Packaging Printing Market

The global packaging printing market, valued at USD 352.1 billion in 2023, is anticipated to reach USD 433.4 billion by 2030, exhibiting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.2% during the period from 2023 to 2030. Factors contributing to this growth include the expansion of the packaging industry, the increasing demand for visually appealing products, the need for product differentiation, and advancements in technology. The rise in demand for digital printing within the packaging sector presents a significant opportunity for packaging printing, as the digital printing market is experiencing rapid growth. Furthermore, the growth of the food and beverage as well as the personal care and cosmetics industries is expected to drive the demand for packaging printing in the upcoming years.

Market Dynamics of Packaging Printing

DRIVERS: Increasing Demand for Innovative Printing

The market for packaging printing is being driven by the growing demand for innovative printing solutions. This demand has led to the adoption of advanced printing processes such as digital printing and three-dimensional (3D) printing. Digital printing offers advantages such as streamlined processes, consistent printing, reduced waste, shorter turnaround times, and cost-effectiveness for smaller print volumes. 3D printing enables the creation of realistic illustrations and provides faster printing speeds compared to traditional methods, while also promoting sustainability and delivering superior image quality.

RESTRAINT: High Initial Capital Investment

One of the key restraints in the packaging printing market is the substantial initial capital investment required to establish manufacturing and printing facilities. Setting up plants and acquiring printing equipment involve significant costs. For example, a rotogravure press can cost around USD 1 million, whereas a lithographic press is more affordable. However, advancements in printing technologies are gradually phasing out lithographic printing to meet the demands of a highly competitive market. Offset printing, another popular process, also necessitates considerable investments in equipment, such as flexography presses, offset printers, and rotogravure presses, as well as other materials like inks, energy, and paper. This poses a challenge for new entrants or those seeking to upgrade their printing technologies.

OPPORTUNITIES: Growing Demand for Sustainable Printing

The increasing demand for sustainable printing practices presents opportunities for growth in the packaging printing market. Sustainable printing involves the use of recycled and renewable resources, aiming to minimize the environmental impact of printing. Process-free plates, such as cold press plates, help eliminate volatile compounds, while digital printers save time and resources by avoiding plate replacement. Water-based and UV-curable inks reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds, reducing the environmental footprint of printing. The rising awareness and demand for sustainable printing methods contribute to the market's expansion.

CHALLENGES: Packaging and Printing Regulations

Stringent packaging and printing regulations are in place to ensure environmentally friendly practices. In Europe, the European environmental legislative framework controls the emissions of volatile organic compounds, and regulations govern the use of chemicals in printing. The European printing industry is committed to reducing carbon dioxide emissions and minimizing its carbon footprint. The European Timber regulation prohibits the use of paper products derived from illegal logging. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration, along with the Federal Food and Drug Cosmetics Act, regulates the use of safe ink for printing on food packaging.

Corrugated Segment Leading in 2020

In 2020, the corrugated segment dominated the packaging printing market. Corrugated box printing encompasses primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging. Direct print (or post-print) and pre-print are the two commonly used methods for printing on corrugated boxes. Direct print involves printing directly on the corrugated box using flexography and digital printing, while pre-printing offers high-quality printing for eye-catching point-of-purchase displays on corrugated boxes.

Flexography Holding the Largest Share in 2020

Flexography is a widely employed technology in packaging printing, offering a wide range of benefits. It is utilized for printing on various packaging materials such as corrugated containers, folding cartons, multiwall sacks, paper sacks, plastic bags, beverage cartons, disposable cups, labels, adhesive tapes, and wrappers. The flexography printing process involves image preparation, plate making, printing, and finishing. Flexography stands out due to its use of flexible plates made from plastics, rubbers, and UV-sensitive polymers, distinguishing it from other printing technologies.

Solvent-Based Ink Segment Expected to Grow

The solvent-based ink segment is projected to exhibit the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during the forecast period. Solvent inks contain pigments and volatile organic compounds, enabling printing on diverse surfaces like corrugated boards, paper, flexible packaging materials, metal foils, and plastics. Solvent inks offer vibrant colors, although not as intense as aqueous dye inks, and produce prints that are generally waterproof and UV-resistant without requiring special over-coatings.

The packaging printing market is dominated by a few globally established players such as Mondi PLC (UK), Sonoco Products Company (US), Graphics Packaging Holding Company (US), among others.

This research report categorizes the packaging printing market based on type, printing technology, printing ink, application, and region.

On the basis of type:

• Corrugated
• Flexible
• Folding cartons
• Label & Tags
• Others (includes Wood & Textile)

On the basis of printing technology

• Flexography
• Gravure
• Offset
• Screen Printing
• Digital

On the basis of printing ink

• Solvant-based
• UV-based
• Aqueous
• Others (Latex inks, dye sublimation ink, and eco-solvent & solvent UV)

On the basis of application

• Food & beverage
• Household & cosmetics
• Pharmaceutical
• Others (includes automotive and electronics industries)

On the basis of region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Middle East & Africa
• South America

Recent Developments

• In August 2019, Mondi Plc. Launched web platforms, namely, myMondi.net, for outstanding print and designs to mark their uncoated fine paper (UFP) brands. It assists professionals from the printing and design industries to know about high-quality paper brands, as well as paper recommendations, local distributor’s details, and multimedia content that educate on packaging printing.
• In July 2019, Graphics Packaging acquired Artistic Carton Mill and converted facilities that have divisions in Auburn, Indiana, and Elgin, Illinois, and is the leading producer of folding cartons and coated recycled paperboard. This acquisition has increased its product portfolio and production capacity and expanded its geographical footprint to cater to the increasing demand.