Digital Printing Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast Segmented By Printing Process (Electrophotography, Inkjet), Application (Books, Commercial Printing, Packaging (Labels, Corrugated Packaging, Cartons, Flexible Packaging, Rigid Plastic Packaging, Metal Packaging)), By Region, Competition 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 30.91 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	4.64%
Fastest Growing Segment	Packaging
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 40.58 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Digital Printing Market will grow from USD 30.91 Billion in 2025 to USD 40.58 Billion by 2031 at a 4.64% CAGR. Digital printing is defined as the direct transfer of electronic files onto media substrates using technologies such as inkjet or liquid toner, effectively eliminating the need for the physical plates required in traditional analog processes. The market is primarily supported by the escalating demand for cost-effective short-run production and the necessity for rapid turnaround times within modern supply chains. Furthermore, the capability to execute variable data printing facilitates highly personalized marketing strategies, while the reduction of material waste offers a compelling operational advantage for businesses prioritizing sustainability.

However, market expansion faces a significant challenge regarding the high cost of consumables and the substantial capital investment required for industrial-grade digital equipment. These financial barriers can impede adoption rates among smaller service providers despite the efficiency gains. According to the PRINTING United Alliance, in 2024, digital technologies accounted for 50.2% of total production volume among surveyed companies, marking a pivotal shift where digital output surpassed analog methods for the first time in this dataset.

Key Market Drivers

The rapid expansion of the digital packaging and labeling sector is significantly reshaping the global market, driven by the increasing necessity for supply chain agility and consumer engagement through versioning. Brand owners are aggressively shifting away from long-run analog capabilities to capitalized on the flexibility of digital systems, which allow for cost-effective short runs and rapid design changes without the expense of physical plates. This transition enables manufacturers to reduce inventory holding costs while meeting the growing requirement for localized and personalized packaging content. The momentum in this sector is quantifiable in recent industrial performance metrics. According to Heidelberg, June 2025, in the 'Financial Year 2024/2025 Results', incoming orders for the company's Packaging Solutions segment increased by approximately 7% to €1,272 million, underscoring the substantial investment flowing into digital packaging workflows.

Simultaneously, the surging demand for sustainable and eco-friendly printing solutions is fundamentally altering procurement strategies and technological adoption across the industry. Digital printing offers an inherent environmental advantage by eliminating the chemical waste associated with plate processing and significantly reducing substrate waste during make-ready, which aligns with the stringent corporate social responsibility mandates of modern corporations. This trend is not merely regulatory but is increasingly driven by buyer preference for vendors who can demonstrate reduced carbon footprints. According to FESPA Italia, July 2025, in the 'FESPA Print Census' announcement, 72% of print service buyers are now actively seeking eco-friendly solutions, forcing providers to adapt their production technologies. This shift toward sustainable and efficient digital methods is a primary engine for the broader industry; according to Canon, in 2025, the transition from analog to digital processes is driving continued growth of approximately 5% in the digital printing equipment market.

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Key Market Challenges

The substantial capital investment required for industrial machinery and the recurring high costs of consumables function as a primary restraint on market growth. While digital workflows offer speed, the unit cost for inks and liquid toners remains significantly higher than traditional offset materials. This price disparity limits the economic viability of digital printing for medium-to-long production runs, effectively restricting the technology to short-run applications. Consequently, print service providers often delay transitioning to digital infrastructure because the return on investment is difficult to justify when profit margins are already compressed by these operational expenses.

This financial barrier is particularly acute for smaller service providers who lack the liquidity to absorb the initial outlay for industrial-grade equipment. The hesitation to invest hampers the overall installation rate of new digital units and slows the displacement of analog legacy systems. According to the PRINTING United Alliance, in 2024, more than 70% of commercial printers cited increasing material and operating costs as their most significant business challenge. This economic pressure directly creates a cautious investment environment, reducing the speed at which the market can expand.

Key Market Trends

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for workflow automation and predictive maintenance is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of operational efficiency within the global digital printing sector. As print service providers face acute labor shortages and shrinking profit margins, they are leveraging AI algorithms to optimize job scheduling, automate complex color management tasks, and predict equipment failures before they occur. This technological shift allows for the reallocation of human resources to higher-value client management roles while minimizing the costly downtime associated with unscheduled repairs. The momentum of this adoption is evident in recent industry surveys; according to the PRINTING United Alliance, March 2024, in the 'State of the Industry Update', the utilization of AI tools among surveyed print providers surged significantly, rising from 24.7% in September 2023 to 40.0% in early 2024.

Simultaneously, the proliferation of Direct-to-Garment (DTG) and Direct-to-Film (DTF) technologies is revolutionizing the textile and apparel sectors by enabling decentralized, on-demand manufacturing. These platforms allow fashion brands to bypass complex global supply chains and reduce inventory risk by printing high-quality, customized garments only after a consumer order is placed. The versatility of DTF, in particular, which can transfer designs onto a wider variety of fabrics than traditional methods, is driving widespread equipment installation among fulfillment centers and industrial decorators. This segment’s trajectory is robust; according to Textile World, April 2024, in the article 'Epson Increases Production Efficiency', the global digital textile market is projected to grow to nearly $3.4 billion in 2024, fueled largely by the implementation of these flexible digital workflows.

Segmental Insights

The packaging segment is currently recognized as the fastest-growing category within the Global Digital Printing Market. This expansion is primarily driven by the increasing demand for variable data printing, which allows manufacturers to produce short runs and personalized labels efficiently. Furthermore, strict labeling mandates from regulatory bodies such as the Food and Drug Administration require frequent updates to product information, necessitating the flexibility that digital methods provide. Consequently, brands are adopting these technologies to ensure compliance and minimize inventory waste, thereby accelerating the growth of the packaging sector.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific holds the leading position in the global digital printing market, driven primarily by robust growth in the packaging and textile sectors across China and India. The region benefits from a significant shift toward digital methods to accommodate the need for shorter print runs and customization in manufacturing. Furthermore, the expanding e-commerce landscape accelerates the demand for flexible packaging solutions. This dominant market share is sustained by continuous industrial investment and the presence of major key players strengthening local production capabilities.

Recent Developments

• In September 2024, Epson announced the launch of the SureColor S9170, a new 64-inch solvent printer, at the PRINTING United Expo. This next-generation device featured an advanced 11-color ink set, including a newly developed green ink, to achieve an expansive color gamut covering over 99% of PANTONE colors. The printer was designed with the first user-replaceable printhead in its class to ensure consistent high-quality output and productivity for sign shops and print franchises. This development underscored the company's commitment to setting new standards in the signage printing market by combining extreme color accuracy with reliable industrial performance.
• In June 2024, Fujifilm Group announced the global launch of two new mid-range production presses in its Revoria series, the Revoria Press EC2100S and Revoria Press SC285S, during the Drupa exhibition. These advanced digital presses were equipped with specialized toner stations and designed to handle an expansive range of paper weights and sizes, enhancing production flexibility for users. The company stated that these systems would improve profitability for printing companies by combining superior image quality with faster printing speeds. This significant product launch was part of the company's broader strategy to accelerate the industry's shift towards digital printing solutions in the commercial sector.
• In May 2024, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG and Canon announced a global sales and service cooperation focused on sheetfed inkjet printing. Under this strategic partnership, Heidelberg expanded its technology portfolio by introducing a new inkjet product family based on Canon’s newly announced B2 sheetfed inkjet press and the established B3 sheetfed inkjet system. The collaboration was designed to support commercial print businesses in establishing hybrid offset and digital production environments to meet changing buyer needs for shorter runs. Both companies aimed to leverage their combined expertise to accelerate the industry's transition towards blended production models and transformative digital innovation.
• In March 2024, HP Indigo unveiled its latest portfolio of digital presses during a strategic pre-show event ahead of Drupa 2024. The company introduced the HP Indigo 120K Digital Press, specifically designed to address high-volume commercial printing challenges, and the HP Indigo 18K Digital Press, capable of handling a diverse range of industrial applications. Furthermore, the commercial availability of the HP Indigo V12 Digital Press was highlighted for its potential to reshape label production through high-speed efficiency. These innovations were aimed at supporting print service providers in accelerating their digital transformation by delivering enhanced productivity, versatility, and intelligent automation features.

Key Market Players

• Giesecke Devrient GmbH
• De La Rue plc
• CCL Industries Inc.
• Document Digital Systems, Inc.
• Brady Corporation
• SICPA Holding SA
• Orell Füssli Holding AG
• Digital Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited
• Bundesdruckerei GmbH
• Royal Mint of Spain
• Polska Wytwornia Papierow Wartosciowych S.A.
• Goznak
• Crane Currency

By Printing Process	By Region
Electrophotography Inkjet	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Digital Printing Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Digital Printing Market, By Printing Process:

• Electrophotography
• Inkjet

• Digital Printing Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE