Large format printer (LFP) shipments declined 5% worldwide during the third quarter (3Q) of 2012 to 73,000 units, despite rise reported by several emerging markets, according to a new report.
According to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Large Format Printer Tracker, the rise in printer shipments was witnessed in emerging nations including Latin America, Central and Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.
During the period, shipments in across emerging markets declined 3.9% overall, while mature markets reported 5.8% decline in shipments year-over-year.
IDC Worldwide Large Format Printer Tracker programme manager Phuong Hang said although shipments have slowed over the past year, IDC expects large format printers to remain a significant market in the future.
"LFPs are moving into new applications, especially in graphics, that will help to offset losses caused by the sluggish global economy," Hang said.
During the quarter, the technical application segment reported 42,500 units shipped, down 3.4% yer-over-year, while technical represented the highest market segment reporting a share of 58% of the overall LFP market when compared to the same period in 2011.
The graphics application segment reported 7% decline during the quarter with 30,400 shipments that accounted for 42% of the overall market
HP topped the list in the highest shipments even though it reported 10.1% decline in shipments, followed by Epson, Canon, while Oce reported sharp drop off in shipments as well as Roland captured 3.1% share of the overall LFP market, during the quarter.