A new report from Smithers indicates that digital printing is entering a period of sustained expansion, driven by rapid adoption in packaging, labels, and industrial applications. The combined value of digital print is forecast to increase from $194.3 billion in 2025 to $244.6 billion by 2030, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 4.7%. The most substantial gains are projected in packaging and labels, rising from $166.9 billion to $204.8 billion, underscoring digital’s expanding role in short-run, customized, and on-demand production. 

Smithers attributes digital print’s momentum to continuous improvements in print quality, automation, workflow integration, and substrate versatility. Advancements in inkjet technology, in particular, are enabling digital systems to compete more directly with analog processes in high-volume and industrial environments. Screen printing, meanwhile, is seeing declining demand in traditional graphics, packaging, and label markets as digital technologies increasingly dominate those categories. However, the report highlights new opportunities emerging in functional and industrial applications, including textiles, promotional products, automotive components, and printed electronics. 

These sectors are supporting steady value growth, with screen printing projected to rise from $63.8 billion in 2025 to $79.3 billion by 2030, a 4.4% CAGR. The competitive landscape is rapidly evolving, with inkjet systems becoming more prevalent across industrial applications that were once led by screen processes. Hybrid production models, combining digital and analog strengths, are also gaining traction, offering manufacturers new levels of flexibility and efficiency. Sustainability is a key driver across both technologies. Smithers notes increased investment in eco-friendly inks, energy-efficient systems, reduced waste, and recyclable materials. These pressures are accelerating innovation across the print ecosystem, reinforcing digital print’s growth trajectory while reshaping the future role of screen printing in advanced, functional markets.