Digital Printing Packaging Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Technology (Thermal Transfer Printing, Inkjet Printing, Electrophotography Printing, and Others), By Product Type (Labels, Boxes & Cartons, Films & Wraps, Bags & Pouches, and Others), By End-use Industry (Food & Beverages, Personal Care & Cosmetics, Consumer Goods, Pharmaceuticals, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2025-2032

The global digital printing packaging market size was valued at USD 33.28 billion in 2024. The market is projected to grow from USD 36.02 billion in 2025 to USD 56.62 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.67% during the forecast period. North America dominated the digital printing packaging market with a market share of 31.64% in 2024.

Digital printing packaging is the method of transferring a digital file directly to a printer for applications on various packaging materials. The process simplifies the printing stages, further reducing production time. Digital printing provides personalization and flexibility in product packaging and saves packaging time to market, which, in turn, drives global market growth. The growth of end-use industries such as food and beverages, personal care and cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals in several emerging economies is generating profitable opportunities for digital printing manufacturers.

Digital Printing Packaging Market Trends

Augmenting Demand for Personalization by Manufacturers is Booming as a Major Market Trend

The increasing demand for customized or personalized packaging solutions by manufacturers across every end-use industry is a primary trend in the market. Digital printing technology is crucial in enabling ease and cost-effectiveness in product packaging with its unique designs, products, and several materials. The customization of digitally printed products allows companies to enrich their brands, engage better with their customers, and meet the rapidly changing customer preferences for bespoke products. Moreover, the short time-to-market of digital printers is also another factor that facilitates the customization trend, further boosting the market growth. Modern printing processes take long setup times and high productivity, making it problematic to respond quickly to business needs. Digital printing packaging offers fast setup, data exchange, and production processes, enabling manufacturers to quickly produce small and medium-sized prints and customize products according to their requirements.

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COVID-19 IMPACT

Noteworthy Rise in E-commerce and Food & Beverages Sector Propelled Market Growth

The COVID-19 virus caused a tremendous change in the production and growth of several end-use industries worldwide. The digital printing packaging industry also faced crucial problems in the initial pandemic stage. The price and supply of the dyes used in the printing technologies have been notably impacted by factory closures in several parts of the world. However, as the supply chains in the digital printing industry became more flexible and responsive, it safeguarded them from ongoing disruptions and is expected to protect them from future outbreaks. Moreover, with the ease in environmental regulations in the post-pandemic period, along with the growing e-commerce and food & beverages industries, the market is poised to witness significant growth. The growing demand for a sustainable economy in the post-pandemic phase is also expected to drive market growth.

Growth Factors

Significant Demand for Sustainable Printing to Boost Market Growth

A rising global demand from consumers, as well as government bodies, to have a more sustainable economy is encouraging the printing industry to opt for digital printing techniques for packaging. With the growing number of environmentally conscious consumers, the demand for sustainable printing is encouraging manufacturers to opt for sustainable printing techniques, further driving market growth. The growing demand for sustainable printing is also increasing the use of digital printing equipment that guarantees low environmental impact, attains low energy consumption, and utilizes eco-friendly materials. Unlike traditional printing technologies, digital printing does not utilize film plates and photo chemicals, which eradicates the pre-press phases between the digital document file and the final print. The utilization of digital printers also avoids the replacement of plates, and the usage of cold press plates further saves time and resources. Such printers do not emit any harmful emissions and do not require any ventilation for offset presses. Hence, the growing demand for such sustainable printers is fostering the demand for digitally printed packaging products, thus boosting the market growth.

Continuous Innovations in Digital Printing Technologies Contribute to Market Growth

Digital printing packaging is highly utilized in several end-use industries such as food & beverages, pharmaceuticals, and personal care & cosmetics. With the rising substantial technological developments in digital printing technologies, including inkjet and electrophotography, the overall market growth is increasing. Digital printing is also emerging as one of the cost-effective and highly accessible printing methods, which, in turn, encourages packaging manufacturers to use the technology for product packaging. The significant innovations in digital printing packaging technologies that offer high-quality packaging with several advantages, such as personalization, decreased wastage, and quick turnaround, are also driving market growth. In addition, due to several improvements in equipment and technological developments, the brand owners and packaging converters prefer digital printing, further propelling the market growth.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Volatile Raw Material Prices and Strict Guidelines on Product Usage in Food May Impede Market Growth

Over recent years, the digital printing sector has been facing tremendous pressure to supply high-quality prints at a relatively lower cost than other printing techniques. The rising fluctuations in the costs of raw materials have caused a hostile impact on the profitability and demand of digitally printed packaging products, further hindering the overall market growth. The high costs of paper, ink, and various other materials, along with the rising crude oil prices, are the major factors causing the price fluctuations. Moreover, the strict guidelines for the manufacturing of digital printing products for packaging also hinder market growth. For instance, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and the Federal Food and Drug Cosmetics Act, of 2004 put forth efforts to ensure that the ink used for printing on food packaging is developed under good manufacturing practices and is free from hazardous substances. Such factors are thus expected to impede market growth.

Segmentation Analysis

By Technology Analysis

Inkjet Printing Segment’s Growth is Driven by its Significant Advantages Compared to its Alternatives

Based on technology, the market is segmented into thermal transfer printing, inkjet printing, electrophotography printing, and others.

The inkjet printing segment holds the largest digital printing packaging market share and is projected to burgeon during the projected period. This segment is also analyzed to witness the highest growth rate in the upcoming years. Inkjet technology offers a number of performance and cost advantages, such as on-demand printing, short turnaround times and automated color management as compared to flexography or electrophotography processes. In addition, this technology is less expensive to purchase than many other digital printers and does not consist of any extra click charges. Moreover, full-color printing and custom-made production are feasible with inkjet technology and reduce ink waste as it ejects ink only to the parts to be printed, due to which this segment is experiencing significant growth in the market.

Thermal transfer printing is the second-leading segment and is analyzed to grow rapidly over the forecast period. The technology offers excellent quality and durability to the desired images, due to which the segment’s growth will flourish.

By Product Type Analysis

Labels Segment Dominates Due to High Demand for Digitally Printed Labels in Several Industries

Based on product type, the market is segmented into labels, boxes & cartons, films & wraps, bags & pouches, and others.

The labels segment dominates the product type segment of the digital printing packaging industry and contributes to the highest segment share. Digitally printed labels are essential in boosting brand recognition and strengthening brand image with their unique designs. The labels also offer a competitive edge and are an effective approach to making the brand stand out, owing to which they are gaining high demand from varied end-use industries. Such augmenting demand for labels that increase sales and revenues of brands with their creative designs is fostering the segment’s growth.

Bags & pouches are the second-dominating product type segment. The rising utilization of such products in varied end-use industries will boost the segment’s growth.

By End-use Industry Analysis

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Food & Beverage Foster’s Growth Owing to Potential Benefits of Digital Product Packaging

Based on end-use industry, the market is segmented into food & beverages, personal care & cosmetics, consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, and others.

Food & beverages is the dominating end-use industry segment and embraces the largest segmental share. Digital printing enables food & beverage manufacturers to run numerous package versions in the same printing process with almost no extra expense or production time, owing to which it is highly utilized in the packaging of products. This technology also offers high-quality packaging to the food & beverage industries with the benefits of personalization, easy turnaround, reduced wastage, and essential modification to pack designs.

The consumer goods end-use industry will experience noteworthy growth as there is continuous innovation by manufacturers in the digital printing of consumer goods products.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

The market is analyzed across North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.

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North America dominated the digital printing packaging market with a market share of 31.26% in 2022. The presence of leading players, along with the growing food & beverage industries in the region, are contributing to the market expansion. Moreover, the continuous rise in innovations by manufacturers and the high demand for sustainable printing methods by consumers is boosting the market growth in the region.

Europe's market for digital printing packaging is the second-largest region and is estimated to grow rapidly in the forthcoming years. Advancements in the metal packaging industry, coupled with the growing personal care & cosmetics sector in Europe, are boosting the demand for digital printing for packaging. In addition, the rising self-care awareness and spending behavior among consumers is driving the growth of personal care & cosmetic industries, later generating opportunities for digital printing in Europe.

Asia Pacific market for digital printing packaging is expected to experience noteworthy growth over the forecast period. The augmenting healthcare, pharmaceuticals, personal care, and food industries and the use of digitally printed packaging types such as labels and cartons in the region majorly contribute to the growing demand for digital printing for product packaging.

The Latin American market is expected to witness moderate growth during the forecast period due to the rising use of electrophotography technology in the food & beverage and consumer goods sectors in the region.

The Middle East & Africa market for digital printing packaging is analyzed to experience steady growth over the forthcoming period. The rising e-commerce sales in the region are poised to boost the demand for digital printing on product packaging, further driving market growth.

List of Key Digital Printing Packaging Market Companies

Prominent Companies Dominate Owing to Focus on Innovation

The global digital printing packaging market is highly fragmented and competitive. Regarding market share, the few major players dominate the market by offering innovative packaging in the packaging industry. These major players are constantly focusing on expanding their customer base across the regions and innovation.

Major players in the market include Huhtamaki, Graphic Packaging International, Packman Packaging, ePac Holdings, LLC, Mondi, DS Smith, and others. Numerous other players operating in the industry are focused on delivering advanced packaging solutions.

List of Key Companies Profiled:

• Huhtamaki (Finland)


• Graphic Packaging International (U.S.)


• Packman Packaging (India)


• ePac Holdings, LLC (U.S.)


• Mondi (U.K.)


• DS Smith (U.K.)


• Smurfit Kappa (Ireland)


• Stora Enso (Finland)


• InstaPac Flexible Packaging (India)


• CCL Industries Inc. (Canada)  


• Quad (U.S.)


• Swisspac Packaging (India)


• Printpack (U.S.)


• Quantum Print and Packaging (U.K.)


• Sunkey Plastic Packaging Co. Ltd (China)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• August 2023: Nobelus, an unsupported film and thermal laminate company offering premium products to the packaging sector, introduced a new product line of print web films manufactured especially for flexible packaging applications. The line helps all the smaller digital converters in exploring new markets and packaging formats.


• January 2023: Cascades announced the product launch of new eco-friendly packaging specifically for fresh fruits and vegetables. The multiple customization options offered by the company will help the brands stand out on the shelf with high-quality flexographic, lithographic, and digital printing options.


• December 2022: U-Label, a European wines e-label platform, announced the collaboration with Italy-based Giunko to offer its customers access to digital information regarding product packaging and recycling in Italy. A QR code on the bottle will assist as a digital one-stop solution for nutrition declaration, list of ingredients, and disposal information of the packaging components.


• July 2021: Nosco, Inc., a subsidiary of Holden Industries, Inc., declared the official launch of its new and innovative sustainable packaging portfolio, Nosco Grow. The portfolio includes cartons, labels, inserts, and other flexible packaging products. In addition to this portfolio, the company will continue its leadership in digital print as well as strategic partnerships.


• April 2020: Printpack, a U.S.-based company of flexible and specialty rigid packaging, declared a significant investment in its additional digital printing capacity. The company also notified that its digital printing business will accelerate the new product introduction process and offer a cost-effective alternative for shorter runs.

REPORT COVERAGE

An Infographic Representation of Digital Printing Packaging Market

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The report provides detailed market analysis and focuses on key aspects such as key players, competitive landscape, product/service types, market segmentation, Porter’s five forces analysis, and leading end-use industries of the product. Besides, it offers insights into the market trends and highlights key industry developments. In addition to the above factors, the report encompasses several factors that have contributed to the market's growth in recent years.

Report Scope & Segmentation