 3 or 3.2 percent by the end of the year because of what gains there have been in pricing power, he adds. "Next year we're looking more at growth in the 1.5 to 2.5 percent range, maybe 2 to 3 percent if market trends are on the more positive side."