JACKSON, Mich. – In the 12 months ending in September 2007, photo printing volumes at retail minilabs and instant kiosks grew 26% and 32%, respectively, according to the "Monthly Printing and Camera Trends Report" from the Photo Marketing Association here. Specifically, the retail channel accounted for a total of 49.1% of prints made in that period, an improvement from 45.3% in the previous year. Home computer printers, small-format consumer photo printers and docking combos accounted for about 36% of the printing volume, down from 42% a year ago. About 15% of the prints were made instantly by consumers on a kiosk; 24% percent were sent from a kiosk/ordering station to a minilab for printing or customers gave their memory card to a store associate. Households also ordered about 11% of the total prints online and later picked them up at a retail location. In addition to these prints ordered online, 14% of the total prints were ordered online and then mailed back to customers. Online ordering activity grew at the rate of 56% in the 12 months ending September 2007 while growth in home printing remains below the market average but positive. For the period of September 2006 through September 2007, the volume of prints made at home grew by 5%.
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