VINYL printing has become popular with businesses in the past four years because of significant technology improvements, according to printers.

Ko Myo Min Oo, managing director of the Xenon Inject Printing, said vinyl printing was popular because it is durable and allows artists more freedom when creating their designs.

Designs are now mostly created on computer, which allows photos to be incorporated in the advertisement.

Previously, artists would create billboards by hand painting the design but in the past four years most advertisers have switched to vinyl printing.

“Advertisements printed on vinyl are very effective for branding products, this is why outdoor advertising is becoming more and more popular. It is one of the best weapons companies have in introducing new products to the market,” Ko Myo Min Oo said. “It’s also very cost effective,” he added.

And it seems businesses agree. According to a Myanmar Marketing Research Development survey, local business spent about $17 million on advertising in 2006, with about $1 million spent on billboard advertising – mostly vinyl printed.

But vinyl printing is not just limited to large advertisements at busy intersections. As technology improves and printing costs shrink, small shops and restaurants are also embracing the new printing method.

U Kyaw Zwar, who owns a restaurant in Ahlone township, is one of many small business owners that have embraced vinyl printing.

“We have our menu vinyl-printed, with pictures of the dishes. I think customers like it, it’s easier for them to choose what they want,” he said. “I even changed the signboard of my shop with one that was printed on vinyl because I think it more attractive than the ordinary signboard.”

“In the past four years, there have been many developments in vinyl printing. The first thing is the price – four years ago it was about US$5 per square foot. The quality of the prints, the resolution, was also lower then. There were few printers and only a few businesses used vinyl printing,” he said.

Current prices now range from K180 to K1500 per square foot, depending on the material used and the resolution. Most vinyl printed advertisements now last for at least one year.

Ko Myo Min Oo is confident that, as quality continues to improve, vinyl printing will become even more popular.

“The vinyl printing industry is developing, in terms of quality as well as the production capacity,” he said. “The business is good. We are hoping it can be better in the future.”