By Eirini Louizou, Head of Production and Industrial Printing at Infosource
26 February 2025: As we enter 2025, the Production & Industrial (P&I) printing industry (Large Format Printing (LFP), Digital Color Press (DCP), and Direct-to-Garment (DTG)) is on the brink of transformation, driven by sociopolitical shifts, technological advancements, and evolving market dynamics. With world leaders actively discussing the end of ongoing wars, the anticipated reconstruction of cities and the expected relaxation of sanctions are expected to fuel economic resurgence and reshape market demand in the EMEA region. This transition is expected to unlock significant growth opportunities across various printing sectors.
Key Drivers of Change in the P&I Printing Industry
- Automation and AI Integration The increasing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics is expected to revolutionise industrial printing. Automation drives cost reduction, enhanced productivity, and greater sustainability, fostering a shift from labor-intensive to capital-intensive processes with a highly educated workforce. This shift will also support local production, reduce waste and transportation costs, and optimise efficiency.
- Geopolitical and Economic Factors
- The anticipated removal of trade sanctions will stimulate demand and enhance cross-border trade.
- The import tax policies under discussion in various regions and countries are likely to impact higher prices, encouraging localised production across multiple industries, including the printing industry.
- Sustainability and Environmental Regulations
- New environmental guidelines will further restrict emissions and resource waste, pushing businesses toward greener practices.
- Plastic bans will spur adoption of paper-based solutions, particularly in packaging, labels, and card applications.
- Companies are investing in recyclable substrates, energy-efficient equipment, and eco-friendly inks, reinforcing their commitment to sustainability.
- Advancements in Digital Printing and Personalisation
- Digital printing continues to gain market share over analogue methods, particularly in flexible packaging.
- Smart packaging, incorporating QR codes and other interactive elements, will enhance customer engagement, while it is facilitating logistics.
- Variable data printing enables brands to personalise content while optimising cost efficiency for global markets.
- The Cloud and Remote Print Management
The transition to cloud platforms has revolutionised print management, enabling seamless collaboration between print providers and clients. In today’s fluctuating demand and hybrid work models, cloud-based solutions provide superior flexibility and scalability.
Market Trends and Growth Projections by Industry
The EMEA large format printer market is projected to grow at a CAGR between 4.0% and 5.5% by the end of 2029, while Direct-to-Film (DTFi) is expected to expand at a double-digit CAGR.
Key trends driving growth include:
- Growing demand for high-quality printing
- Expansion in advertising and signage applications
- Increasing adoption in textiles, packaging, and graphic arts
- Growth in polyester and fabric-based printing
Similarly, the Digital Color Press (DCP) industry is undergoing significant transformation, particularly in label printing, corrugated packaging, and flexible packaging. The EMEA Continuous Feed DCP industry is projected to achieve a CAGR of more than 6% by 2029, as these devices become essential for high-volume production, boosting efficiency and scalability.
Key trends driving growth include:
- Labels: Digital label printing is thriving due to shorter production runs, increased personalisation options, and regulatory compliance regarding variable data printing.
- Corrugated Packaging: The e-commerce boom is accelerating demand for high-quality, sustainable, and customisable corrugated packaging solutions, aligned with environmental policies.
- Flexible Packaging: The rise of on-demand production, waste reduction, and enhanced shelf appeal are fuelling the adoption of digital printing in flexible packaging.
The EMEA Direct-to-Garment (DTG) industry, which faced a sharp decline in the post-COVID period, has begun to show signs of stabilisation over the past two years. In 2024, unit sales across the region fell by just 2.79% compared to 2023, a notable improvement from the double-digit declines of previous years.
Key trends driving growth and stabilising the market include:
- The adaptation of existing DTG printers, many of which are now being modified for cut-sheet Direct-to-Film (DTFi) applications.
- The market is shifting toward medium and high-end DTG segments, while the entry-level category remains steady.
These evolving dynamics are creating a clearer distinction between Direct-to-Garment and Direct-to-Film roll-to-roll printing technologies, signalling that both have a place in the market—each expanding at its own pace.
Stay Ahead with Infosource’s Industry Intelligence Insights
If you want to gain in-depth knowledge about the specific markets in which you operate (e.g. market size development and potential, etc), whether by country or region, Infosource’s reports provide the right solution. Infosource’s 2024 Yearly Data Publication is now available, accompanied with historical data and Long-Range Forecasts (LRF) by industry, region and country. It equips you with the insights needed to make informed decisions, set realistic targets, and plan, implement and monitor product strategies that align with market trends.
About Infosource
Infosource is a leading global analyst firm headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Its worldwide team of analysts covers the print, office automation, production, large format, wide format, digital colour press and scanner market, as well as the Intelligent Capture and IDP market. Infosource provides in-depth analysis and guidance involving hardware, software and solutions used to automate business processes involving unstructured and semi-structured business inputs. For hardware, Infosource provide data by carefully monitoring more than 7000 models in 12 industries, providing model-level data and assists clients in studying long-term market trends. For more information please visit www.info-source.com or contact us at Contact Infosource – Info-source.com
