Printing Inks Industry Segmentation, Parameters and Prospects by 2028

 The global printing inks market was valued at USD 19.2 billion in 2020 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.8% from 2021 to 2028. This growth, although moderate, is driven by several key factors, including the expansion of end-use industries such as flexible packaging, commercial printing and publishing, and packaging labels. These industries have significantly influenced the demand for printing inks and are expected to continue shaping the market over the forecast period.

Historically, printing inks were predominantly used in the production of printed publications such as newspapers, magazines, and journals. However, with rapid urbanization and the increasing digital needs of consumers, the application of printing inks has expanded beyond commercial printing and publication, with a strong shift towards the packaging industry. In packaging, printing inks are applied to packaging materials to enhance their visual appeal and marketability. As packaging is a critical marketing tool for consumer products, this shift has opened new opportunities for the printing inks market.

The flexible packaging segment is playing a significant role in the growth of the printing inks market. Flexible packaging provides greater customization options, allowing brands to design packaging that better suits their products and appeals to consumers. The food and beverage industry, particularly the snacks and confectionery categories, is driving the demand for flexible packaging. Additionally, the growing global population and the increasing need for packaged food products have further boosted the demand for flexible packaging.

The flexible packaging industry's growth is expected to provide substantial opportunities for printing ink manufacturers. As flexible packaging continues to expand, the need for high-quality, durable, and visually appealing ink applications for food packaging, personal care products, and other consumer goods is likely to increase, further driving the growth of the printing inks market.

Gather more insights about the market drivers, restrains and growth of the Printing Inks Market

Regional Insights:

Asia Pacific Printing Inks Market Trends

Asia Pacific led the global printing inks market in 2021, accounting for the largest revenue share of 35.60%. The region is expected to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period, largely due to increasing consumption of packaged food products and significant growth in packaging and labeling industries. These industries are driven by the expansion of sectors such as food & beverage, consumer goods, healthcare, and e-commerce, all of which have a high demand for packaged products.

A notable trend in the region is the rising preference for flexographic inks, particularly for use in flexible packaging applications. Flexographic inks are known for their ability to print on non-absorbent materials, offering a faster printing process and enhanced color options across various substrates. This trend is expected to contribute significantly to the growth of the printing inks market in the Asia Pacific region.

Japan

In Japan, the printing ink market is experiencing a gradual decline, especially in the commercial printing and publishing sectors. The increasing digitalization of information and a shift toward online media consumption have reduced demand for traditional print media such as newspapers and magazines, which were once major drivers for the printing ink market. This shift has led to a shrinking customer base for printing inks in the country.

However, despite the decline in traditional printing, the demand for printing inks in food packaging, corrugated cardboard, and printing on containers is growing. As the packaging sector continues to expand, driven by factors like consumer demand for packaged foods and goods, the printing inks market in Japan is expected to see a steady increase, particularly in the food packaging segment.

China

China is the dominant player in the Asia Pacific printing inks market and is expected to maintain its lead in the coming years. The country’s rapid growth in the packaging industry, fueled by the boom in e-commerce and the increased demand for international shipping of goods, is expected to continue driving demand for printing inks. Packaging is a critical component of e-commerce, as it protects products during shipping and enhances brand visibility, thus creating strong demand for high-quality printing inks in the sector.

Browse through Grand View Research's Category Paints, Coatings & Printing Inks Industry Research Reports.

• The global thermal insulation coating market size was estimated at USD 10.45 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.6% from 2025 to 2030.
• The global oil and gas corrosion protection market size was valued at 9.78 USD billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.4% from 2024 to 2030.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights:

The global printing inks market is highly competitive, with several vertically integrated players offering advanced technological solutions and efficient procurement and distribution channels. The market has seen considerable consolidation in recent years, with several companies pursuing expansion strategies such as mergers and acquisitions.

One example of such an expansion strategy is Epple Druckfarben Italia S.r.l. in Milan, Italy, a subsidiary of Epple Druckfarben. This company specializes in high-quality German offset printing inks. Another example is Sakata Inx Corporation, which expanded its operations by opening a new plant in Kansas, U.S. These strategic expansions enable companies to strengthen their market presence and enhance their ability to meet the growing demand for high-quality printing inks across different regions.

Overall, the printing inks market is set to grow moderately due to the increasing demand from flexible packaging, commercial printing, and the packaging labels sector. While the packaging industry remains a key driver, the shift towards digitalization in certain regions, such as Japan, is influencing the demand for traditional printing inks. However, ongoing technological advancements and regional trends, especially in Asia Pacific, offer significant growth opportunities for ink manufacturers in the coming years.

Key Printing Inks Companies:

• Flint Group
• DIC Corporation
• Siegwerk Druckfarben AG & Co. KGaA
• Sakata Inx Corporation
• T&K TOKA Corporation
• Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals Mfg. Co., Ltd.
• DEERS I CO., Ltd.
• Epple Druckfarben AG
• TOYO INK SC HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
• Hubergroup
• TOKYO PRINTING INK MFG CO., LTD.

Order a free sample PDF of the Printing Inks Market Intelligence Study, published by Grand View Research.

Printing Inks Market Size, Share, Research and Competitive Landscape 2028

 The global printing inks market was valued at USD 19.2 billion in 2020, and it is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.8% from 2021 to 2028. The market is expected to experience moderate growth over the forecast period, driven by several factors. Key drivers include the expansion of industries such as flexible packaging, commercial printing & publishing, and packaging labels. These sectors are major consumers of printing inks, contributing to the market's growth. The superior properties of the constituents in printing inks such as pigments, binders, solubilizers, and additives are crucial for producing text, designs, or images. Rising demand from the packaging sector, along with commercial printing and evolving consumer preferences, are expected to ensure continued demand for printing inks in the future.

The global printing inks market is moving towards significant consolidation to improve efficiency, support market growth, and strengthen leverage with suppliers and customers. This trend, especially prominent in the western market, has become a long-term strategy, as organic growth opportunities have become limited. However, the market's revenue growth is expected to be constrained by downward pricing pressure, stemming from slow product price increases due to intense competition within the industry. Additionally, stringent regulatory frameworks, such as the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines, are limiting the usage, manufacturing, and distribution of various inorganic solvents and toxic metals in printing inks. This is likely to hinder market growth during the forecast period.

Gather more insights about the market drivers, restrains and growth of the Printing Inks Market

Despite the challenges, research initiatives are focusing on developing economical and non-toxic raw materials, such as graphene, carbon, and modified celluloid, to mitigate the reliance on crude oil derivatives and inorganic pigments, which are currently key raw materials in ink production. The printing inks market is heavily influenced by advancements in technology, particularly in ink-jet and digital printing processes. Historically, printing inks were primarily used for printing publications like newspapers, magazines, and journals. However, with rapid urbanization and increasing consumer demands for digitalized solutions, the use of printing inks has expanded from commercial printing and publications to the packaging industry. In the packaging sector, printing inks are used to enhance the visual appeal of packaging materials, making them more attractive to consumers, which is a critical method for product promotion and marketing.

Flexible packaging has emerged as a preferred choice for customized packaging solutions, driven by the growing food and beverage industry. This is particularly evident in the strong growth of the snacks and confectionery categories. Additionally, increasing global food demand, fueled by population growth, is a key trend supporting the expansion of the flexible packaging industry. The rise of flexible packaging is anticipated to offer significant growth opportunities for the printing inks market.

Product Segmentation Insights:

In 2020, the lithographic printing inks segment held a substantial share of the overall market value. Lithographic printing is expected to witness strong growth during the forecast period due to its ability to deliver high-quality prints and its efficiency in large-scale printing projects. This printing process is well-suited for flat media, such as cloth, foil, paper, plastic, and flat cardboard.

Gravure printing inks are primarily used for printing photographs, and they can be applied to films, thin papers, metal foils, and paper cups. Gravure printing utilizes "liquid inks," and its flexibility makes it suitable for a wide range of applications, particularly in the food packaging, tobacco products, and cosmetics industries. These inks can be used on various substrates, including cardboards, papers, plastics, foils, and labels.

Flexographic inks, which are applied to a variety of substrates such as paper, laminates, films, foils, and corrugated boards, are expected to see strong growth during the forecast period. This growth is supported by the eco-friendly nature of flexographic inks, as well as their low costs. Moreover, the rising demand for flexible packaging and cardboard printing, in line with increasing logistics volume, is expected to boost the demand for flexographic inks in the U.S. and European countries.

Order a free sample PDF of the Printing Inks Market Intelligence Study, published by Grand View Research.