The worldwide retail value of wide-format graphics prints is forecast to grow to almost $30 billion by 2007, according to consultancy I.T. Strategies (Hanover, MA). The retail value was $19 billion in 2002.

The fastest-growing segment of the market is solvent inkjet printer output, forecast to grow from eight percent of the market today to 23 percent by 2007. In related research, analysis group Lyra Research (Newtonville, MA) reports that the wide-format solvent-printer market will grow substantially during the next five years, with a worldwide installed base predicted to reach 65,000 units in 2007. Outdoor printing applications, which are said to benefit from solvent ink's water-resistance, will be the primary driver of that growth.

I.T. Strategies reports that the revenue from aqueous inkjet output — with an 89 percent share in 2002 — is expected to decline to 77 percent of output in 2007.

While the largest applications for wide-format print are currently point-of-purchase signage and trade-show graphics, I.T. Strategies says these are becoming commodities, forcing print providers to look at new areas for growth, such as outdoor applications.