Study: Signs and Wide-Format Work Keep Growing as Profit Centers for Commercial Printers
MELBOURNE, Fla.—June 12, 2015—The recently completed National Print Owners Association (NPOA) "2015-2016 Signs and Wide-format Pricing Study," found that signs and wide-format are becoming increasingly important profit centers for small commercial printers. The study, which surveyed 230 printing firms, showed that sign and wide-format sales accounted for an average of 9.8 percent of total sales, with the top quartile of companies by sales boasting $417,000 in sign sales, or nearly $35,000 a month.
“There is no doubt sign and wide-format work is an increasingly important part of the job mix,” said NPOA Executive Director and study author John Stewart. “Also, because more and more printers enter or continue to grow their sign business, this study offers detailed information on pricing, equipment usage, job mix and more.”
According to Stewart, along with information on equipment use and user ratings for printers, RIPS, cutters and laminators, the study also reveals the latest pricing practices for 18 of industry's most popular substrates. It also includes both suggested retail and discounted prices provided by survey participants. Additionally, the study compares the pricing practices of small firms versus large volume firms in terms of annual sign sales.
Among the substrates and products covered are: standard vinyl, outdoor banners, banner mesh, wall vinyls, foam core, corrugated plastic, cast vinyl, ACM Panel, art canvas, magnetic and PVC plastic.
Pricing information is also included for many of the more popular products such as banners, foam core, Coroplast and aluminum signs. In addition, square-cut and contour-cut decals are priced based both on various sizes and quantities ordered. Pricing for simple vehicle decals, flat surface vehicle wraps and window perfs are also covered.
“This is an industry first and provides printers with a real-world look at pricing, products and practices they can use to fine tune and build their sign and wide-format business,” noted Stewart.
All survey participants received a free copy of the study. NPOA members who did not participate can purchase the study for $117. The non-member price is $195. The study is available as a PDF download or in hard-copy form and can be ordered at the NPOA Bookstore at www.printowners.org. NPOA members can also download a free PDF copy of the 44-page Executive Summary of the study at the NPOA Website.
About NPOA
From its grass roots inception three years ago, NPOA has grown from 19 founding members to more than 400 print shop owners, making it the fastest growing association in the printing industry. Along with an annual conference, it provides its members with proprietary studies and surveys on technology, pricing, business operations and many other topics. It also offers an online discussion forum for print shop owners to share ideas and solutions to common problems. The association’s motto is "By Printers, For Printers" and its members represent the most progressive printing operations in the industry. NPOA’s 4th Annual NPOA Spring Conference will be held April 14-16, 2016, in San Antonio, at the Hotel Contessa.
Source: NPOA.
