Global digital printing surges, India adapts

India’s print industry is on the cusp of transformation as global digital print volumes are set to increase by 54% over the next decade, from 1.8 trillion A4 equivalents in 2025 to 2.8 trillion by 2035, according to Smithers’ The Future of Digital Printing to 2035 report.

This growth, which will see the market value rise from $168 billion (£126 billion) to $251 billion (£188 billion), reflects a broader shift towards digital printing technologies, with India well-positioned to capitalise on the trend.

Digital printing, encompassing inkjet and electrophotography, is gaining ground due to its versatility and cost-effectiveness. “Providers are developing more productive digital presses with higher reliability, and these continue to reduce the overall cost of production,” says Sean Smyth, lead author and printing sector technical director for Smithers.

In India, the sector is supported by an anticipated 8-9% revenue growth for regional print media this fiscal year, fuelled by advertising demand from automobiles, FMCG, and eCommerce, alongside declining newsprint prices, according to a Crisil report. Vernacular print players, leveraging hyper-localised content, are projected to see subscription revenue rise by 2-4%, further encouraging digital adoption.

The packaging sector, particularly metal packaging, is a significant driver. Globally, it has seen a 20% compound annual growth rate from 2020 to 2025, a trend expected to continue. “Our data shows metal packaging had the highest growth rates of any application between 2020 and 2025, and this will continue over the next ten years,” Smyth notes. India’s metal packaging market, worth USD 10.23 billion in 2025, is growing at a 5.75% CAGR and is forecast to reach USD 13.52 billion by 2030 (Mordor Intelligence). However, digital printing in metal packaging is evolving to offer interactive and smart features. During PrintPack 2025, APL Machinery’s CP Paul informed PrintWeek about its QuantumJet digital press, which he claimed is India’s first and most advanced single-pass digital printing machine, now perfectly suited for high-quality metal printing applications.

Straits Research shows India’s print-on-demand market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.8% between 2023 and 2031. However, P Sajith, managing director at Bindwel, argues that this projection might underestimate the sector’s potential. “Given the low base we are starting from, the actual growth might be much faster. Short runs of 50–1,000 copies and micro runs of fewer than 50 copies are becoming the norm,” he observes.

Technological advancements are central to this evolution. By 2035, inkjet resolution is projected to reach 3,000dpi at 300m/min, with drop sizes as small as one picolitre, enabling digital presses to compete with analogue in most applications except low-value newspapers and high-volume packaging. In India, events like PrintPack 2025, underscore this progress, where nearly 10 companies exhibited its digital inkjet technologies.

Beyond packaging, digital printing is transforming other niches. Decor printing is another area where digital printing is making a mark. During Drupa 2024, Ahmedabad’s decor printing specialist Match Graphics signed a deal to install Asia’s first ever Koenig & Bauer (K&B) RotaJet 138 printing press.

PrintWeek spoke to Kromodyne Digital Solution and Apsom Technologies at Media Expo in Mumbai. Kromodyne’s Santosh Nair sees 1,500–2,000 decor printers, with wallpapers up 12% and taking 35% of big jobs. “Decor has gone mainstream,” Nair says, targeting 500 budget-machine sales in small towns. Apsom’s Mahajan says that Surat’s textiles are exploding. “It is a key market, with over 100 installations since our partnership with Mimaki began in 2009,” he said.

Challenges persist, including economic fluctuations and evolving consumer preferences. However, digital printing’s integration with automated finishing reduces costs and time to market, offering a competitive edge. “Look to make investments in the latest capabilities with lower unit costs of printing,” advises Smyth, highlighting the importance of integrating digital print with finishing to create efficient manufacturing cells. In India, the convergence of print and digital media, particularly among regional players pushing integrated strategies, points to a hybrid future.