Digital Printing Packaging Market Report

Market Analysis

Global Demand Analysis & Sales Opportunities in Digital Printing Packaging Market 

• The annual demand for digital printing packaging was USD 29.3 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 32.1 billion in 2025, up 9.1% than the value in 2024.
• During the next 8 years (forecast period of 2025-2032), the digital printing packaging market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.9%. The annual demand will reach USD 58.4 billion in 2032, which is almost 2 times the demand in 2025.
• During 2025-2032, the digital printing packaging industry is expected to generate a cumulative sales opportunity of USD 353.2 billion, which is almost 2.5 times the opportunities during 2019-2024.

High-Growth Market Segments: 

• Asia-Pacific is expected to be the dominant and fastest-growing region over the forecasted period.
• By printing ink type, UV-Based Ink segment is set to register notable growth during the forecast period in the digital printing packaging market.
• By printing technology type, Inkjet segment is projected to have the highest growth rate during the forecast period.
• By format type, Variable Data Printing segment is projected to have the highest growth rate during the forecast period.
• By packaging type, Labels segment is projected to have the highest growth rate during the forecast period.
• By end-use industry type, Pharmaceuticals segment is set to register notable growth during the forecast period in the digital printing packaging market.

Market Statistics 

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

Market Dynamics

Introduction:

What is digital printing packaging?

Digital printing packaging is the process of directly applying digital technology to print images, text, and graphics onto packaging materials without creating traditional printing plates. This process permits high-quality, full-color prints with reduced turnaround times and increased design flexibility.

Digital printing packaging is ideal for short runs, customization, and quick changes, making it especially valuable for personalized packaging, seasonal promotions, and limited-edition products. It is commonly used on labels, cartons, flexible packaging, and corrugated boxes, and supports sustainable practices through reduced waste and minimal setup requirements.

Market Drivers: 

Growing Need for Customized and Personalized Packaging Solutions

• Growing need for customized and personalized packaging solutions is a significant growth driver of the digital printing packaging market, as brands increasingly seek to deliver unique consumer experiences and build stronger connections.
• Digital printing allows for effective short-run manufacturing and variable data printing, supporting customized packaging designs without extensive setup costs. This flexibility meets consumer expectations for tailored products and enhances brand engagement, particularly in competitive and niche markets.

Rapid Prototyping and Faster Time-To-Market

• Rapid prototyping and faster time-to-market are also key factors driving the growth of the digital printing packaging market. Digital printing enables brands to rapidly design and try out new packaging concepts with minimal downtime from conventional printing environments. As a result, this enables firms to respond more quickly to changes in markets, get products to market faster, and remain competitive in the fast-paced consumer marketplace.

Market Challenges: 

Competition from Conventional Printing Processes

• Competition from conventional printing processes presents a significant challenge in the digital printing packaging market. Although digital printing has many benefits, including shorter turnaround times, personalization options, and cost-effectiveness in short-run printing, conventional printing processes dominate in some segments of the packaging sector. 
• Moreover, these processes are also supported by well-established infrastructure, skilled labor, and proven reliability in delivering consistent print quality. As a result, many businesses hesitate to adopt digital solutions, which may affect the market growth negatively.

Market Opportunities: 

Expansion of the E-Commerce Industry

• The rapid expansion of the e-commerce industry offers a strong growth opportunity for the digital printing packaging market. Digital printing enables short-run and on-demand manufacturing, which allows brands to save on storage costs, control inventory effectively, and respond rapidly to changing market conditions. 
• This agility is crucial in e-commerce, where personalized packaging, fast turnaround, and adaptability are vital for enhancing customer experience and maintaining competitiveness.

Segments' Analysis

By Packaging Type

“Labels segment is projected to have the highest growth rate during the forecast period.”

• The digital printing packaging market is segmented by packaging type into corrugated, folding cartons, flexible, and labels.
• Labels segment is projected to have the highest growth rate during the forecast period, due to its customization capabilities and ability to enhance brand visibility. Labels play a crucial role in critical product information, compliance labelling, and tamper-evident marks, leading to consumer safety and trust.
• With strict regulatory guidelines for product labelling and packaging, digital printing provides brands with the agility to reprint labels in a short time to address evolving regulations while ensuring consistency and accuracy.

By Packaging Technology Type

“Inkjet segment is projected to have the highest growth rate during the forecast period.”

• The digital printing packaging market is segmented by packaging technology type into thermal transfer, electrophotography & electrostatic, and inkjet.
• Inkjet segment is projected to have the highest growth rate during the forecast period, driven by its ability to support short print runs, customization flexibility, speed & efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
• 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.

Regional Analysis

“Asia-Pacific is expected to be the dominant and the fastest-growing region over the forecasted period.”

• In terms of region, the digital printing packaging market is segmented into the North American region, the European region, the Asia-Pacific region, and the rest of the world.
• Asia-Pacific is expected to be the dominant and fastest-growing region over the forecasted period. Rapid industrialization, urbanization, and a burgeoning middle class in countries like China, India, and Japan have led to increased demand for packaged goods across various industries, including food and beverage, healthcare, cosmetics, and consumer goods.
• Moreover, increasing focus on sustainability and environmental awareness in APAC has driven the use of digital printing packaging since it provides eco-friendly alternatives like lower waste, lower energy, and environmentally friendly inks.

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 digital printing packaging market -  

• DS Smith Plc (UK)
• Smurfit Kappa Group (Ireland)
• CCL Industries, Inc. (Canada)
• Quad/Graphics, Inc. (US)
• Printpack Inc. (US)
• Huhtamäki Oyj (Finland)
• Constantia Flexibles (Austria)
• THIMM Holding GmbH (Germany)
• ePac Holdings, LLC (US)
• Amcor plc (Switzerland)

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, Amcor announced its acquisition of Berry Global in an $8.4 billion all-stock deal. This merger aims to create a global leader in consumer and healthcare packaging, with combined revenues of approximately $37 billion. The transaction is expected to close by mid-2025, pending regulatory approvals. 

• In April 2024, International Paper agreed to acquire UK-based DS Smith in a $7.2 billion all-stock deal. This acquisition will significantly expand International Paper's presence in Europe and enhance its sustainable packaging solutions. The deal was finalized in January 2025.

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 digital printing packaging market is segmented into the following categories. 

Digital Printing Packaging Market, by Printing Ink Type

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

Digital Printing Packaging Market, by Printing Technology Type

• Thermal Transfer
• Electrophotography & Electrostatic
• Inkjet

Digital Printing Packaging Market, by Format Type

• Full Color Printing
• Large Format Printing
• Variable Data Printing

Digital Printing Packaging Market, by Packaging Type

• Corrugated
• Folding Cartons
• Flexible
• Labels

Digital Printing Packaging Market, by End-Use Industry Type

• Food & Beverage
• Household & Cosmetic Products
• Pharmaceuticals

Digital Printing Packaging 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 digital printing packaging 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

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