The Redefinition of the Digital Printer report, conducted by Professor Frank Romano and the Rochester Institute of Technology, claimed that digital printers were best placed to survive in the current economic climate.

Initial findings from Canon's third Insight report, which will be published in full at Ipex 2010 in May, claimed that because marketing budgets were cut and runs became shorter in 2008/09, digital printers were able to capitalise on the changes more than offset print businesses.

However, 86% of companies said that digital wide-format (including inkjet) had proved particularly bouyant. Even commercial printers that had previously eschewed wide format had found a growing market in display and signage work, as well as textile applications.

According to the study, which surveyed 840 printers of which 66% were based in Western Europe, offset output dropped more than 18% throughout the region 2009, while revenues from digital print increased 27.7%.

Even so, the survey found that more than half of companies polled claimed their sales and profits rose in 2009 compared to the year before.

Trevor Dodsworth, head of product marketing for Canon business solutions in the UK, said: "After the challenges that the print industry encountered over the past year, it is very encouraging to hear that printers are expressing optimism about their future for 2010."

Andrew Brown, operations director at Lick Group, agreed: "Digitally printed work is becoming increasingly relevant. We are seeing an ongoing trend toward shorter print runs, colour, personalised and targeted for higher impact."