March 2024: In the case of HP, the company reported the release of a highly efficient digital printer equipped with automated AI functions that oversaw overall print quality and minimized turnaround times. The multifunctional capacity of this innovation enhances the efficiency of commercial and package printing as it looks through the lens of the growing demand for high-volume, precision-based printing.
February 2024: The company Epson said that they will release eco-solvent printers with the usage of biodegradable water-based ink, drastically reducing environmental impact. Printers can produce high-quality output and simultaneously comply with sustainability initiatives calling for greener commercial and industrial printing solutions.
January 2024: The integration of digital printing solutions with smart manufacturing of Industry 4.0 extends any manufacturer’s capabilities far beyond the walls of the factory with the use of IoT for real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance. Canon began this process in 2024, aiming for higher production efficiency, reduced downtime, and simplified workflows in large-scale printing.
December 2023: In 2023, Xerox put to work an innovation on an advanced variable data printing (VDP) solution. The innovation aims to adapt growing offers of personalized marketing materials and transactional printing and packaging. This enables them to help brands offer highly customized content at scale, improving customer engagement.
November 2023: Ricoh increased spending in R&D with an additional focus on the development of nanotechnology inks with the specific purpose of improving color diversity and adhesion on textiles, plastics, metals, and other substrates. This development has advantages both for clothing and industrial packaging printing.
Impact on Industry
The digital printing industry is projected to increase from US$38.08 billion in 2025 to US$121.3 billion by 2032, which constitutes an annual growth rate of 18% during that period.
AI-led automation and digitization, as well as the employment of new high-speed digital presses, significantly increase output by reducing labor expenses, improving accuracy, and minimizing production cycle time. As a result, businesses achieve an optimal expenditure-to-output ratio in high-volume commercial and industrial printing. This shows how digital printing companies are adapting to changing consumer demands now involves leveraging AI-led automation and digitization, along with high-speed digital presses, to boost output while reducing labor costs, enhancing accuracy, and shortening production cycles.
The introduction of sustainable inks combined with recyclable substrates opens new avenues for the branding and marketing of digital printing. Advancements make it attractive to brands and industries focused on sustainability. There is a move towards more sustainable inks that improve color and abrasion resistance while emitting minimal chemicals and digital waste.
Digital presses powered by IoT devices improve real-time multitasking, predictive maintenance, and workflow automation. Operating efficiency improves, downtime is reduced, and print quality remains consistent due to data analytics and machine learning systems offering proactive issue detection. This improvement is especially noticeable in large-scale production settings where printer efficiency has to be maintained throughout the entire production cycle. Competitive strategies for companies in the digital printing industry now include leveraging IoT-powered digital presses to enhance real-time multitasking, predictive maintenance, and workflow automation.
Variable data printing (VDP) technology is becoming more advanced, allowing brands to personalize promotional materials, packaging, and products. This technology enables mass customization, which improves customer relations and facilitates targeting of niche industries with dynamic text, imagery, and designs.
Businesses are seeking to reduce costs and comply with changing consumer behavior and regulatory laws. With the growing movement towards sustainability in the industry, automated waste management systems, water-based inks, and low-energy curing systems are aiding in meeting these goals.
Additionally, the role of mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships in the digital printing industry is expanding with the integration of digital printing solutions into Industry 4.0. This shift enhances manufacturing capabilities through IoT-powered real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance.
With the incorporation of sustainable approaches, IoT, and AI, VDP digital printers will continue to gain popularity. There is a higher degree of automation and efficiency, along with a higher focus on detail, making custom digital printing an integral part of the future of printing.
Sources:
Industry Report: Global Digital Printing Market Analysis
Company Press Releases: HP, Epson, Canon, Xerox, Ricoh
News Outlets: PrintWeek, Packaging Strategies, Printing Impressions
