Packaging Printing Market Report

Attractive Opportunities

Global Demand Analysis & Sales Opportunities in Packaging Printing Market

• The annual demand for packaging printing was USD 399.7 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 417.1 billion in 2025, up 4.3% than the value in 2024.
• During the next 8 years (forecast period of 2025-2032), the packaging printing market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.1%. The annual demand will reach USD 554.5 billion in 2032.
• During 2025-2032, the packaging printing industry is expected to generate a cumulative sales opportunity of USD 3870.8 billion, which is almost 2 times the opportunities during 2019-2024.

High-Growth Market Segments: 

• Asia-Pacific accounted for the largest share of the packaging printing market in 2024 and is expected to be the fastest-growing region during the forecast period.
• By packaging type, Corrugated segment is leading the packaging printing market in 2024 and is further expected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period.
• By printing technology type, Flexography printing technology segment is projected to have the largest share of the printing packaging market during the forecast period.
• By type, Solvent-Based Ink segment is expected to have the highest growth rate during the forecast period.
• By type, Food & Beverage segment is expected to be the fastest-growing segment of the packaging printing market during the forecast period.

Market Statistics 

Have a look at the sales opportunities presented by the packaging printing market in terms of growth and market forecast.

Market Dynamics

Introduction:

What is packaging printing?

Packaging printing refers to the process of applying text, graphics, and designs to product packaging materials to enhance branding, convey product information, and attract consumers. Packaging printing involves several different printing methods like flexography, offset, digital, and gravure printing, based on the type of packaging, design complexity, and production volume requirements.

Market Drivers: 

Rising Demand for Innovative Packaging Amid Intense Competition and Brand Differentiation

• The rising demand for innovative packaging mediums, driven by intense market competition and heightened brand awareness, is a significant growth driver for the packaging printing market. Companies increasingly use attractive, unique packaging to drive consumer engagement and express identity.
• Further, this demand fuels innovation in printing technologies, materials, and design, enabling businesses to stand out and strengthen customer engagement in crowded retail environments.

Consumer Preferences

• Consumer preferences are also a key factor driving the growth of this market, as modern buyers increasingly seek visually appealing, informative, and personalized packaging.
• As a result, this compels brands to invest in advanced printing technologies to meet expectations for aesthetics, convenience, and sustainability, thereby enhancing product appeal and building stronger connections with target audiences.

Market Challenges: 

High initial investment

• High initial investment is a significant challenge in the packaging printing market. Advanced printing technologies such as digital, flexographic, and gravure systems require substantial capital outlay for machinery, software, and infrastructure.
• Additionally, ongoing maintenance, skilled labor, and training costs add to the financial burden, often limiting entry and scalability for new market participants.

Environmental Regulations

• Environmental regulations pose a considerable challenge in the packaging printing market, as governments and regulatory agencies impose stringent rules on emissions, waste disposal, and hazardous materials usage. 
• As a result, manufacturers have to employ sustainable materials, water-based or UV-curable inks, and low-VOC processes, which may demand expensive upgrades and process changes, affecting productivity, efficiency and profitability, particularly for conventional printers.

Market Opportunities:

Rising Demand for Sustainable Printing

• The rising demand for sustainable printing offers significant growth opportunities in the packaging printing market. Utilizing recycled materials, process-free plates, and advanced technologies like digital printing reduces environmental impact by minimizing volatile organic compound emissions and resource waste.
• Adoption of water-based and UV-curable inks further supports eco-friendly practices, enabling brands to meet regulatory requirements and consumer preferences for sustainable packaging solutions.

Segments' Analysis

By Printing Technology Type 

“Flexography printing technology segment is projected to have the largest share of the printing packaging market during the forecast period.”

• The packaging printing market is segmented by printing technology type into flexography, rotogravure, offset, digital, and screen.
• Flexography printing technology segment is projected to have the largest share of the printing packaging market during the forecast period, due to its versatility, cost-effectiveness, and adaptability to various substrates. The primary distinction between flexography and other printing technologies is that it employs plates made of flexible materials, including plastics, rubbers, and UV-sensitive polymers.
• It is used to print corrugated containers, folding cartons, multiwall sacks, paper sacks, plastic bags, milk and beverage cartons, disposable cups and containers, labels, adhesive tapes, and wrappers.

By Printing Ink Type 

“Solvent-Based Ink segment is expected to have the highest growth rate during the forecast period.”

• The packaging printing market is segmented by printing ink type into solvent-based ink, UV-based ink, and aqueous ink.
• Solvent-Based Ink segment is expected to have the highest growth rate during the forecast period, due to its superior adhesion, quick-drying properties, and vibrant color output on diverse materials.
• Solvent-based inks are relatively cheaper compared to UV-curable and aqueous inks and allow printing on multiple surfaces like corrugated boards, paper, flexible packaging materials, metal foils, and plastic materials.

Regional Analysis 

“Asia-Pacific accounted for the largest share of the packaging printing market in 2024 and is expected to be the fastest-growing region during the forecast period.”

• In terms of region, the packaging printing market is segmented into the North American region, the European region, the Asia-Pacific region, and the rest of the world.
• Asia-Pacific accounted for the largest share of the packaging printing market in 2024 and is expected to be the fastest-growing region during the forecast period. Rapid urbanization and population growth in countries like China and India, have led to a surge in consumer demand for packaged goods, especially in the food and beverage, personal care, and pharmaceutical sectors.
• Additionally, Asia Pacific benefits from a robust manufacturing ecosystem, with cost-effective labor and readily available raw materials, making it an attractive hub for global packaging production.

Competitive Landscape

Most of the major players compete in some of the factors, including price, service offerings, regional presence, etc. The following are the key players in the packaging printing market –

• International Paper
• Sealed Air
• Tetra Pak
• WestRock Company
• ITC LIMITED
• Parksons Packaging LTD
• DuPont
• Uniflex
• Virtual Packaging
• Oliver, Inc.

Note: The above list does not necessarily include all the top players in the market.

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Recent Developments/Mergers & Acquisitions:

• In November 2024, Sealed Air introduced an on-demand printing system named AutoPrint for personalized, last-minute printing on protective packaging. The digital printing solution is integrated into packaging lines to print personalized designs and data directly onto sealed-up boxes, with benefits including reduced storage space, labor, and waste from unused pre-printed material.
• In April 2024, International Paper announced a $7.2 billion all-stock deal to acquire UK-based DS Smith. The merger, finalized in early 2025, aims to enhance International Paper's footprint in sustainable fiber-based packaging across Europe and the U.S.

Report Features

This report provides market intelligence most comprehensively. The report structure has been kept so that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights into market dynamics and will enable strategic decision-making for existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market.

The following are the key features of the report:

• Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis.
• Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter’s five forces analysis, SWOT analysis.
• Market trend and forecast analysis.
• Market segment trend and forecast.
• Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, Service portfolio, New Product Launches, etc.
• COVID-19 impact and its recovery curve.
• Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities.
• Emerging trends.
• Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players.
• Key success factors.

Market Segmentation 

This report studies the market, covering a period of 15 years of trend and forecast. The report provides detailed insights into the market dynamics to enable informed business decision-making and growth strategy formulation based on the opportunities present in the market.

The packaging printing market is segmented into the following categories. 

Packaging Printing Market, by Packaging Type

• Labels & Tags
• Flexibles
• Corrugated
• Folding Cartons

Packaging Printing Market, by Printing Technology Type

• Flexography
• Rotogravure
• Offset
• Digital
• Screen

Packaging Printing Market, by Printing Ink Type

• Solvent-Based Ink
• UV-Based Ink
• Aqueous Ink

Packaging Printing Market, by Application Type

• Food & Beverage
• Household & Cosmetic Products
• Pharmaceuticals

Packaging Printing Market, by Region

• North America (Country Analysis: The USA, Canada, and Mexico)
• Europe (Country Analysis: Germany, France, Italy, The UK, and Rest of Europe)
• Asia-Pacific (Country Analysis: Japan, China, India, and Rest of Asia-Pacific)
• Rest of the World (Country Analysis: Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and Others)

Research Methodology

• This strategic assessment report from Stratview Research provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today’s packaging printing market realities and future market possibilities for the forecast period. 
• The report segments and analyzes the market in the most detailed manner to provide a panoramic view of the market.
• The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for market participants and investors in identifying the low-hanging fruits available in the market and formulating growth strategies to expedite their growth process.
• This report offers high-quality insights and is the outcome of a detailed research methodology comprising extensive secondary research, rigorous primary interviews with industry stakeholders, and validation and triangulation with Stratview Research’s internal database and statistical tools.
• More than 1,000 authenticated secondary sources, such as company annual reports, fact books, press releases, journals, investor presentations, white papers, patents, and articles, have been leveraged to gather the data.
• We conducted more than 15 detailed primary interviews with market players across the value chain in all four regions and industry experts to obtain both qualitative and quantitative insights.

Customization Options

With this detailed report, Stratview Research offers one of the following free customization options to our respected clients:

Company Profiling

• Detailed profiling of additional market players (up to three players)
• SWOT analysis of key players (up to three players)

Competitive Benchmarking

• Benchmarking of key players on the following parameters: Service portfolio, geographical reach, regional presence, and strategic alliances

Custom Research: Stratview Research offers custom research services across industries. In case of any custom research requirement related to market assessment, competitive benchmarking, sourcing and procurement, target screening, and others, please send your inquiry to [email protected]