Apparently, Reprographers are finding ways to replace revenues lost from plan and spec printing!

We don’t think that any Reprographer (especially those that have been in business for more than 25 years) would dispute the fact that revenues from plan and spec printing used to account for more than 60% of a typical Reprographer’s total sales. For many, that percentage was even higher.  Short to say, that was the “mainstay” of the reprographics business.

As some of you are aware, we are in the process of conducting a mid-year Survey of Reprographers, and some of the questions we ask in the survey – about sales revenues – are questions to compare sales for the first half of 2013 with sales for the first half of 2012.  Since June is not yet over and done with, we did not expect very many firms to participate at this point, thinking that most would wait to participate until June is over and done with.  But, in spite of that, there are firms who’ve already responded to the survey.

Just a brief note about what we’re seeing, so far….

To this question – “Comparing (total sales) the first half of 2013 to the first half of 2012”

-       3 firms responded that “sales are up”

-       4 firms responded that “sales are flat”

-       1 firm responded that “sales are down”

To this question – “Comparing plan and spec printing revenues the first half of 2013 to the first half of 2012”

-       1 firm responded, “our revenues are up this year compared to last year”

-       2 firms responded, “our revenues are about the same this year as last year”

-       5 firms responded, “our revenues are down this year compared to last year”

Five firms said that their revenues from plan and spec printing are down this year compared to last year, but only one firm said that its overall sales are down.  Doesn’t this mean that some firms are finding ways to replace revenues from lost plan and spec printing revenues?  Or, am I looking at this the wrong way?

Please take the time to participate in the survey.  And, please encourage your industry friends, associates and competitors to participate as well.  Survey numbers are only relevant when a large number of firms participate.