Commercial printing industry has not recovered from economic crisis yet, says Daryl Collins, Vice President at Wikoff Color Corporation. According to him, soaring paper, ink and transportation cost all add fuel to the fire.

Chris Bonk, Technical Director at INX International Ink Co., also believes that the ever-increasing raw material prices are to blame for ink sales’ staggering growth. He names price, paper and service as the three vital factors in ink purchases.

Besides the market upheavals and ever-rising raw material prices, ink manufacturers also have to struggle to survive tight supply which has last for years.

Some companies, however, find out a way to survive the depression.

According to John Copeland, president of Toyo Ink America, commercial printing industry will continue to slide if manufacturers do not explore new business model. “Many companies are now trying to increase growth rate through differentiation strategy, which means they will provide customers with new services including digital printing, value added printing, finishing, and even marketing,” says Copeland.