Sales of all types of consumables used in the screen-printing industry rose from 2005 to 2006, according to the third Market Metrics study conducted by NASMA (the North American Specialty Printing Manufacturers Association). The report and its results, which demonstrate healthy growth in the industry, were among the highlights of NASMA’s spring meeting, held May 1-2 in San Antonio, TX.

The Market Metrics project documents the sale of products to specialty printers using actual data from NASMA’s member manufacturers compiled by a third-party market-research firm to protect confidentiality. The third study, like the second conducted in 2006, analyzes the sale of stencilmaking products (including emulsions and capillary films), screen chemicals, inks, and mesh. It shows the volume of goods sold, as well as the revenue in each overall category and in numerous sub-categories between 2003 and 2006.

For the first time in the history of the project, every major product category grew from year to year, both in revenue and in volume. To take one example, inks for graphics screen printing (including UV, solvent-based, and water-based formulations) grew 4.0% between 2005 and 2006 in gallons sold, and 9.7% in gross sales revenue. In another segment, screen chemicals grew 7.4% in gallons sold and 11.0% in gross sales revenue. Collectively, the segments grew 8.5% in gross dollar volume from year to year.

NASMA will repeat the study in early 2008. The association’s goal is to include additional equipment and consumables segments in screen printing, digital printing, and other specialty printing processes. Market segments are included in the project once NASMA’s membership includes no fewer than three members that are believed to collectively represent the majority of the market. Results are only available to NASMA members.

In other meeting highlights, featured speaker Greg Root gave a thorough overview of Super Graphics and its parent company, GM Nameplate, both of Seattle, WA. Root’s presentation focused on the diversification of Super Graphics from a provider of digitally printed bus wraps to a multifaceted provider of integrated marketing services, with particular emphasis on lean manufacturing principles, green production initiatives, and innovation in application development. Another guest speaker, Daniel DeRosa of Saati who is also the chairman of ESMA, NASMA’s counterpart in Europe, provided an update on ESMA’s activities. All members participated in roundtable breakout sessions that will help define the scope of a new initiative to develop a business-benchmarking study that measures a variety of revenue statistics, health and benefits costs, and more. For more information about the organization, visit www.nasmaonline.org.