David Savastano, Editor02.05.24
The digital printing segment has long been the highest growth segment of the overall printing market. We can see this in many ways; for example, a quick look at the drupa 2024 floor plan shows the predominance of inkjet
press manufacturers.
In my report, “The 2024 Inkjet Ink Market Continues Its Growth,” which begins on page 14, inkjet ink executives report their experiences in the ink side of the business. Regardless of whether they are press manufacturers who supply their own inks or ink manufacturers who supply OEMs or the aftermarket, they are seeing growth in virtually every segment that inkjet is in. In particular, packaging and textiles are seen as excellent opportunities.
Market estimates back this up. Both Adroit Market Research and Market Research Future published recent studies placing digital ink sales at greater than $3 billion annually, with sizable CAGRs ahead.
Interestingly, in the three supplier-based I wrote this month – “The 2024 Pigment Market,” starting on page 18, “The 2024 Ink Additives Market” beginning on page 20, and “The 2024 Equipment Report,” which opens on page 23 – leading suppliers report that the inkjet ink field is among the fastest growth area for their businesses.
There are numerous reasons for digital printing’s expansion. Originally, personalization was the main driver, as direct mail producers and financial companies could customize their mailers. The ability to produce one-off projects was the key advantage for areas such as billboards, which quickly transitioned from screen to wide format. The ability to produce shorter, customized runs was a key benefit for niche markets like ceramic tiles, which are now basically 100% inkjet printed, and label printing has seen a large segment of its business become digital.
However, larger markets like packaging and textiles are benefiting from digital printing, as each are seeing growth on the inkjet side. The ability to produce shorter runs with faster delivery times is a great benefit in terms of sustainability and inventory management. With digital printing, a company can produce an item as they need it, and there are plenty of opportunities ahead for digital printing to make new inroads.
press manufacturers.
In my report, “The 2024 Inkjet Ink Market Continues Its Growth,” which begins on page 14, inkjet ink executives report their experiences in the ink side of the business. Regardless of whether they are press manufacturers who supply their own inks or ink manufacturers who supply OEMs or the aftermarket, they are seeing growth in virtually every segment that inkjet is in. In particular, packaging and textiles are seen as excellent opportunities.
Market estimates back this up. Both Adroit Market Research and Market Research Future published recent studies placing digital ink sales at greater than $3 billion annually, with sizable CAGRs ahead.
Interestingly, in the three supplier-based I wrote this month – “The 2024 Pigment Market,” starting on page 18, “The 2024 Ink Additives Market” beginning on page 20, and “The 2024 Equipment Report,” which opens on page 23 – leading suppliers report that the inkjet ink field is among the fastest growth area for their businesses.
There are numerous reasons for digital printing’s expansion. Originally, personalization was the main driver, as direct mail producers and financial companies could customize their mailers. The ability to produce one-off projects was the key advantage for areas such as billboards, which quickly transitioned from screen to wide format. The ability to produce shorter, customized runs was a key benefit for niche markets like ceramic tiles, which are now basically 100% inkjet printed, and label printing has seen a large segment of its business become digital.
However, larger markets like packaging and textiles are benefiting from digital printing, as each are seeing growth on the inkjet side. The ability to produce shorter runs with faster delivery times is a great benefit in terms of sustainability and inventory management. With digital printing, a company can produce an item as they need it, and there are plenty of opportunities ahead for digital printing to make new inroads.