In December I created and distributed a 20-question survey about the state of print buying today. My goal was to get a sense of how print buyers are facing 2013, whether print volumes were up or down, how large or small their buying staffs were, and the most preferred ways by which they chose new print service providers.

Respondents were not compensated and took this survey anonymously. I collected data from 162 print buyers, and from that data, I compiled a report that, I believe, yields interesting insights about buying print in a corporate setting as we begin 2013.

Once I collected the data, I thought about it in the context of what I know about print buyers, and then added my own interpretation of the data, as well as some conclusions and recommendations.

I thought I’d share some highlights of this research today:
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• About 62% of these buyers had over 15 years of experience in the field
• 53% manage $1 million and up in print spend each year
• Nearly 64% buy more offset than digital printing
• When sourcing digital print for the first time, most buyers give preference to printers with whom they’re already working
• The #1 most popular value-added service a printer can offer is mailing and fulfillment
• More than half of buyers surveyed do not select print providers based on color management certification

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My thanks to all 162 participants of this survey. Most of them asked for, and received, a copy of my Executive Summary. I hope to do more surveys this year. The comments I gathered gave me lots of ideas. Print buyers have a lot on their minds and a lot to share.

For more information about this research report, please contact me at . Tips subscribers get a special price.

© 2013 Margie Dana. All rights reserved. You’re free to forward this email. However, no part of this column may be reprinted without permission from the author.