Although digital printing in Europe makes up only a small slice of the overall package-printing pie today, look for the technology to leap ahead in the next few years—especially at the expense of screen and offset methods, says a new study by London-based market researcher Pira Intl.

Based on an indexed response of 2000=100, screen package printing will decline 25 percent by 2005, and offset will drop 15 percent. Flexo will be less affected, falling only 8 percent, and gravure appears to be unaffected by digital's market inroads. See page 24 for more on digital printing's future.