The Dichotomies of the Global Printing Industry

1. All printing is local, except when it is global

In 1980, 70 percent of all print products were purchased from a printing company within 100 miles of the customer. Today, it is 45 percent and dropping. The ability to send files electronically and collaborate on-line on document changes and proofing, has made the physical location of the printing company less important. Thus, printers in the United States are doing business in many states beyond their own and are capable of producing print products for customers outside the country. Usually, U.S. print buyers purchase print products in Canada, the UK and the Far East.