The global specialty printing consumables market size was accounted for USD 38.04 billion, in the year 2018. The market is projected to grow with a CAGR of 4.1% over the forecast period. Specialty printing consumables comprised of a wide array of products from ink cartridges to toners to printer ribbons and drums that are produced in the liquid or powder form depending on the model utilized by the producer. The market is driven by the rising demand for these consumables in schools and offices along with the growing use of printing in the marketable segments like packaging and textile.
The market growth of specialty printing consumables is fueled by the widespread application of printing in various industries Accessibility of tools for printing operations like small-scale printing, hybrid printing, mini dispensing, and 3D printing having varied applications across various industries. Some of these applications include packaging, automotive, printed electronics, publishing, and decorative designing that have been a significant growth factor for market expansion over the forecast period. For example, the Huber group announced the launch of global compliant flexible container food packing printing toner in the year 2019. The company redesigned its previously produced MGA NATURA chain with a solo ink that matches with every criterion stated by Food and Drug Association (FDA) along with EC Regulations that helped to grow this series in North America and European nations.
Among different product types, toner dominated the market with a shared accounting of 30% in the year 2018. Toner is used in laser printing applications in various commercial publications like journals, magazines, novels, and newspapers. The growth of the education sector globally, resulted in a surge in the requirement for printed learning books, thereby, accelerating the development of specialty printing consumables. The chemical segment is projected to decrease over the estimated period due to factors like respiratory issues and skin problems owing to prolonged contact of the product with the chemical fumes. In Europe, Switzerland has imposed legislation called Swiss Ordinance RS 817.023.21 which sets guidelines for various kinds of food-contact articles and materials along with food wrapping printing inks.
Europe and the Asia Pacific have displayed increasing acceptance of textiles with changing fashion trends and booming online brands like Shein, Myntra, and Ajio Life. This growing trend has boosted demand for several kinds of printed textiles, thereby, estimated to supplement the growth of the specialty printing consumable sector over the estimated period. Also, the APAC region has witnessed the development of fast-food chains resulting in augmenting the growth of the printed packaging segment over the forecast period.
Ink products accounted for 30.64% market share, in 2018. It is projected to showcase significant growth from 2019 to 2025. The inkjet printers use liquid ink to make pictures &text and occupy a greater share in the market than other varieties of printers. Inexpensive inks, like dye-based ink, used in the printing of ATM receipts having qualities of disappearance after some time. The use of such inks will accelerate the development of the printing ink market over the forecast period.
Specialty substrate is projected to grow with a CAGR of 4.5% from 2019 to 2025. These substrates are comprised of fluorescents, metallic, and vinyl which can manufacture premium prints. The requirement for such products is rising with the development of the high-speed inkjet printers market. HP inkjet printers make use of these specialty substrates for the printing of colored images and high-quality prints. Such high-quality prints are highly demanded in the market.
The demand for specialty printing consumables is driven by their day-to-day applications in big companies and small offices to print various documents and papers. Further, increasing numbers of colleges and schools are leading to a surge in demand for printed books, which, in turn, is fueling the market growth of specialty printing consumables.
The commercial group of end-users is projected to accelerate the market growth on account of increasing requirements for extensive printing in industries like healthcare, media, textiles, and others. Owing to the rising demand for specialty substrates and ink in the marketable sector, this segment is projected to acquire a share of 40.53% by 2025. Considering the growing innovations in the healthcare segment, at least 20 distinct implants varying from cranial implants to the knee, spinal and hip implants permitted by the FDA to manufacture different 3D printing technologies. This is expected to drive the specialty printing consumables market over the forecast period.
North America is projected to account for a revenue share of USD 15.09 billion by the end of 2025. There is a constant rise in demand for specialty substrates in the U.S due to the booming construction and healthcare segment. With innovations in construction technology, the regional market is anticipated to notice significant growth in this section. In this regard, Sunconomy, a U.S built construction giant partnered with Russian 3D printers Apis Cor to create 3D printed houses across the region. This 3D printing machine uses eight kW of electricity during construction and it involves additional manufacturing to prevent waste generation. The machine is made such that it can easily be carried in a truck while changing sites.
Central and South America (CSA), is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.4% from 2019 to 2025. In this region, Argentina and Brazil are the major markets for printing consumables owing to personalization, specialization, and increasing outdoor advertising. SiegwerkDruckfarben AG & Co. KGaA agreed to buy family-owned TupahueTintas, a major player of the Brazilian market for gravure and flexo printing varnishes and inks in Diadema. This strategic initiative is expected to support the development of companies in Brazil.
The global market is fairly disintegrated with the dominance of leading players like Lexmark International Inc.; Nazdar Ink Technologies; Flint Ink Inc.; DIC Corporation; L.P.; Canon Inc.; HP; Fuji Photo Film Company Limited; Eastman Kodak Co.; Xerox Corporation.
Factors such as price and quality of the products play a key role in overall market development and drive the competition in the market among both small and large producers. Firms like Lexmark International Inc., HP, and Canon Inc. specialize in producing printing consumables such as specialty substrates and ink for different kinds of printers including 3D ones. The growth of firms like Xerox Corporation and Flint Ink Inc. has helped in accelerating the regional market growth in nations like India, the U.S, and the U.K.
Attribute |
Details |
The base year for estimation |
2018 |
Actual estimates/Historical data |
2015 - 2017 |
Forecast period |
2019 - 2025 |
Market representation |
Revenue in USD Million & CAGR from 2019 to 2025 |
Regional scope |
North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Central & South America, and Middle East & Africa |
Report Coverage |
Revenue forecast, company share, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends |
Country Scope |
U.S., Germany, U.K., India, China, Brazil, South Africa |
15% free customization scope (equivalent to 5 analyst working days) |
If you need specific information, which is not currently within the scope of the report, we will provide it to you as a part of the customization |
This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2015 to 2025. For this study, Million Insights has segmented the global specialty printing consumables market report based on product, end-user, and region:
• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2015 - 2025)
• Toner
• Ink
• Specialty Substrates
• Chemicals
• End User Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2015 - 2025)
• Corporates
• Commercial
• Educational Institutions
• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2015 - 2025)
• North America
• U.S.
• Europe
• Germany
• U.K.
• the Asia Pacific
• India
• China
• Central & South America
• Brazil
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
Research Support Specialist, USA