The latest market report from Smithers has found that the global market for digitally printed packaging and labels in 2025 is worth $22 billion, with corrugated and flexibles driving that value.
The report, titled The Future of Digital Print for Packaging to 2030, shows that the market will increase in value at a 10.9 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) to reach $36.9 billion in 2030.
Digital has only a modest share of overall printed packaging output – 1.3 per cent by volume and 4.1 per cent share of value. This share will increase as a new generation of higher throughput digital presses, designed specifically for packaging work, are installed.
Across 2025-30, the most significant opportunity was found to be in corrugated. Smithers analysis shows that in this segment, value will more than double across the next five years, reaching $8.2 billion in 2030.
The principal opportunity will be for inkjet, where the latest wide-web systems now print at up to 400m per minute, in mono or colour. This makes them the fastest digital presses in existence, and by the end of the decade they will reach 500m per minute.
Inkjet postprint was found to be growing rapidly as well, with high-performance systems being developed and installed into box plants, and some into high-volume display applications.
This is supported by the increased use of printed e-commerce delivery boxes, and a merging of the boundaries between display and secondary packaging with higher quality shelf-ready trays and boxes.
The slowest expansion for digital was found to be in labels, with an eight per cent CAGR forecast for 2025-30, as label printers were found to be much further along the adoption curve.
Globally, there are around 8100 narrow-web inkjet and toner presses being used for label and sleeve printing, giving these a much higher share of value (23.3%), relative to other segments.
The report found that the proliferation of suppliers makes labels extremely competitive. According to Smithers, one option is to upgrade the existing base of narrow-web machines to print flexible packaging substrates.
Smithers forecasts digital print on flexibles will grow at a 11.6 per cent CAGR to 2030. This presents an opportunity for toner OEMs, although inkjet machines are now coming to market that have overcome significant chem-stack issues.
A series of technical enhancements will further increase the quality and cost-effectiveness of digital packaging print across the Smithers forecast period.
The report also found that digital labels and packaging technology will continue to be a dynamic sector, with these rapidly developing print systems being complemented by workflow and finishing technologies.
The Future of Digital Print for Packaging to 2030 is available for purchase from here.