The Situation on Ink
January 2005
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Is ink price not important? Are metallics losing steam? Industry experts explain the results of packagePRINTING's Ink Usage Survey.
PACKAGEPRINTING'S 8TH ANNUAL Ink Usage Survey asked tag & label, flexible packaging, and folding carton printers, as well as ink suppliers, about everything from general ink usage/sales, to hybrids, specialty inks, and more. For a better understanding of the survey tallies, packagePRINTING asked ink suppliers to give their views on the results, many of which reflect a growing and evolving ink industry.
Issues that matter
On-press predictability and ink price have battled it out for the top spot on the list of package printers' main purchasing considerations for the last few years. This year, on-press predictability won out.
Ink dry time, ink availability, technical assistance, and industry knowledge rounded out the top five pre-purchase concerns.
Last year, ink price had the full attention of printers. But, in spite of rising costs due to the increasing price and shortage of ink raw materials, for the first time in four years, ink price didn't even make the top quintet.
That's not to say price isn't important to a buyer, said Ed Dedman, business manager of SICPA North America's Narrow Web & Energy Curable Group. "I can tell you that price is still a big concern for many printers, but I also know that printers are constantly struggling with improving color predictability, which certainly has more effect on their profitability than a few cents per pound of ink usage," he said.
The whole picture—from the quality of the ink to its finished results—includes more than initial price. This kind of well-rounded thinking validates each of the five main purchasing considerations, said Deanna Whelan, marketing manager of ANI Printing Inks.
Good business relies on solutions and profitability, which "are not a result (solely) of a good price," Whelan said. "Reliable inks (on-press predictability) can reduce press downtime, lowering overall costs. Inks that perform best on-press (ink dry time) will reduce press downtime and increase uptime, providing increased profitability. Inks that are made readily available support just-in-time environments, reducing capital overhead and adding to bottom-line benefits. Excellent technical assistance can reduce press downtime, as well."
Simply put, Bryce Kristo, chief financial officer and senior vice president of corporate affairs at INX International Ink Co., said, "Quality is cost. The price of ink is immaterial compared to the productivity benefits of a strong performing, consistent ink."
PACKAGEPRINTING'S 8TH ANNUAL Ink Usage Survey asked tag & label, flexible packaging, and folding carton printers, as well as ink suppliers, about everything from general ink usage/sales, to hybrids, specialty inks, and more. For a better understanding of the survey tallies, packagePRINTING asked ink suppliers to give their views on the results, many of which reflect a growing and evolving ink industry.
Issues that matter
On-press predictability and ink price have battled it out for the top spot on the list of package printers' main purchasing considerations for the last few years. This year, on-press predictability won out.
Ink dry time, ink availability, technical assistance, and industry knowledge rounded out the top five pre-purchase concerns.
Last year, ink price had the full attention of printers. But, in spite of rising costs due to the increasing price and shortage of ink raw materials, for the first time in four years, ink price didn't even make the top quintet.
That's not to say price isn't important to a buyer, said Ed Dedman, business manager of SICPA North America's Narrow Web & Energy Curable Group. "I can tell you that price is still a big concern for many printers, but I also know that printers are constantly struggling with improving color predictability, which certainly has more effect on their profitability than a few cents per pound of ink usage," he said.
The whole picture—from the quality of the ink to its finished results—includes more than initial price. This kind of well-rounded thinking validates each of the five main purchasing considerations, said Deanna Whelan, marketing manager of ANI Printing Inks.
Good business relies on solutions and profitability, which "are not a result (solely) of a good price," Whelan said. "Reliable inks (on-press predictability) can reduce press downtime, lowering overall costs. Inks that perform best on-press (ink dry time) will reduce press downtime and increase uptime, providing increased profitability. Inks that are made readily available support just-in-time environments, reducing capital overhead and adding to bottom-line benefits. Excellent technical assistance can reduce press downtime, as well."
Simply put, Bryce Kristo, chief financial officer and senior vice president of corporate affairs at INX International Ink Co., said, "Quality is cost. The price of ink is immaterial compared to the productivity benefits of a strong performing, consistent ink."
Companies Mentioned:
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