Global shipments of large-format printers have increased by 1.2 per cent year-over-year, while hardware revenue has grown by nearly seven per cent, according to the latest quarterly market-tracking report from International Data Corporation (IDC).
The report, which compares the first quarter (Q1) of 2016 against 2015, found the gap between hardware numbers and revenue was particularly pronounced in the computer-aided design (CAD) and technical printer market segment, where shipments increased by 1.6 per cent and revenue by 13.2 per cent. In the large-format graphics market, meanwhile, shipments grew by just 0.6 per cent and revenue by 2.8 per cent—but within the durable graphics segment of that market, shipments grew by more than 9.5 per cent, led by ultraviolet-curing (UV-curing), durable aqueous ‘latex,’ eco-solvent and dye sublimation inkjet printers.
“The growth of alternative ink technologies in the graphics business and of single-pass large-format printers in the CAD/technical segment has made up for declines in more mature markets,” explains Tim Greene, an IDC research director.
The top five global suppliers in 2015 have maintained their positions so far in 2016. HP, at number one, enjoys nearly twice the total market share of any other vendor, due to its dominance of the latex and CAD/technical markets. That said, Canon and Océ in the number two position managed to grow their share of shipments from 18.8 per cent to more than 20 per cent.
At number three, Epson lost some market share of shipments with the decline of its lower-end aqueous inkjet printers, but increased revenue with new eco-solvent models. Roland came in number four overall, while remaining the top supplier within the aforementioned durable graphics segment. And Mimaki, at number five, managed to increase its shipments and market share with the launch of new UV-curing, dye sublimation (example pictured) and eco-solvent printers.
Just outside the top five, meanwhile, Mutoh increased both its shipment numbers and revenue, continuing a recent streak of success.
