(National Association for Printing Leadership)

Print Action, Jun 2003

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR PRINTING LEADERSHIP, in its monthly economic report, found that the commercial printing industry remains weak. Sales fell 0.3 per cent in March for the NAPL Printing Business Panel, following declines of 2.0 per cent in February and 3.4 per cent in January. Year-to-date, Panel sales are down 1.9 per cent.

In April, prices fell for 45.5 per cent of the printers surveyed, with only 10.2 per cent reporting a price increase. Profitability fell in April for 49.5 per cent of the survey group-more than double the 19.9 per cent that reported a rise in profitability.