Global Packaging Printing Market Growth, Share, Size, Trends and Forecast (2025 - 2031)

In this report, the Packaging Printing Market has been segmented by Material Type, Printing Technology, Ink Type, Packaging Type and Geography.

Packaging Printing Market, Segmentation by Material Type

The Packaging Printing Market has been segmented by Material Type into Plastic, Paper, Metal, and Glass.

Plastic

Plastic dominates the packaging printing market with a share of approximately 45%, owing to its widespread use in flexible packaging, bottles, and containers. It offers excellent printability, lightweight characteristics, and high durability, making it ideal for food, beverage, and personal care applications.

Paper

Paper accounts for nearly 30% of the market, fueled by rising demand for sustainable packaging solutions and increased regulatory pressure on single-use plastics. It is widely used in cartons, labels, and paper bags, offering eco-friendliness and ease of recyclability.

Metal

Metal packaging contributes about 15% to the packaging printing market, primarily used in cans, aerosol containers, and closures. It offers superior barrier properties and is favored for products requiring extended shelf life. Printing on metal requires advanced techniques for vivid color retention.

Glass

Glass holds approximately 10% of the market and is predominantly used in beverage, perfume, and pharmaceutical packaging. It offers premium aesthetics and chemical resistance, though its heavy weight and fragility limit its usage. Direct-to-glass printing technologies are enhancing its application scope.

Packaging Printing Market, Segmentation by Printing Technology

The Packaging Printing Market has been segmented by Printing Technology into Offset Lithography, Rotogravure, Flexography, Digital Printing, and Screen Printing.

Offset Lithography

Offset lithography holds a market share of around 25%, widely adopted for carton packaging, labels, and corrugated boxes. It offers high-quality image reproduction and cost-efficiency for large-volume printing. This technology is favored for its ability to print on various surfaces with consistent results.

Rotogravure

Rotogravure contributes approximately 20% to the market, primarily used in flexible packaging such as snack wrappers and frozen food pouches. It provides high-speed production and superior print clarity, making it ideal for long-run printing applications where quality and precision are critical.

Flexography

Flexography dominates the packaging printing market with a share of nearly 35%, owing to its compatibility with a wide range of materials including plastic films, foil, paper, and corrugated board. It is preferred for its fast turnaround time, low setup costs, and versatility in label and packaging applications.

Digital Printing

Digital printing holds around 15% of the market, gaining traction for its ability to offer short-run production, mass customization, and on-demand printing. It is particularly beneficial for personalized packaging, promotional items, and small batch labels with minimal waste and fast delivery.

Screen Printing

Screen printing accounts for about 5% of the packaging printing market, used mainly for specialty applications such as glass bottles, metal tins, and luxury packaging. It delivers rich ink coverage and is ideal for bold colors and textured finishes on rigid surfaces.

Packaging Printing Market, Segmentation by Ink Type

The Packaging Printing Market has been segmented by Ink Type into Solvent-Based Ink, UV-Curable Ink, and Aqueous Ink.

Solvent-Based Ink

Solvent-based ink holds a significant share of around 45% in the packaging printing market due to its strong adhesion properties and durability on non-porous surfaces like plastic and metal. It is ideal for flexible packaging applications but faces increasing scrutiny due to VOC emissions and environmental regulations.

UV-Curable Ink

UV-curable ink accounts for approximately 30% of the market, favored for its instant curing, vibrant color output, and chemical resistance. It is used in high-end packaging applications including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and beverages. Its eco-friendly profile and minimal waste generation are driving wider adoption.

Aqueous Ink

Aqueous ink represents about 25% of the packaging printing market, gaining traction for its water-based composition and low environmental impact. It is commonly used in paper-based packaging, labels, and corrugated boxes. The rise in sustainable packaging solutions is boosting demand for this ink type.

Packaging Printing Market, Segmentation by Packaging Type

The Packaging Printing Market has been segmented by Packaging Type into Label, Plastic, Glass, Metal, Paper and Paperboard.

Label

The label segment holds around 30% of the packaging printing market, driven by its essential role in product identification, branding, and regulatory compliance. Labels are widely used across industries including food & beverages, pharmaceuticals, and personal care. Advanced digital and flexographic printing technologies are enhancing customization and visual appeal.

Plastic

Plastic packaging accounts for nearly 28% of the market, owing to its use in flexible pouches, bottles, and containers. It supports high-resolution printing and provides excellent barrier properties for a wide range of consumer goods. Despite environmental concerns, its lightweight and cost-effective nature maintain demand.

Glass

Glass packaging represents approximately 10% of the packaging printing market, commonly used in premium beverages, perfumes, and pharmaceuticals. It offers a luxury appearance and strong chemical resistance. Printing innovations like direct-to-glass printing and UV inks are enhancing design versatility.

Metal

Metal packaging contributes about 12% to the market, largely utilized in cans, aerosol sprays, and closures. It allows for high-durability printing and long-lasting visual effects. This segment benefits from increasing demand for printed metal labels in food and personal care packaging.

Paper

Paper packaging holds a share of nearly 8%, appealing to consumers and brands focused on sustainability and recyclability. Common in bags, wrappers, and lightweight boxes, paper enables clear and cost-effective print designs. Regulatory restrictions on plastic packaging are further boosting this segment.

Paper and Paperboard

Paper and paperboard make up about 12% of the market, used extensively in folding cartons, corrugated boxes, and retail-ready packaging. Known for their print adaptability and eco-friendly profile, they are gaining popularity in e-commerce and consumer goods packaging.

Packaging Printing Market, Segmentation by Geography

In this report, the Packaging Printing Market has been segmented by Geography into five regions; North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America.

Packaging Printing Market Share (%), by Geographical Region

North America

North America holds approximately 26% of the packaging printing market, driven by demand for customized packaging, sustainable print solutions, and the rise in e-commerce. The U.S. leads the region with strong investments in digital and flexographic printing technologies across food, beverage, and healthcare sectors.

Europe

Europe contributes nearly 24% to the global market, supported by stringent environmental regulations and a growing preference for eco-friendly packaging. Countries like Germany, the UK, and France are embracing innovative print formats and sustainable inks for enhanced product labeling and branding.

Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific dominates the packaging printing market with a share of around 34%, driven by expanding consumer goods industries, urbanization, and rapid growth in retail packaging. China, India, and Japan are major contributors, investing heavily in high-speed printing equipment to meet rising regional demand.

Middle East and Africa

The Middle East and Africa region accounts for approximately 8% of the market, with increasing use of packaging printing in food & beverage, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Growing investments in infrastructure and retail distribution are enhancing the region’s potential for print innovation.

Latin America

Latin America holds close to 8% of the packaging printing market, led by Brazil and Mexico. Rising demand for cost-effective packaging in FMCG, along with increased adoption of flexographic and digital printing, is fostering growth in both local and export-oriented industries.