Winning the Battle for Silver-Halide Print Volume Key to Survival for the Dye-Thermal Photo Media Market

NEWTON, MA (May 12, 2010)—The demand for simple snapshot photo prints continues its downward spiral. Although digital image capture rates are increasing, cost-conscious consumers are printing fewer of these images. In many cases, electronic screens, photo-sharing Web sites, and low-cost digital memory have replaced photo albums and shoe boxes full of prints. The worldwide economic recession also has contributed to the first ever decline (albeit small) in consumer digital photo print volumes and it is expected that the recession will have lasting effects on the photofinishing industry. A new report from Lyra Research's Hard Copy Supplies Advisory Service (SAS), Competition Increases as Digital Photo Print Volumes Slow: Snapshot Dye-Thermal Photo Media Forecast, 2006–2013, discusses how despite all of the negative signs, the photo imaging industry is plowing ahead and broadening the ways that homes, retailers, and wholesalers can produce digital prints.

Specifically, the report explores snapshot dye-thermal media shipments and revenue for home photo prints and photo prints made at retail kiosks, minilabs, and photo booths. It compares dye-thermal snapshot media shipments and revenue for home and retail locations. It also discusses the battle for retail dominance between ink jet and dye-thermal photo printing systems.

Insight into the Battle for Retail Dominance Between Ink and Dye-Thermal Photo Printing Systems
Lyra believes that home photo printing volumes have peaked in major economies and that a significant market shift has occurred. Retailers and wholesale printing environments are now producing a growing share of photo prints using silver-halide and dye-thermal technologies, and, increasingly, ink jet systems. Lyra's latest snapshot dye-thermal photo media forecast report discusses how over the next five plus years, dry technologies—ink jet and dye-thermal—are expected to gradually replace existing wet—silver halide—minilabs in retail locations. Dry technologies deliver print quality and operating costs comparable to those of traditional silver-halide technology, along with lower capital costs, reduced energy use, smaller footprints, little maintenance, and no toxic waste. Dry labs also offer many specialty photo formats, including indexes, collages, and photobooks. The battle between ink jet and dye-thermal technology for silver-halide print volume will drive the dye-thermal photo media market. To learn more and to purchase Competition Increases as Digital Photo Print Volumes Slow: Snapshot Dye-Thermal Photo Media Forecast, 2006-2013, click here.

Commenting on the outlook for the dye-thermal photo media market, Andrew Lippman, senior analyst for Lyra's Hard Copy Supplies Advisory Service, says, "Overall, the digital photo print market is pretty sluggish. In order to continue to be a player in this already stagnant market, dye-thermal must win the battle for ink jet for silver-halide retail print volume, and the key to victory is relationships with large retail photofinishers."

Ordering the Report
Competition Increases as Digital Photo Print Volumes Slow: Snapshot Dye-Thermal Photo Media Forecast, 2006–2013 iscurrentlyavailable and can be purchased for $950. For more information, contact Sandy Tobin, client relations manager, at 617-454-2612 or [email protected], or visit our online store.

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About the Hard Copy Supplies Advisory Service
Selling cartridges, ink, toner, and media to an ever-increasing number of end users demands a keen understanding of various user environments—corporate, commercial, small office/home office, and home—each of which requires different marketing, packaging, and distribution channels. Lyra Research's Hard Copy Supplies Advisory Service (SAS), a high-level, online strategic and tactical planning resource, provides the advice that vendors need in order to thrive. The SAS allows clients to augment their product development, competitive intelligence, and marketing functions without the addition of costly staff. The SAS consists of six components: ongoing expert consultation, shipment and revenue forecasts, primary market research studies, analysis reports, industry news and updates, and an annual briefing. Lyra's online content delivery also features a continuous flow of market data, analysis, and insight that provides a top-to-bottom depiction of events and trends in the imaging supplies industry.

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