Inkjet and electrophotography (toner) systems are continuing to redefine the market for publication, commercial, advertising, packaging and label print through to 2032.
The experience of the COVID-19 pandemic has emphasised the advantage of the versatility of digital print to multiple segments, and its market continues to grow. Exclusive data from the brand new Smithers study – The Future of Digital Printing to 2032 shows that in 2022 this market will be worth $136.7 bn. Demand for these technologies will remain strong with value increasing at a 5.7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) to 2027, then at 5.0% for 2027-2032; yielding a market value of $230.5 bn in 2032.
Simultaneously extra revenues will flow from sales of inks, toners, new equipment sales, and post-purchase support services. Combined these will be worth $30.7 bn in 2022 and increase to $46.1 bn to in 2032.
Print volumes on digital will rise over the same period from 1.66 tn A4 prints (2022) to 2.91 tn (2032), equivalent to 4.7% CAGR.
As analogue print continues to face down some fundamental challenges, the post-COVID landscape will actively favour digital, as run lengths decrease further, print ordering moves online, and customisation and personalisation become more common place.
The most lucrative print market for digital will be in packaging, commercial print, and book printing. In packaging the proliferation of digital with dedicated presses selling into corrugated and folding cartons, will be supplemented by greater use of narrow-web presses to print flexible packaging. This will be the fastest growing of all segments, more than quadrupling between 2022 and 2032. Growth will be slower in labels, a segment that has pioneered digital use, and consequently has achieved a degree of maturity.
The technology and market outlook for these technologies over the next ten years is expertly and critically examined in The Future of Digital Printing to 2032 from Smithers.
The historic, current and future market (value and volume) for both inkjet and electrophotography is quantified and presented in over 150 data tables and figures. This segments the market further across 14 leading end-use applications, and over 30 leading national and world regions to deliver an unparalleled level of detail. This is further supported by data on ink, toner, and equipment sales; and new data on the future markets for spare parts and service/support revenue through to 2032.
