Global Printing Industry Shifts Towards the Packaging Sector

As traditional print media continues to decline, packaging printing is becoming the main avenue for small businesses to enter niche markets.

Having previously faced a downturn in traditional businesses like newspapers, magazines, and brochures, the printing industry has now found new growth in the packaging sector. Experts point out that this transformation is driven by the rise of e-commerce and the growing need for branding, reshaping the entire industry.

Packaging Printing Growth Outpaces Traditional Printing

packing printing growth outpaces traditional printing

Kamal Mohan Chopra, Chairman of the World Print & Communication Forum, noted that global commercial printing output is shrinking by about 5% annually, while packaging printing is expanding at a rate of 9%-11%, with the Indian market seeing an annual growth rate as high as 15%. The rise of online shopping and the importance of brand visual identity have made packaging printing a lifeline for the industry.

Technological Upgrades Reshaping the Printing Process

Technological Upgrades reshaping the printing process

The industry is undergoing a technological revolution: offset printing and letterpress are gradually being replaced by digital printing and nanographic printing systems, which can produce multi-color corrugated boxes at a lower cost. At a recent exhibition in China, companies showcased multi-color corrugated box printing technology, which was a major breakthrough compared to traditional single-color processes. The use of artificial intelligence is also increasing, optimizing production processes and automating design tasks to improve efficiency and accuracy. 

Survival Challenges for Small Printing Enterprises

Despite the positive trends, not all businesses are benefiting. Small printing factories face dual pressure from rising equipment costs and higher raw material standards, forcing them to either upgrade or exit the industry. Aneel Singh, a local printing factory owner, admitted that high-end equipment and quality materials have become essential, and the traditional business model is no longer sustainable.

As regulations for pharmaceutical and food packaging tighten and e-commerce continues to grow, the connection between packaging printing and the packaging industry will become even closer. The printing industry is not dying—it is evolving. Packaging is now its lifeline and future.