In 2025, the combined value in industrial print from screen and digital printing will be USD 81.7 billion, according to the latest research from Smithers. This represents 58.8% of the global market by value, and 75.1% of volume.
The new Smithers market report – The Future of Screen vs Digital Printing to 2030 – expertly tracks the outlook for both these processes. While demand for screen printing is diminishing in graphics, packaging and label print, new value is being unlocked in functional and industrial print – textiles, promotional items, automotive, electronics – despite increased competition from inkjet.
Across 2025-2030 overall demand for digital print in both conventional and industrial applications will increase. Combined value will increase from $194.3 billion in 2025 to $244.6 billion in 2030; a 4.7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). Screen print value in these markets will increase from USD 63.8 billion in 2025 to USD 79.3 billion in 2030; a 4.4% CAGR.
Screen is a comparatively simple, though versatile, process that is technically mature. The ability to deposit precisely controlled volumes of complex fluids accurately make screen the preferred solution for many industrial and functional print products, especially for textiles, printed electronics, and direct-to-object printing of promotional items. This will support further market growth with a 5.5% CAGR to 2030.
Screen will maintain a small foothold in packaging, used for opaque coatings and embellishments on packaging and labelstocks. Across 2025-2030 there will be some innovation, including the evolution of digital screen exposure to improve productivity, lower costs and reduce the need for skilled labour; although much of the R&D will continue to be on different high-viscosity fluids to operate with rotary screen print lines.
Digital print, especially inkjet, is a focus for OEMs across the print industry including those that have formerly specialized in analogue production. Investment is being made to lower the cost of ownership, enhance automation and connectivity, improve productivity, and raise production throughput.
For functional and industrial printing, inkjet is already widely used to print ceramics, and new systems are offering a superior alternative to screen in other segments, including for direct-to-garment printing. This sector is being stimulated by the arrival of more specialized print-heads that can jet a diverse range of fluids. This is opening up highly lucrative segments, such as batteries for electric vehicles, and biomedical and automotive applications, poised for the fastest expansion to 2030.
Other major applications for digital printing are in packaging, labels and graphics work. These will be worth USD 166.9 billion in 2025. Smithers forecasts a 4.2% CAGR through 2030, increasing market value to USD 204.8 billion. The fastest growth will be seen in packaging, followed by labels, as demand for graphics print slows.
