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Printing Those Digital Pictures

Techstination feature for Monday, April 19, 2004

Printing those digital pictures. Bloomberg Boot Camp, a report on today's technology. By the end of this year, 40 percent of U.S. households will own a digital camera according to the InfoTrends Research Group. That means they won't be getting as much film developed. But that isn't necessarily bad news for FujiFilm….which competes with Kodak and others in the rapidly growing digital printing business. Joe Welch, FujiFilm's Director of Marketing for retail digital solutions, says about 17 percent of digital camera owners now print at least some of their pictures at Wal-Mart or other retailers…

"We believe at FujiFilm that choices are what consumers really want. Whether the choice is to print at home, to go to retail, or to use one of our online services like our Get the Picture online service. And not every consumer does the same thing all the time."

Welch says some consumers may have the impression that it's cheaper to print their photos at home on inkjet printers…rather than at retail…

"It's actually significantly less than printing a 4 by 6 print at home. So it's a very cost competitive alternative."

Typically 29 cents or so for a print at retail…compared with a total of more than 40 cents for a home print. Another thing clear from the study… is the impact on purchases of film and film cameras. 44 percent of digital camera owners say their use of film has decreased. Bloomberg Boot Camp, I'm Fred Fishkin.