GITNUXREPORT 2025

Printing Industry Statistics

Global printing industry valued at $400 billion, embracing digital and sustainable trends.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Approximately 75% of print shops have adopted eco-friendly print practices by 2023

Statistic 2

Over 80% of print service providers consider sustainability a key business priority in 2023

Statistic 3

The adoption of environmentally friendly inks rose by 20% in 2022 among print shops committed to sustainability

Statistic 4

The popularity of environmentally certified papers increased significantly, with 35% of purchased papers being FSC or PEFC certified in 2022

Statistic 5

The printing industry’s carbon footprint was reduced by approximately 15% in 2022 due to eco-friendly practices

Statistic 6

Over 55% of print companies reported increases in demand for environmentally friendly packaging in 2023, driven by consumer preferences

Statistic 7

The use of biodegradable and compostable printing materials increased by 20% in 2022, highlighting sustainability efforts

Statistic 8

The adoption rate of eco-friendly inks among commercial printers is forecasted to reach 50% by 2025, driven by sustainability mandates

Statistic 9

The average lifespan of printed promotional materials, such as flyers and brochures, is approximately 3 months before they are discarded

Statistic 10

The use of eco-friendly and vegetable-based inks increased by 25% in 2022 among environmentally conscious printing companies

Statistic 11

Environmental regulations have led 60% of print companies worldwide to upgrade or overhaul their waste management systems in 2022

Statistic 12

The global printing industry was valued at approximately $400 billion in 2022

Statistic 13

Approximately 30% of printing companies report an increase in digital printing orders in 2023

Statistic 14

The North American printing industry generated around $80 billion in revenue in 2021

Statistic 15

The global demand for 3D printing is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.5% through 2030

Statistic 16

Digital printing now accounts for over 60% of total printing revenue in North America

Statistic 17

The offset printing segment is projected to decline by 5% annually from 2022 to 2027

Statistic 18

The global sustainable packaging market, heavily reliant on printed materials, is expected to reach $340 billion by 2028

Statistic 19

The average lifespan of a printed magazine versus digital content is around 27 days

Statistic 20

The world's leading printing companies account for nearly 40% of total printer sales

Statistic 21

The adoption of artificial intelligence in print management is projected to grow at a CAGR of 45% through 2025

Statistic 22

The global demand for labels and packaging printing is valued at $35 billion, expected to grow significantly by 2025

Statistic 23

The most popular printing substrates in 2023 are coated papers (around 50% market share), followed by uncoated papers and plastics

Statistic 24

The global market for variable data printing is expected to reach $10 billion by 2027

Statistic 25

The American printing industry employed approximately 500,000 people in 2022, with a projected decline of 10% over the next five years

Statistic 26

The increase in e-commerce packaging has led to a 25% rise in folding carton printing demand since 2019

Statistic 27

The demand for personalized print products is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 15% by 2026

Statistic 28

Forty-five percent of print shop revenue comes from commercial printing, including advertising and promotional materials

Statistic 29

The global inkjet printing market alone is valued at over $25 billion in 2023, with a CAGR of about 4.5%

Statistic 30

The most common printing formats in 2023 are A4 and A3 sizes, representing 65% of all printed materials

Statistic 31

The global demand for non-impact printing (digital, inkjet, laser) is projected to increase by 12% annually until 2028

Statistic 32

Educational institutions comprise roughly 25% of the printing volume, mainly for textbooks and materials

Statistic 33

The European printing industry expects a revenue decline of 4% annually through 2025, driven by digital substitution

Statistic 34

The number of print jobs produced annually worldwide exceeds 500 billion, highlighting the sector's vast scale

Statistic 35

Self-adhesive label printing accounted for nearly 22% of the total label printing market in 2023, increasing steadily since 2018

Statistic 36

The average profit margin for print service providers is roughly 8-12%, varying by specialization and region

Statistic 37

The global demand for specialty printing (such as textiles or glass) is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 7% through 2028

Statistic 38

The worldwide market for mobile printing solutions is projected to reach $6 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 11%

Statistic 39

The growth of on-demand printing services accounted for 40% of the digital print market share in 2023, driven by e-commerce and custom orders

Statistic 40

Packaging printing accounts for approximately 25% of all printing revenues worldwide, reflecting growth driven by e-commerce

Statistic 41

The global market share of digital textile printing is expected to reach over 15% by 2028, up from negligible levels a decade ago

Statistic 42

The market for electronic and digital signage printing is forecasted to grow at 9% CAGR until 2027, supported by increased adoption in retail

Statistic 43

Approximately 15% of all print shops in North America now offer 3D printing services, with this segment expanding rapidly

Statistic 44

The global print media advertising expenditure reached over $150 billion in 2022, indicating ongoing investment despite digital growth

Statistic 45

The digital print segment is projected to surpass traditional offset printing revenue in North America by 2024, reflecting industry shift

Statistic 46

The total revenue from commercial printing in Europe was estimated at €45 billion in 2021, with digital printing accounting for roughly 50%

Statistic 47

The market share for recyclable packaging materials in print packaging is projected to reach 40% by 2027, as sustainability initiatives expand

Statistic 48

There was a 15% increase in demand for commercial high-volume printing presses in 2022, as large-scale projects resumed post-pandemic

Statistic 49

The growth rate of recyclable and biodegradable labels has been about 7% annually since 2019, driven by eco-conscious brands

Statistic 50

Print-on-demand services now account for about 25% of all book publishing, significantly reducing inventory costs

Statistic 51

The total global market for printed textiles is estimated to grow to $2.8 billion by 2028, with a CAGR of around 8%

Statistic 52

The shift to e-commerce has increased the demand for catalog printing by approximately 20% since 2019, highlighting retail sector growth

Statistic 53

The market for digital and hybrid printing equipment is forecasted to expand at a CAGR of 6% until 2028, driven by customization needs

Statistic 54

The total number of printed newspapers worldwide has declined by approximately 40% since 2010, but digital newspaper readership continues to grow steadily

Statistic 55

The global market for labeling machines used in print labeling is projected to reach $4 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 5%

Statistic 56

The demand for personalized packaging in the cosmetics and food industries is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10% through 2028, reflecting increases in printed packaging needs

Statistic 57

Digital textile printing is gaining popularity in the home décor segment, with projected CAGR of 9% through 2028, driven by fashion and interior design trends

Statistic 58

The global market for printed electronics is expected to reach $12 billion by 2028, expanding the scope of traditional printing technologies

Statistic 59

China remains the largest producer of printed materials, accounting for approximately 30% of global output

Statistic 60

Over 50% of small print shops in North America have moved to online ordering platforms by 2023

Statistic 61

The Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness the highest CAGR in the printing industry at 8.2% through 2030

Statistic 62

The largest share of printing activity in the world happens in Europe, accounting for roughly 40% of global volume

Statistic 63

The Asia-Pacific digital printing segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 9% through 2028, becoming the largest regional market

Statistic 64

The majority of print service providers (around 67%) are investing in automation technologies as of 2023

Statistic 65

The number of printers using cloud-based management systems increased by 35% in 2022

Statistic 66

Digital color presses have increased in productivity by 30% in the last two years, according to industry reports

Statistic 67

The use of QR codes in printed marketing materials increased by over 50% in 2023, boosting interactive marketing efforts

Statistic 68

Over 60% of print companies have experimented with augmented reality (AR) incorporated into print campaigns by 2023

Statistic 69

The number of patents filed for printing technology innovations increased by 10% in 2022, reflecting ongoing R&D investment

Statistic 70

The average turnaround time for commercial print jobs has decreased from 48 hours in 2020 to 36 hours in 2023, due to automation and improved logistics

Statistic 71

The average size of print run in commercial printing has decreased from 10,000 to 2,500 units over the past decade, reflecting personalization trends

Statistic 72

Nearly 60% of global printing companies use some form of automation to improve efficiency, with robotic finishing gaining popularity

Statistic 73

The number of print-related patents filed globally increased by approximately 12% from 2021 to 2022, indicating technological innovation

Statistic 74

Over 40% of large commercial printers have integrated RFID technology for inventory and workflow management by 2023, streamlining operations

Statistic 75

The majority of print shops (around 65%) are exploring cross-media marketing solutions to integrate print with digital campaigns

Statistic 76

The printing chemicals market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% through 2025, driven by innovations in inks and coatings

Statistic 77

The adoption of high-speed digital presses has increased operational efficiency by approximately 40% in 2023, compared to traditional digital presses

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Sources

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Key Highlights

The global printing industry was valued at approximately $400 billion in 2022
Approximately 30% of printing companies report an increase in digital printing orders in 2023
The North American printing industry generated around $80 billion in revenue in 2021
The global demand for 3D printing is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.5% through 2030
The majority of print service providers (around 67%) are investing in automation technologies as of 2023
Digital printing now accounts for over 60% of total printing revenue in North America
The offset printing segment is projected to decline by 5% annually from 2022 to 2027
The global sustainable packaging market, heavily reliant on printed materials, is expected to reach $340 billion by 2028
Approximately 75% of print shops have adopted eco-friendly print practices by 2023
The average lifespan of a printed magazine versus digital content is around 27 days
The number of printers using cloud-based management systems increased by 35% in 2022
The world's leading printing companies account for nearly 40% of total printer sales
The adoption of artificial intelligence in print management is projected to grow at a CAGR of 45% through 2025

The printing industry is experiencing a dynamic transformation, with a valuation of around $400 billion in 2022, driven by rapid growth in digital, eco-friendly, and innovative printing technologies shaping its future landscape.

Environmental and Regulatory Impact

Approximately 75% of print shops have adopted eco-friendly print practices by 2023
Over 80% of print service providers consider sustainability a key business priority in 2023
The adoption of environmentally friendly inks rose by 20% in 2022 among print shops committed to sustainability
The popularity of environmentally certified papers increased significantly, with 35% of purchased papers being FSC or PEFC certified in 2022
The printing industry’s carbon footprint was reduced by approximately 15% in 2022 due to eco-friendly practices
Over 55% of print companies reported increases in demand for environmentally friendly packaging in 2023, driven by consumer preferences
The use of biodegradable and compostable printing materials increased by 20% in 2022, highlighting sustainability efforts
The adoption rate of eco-friendly inks among commercial printers is forecasted to reach 50% by 2025, driven by sustainability mandates
The average lifespan of printed promotional materials, such as flyers and brochures, is approximately 3 months before they are discarded
The use of eco-friendly and vegetable-based inks increased by 25% in 2022 among environmentally conscious printing companies
Environmental regulations have led 60% of print companies worldwide to upgrade or overhaul their waste management systems in 2022

Environmental and Regulatory Impact Interpretation

With over 75% of print shops embracing eco-friendly practices and a sharp rise in sustainable materials and inks, the industry is clearly turning the page toward a greener future—though with a typical lifespan of just three months for promotional materials, the true challenge lies in making sustainability last beyond the print.

Market Size and Value

The global printing industry was valued at approximately $400 billion in 2022
Approximately 30% of printing companies report an increase in digital printing orders in 2023
The North American printing industry generated around $80 billion in revenue in 2021
The global demand for 3D printing is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.5% through 2030
Digital printing now accounts for over 60% of total printing revenue in North America
The offset printing segment is projected to decline by 5% annually from 2022 to 2027
The global sustainable packaging market, heavily reliant on printed materials, is expected to reach $340 billion by 2028
The average lifespan of a printed magazine versus digital content is around 27 days
The world's leading printing companies account for nearly 40% of total printer sales
The adoption of artificial intelligence in print management is projected to grow at a CAGR of 45% through 2025
The global demand for labels and packaging printing is valued at $35 billion, expected to grow significantly by 2025
The most popular printing substrates in 2023 are coated papers (around 50% market share), followed by uncoated papers and plastics
The global market for variable data printing is expected to reach $10 billion by 2027
The American printing industry employed approximately 500,000 people in 2022, with a projected decline of 10% over the next five years
The increase in e-commerce packaging has led to a 25% rise in folding carton printing demand since 2019
The demand for personalized print products is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 15% by 2026
Forty-five percent of print shop revenue comes from commercial printing, including advertising and promotional materials
The global inkjet printing market alone is valued at over $25 billion in 2023, with a CAGR of about 4.5%
The most common printing formats in 2023 are A4 and A3 sizes, representing 65% of all printed materials
The global demand for non-impact printing (digital, inkjet, laser) is projected to increase by 12% annually until 2028
Educational institutions comprise roughly 25% of the printing volume, mainly for textbooks and materials
The European printing industry expects a revenue decline of 4% annually through 2025, driven by digital substitution
The number of print jobs produced annually worldwide exceeds 500 billion, highlighting the sector's vast scale
Self-adhesive label printing accounted for nearly 22% of the total label printing market in 2023, increasing steadily since 2018
The average profit margin for print service providers is roughly 8-12%, varying by specialization and region
The global demand for specialty printing (such as textiles or glass) is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 7% through 2028
The worldwide market for mobile printing solutions is projected to reach $6 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 11%
The growth of on-demand printing services accounted for 40% of the digital print market share in 2023, driven by e-commerce and custom orders
Packaging printing accounts for approximately 25% of all printing revenues worldwide, reflecting growth driven by e-commerce
The global market share of digital textile printing is expected to reach over 15% by 2028, up from negligible levels a decade ago
The market for electronic and digital signage printing is forecasted to grow at 9% CAGR until 2027, supported by increased adoption in retail
Approximately 15% of all print shops in North America now offer 3D printing services, with this segment expanding rapidly
The global print media advertising expenditure reached over $150 billion in 2022, indicating ongoing investment despite digital growth
The digital print segment is projected to surpass traditional offset printing revenue in North America by 2024, reflecting industry shift
The total revenue from commercial printing in Europe was estimated at €45 billion in 2021, with digital printing accounting for roughly 50%
The market share for recyclable packaging materials in print packaging is projected to reach 40% by 2027, as sustainability initiatives expand
There was a 15% increase in demand for commercial high-volume printing presses in 2022, as large-scale projects resumed post-pandemic
The growth rate of recyclable and biodegradable labels has been about 7% annually since 2019, driven by eco-conscious brands
Print-on-demand services now account for about 25% of all book publishing, significantly reducing inventory costs
The total global market for printed textiles is estimated to grow to $2.8 billion by 2028, with a CAGR of around 8%
The shift to e-commerce has increased the demand for catalog printing by approximately 20% since 2019, highlighting retail sector growth
The market for digital and hybrid printing equipment is forecasted to expand at a CAGR of 6% until 2028, driven by customization needs
The total number of printed newspapers worldwide has declined by approximately 40% since 2010, but digital newspaper readership continues to grow steadily
The global market for labeling machines used in print labeling is projected to reach $4 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 5%
The demand for personalized packaging in the cosmetics and food industries is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10% through 2028, reflecting increases in printed packaging needs
Digital textile printing is gaining popularity in the home décor segment, with projected CAGR of 9% through 2028, driven by fashion and interior design trends
The global market for printed electronics is expected to reach $12 billion by 2028, expanding the scope of traditional printing technologies

Market Size and Value Interpretation

Despite prophecies of decline, the $400 billion global printing industry demonstrates remarkable adaptability, with digital and personalized print segments surging at exponential rates, even as traditional offset printing wanes and sustainability initiatives reshape packaging, illustrating a sector in vibrant transformation rather than obsolescence.

Regional Industry Insights

China remains the largest producer of printed materials, accounting for approximately 30% of global output
Over 50% of small print shops in North America have moved to online ordering platforms by 2023
The Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness the highest CAGR in the printing industry at 8.2% through 2030
The largest share of printing activity in the world happens in Europe, accounting for roughly 40% of global volume
The Asia-Pacific digital printing segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 9% through 2028, becoming the largest regional market

Regional Industry Insights Interpretation

While China continues to dominate global print production and Europe's steady volume underscores its enduring influence, the rapid shift to online ordering in North America and the explosive growth in Asia-Pacific digital printing signal that the industry’s future hinges on digital innovation and regional dynamism.

Technological Advancements and Trends

The majority of print service providers (around 67%) are investing in automation technologies as of 2023
The number of printers using cloud-based management systems increased by 35% in 2022
Digital color presses have increased in productivity by 30% in the last two years, according to industry reports
The use of QR codes in printed marketing materials increased by over 50% in 2023, boosting interactive marketing efforts
Over 60% of print companies have experimented with augmented reality (AR) incorporated into print campaigns by 2023
The number of patents filed for printing technology innovations increased by 10% in 2022, reflecting ongoing R&D investment
The average turnaround time for commercial print jobs has decreased from 48 hours in 2020 to 36 hours in 2023, due to automation and improved logistics
The average size of print run in commercial printing has decreased from 10,000 to 2,500 units over the past decade, reflecting personalization trends
Nearly 60% of global printing companies use some form of automation to improve efficiency, with robotic finishing gaining popularity
The number of print-related patents filed globally increased by approximately 12% from 2021 to 2022, indicating technological innovation
Over 40% of large commercial printers have integrated RFID technology for inventory and workflow management by 2023, streamlining operations
The majority of print shops (around 65%) are exploring cross-media marketing solutions to integrate print with digital campaigns
The printing chemicals market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% through 2025, driven by innovations in inks and coatings
The adoption of high-speed digital presses has increased operational efficiency by approximately 40% in 2023, compared to traditional digital presses

Technological Advancements and Trends Interpretation

As the printing industry races towards innovation—from a 67% automation uptake and a 35% rise in cloud management to a 50% surge in QR code marketing—it's clear that print is not just staying relevant but transforming into a high-tech canvas of efficiency, interactivity, and personalization.