Blog
Aug. 04, 2026
The global printing industry is expected to continue growing through 2027, led by packaging, labels, digital production and higher-value printed products.
Smithers valued the global printing market at approximately $868 billion in 2025 and forecasts it to reach $969.7 billion by 2030. Based on this growth rate, the market could reach around $907 billion in 2027.
Packaging remains one of the strongest parts of the printing industry. The global package printing market was valued at approximately $512 billion in 2024 and is forecast to reach $695 billion by 2029. Its estimated value in 2027 is around $615 billion.
Growth is supported by e-commerce, food products, personal care and branded retail packaging. Orders are also becoming shorter, more varied and more frequently updated.
The printing process should be selected according to the material, product structure, artwork and quantity. Flexible films, labels and corrugated packaging commonly use flexographic printing. Folding cartons may use offset, flexographic or digital printing.
Premium rigid boxes are normally produced by printing the wrapping paper first and then mounting it onto greyboard.
Flexographic printing uses flexible relief plates and is widely used for films, labels, paper bags and corrugated packaging. It supports continuous roll-fed production and repeating packaging designs.
Smithers valued global flexographic printing output at approximately $230.5 billion in 2024 and forecasts annual growth of 3% through 2029. Based on this rate, the market could reach around $252 billion in 2027.
Flexographic printing does not replace offset printing in every application. Offset remains more suitable for detailed images, fine text, books, premium paper packaging and wrapping paper used on rigid boxes.
Water-based inks are gaining more attention in paper and corrugated packaging. However, ink performance still depends on drying, adhesion, surface treatment and substrate type. PE and PP films may require corona treatment, primers or specially formulated inks.
Digital printing reduces setup time and makes smaller or frequently changing orders more practical.
It is commonly used for:
Short production runs
Multiple artwork versions
Personalized printing
Rapid samples
Frequent design updates
The choice between digital and offset printing still depends heavily on quantity.
Digital printing is useful when flexibility and fast setup are important. Offset printing normally provides a lower unit cost for larger book orders, while flexographic printing remains efficient for long packaging runs.
Printing companies are connecting file checking, printing, color measurement, finishing, inspection and packing within the same production workflow.
This is especially important for books and rigid boxes because printing is only one stage.
Hardcover book production also includes folding, gathering, sewing, trimming, case making and casing-in. Rigid box production includes greyboard cutting, wrapping, forming and assembly.
Consistent production depends on the coordination of these stages rather than printing speed alone.
The European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation applies from August 12, 2026. It places greater attention on packaging reduction, recyclability, material separation and environmental documentation.
Paper packaging is not automatically easy to recycle. Lamination, plastic windows, foam inserts, magnets and mixed-material structures may affect how the package is separated and processed.
Effective sustainable paper packaging must balance material reduction, recyclability and product protection. Removing protective materials without considering transport conditions may increase product damage and replacement waste.
Functional printing includes printed sensors, conductive circuits, smart labels and other electronic components.
These products require specialist inks, testing equipment and technical compliance. Functional printing should not be treated as a normal extension of book or paper packaging production.
For conventional packaging projects, QR codes, NFC tags and smart labels are more practical ways to add digital functions without changing the complete printing process.
Printed books remain important, but more value is moving toward specialized physical products.
Important directions include:
Shorter first print runs
Faster reprints
Collector editions
Premium cover materials
Decorative page edges
Slipcases and presentation boxes
In custom book printing, the final result depends on more than image quality. Paper opacity, grain direction, spine thickness, cover board and finishing compatibility must be confirmed before production.
Art books, photography books, children’s books, Bibles and coffee table books also require suitable book binding methods to support their page size, paper weight and intended use.
Packaging, labels and digital production will remain important growth areas in 2027.
Flexographic printing will continue to serve roll-fed packaging. Digital printing will support shorter and more varied orders. Offset printing will remain important for books, premium paper products and high-quality packaging.
No single printing process is suitable for every project. The final choice should be based on the product structure, material, quantity, artwork and finishing requirements.
Data note: The 2027 market values are estimates calculated from published forecasts and are not reported 2027 actual results.
