Printers are taking on more work with Christmas approaching but the uncertainty arising from a disappointing year is clouding their optimism.


Those are the findings of the BPIFs latest quarterly Directions survey. Director of corporate affairs Mike Hopkins said: "I think it has been a bad year so far, and although we have the seasonal upturn ahead, it wont outweigh the last three quarters. The summer lull was greater than expected."


Production levels for printers are beginning to improve with Christmas related work already starting to come on board, but the summer saw high material costs such as the pulp and paper price increases, coupled with intensive pricing competition.


External effects have also taken their toll with high interest rates, the strength of sterling and the weak euro all looming large on the print industry horizon.


Hopkins concluded: "Printers are slightly more optimistic now, having had the stuffing knocked out of them in the past."


The Directions Survey was undertaken during August and September.


Story by Andy Scott