PIA/GATF Ratios Show Printing Industry Profits Decreasing

Total materials expenses decreased from 35.44 percent of sales in 2007 to 34.95 percent of sales in the 2008 survey. Printers spent slightly more on factory expenses in 2008 (16.77 percent of sales in 2007 vs. 16.97 percent in 2008). Selling expenses increased from 8.77 percent to 8.97 percent, while administrative expenses also crept up slightly for the second consecutive year, from 9.57 percent of sales in the 2007 survey to 9.66 percent percent of sales in 2008.