Direct-to-Package Printers Market Size - By Type, By Technology, By Packaging Type, By Printing Process, By Automation level, By Ink Type, By Material/Substrate, By Application, By End Use, By Distribution Channel, Forecast 2025 – 2034

Direct-to-Package Printers Market Size

The direct-to-package printers market size was estimated at USD 2.3 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% between 2025 and 2034. Industries including food and beverages, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals are rapidly adopting direct-to-package printers because of the need for stringent anti-counterfeiting measures, enhanced branding, and better traceability. These industries also maintain labeling compliance such as safety information, expiration dates, and lot number capturing. Such printing techniques done in regulated environments enable direct packaging at cutting intervals which offer streamlined application without the added complexity of labeling.
 

Additionally, these technologies eliminate labeling stock and machinery, offering savings in operational costs and increasing the total cost of ownership (TCO) regardless of manufacturer size. Printers for direct-to-packages also help adapt to the flexible packaging formats like sachets and pouches. Along with marking diverse and often irregular surfaces, direct-to-package printing technologies help mitigate material wastage and overproduction, helping to meet growing environmental and modern supply chain priorities.
 

Direct-to-Package Printers Market Trends

• The direct-to-package printers industry is being significantly influenced by the rising demand for customization and personalization across various industries. As consumers increasingly seek unique, tailored experiences, brands are responding by offering personalized packaging that reflects individual preferences. Direct-to-package printing enables on-demand, high-resolution graphics to be applied directly onto containers or packaging, making it ideal for limited-edition runs, personalized gifts, and promotional products. This capability is especially valuable in sectors like food & beverage, cosmetics, and lifestyle goods, where packaging plays a critical role in brand differentiation and customer engagement.
   
• In tandem with this trend, manufacturers are embracing automation and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of their printing operations. For example, Xaar's Direct-to-Shape (DTS) inkjet printing technology facilitate high-quality, high-volume single-pass inkjet printing directly onto smooth and shaped containers, such as bottles, cans, and cylindrical surfaces, with exceptional reliability. This technology enables brands to efficiently produce personalized and customized products, meeting consumer preferences for unique designs. By integrating AI-powered vision systems and automated workflows, direct-to-package printers can detect misalignments, control print consistency, and adapt to varying packaging shapes with minimal human intervention. These intelligent systems not only reduce production errors and material waste but also increase throughput and flexibility, enabling scalable production of customized packaging at competitive costs. As such, the combination of personalization capabilities and smart automation is setting a new standard for modern packaging solutions.
   

Direct-to-Package Printers Market Analysis

Based on Packaging type, the market is categorized into rigid packaging, flexible packaging and semi-rigid packaging. The rigid packaging segment accounted for revenue of around USD 1.2 billion in 2024 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.4% from 2025 to 2034.
 

• The growth of the rigid packaging segment in the direct-to-package printers’ market is primarily driven by its widespread use across high-consumption sectors such as food & beverage, cosmetics, household products, and pharmaceuticals. Rigid containers such as bottles, jars, and cans offer excellent durability, shape retention, and protection for their contents, making them ideal for printing applications directly. As brands seek to differentiate themselves through eye-catching designs and personalized packaging, direct-to-package printing provides a cost-effective solution for high-resolution, full-color graphics directly on rigid surfaces without the need for labels.
   
• Additionally, advancements in digital printing technologies, including UV inkjet and AI-powered print precision, have made it easier to print directly onto curved or irregular rigid surfaces, boosting adoption among manufacturers aiming for premium shelf appeal and faster product turnaround.
   

The end-use industry of direct-to-package printers market consists of food & beverage, pharmaceuticals & healthcare, cosmetics & personal care, household products, industrial chemicals, electronics & appliances and others. The food & beverage industry emerged as leader and held 37.4% of the market share in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 5.4% from 2025 to 2034.
 

• Food & beverage sector relies heavily on packaging for both functional and branding purposes requiring real-time printing of critical information such as expiration dates, batch numbers, barcodes, and nutritional labels. Direct-to-package printing enables seamless integration of this data directly into containers, eliminating the need for separate labels and reducing production time and waste.
   
• Furthermore, consumer preferences shift toward personalized and seasonal packaging, especially in beverages, snacks, and ready-to-eat products brands are leveraging digital direct-printing capabilities to rapidly deliver unique designs. Combined with regulatory pressures and the need for anti-counterfeit measures, this has made direct-to-package printing a valuable and scalable solution for the food & beverage industry’s evolving needs.

The distribution channel of direct-to-package printers market consists of direct and indirect platforms. The direct segment accounted for over 66.6% of the market share in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2025 to 2034.
 

• The growth of the direct distribution channel is due to the increasing preference of manufacturers for customized solutions and stronger post-sale support. Purchasing directly from printer manufacturers allows end-users particularly in industries like food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics to access tailored configurations, integration assistance, and dedicated technical support that indirect channels often cannot provide.
   
• Moreover, as these printing systems involve sophisticated technology such as AI integration, automation, and material-specific ink systems, direct engagement ensures better training, faster servicing, and access to upgrades or proprietary software. This direct relationship enhances customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and long-term equipment performance.

The U.S. dominates an overall North America direct-to-package printers market and valued at USD 630 million in 2024 while growing at a CAGR of 5.4% from 2025 to 2034.
 

• The growth can be attributed to its advanced manufacturing infrastructure, high demand for innovative packaging solutions, and early adoption of digital printing technologies. Key industries such as food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, and personal care drive significant demand for on-package printing that supports regulatory compliance, branding, and traceability. Additionally, U.S.-based companies are increasingly investing in automation, sustainability, and product personalization trends that align closely with the capabilities of direct-to-package printers.
   

The direct-to-package printers market in the Germany is expected to experience significant and promising growth from 2025 to 2034.
 

• Germany’s well-established packaging industry especially in food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics is steadily shifting toward digital and direct-to-surface printing technologies to enhance efficiency, reduce labelling waste, and improve product differentiation. As consumer demand grows for personalized and visually engaging packaging, direct-to-package printers offer German manufacturers the flexibility to produce high-resolution, custom designs with quick turnaround times. Moreover, the country’s emphasis on Industry 4.0 and smart factory integration is encouraging wider adoption of AI-enabled and automated printing systems, further supporting long-term market expansion.
   

The direct-to-package printers market in the China held 31.5% revenue share in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% from 2025 to 2034.
 

• With China being a major hub for manufacturing and packaging, there is an increasing need for high-speed, cost-efficient, and customizable printing solutions to meet the evolving consumer and regulatory demands. Direct-to-package printers offer the flexibility to print variable data, anti-counterfeit codes, and attractive branding directly onto packaging without additional labeling steps an advantage highly valued in China’s fast-paced production environments.
   

The Middle East and Africa direct-to-package printers market in South Africa held 29.3% revenue share in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 4.9% from 2025 to 2034.
 

• This growth is primarily driven by the expanding food & beverage and pharmaceutical sectors in the country, which increasingly rely on advanced packaging technologies for branding, traceability, and compliance with safety regulations. Direct-to-package printing offers a cost-effective, efficient, and sustainable alternative to traditional labeling, which is particularly beneficial for manufacturers looking to reduce operational complexity and material waste.
   

Direct-to-Package Printers Market Share

• In 2024, the top 5 company like HP (HP Inc.), Fujifilm, Heidelberg, Seiko Epson and Xerox Corporation held around 45-50% market share in the global market. This evolving market with the advancement of technology, like trademark AI integration, low-VOC UV printing, and single-pass printing, many firms in the beverage bottling, cosmetics, and other FMCG sectors have received assistance with ease. These companies provide thorough, scalable systems to help with the demanding packaging processes. Leading firms invest a lot in developing new products and have also begun focusing on e-commerce, changing packaging by providing solutions that improve customization and flexibility.
   

Direct-to-Package Printers Market Companies

Major players operating in the direct-to-package printers industry include:

• Canon Production Printing
• Domino Printing Sciences
• Durst Phototechnik AG
• Epson (Seiko Epson Corporation)
• Fujifilm Holdings Corporation
• Heidelberg (Gallus)
• HP Inc.
• Inkcups
• Koenig & Bauer AG
• LSINC Corporation
• Markem-Imaje
• Mimaki Engineering Co., Ltd.
• Pineberry Manufacturing Inc.
• Roland DG Corporation
• Sneed Coding Solutions
• Tonejet Limited
• Velox Ltd.
• Videojet Technologies, Inc.
• Xerox Corporation
   

Xerox is working on advancing DTS's high-speed systems by adding ink control AI, implementing real-time print inspection, and more. Koenig & Bauer has expanded their funding for automation and smart workflow software which has aided in can and bottle printing.
 

Heidelberg focuses on the precision, versatility, and condition of the hybrid inkjet systems along with the shaped surfaces of high-end packaging. They also focus on built-in systems like global distribution, after sales service, R&D partnerships, and backups to help maintain competitive advantage. Such acquisitions, including the most recent one with Lexmark by Xerox, boost the global reach and portfolio of the company.
 

Direct-to-Package Printers Market News

• In March 2024, FUJIFILM Europe GmbH launched AQUAFUZE, an innovative inkjet ink technology that combines the features of UV-curable and water-based inks, specifically designed for wide-format printing applications. This UV-curable aqueous ink is optimized for indoor uses such as signage and wallpaper, offering key advantages like reduced printhead clogging, excellent substrate adhesion without the need for primers, a glossy finish, and lower odor levels to enhance safety. The introduction of AQUAFUZE is poised to transform the direct-to-shape printing market by addressing the increasing demand for durable and versatile printing solutions on complex surfaces. Its compatibility with a wide range of substrates and superior performance capabilities is expected to expand the application potential of direct-to-shape printers, driving advancements in customization and operational efficiency.
   
• In April 2024, Velox Ltd., a leader in direct-to-shape digital decoration technologies, secured USD 38 million in funding, led by Fortissimo Capital. This investment is aimed at accelerating Velox's global expansion and fostering innovation in high-speed digital printing for rigid packaging, with a particular focus on the beverage can industry. Fortissimo Capital plans to enhance Velox's production capacity and leverage the growing demand for sustainable and efficient printing technologies to strengthen its market position.
   

The direct-to-package printers market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry, with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue (USD Billion) and volume (Million Units) from 2021 to 2034, for the following segments:

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Market, By Type

• Single pass
• Multi pass

Market, By Technology

• Inkjet printing
• UV printing
• Laser printing
• Thermal transfer printing
• Others (e.g., Electrophotography)

Market, By Packaging Type

• Rigid packaging
• Flexible packaging
• Semi-rigid packaging

Market, By Printing Process

• Direct Flexo printing
• Digital printing
• Label printing and mounting
• Die cutting

Market, By Automation level

• Automatic
• Manual

Market, By Ink Type

• UV-based
• Solvent-based
• Aqueous based

Market, By Material/Substrate

• Plastic
• Glass
• Metal
• Paper & paperboard
• Others (e.g., Wood, Composite materials)

Market, By Application

• Plastic
• Vinyl
• Acrylic
• Extruded PVC
• Expanded PVC
• Coated aluminum
• Brass

Market, By End Use Industry

• Food & beverage
• Pharmaceuticals & healthcare
• Cosmetics & personal care
• Household products
• Industrial chemicals
• Electronics & appliances
• Others

Market, By Distribution Channel

• Direct
• Indirect

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Indonesia
  • Malaysia 
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico 
• MEA
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • South Africa