Flexible packaging and corrugated driving growth through 2030, Smithers finds.
The global market for digital print in packaging and labels reached 22.0 billion USD in 2025 and will grow at a 10.9 percent compound annual growth rate to 36.9 billion USD in 2030, according to Smithers research.
The market intelligence firm’s latest report, The Future of Digital Print for Packaging to 2030, shows that digital currently holds a modest share of overall printed packaging output at 1.3 percent by volume and 4.1 percent by value. This share will increase as a new generation of higher-throughput digital presses designed specifically for packaging work are installed.
Corrugated presents the most significant opportunity across 2025-2030, with value more than doubling to reach 8.2 billion USD in 2030.
Inkjet postprint is growing rapidly, with high-performance systems being installed into box plants and some into high-volume display applications. This is supported by increased use of printed e-commerce delivery boxes and a merging of boundaries between display and secondary packaging with higher quality shelf-ready trays and boxes.
Labels will see the slowest expansion for digital, with an 8.0 percent CAGR forecast for 2025-2030, as label printers are much further along the adoption curve. Globally, around 8,100 narrow-web inkjet and toner presses are used for label and sleeve printing, giving these a much higher share of value at 23.3 percent compared to other segments.
Smithers forecasts digital print on flexibles will grow at an 11.6 percent 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.
