Security Printing Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Printing Type (Screen Printing, Letterpress Printing, Digital Printing, Lithographic Printing, Intaglio Printing, Others), By Application (Cheques, Bank Notes, Legal & Government Documents, Certificates, Personal ID, Others), By Region, By Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 54.21 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	8.82%
Fastest Growing Segment	Digital Printing
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 90.02 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Security Printing Market will grow from USD 54.21 Billion in 2025 to USD 90.02 Billion by 2031 at a 8.82% CAGR. Security printing involves the production of highly protected documents and items such as banknotes, passports, and tamper-evident labels that require authentication features to prevent forgery. The sector is primarily supported by the critical need for anti-counterfeiting solutions to preserve brand reputation and the rising demand for secure government identification to combat identity fraud. Additionally, strict regulatory mandates regarding product traceability in pharmaceutical and luxury goods industries further stimulate market activity by requiring verifiable supply chain security.

A significant challenge impeding market expansion is the rapid global digitalization of payments and documentation which threatens the volume of physical security products. Manufacturers must also navigate complex copyright and intellectual property issues to ensure the uniqueness of their proprietary designs against sophisticated replication attempts. According to the International Hologram Manufacturers Association, in 2024, the Security Image Register held over 10,000 registrations to assist the industry in safeguarding copyright and verifying security features.

Key Market Drivers

The modernization of currency through polymer substrates and security threads is a primary factor propelling the global security printing market, driven by central banks seeking to enhance the durability and counterfeit resilience of banknotes. Monetary authorities are increasingly transitioning from cotton paper to polymer materials which offer extended circulation life and support the integration of advanced features like transparent windows and complex holographic threads. This shift ensures physical cash remains a trusted and secure payment method despite the digital payments boom. For instance, reflecting this ongoing commitment to physical currency, the Federal Reserve Board, September 2025, in the '2026 Federal Reserve Note Print Order', authorized a production range of 3.8 billion to 5.1 billion notes to satisfy domestic and international demand.

The market is simultaneously fortified by the escalating global prevalence of counterfeiting and identity theft, which compels governments and brand owners to adopt sophisticated authentication technologies. As illicit trade networks become more capable of replicating standard security marks, there is a critical need for multi-layered protection in tax stamps, ID documents, and product packaging to safeguard revenue and public safety. According to the European Union Intellectual Property Office, October 2025, in the 'EU enforcement of intellectual property rights: results at the EU border and in the EU internal market 2024' report, enforcement authorities seized over 112 million counterfeit items with an estimated retail value of €3.8 billion, highlighting the magnitude of the threat. Consequently, industrial activity remains robust; according to Koenig & Bauer, March 2025, the company's Special segment, which focuses on security printing applications, recorded an order intake of €541.9 million for the 2024 financial year.

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Key Market Challenges

The rapid global digitalization of payments and documentation poses a fundamental threat to the growth of the security printing market by systematically eroding the demand for physical security products. As financial ecosystems and government infrastructures transition toward electronic platforms, the necessity for tangible items such as banknotes, cheques, and paper-based identification documents declines. This transition creates a difficult environment for manufacturers, as the volume of high-margin physical prints contracts, directly impacting the industry's traditional revenue base.

This trend is clearly evidenced by the changing landscape of consumer transaction preferences, which favors speed and convenience over physical currency. The reduction in cash usage forces central banks and commercial entities to lower their procurement of printed currency, thereby stalling market expansion. According to UK Finance, in 2024, cash usage fell to less than 10 per cent of all payments for the first time as consumers increasingly turned to digital payment options. This significant drop in physical transaction volume underscores the severity of the challenge, as security printers face a shrinking total addressable market for their core currency products.

Key Market Trends

The integration of biometric data into identification documents is reshaping the sector by enhancing the security of government-issued credentials. Governments are increasingly transitioning to electronic passports and polycarbonate ID cards that embed biological metrics, such as facial recognition and fingerprints, directly into secure chips to prevent fraud. This shift ensures that travel documents are inextricably linked to the physical holder, driving massive issuance volumes as nations upgrade their border control infrastructure. According to the U.S. Department of State, October 2024, in the 'Record-Breaking Achievements in U.S. Passport Processing' announcement, the agency issued approximately 24.5 million passport books and cards during fiscal year 2024, marking the third consecutive year of record-breaking totals.

Simultaneously, the convergence of physical and digital security via NFC and RFID is revolutionizing product authentication. Manufacturers are embedding digital triggers, such as encrypted QR codes and near-field communication chips, into tax stamps and brand labels to create hybrid protection. This approach enables instantaneous smartphone verification and real-time supply chain traceability, expanding the market's scope beyond traditional printing methods. This demand for connected security features is evident in financial performance; according to De La Rue, July 2024, in the '2024 Full Year Results', the company's Authentication division, which provides these digital-physical solutions, reported that revenue rose by 12.5% to £103.2 million for the fiscal year.

Segmental Insights

Market analysis identifies Digital Printing as the fastest-growing segment within the Global Security Printing Market. This trend is primarily propelled by the increasing demand for variable data printing, which allows for the efficient personalization and serialization of secure documents such as identification cards and tax stamps. Unlike traditional analog methods suited for mass production, digital technology offers superior cost-effectiveness for short runs and enables rapid turnaround times. Additionally, strict regulatory requirements from government bodies regarding track-and-trace compliance for brand protection are significantly boosting the adoption of these flexible printing solutions across the industry.

Regional Insights

North America leads the Global Security Printing Market, driven by strict regulatory frameworks and significant demand for anti-counterfeiting measures. The region’s dominance is supported by the integration of secure authentication methods, such as biometric data and radio-frequency identification, into financial and legal documents. Institutions like the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing maintain rigorous standards for currency and identification production to combat fraud. Additionally, the increasing focus on preventing identity theft compels government and financial sectors to invest in durable, secure printing capabilities, ensuring North America remains the primary hub for this industry.

Recent Developments

• In September 2025, Koenig & Bauer launched "varnish protect aegis," an innovative security solution designed to integrate directly into the standard printing process. This new product utilizes steganography technology to embed hidden information, such as codes or images, seamlessly into the varnish layer of printed materials without altering the visible design. The solution was developed to enable printing companies to offer enhanced brand protection capabilities, transforming them from service providers into protection partners. The launch aimed to provide a cost-effective and efficient method for authentication, allowing a single varnish plate to be used across multiple print jobs.
• In March 2025, Orell Füssli reported a significant revenue increase in its Security Printing Division, driven by the acquisition of two new central bank customers with multi-year contracts. The company highlighted a technological breakthrough with the successful commissioning of a new system utilizing laser technology for banknote perforation. Furthermore, the organization announced the upcoming deployment of a track and trace system for banknote printing, underscoring its commitment to digital innovation. These developments reinforced the company's position as an innovation leader, combining physical security features with advanced digital verification capabilities for the global market.
• In July 2024, Authentix finalized the acquisition of specific authentication assets from Nanotech Security Corp., a subsidiary of Meta Materials Inc. This strategic agreement involved the purchase of business units specialized in banknote authentication and brand protection, including advanced nano-optic security features. The acquisition allowed the company to significantly expand its technology portfolio for central banks and government clients by integrating nano-structured films and foils into its existing offerings. The deal also ensured the continued operation of key manufacturing facilities and the retention of specialized staff to support the development of next-generation anti-counterfeiting solutions.
• In May 2024, Crane NXT, Co. completed its acquisition of OpSec Security, a global provider of brand protection and authentication solutions. The transaction, valued at approximately $270 million, aligned with the company’s strategy to expand its capabilities in securing physical and digital assets. This acquisition added a comprehensive suite of digital and physical authentication technologies to the company's portfolio, enhancing its service offerings for government agencies, financial institutions, and commercial brands. Consequently, the organization renamed its currency segment to "Security and Authentication Technologies" to better reflect the integrated business structure and its broadened technological scope.

Key Market Players

• Giesecke Devrient GmbH
• De La Rue plc
• CCL Industries Inc.
• Document Security Systems, Inc.
• Brady Corporation
• SICPA Holding SA
• Orell Füssli Holding AG
• Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited
• Bundesdruckerei GmbH
• Royal Mint of Spain

By Printing Type	By Application	By Region
Screen Printing Letterpress Printing Digital Printing Lithographic Printing Intaglio Printing Others	Cheques Bank Notes Legal & Government Documents Certificates Personal ID Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Security Printing Market, By Printing Type:

• Screen Printing
• Letterpress Printing
• Digital Printing
• Lithographic Printing
• Intaglio Printing
• Others

• Security Printing Market, By Application:

• Cheques
• Bank Notes
• Legal & Government Documents
• Certificates
• Personal ID
• Others

• Security 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