Squirting ink on to dead trees remains popular despite the rise of tablets, smartphones and other devices.

IDC Research reports the Australia-New Zealand inkjet market grew during the second quarter of 2013 to a total of 443,000 units. That's a growth of two percent in unit sales compared with the earlier quarter although sales are down three percent when compared with the same quarter last year.

The company says the recent growth spurt comes on the back of heavy price discounts and promotions bundling printers with other products. Most of the growth was in what IDC calls the 'entry-level' segment.

In other words, that recent growth spurt is probably not sustainable. And printer makers are hardly popping corks on the bubbly, IDC says revenues declined 18 percent in 2012 and the first half of 2013 shows "further softening of revenues".

IDC expects the current year to see 1.7 million inkjet printers shipped in Australia and New Zealand.

Table 1: 2013 Q2 ANZ Inkjet Printer Shipments

Rank Vendors 2013 Q2 – Unit Shipment Market Share
1 HP 44%
2 Canon 26%
3 Epson 16%
4 Brother 13%
5 Others* 1%
*Others include Dell and Lanier

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