Commercial Printers NAICS 3231

Apr 14, 2025 - Direct Mail Spending to Drop

• US net media owner advertising revenues are expected to rise by 4.3% in 2025 after posting growth of 12.4% in 2024. Growth will moderate following an uptick in 2024 spending, which was boosted by political advertising and the Summer Olympics. Weakening confidence and economic uncertainty will also temper ad spending in 2025. After experiencing 2.2% growth in 2024, direct mail ad revenue is forecast to decline by 3.5% to $16.8 billion in 2025. Direct mail ad spending is a key demand driver for commercial printing services.
• US spending on commercial printing is forecast to decline between 7% and 9% in 2025 as ad spending continues to migrate to digital media, according to a recent market forecast by Print Impressions (PI). However, PI sees pockets of potential print spending growth in 2025. Some sectors with the best potential for solid print demand include packaged foods and meats, medical and pharma, travel and hospitality, health providers, and personal care. Some of the weakest industrial segments for print spending in 2025 include higher education, computerware, primary and secondary education, government, and leisure.

• Between 2025 and 2035, the global value of the digital print market is forecast to nearly double to $251.1 billion, according to market research firm Smithers. Over the same period, global print volume will increase by more than 54% as more efficient printing equipment comes online. By 2035, digital print will account for more than 22% of total global print and printed packaging value. Packaging will be a key driver of digital printing demand over Smithers’ forecast period, primarily led by corrugated cartons, flexible packaging, rigid plastics, and metal.
• Nearly one-third (30%) of small businesses are worried that tariffs could result in revenue losses, according to a survey released in February by Alignable, a social media outlet for small business owners. About 18% of business owners believe tariffs could boost their revenue, and 40% think they will have no effect; 12% of respondents were unsure what effects tariffs might have on their businesses. About 43% of print and copy services firms surveyed said they were concerned that tariffs could negatively affect their revenues.