Print Industry Trends 2025: What’s Changing & Why It Matters

Quick Summary: As new innovations in printing technologies are being introduced year by year, staying updated with future trends can help you gain a competitive advantage. This blog will walk you through all the popular trends you must know in 2025 to make your print business future ready. Read on!

The print industry is evolving quickly due to digital transformation, and high-tech advancements are emerging regularly to meet the changing customer demands. Several technologies like web to print are modernizing the printing industry with their advanced capabilities.

In 2025, print businesses can look forward to a lot of innovative trends that are taking over the market and implement them to gain competitive advantage. As per reports, the market size of the printing industry is growing exponentially at a CAGR of 4.3% and is expected to reach $443.56 billion by the year 2028.

Embracing these popular trends and strategies can prepare print businesses to stay at the forefront of the latest printing technology, enabling them to achieve maximum outcomes.

Keep reading as we will be discovering the top printing trends to watch out for in 2025. Let’s begin.

Key Print Industry Trends That Will Shape Your Growth Strategy

Let’s look at the must-know top printing trends in 2025 for the new-age printers. These include -

1. Print-On-Demand

This popular printing trend saves material wastage and cost by allowing print businesses to print only the required print products in the necessary quantities and at the right time. If you are looking for a profitable business option in the coming years, learning about the functioning of print-on-demand businesses and starting it successfully is highly recommended.

2. Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Printing

Print businesses are shifting to sustainable printing and packaging methods to reduce their carbon footprint, paving the way for an eco-friendly environment. The market size of green packaging or sustainable packaging is expected to reach USD 557.66 billion at a CAGR of 7.04% by the year 2030, making it a popular option for print businesses worldwide.

3. Digital Printing

It is a type of printing method that involves transferring digital-based images into the chosen print media substrates eliminating the requirement for traditional printing plates or cylinders. The digital printing industry trend is particularly popular for print-on-demand businesses offering short print runs as it helps in significant cost savings and waste reduction.

4. Product Personalization

According to recent statistics from different reports, 91% of people prefer brands that remember their preferences and 83% are ready to share their information for personalized experiences, Since the majority of customers prefer one-of-a-kind products tailored to individual preferences, utilizing advanced print personalization software is a never-aging trend for print businesses.

5. Web-to-Print Solutions

The current trend in the printing industry is custom web-to-print solution that enables customers to seamlessly design and order print products online. Research says that the web-to-print software market is anticipated to reach USD 2.17 billion by 2031, offering print businesses and end customers the convenience of tracking and managing their orders with ease. This innovative solution also offers print businesses and end customers the convenience of tracking and managing their orders with ease.

6. 3D Printing

Additive manufacturing or 3D printing is the latest innovation that utilizes digital design files for creating three-dimensional objects with applications in aerospace, healthcare, automative and many other industries. Research indicates that the global 3D printing market is expected to grow from USD 17.5 billion in 2025 to USD 37.4 billion by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.4% over the forecast period.

7. Smart Packaging

Smart packaging involves utilizing an innovative approach by integrating new printing technologies like RFID tags, sensors, and QR codes. Adapting web-to-pack technology reduces the overall effort by automating the process for your packaging operations.

Research shows that the global smart packaging market is projected to grow to approximately USD 68.99 billion by 2032, achieving a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8%.

8. Augmented Reality (AR) in Print

Augmented Reality is a technology in the printing industry with a projected market value of $289.05 Billion by 2030, that enables users to visualize digital content such as images or 3D models in the real world. It can be used for enhancing the user experience by showcasing interactive ads and product demonstrations in marketing, interactive textbooks in education as well as virtual try-ons and product demonstrations in the retail industry.

9. Print Automation using AI-based Approach

Print businesses are leveraging AI-driven features for optimizing web-to-print capabilities including content & design creation, job ticket management, production scheduling, workflow analysis, design creation and much more. It has been predicted that the artificial intelligence market will reach $1,500 billion by the year 2030, transforming the operations of print businesses.

10. Hybrid Printing Technologies

Hybrid printing combines multiple technologies including traditional and modern methods to leverage both their advantages. The market size of hybrid printing technologies is anticipated to reach USD 10.2 billion by the year 2028, rising at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 13.2%.

11. Pocket Printers

Pocket printers, or portable printers, are compact devices that can be easily connected using Bluetooth or USB, popularly used for applications in healthcare, manufacturing, retail, hospitality, logistics, and ecommerce sectors. As per IMARC Group, the worldwide market size of portable printers is anticipated to reach US$ 23.4 Billion by 2032 at a CAGR of 1.6%.

12. Cloud Printing

Cloud printing is a new trend in the printing industry that allows users to print from any device using the internet, eliminating the need for driver installation. The global market of cloud printing services is expected to reach US$ 4,614.1 by 2033 at a CAGR of 11.7%.

13. Comprehensive Ecommerce Integration

Ecommerce integration involves the process of integrating ecommerce platform with back-end systems like ERP, CRM accounting, inventory and marketing with the help of an API. This integration can transform print processes by automating the print workflow, eliminating repetitive tasks, enhancing collaboration with data synchronization between multiple systems and improving the overall customer experience.

14. Erasable Printing Technology

This new printing technology is a commercial print industry trend that uses an erasable ink for printing on paper and later erases it by exposing it to ultraviolet light, enabling the paper to be re-used up to five times. This leads to a significant reduction in paper wastage, reduces the negative impact on the environment and saves costs.

15. Print Security against IoT Cyber Threats

IoT-related cyber-attacks on print businesses have become very common these days, making it mandatory for printers to invest in future printing technologies and robust security measures, for protection against these vulnerabilities. Adopt managed print services providing cloud-based patch management, security assessment and monitoring as well as automate print operations to get mutual benefit for print businesses and customers.

16. Voice-Activated Printing Systems

As voice technology-based smart assistants have become a part of our everyday lives, print businesses are incorporating this approach to speeding up the operations of print workflows. This trend utilizes biometric data analysis to perform critical tasks such as adjusting the maintenance settings or printing by detecting voice commands, enhancing convenience and usability.

17. Direct-to-Film (DTF) Printing

Apart from the popular application of DTF technology on fabrics, this innovation will be utilized by modern print businesses to print on non-textile substrates like ceramics, glass, and metals. The capability of this new age technology will allow print businesses to expand their product range beyond just apparel, providing customers with high-end personalization and eco-friendly products.

Why Should Printing Businesses Keep Up with Industry Trends?

By staying up to date with the latest print industry trends and implementing them, print businesses can stand out from the crowd, paving the way to reach new markets, secure repeat business, increase revenue and growth. Which includes -

Identify and Capture New Markets

Following the print business trends allows printers to analyse the rise in specific print segments. Let’s say, the increase in print on demand services can help business focus more on that by allocating resources efficiently.

Better Risk Management

Being aware of trends helps businesses in forecasting and preparing for industry changes, thereby minimizing the risk of being caught off-guard by disruptive technologies.

Adaptation of New Methods

By staying informed about print industry trends, businesses can adopt new methods and processes that improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance the final quality of print products.

The BottomlineThis strategic outlook of the printing industry can prepare your printing business to stay ahead in this competitive era. Implementing the trends that are aligned to your print business goals and adapting with the evolving customer demands is the secret for continuous success in the printing industry.Choosing an all-in-one web to print solution like those offered by OnPrintShop, which scales with your growing print business, is the best way to get started.Schedule a quick demo with OnPrintShop today to experience next-generation printing solutions and watch your business soar.