Global Digital Printing Packaging Market- Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Printing Ink (Solvent-Based, UV-based, Aqueous, Others), By Printing Technology (Thermal Transfer Printing, Inkjet Printing, Electrophotography & Electrostatic Printing, Others), By Format (Fill Color Printing, Variable Data Printing, Large Format Printing, Others), By Packaging Type (Corrugated, Folding Cartons, Flexible Packaging, Others), By End User Industry (Food & Beverage, Pharmaceutical & Healthcare, Household & Cosmetic Products, Others), By Region and Competition 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 39.09 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	7.71%
Fastest Growing Segment	Inkjet Printing
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 61.04 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Digital Printing Packaging Market will grow from USD 39.09 Billion in 2025 to USD 61.04 Billion by 2031 at a 7.71% CAGR. Digital printing for packaging involves the direct transfer of digital images onto substrates using technologies such as inkjet and electrophotography, eliminating the need for physical plates. The market is primarily supported by the increasing demand for short production runs and rapid speed to market, which allows brands to manage inventory more efficiently and reduce warehousing costs. Furthermore, the unique capability for variable data printing enables mass customization, directly addressing the growing consumer preference for personalized products. This positive industrial momentum is illustrated by recent investment intentions; according to FESPA, in 2025, 40 percent of attendees at their Global Print Expo indicated plans to invest in new printing solutions within the coming year.

However, the sector faces a significant barrier regarding cost efficiency which could impede broader market expansion. The substantial expense of consumables, particularly proprietary inks and printheads, often makes digital printing less economically viable than traditional analog methods for high volume production orders.

Key Market Drivers

Technological advancements in digital press speed and substrate versatility are significantly expanding the addressable market for digital packaging by bridging the productivity gap with analog methods. Historically restricted to short runs, modern digital presses now offer throughput capabilities that make medium-run production economically viable, encouraging broader industrial adoption. For instance, according to Labels & Labeling, December 2025, the HP Indigo V12 digital press has demonstrated the capacity to reach production speeds of up to 117.5 meters per minute, allowing converters to transition larger volumes from flexographic to digital workflows. This operational maturity is reflected in the sector's installing base, which indicates a robust shift toward industrial-scale digital manufacturing; according to WhatTheyThink, May 2025, HP Indigo reached a significant milestone with the installation of its 400th flexible packaging press worldwide.

Growing emphasis on sustainable and waste-minimizing manufacturing processes is the second major catalyst reshaping the industry. As brand owners increasingly prioritize environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals, the digital printing advantage of eliminating prepress consumables like plates and reducing substrate waste through precise on-demand production has become a critical differentiator. This environmental benefit is quantifiable and substantial, providing brands with the necessary metrics to validate their sustainability claims. According to HP, July 2025, in the '2024 Sustainable Impact Report', the utilization of the HP Indigo 25K digital press can reduce the global warming impact of packaging production by as much as 65 percent compared to traditional analog printing technologies. This efficiency directly addresses the regulatory and consumer pressure for greener supply chains.

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Key Market Challenges

The "Global Digital Printing Packaging Market" faces a substantial growth barrier due to cost efficiency challenges, specifically the high operational expenses associated with consumables like proprietary inks and printheads. Unlike traditional analog processes where unit costs decrease dramatically with volume, digital printing incurs a consistently high variable cost per unit. This cost structure renders the technology economically unviable for high-volume production runs, which constitute the majority of the packaging sector's output. Consequently, converters are compelled to restrict digital utilization to short-run or promotional projects, preventing the technology from displacing analog methods in the core mass-production segment.

This economic constraint is intensified by broader financial pressures within the industry, where preserving margins is paramount. The premium price of digital inputs makes it difficult for businesses to justify shifting standard long-run jobs to digital platforms. According to the PRINTING United Alliance, in 2025, the industry faced an operating cost inflation that averaged 2.9%, a financial strain that significantly outpaced the ability to raise prices. In such a margin-compressed environment, the high ongoing costs of digital consumables act as a deterrent to wider adoption, effectively capping the market's expansion potential.

Key Market Trends

Implementation of AI-Driven Workflow Automation and Inspection is revolutionizing the production environment by enhancing quality control and operational efficiency. Beyond mere print speed, AI algorithms now enable predictive maintenance and real-time defect detection, which significantly mitigates production errors and material waste. This technological shift has become a critical strategic priority for converters aiming to optimize complex manufacturing workflows and reduce reliance on manual oversight. According to Esko, March 2025, in the 'Packaging Trends 2025 Survey', 73 percent of industry respondents indicated that automation, artificial intelligence, and machine learning would have the biggest impact on the packaging sector in the coming year.

Integration of Smart Packaging and Connected Technologies is simultaneously transforming passive containers into digital data carriers, offering brands new avenues for supply chain visibility and consumer engagement. This trend involves embedding technologies such as RFID and NFC directly into packaging, thereby facilitating product traceability and interactive digital experiences that extend beyond the physical shelf. The commercial adoption of these intelligent solutions is accelerating, particularly in high-volume consumer sectors. According to Avery Dennison, January 2025, in the 'Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results', the company reported a total sales increase of 4.7 percent to $8.8 billion, a performance supported by the strong demand for Intelligent Labels within the apparel and general retail segments.

Segmental Insights

According to authoritative market research, Inkjet Printing represents the fastest-growing segment within the Global Digital Printing Packaging Market. This expansion is primarily driven by the technology's non-contact mechanism, which enables direct application onto diverse substrates such as corrugated board and flexible films without material damage. Furthermore, the rising demand for cost-efficient short runs and variable data capabilities supports brand strategies focusing on personalization and rapid inventory turnover. Continued improvements in production speed and the development of food-compliant aqueous inks have also expanded its applicability, making inkjet a highly viable alternative to traditional analog methods.

Regional Insights

North America holds the leading position in the Global Digital Printing Packaging Market, driven by the early adoption of advanced printing technologies and a robust retail sector. The dominance of the region is supported by the increasing demand for flexible, short-run packaging solutions that cater to consumer preferences for customization. Additionally, stringent labeling requirements mandated by the Food and Drug Administration necessitate precise and variable data printing, which digital platforms efficiently provide. Consequently, strong industrial infrastructure and widespread commercial application sustain the market leadership of North America.

Recent Developments

• In May 2024, Electronics For Imaging, Inc. (EFI) and Packsize unveiled the X5 Nozomi, an automated on-demand box-making system, at the drupa trade fair. This solution integrates EFI’s single-pass UV LED inkjet printing technology with Packsize’s right-sized box manufacturing capabilities. The system prints, cuts, creases, glues, and erects customized corrugated boxes at speeds of up to one box every six seconds. The collaboration aims to optimize e-commerce logistics by reducing packaging waste and eliminating the need for pre-printed inventory, thereby enhancing sustainability and operational efficiency for corrugated packaging manufacturers.
• In May 2024, SCREEN Graphic Solutions Co., Ltd. finalized the development and global availability of the Truepress PAC 520P, a water-based inkjet system designed for paper packaging. The press was engineered to meet the increasing demand for sustainable, paper-based flexible packaging options. Capable of printing on media widths up to 520 millimeters at speeds of up to 80 meters per minute, the system utilizes proprietary water-based inks that comply with food safety regulations. This launch allows converters to produce environmentally friendly packaging with high resolution, supporting the industry's transition toward recyclable materials and reduced environmental impact.
• In May 2024, Fujifilm confirmed multiple investments in its Jet Press FP790, a digital inkjet press tailored for the flexible packaging market. European packaging converters, including Vedreine Packaging Group and Dettmer Delo Verpackungen, purchased the water-based technology to enhance their digital production capabilities. The installations were intended to address the market shift towards shorter print runs and reduced lead times while maintaining consistent print quality. The press features a resolution of 1200 dpi and utilizes water-based inks, enabling these companies to offer compliant and agile packaging solutions to clients in the confectionery and food sectors.
• In March 2024, HP Inc. introduced a new lineup of digital printing presses designed to address production challenges in the commercial printing and packaging sectors. During the Dscoop Edge event, the company unveiled the HP Indigo 120K Digital Press, which addresses high-volume production needs by reducing human touchpoints and enabling multi-press operation. Additionally, the company launched the HP Indigo 18K Digital Press, capable of handling a wide range of print applications and diverse substrates. These systems were developed to help converters and printers manage labor shortages and energy concerns while improving efficiency through intelligent automation and advanced digital technologies.

Key Market Players

• CCL Industries, Inc.
• Quad/Graphics Inc.
• DS Smith plc
• Smurfit Kappa Group plc
• Printpack, Inc.
• Thimm The Highpack Group
• Krones AG
• ePac Holdings, LLC
• Nosco Inc.
• Quantum Print & Packaging Ltd.

By Printing Ink	By Printing Technology	By Format	By Packaging Type	By End User Industry	By Region
Solvent-Based UV-based Aqueous Others	Thermal Transfer Printing Inkjet Printing Electrophotography & Electrostatic Printing Others	Fill Color Printing Variable Data Printing Large Format Printing Others	Corrugated Folding Cartons Flexible Packaging Others	Food & Beverage Pharmaceutical & Healthcare Household & Cosmetic Products Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Digital Printing Packaging Market, By Printing Ink:

• Solvent-Based
• UV-based
• Aqueous
• Others

• Digital Printing Packaging Market, By Printing Technology:

• Thermal Transfer Printing
• Inkjet Printing
• Electrophotography & Electrostatic Printing
• Others

• Digital Printing Packaging Market, By Format:

• Fill Color Printing
• Variable Data Printing
• Large Format Printing
• Others

• Digital Printing Packaging Market, By Packaging Type:

• Corrugated
• Folding Cartons
• Flexible Packaging
• Others

• Digital Printing Packaging Market, By End User Industry:

• Food & Beverage
• Pharmaceutical & Healthcare
• Household & Cosmetic Products
• Others

• Digital Printing Packaging 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