Smithers on the future of USD 22.0-billion digital print for packaging

According to a study by Smithers on the future of digital print for packaging, in 2025, the total packaging and label printing market is valued at USD 537.1-billion, with digital printing accounting for 4.1% of value (USD 22.0-billion) and 1.3% of packaging volume. The report projects the market share will increase from 4.1% to 5.8% in 2030, reaching USD 36.9-billion.

The study highlights that digital printing is increasing more rapidly than traditional analogue printing technologies. While digital is widely used in labelling, the scalability and versatility of inkjet make it appealing for large-format presses designed to print cartons, corrugated, and flexibles.  

Sean Smyth, the author of the study, highlights, “Digital print for packaging  is an area of print that is growing and changing.” He continues, “New technologies is enabling brands, converters, and manufacturers to do more with packaging.” 

Converters are making improvements in upstream order processing, design, approval, and pre-press, as well as downstream finishing and logistics. These improvements can be traced to brands and retailers increasingly realising the benefits of digital print production.

Smyth notes, “As the market matures, growth rates moderate from the past five years of adoption, but are still very attractive to converters, equipment manufacturers, consumables and substrate providers.”

The study highlights the global, national, and regional production of labels and packaging, including corrugated, cartons, flexible packaging, rigid plastics, and metal, printed with digital printing, such as electrophotography or inkjet. 

Furthermore, the study focusses on four themes: the key factors motivating companies across the supply chain to invest in digital printing technology, how converters are tackling the implications of handling multiple short runs, how generative artificial intelligence (AI) can be incorporated into machine learning to support machine maintenance, and what technological advancements are improving print quality for packaging applications over the next five years.

This report is essential to raw materials suppliers, including inks and consumables, equipment and machinery suppliers, and print providers and packaging converters.

Smyth has 25+ years of experience in senior technical and management roles for the print industry. He has written off-the-shelf market studies and offered strategic consulting services to clients throughout the value chain while working at Smithers.