Commercial Printers NAICS 3231

Jun 13, 2025 - Continued Growth for Printed Packaging Labels

• The global packaging labels market is valued at $48.3 billion in 2025 and is forecast to post average annual growth of 3.6% through 2030 to reach $57.5 billion. Label and packaging sleeve volumes are projected to increase from 83 billion square meters in 2025 to 99.1 square meters by 2030. Growth will be driven by brand owner investments in new printing technologies, more sustainable label and film stocks, and smart packaging. With a market share of nearly 62%, pressure-sensitive labels are the most popular product category, followed by wet glue labels. Printed sleeves are the leading alternative to labels, and their use is growing, primarily among soft drink producers. Food, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages are largest users of labels, accounting for two-thirds of the market.
• Augmented reality (AR) features are increasingly being included in direct mail campaigns, according to Print Impressions. Typically enabled through a QR code on the direct mail piece, AR features can include 3-D product demos, interactive games, and virtual try-ons. AR-enabled print can increase dwell time with a mail piece by 90% and double recall, according to recent studies. Costs for AR-enabled direct mail have fallen amid the emergence of software-as-a-service (SaaS) offerings that include drag-and-drop interfaces that integrate with customer relationship management (CRM) software. AR also offers better tracking and analytics capabilities than traditional direct mail. Direct mail is a key demand driver for commercial printing services.

• The value of manufacturers’ shipments in the printing industry decreased 0.6% in April 2025 compared to the prior month. April 2025 printing shipments were down 1.2% year-over-year. One a year-to-date basis, the value of printers’ shipments grew 1.7% over the first four months of 2024.
• 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.