Commercial Printing--Slowdown Slated for '99?

"What we've seen is the start of a slowdown, which we think will continue through 1999," Paparozzi declares. "That's not showing up quite as much in sales figures, because right now sales figures are being supported by price increases, but it is showing up clearly in things like hours worked."

Paparozzi feels the industry is closely tied to the economy, thus it behooves commercial printers to follow consumer spending. He wonders if a proper policy decision can be implemented to arrest the international economic crises. Should the economy slow in the 2 to 21⁄2 percent range in 1999, as is predicted, Paparozzi believes print sales will register about 31⁄2 to 41⁄2 percent growth.