(Weymouth, MA) January 11, 2011 . . . InfoTrends’ recently released U.S. Photo Printing End-User Survey has revealed that market education could lead to new growth opportunities in consumer photo printing. Survey results revealed that there is a widespread lack of understanding of the archival benefits of printed photos. While photo printing remains a vital component of the digital imaging ecosystem, communicating the message on the long-term sustainability of photo prints could give this market more staying power.

The survey revealed that many consumers have little understanding of the long-term viability of the various photo storage options that are available. Respondents were asked how they plan to pass on photos to future generations, and the most popular choice was “photos burned onto CD/DVD,” with 37% of respondents choosing that option. Other popular options were “photos stored on external hard drive” at 16% and “as photos stored in Web albums” at 10%. Another 32% of respondents answered that they didn’t really know how they plan to pass photos on.

InfoTrends believes that photo prints are the best possible way to ensure that important photos will be accessible to future generations and can be easily passed down to share and enjoy. David Haueter, an Associate Director at InfoTrends, states, “Regardless of what method a consumer chooses to print, we want to encourage more photo printing overall. Many consumers are taking a haphazard approach to ensuring that important photos will be accessible in the future, with many storing them on CD/DVD and hard drives, while many have no plan at all. Many consumers don’t understand that quality photo prints have the ability to outlast all of these other electronic storage methods, so educating consumers on the archival benefits of photo prints is crucial.” The survey also showed that 46% of survey respondents say they would print more photos if the cost was lower, but digital photo print prices today are the lowest they’ve ever been.

It is up to vendors with strong positions in the photo market to educate consumers on these issues. With many very effective ways to print photos today and lower costs than ever before, now is the perfect time to do just that. InfoTrends’ 2010 Photo Printing End-User Survey seeks to supply vendors with information concerning end-users and their photography habits. It covers home, online, and retail photo printing, providing valuable insight into why consumers are (or aren’t) using each method.

Results of the 2010 Photo Printing End-User Survey are available for immediate purchase. For more information visit our online store or contact Robyn Wuori at +1 781 616 2100 ext. 103 or e-mail robyn_wuori@infotrends.com.

InfoTrends, a Questex company, is the leading worldwide market research and strategic consulting firm for the digital imaging and document solutions industry. We provide research, analysis, forecasts, and advice to help clients understand market trends, identify opportunities, and develop strategies to grow their businesses. Additional information about InfoTrends is available on the Web at www.infotrends.com.

Copyright 2011 InfoTrends. All rights reserved. Reproduction or reuse of InfoTrends materials is strictly prohibited without prior written consent.

For media inquiries contact Robyn Wuori at +1 781 616 2100 ext. 103 or robyn_wuori@infotrends.com.