The home photo printer will remain an important product in the digital photography market, even though the years of significant growth that have accompanied the success of the digital camera market may have come to an end. Because consumers have multiple printing options, vendors must explore other avenues to ensure long-term success.
According to new InfoTrends forecast data, the inkjet MFP segment within the home printer market is a bright spot in this mature market. Shipments of photo-centric MFPs are expected to reach 9.4 million units in 2011. Photo-enabled MFPs are not as trendy as the photo-centric units, but they have been able to maintain their sales volume better than photo-centric models. Multifunctional products accounted for 55% of the total photo-enabled inkjet market in 2006, and single-function printers made up the remaining 45%.
Despite the increased volumes of photo prints being produced at retail locations, consumers still print photos at home more frequently than at retail due to the convenience and instant gratification that home printing affords them. Consumers will continue to use different methods of photo printing depending on the situation, as larger jobs are likely to be produced at retail or online and smaller jobs are likely to be printed in the home.
“With the increased saturation of the digital camera and photo printer markets and the shift of photo print volume to retail locations, the home printer market faces some challenging days ahead,” commented David Haueter, an Associate Director at InfoTrends. “Over the next few years, the most successful vendors in the market are going to be those that are diversified and have a presence in all parts of the market, such as retail and online printing, in addition to home printing.”
InfoTrends forecast, U.S. Photo Printer Market Forecast: 2006-2011, includes photo printer placements for 2006 and a forecast for the U.S. home photo printer market from 2007 through 2011. It includes unit placements, installed base, and revenue data for inkjet and dye-sublimation photo printing technologies. The forecast divides the market up into three categories: photo-centric, photo-enabled, and snapshot photo printers.
Infotrends
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