As we move through the second half of 2026, the global printing industry appears to be reaching a major turning point in its digital transformation.
According to Smithers’ latest report, The Future of Inkjet Printing to 2031, 2026 may become an important year in the history of inkjet printing.
Inkjet technology is not only changing the structure of the printing market. The center of the global inkjet industry is also shifting toward Asia, sustainability is moving from an optional feature to a basic requirement, and specialized applications are entering a new period of growth.
1. Asia-Pacific Is Becoming the Global Center of Inkjet Printing
Smithers’ data shows that in 2026, the installed base of inkjet printing equipment in the Asia-Pacific region, led by China and India, is expected to catch up with and begin surpassing North America.
This marks a major change after decades of North American leadership in inkjet adoption.
In 2021, North America accounted for 35.6% of global inkjet output. By 2031, Asia-Pacific is expected to lead across nearly every major measurement and become the world’s largest center for inkjet production and consumption.
This change is not happening by accident.
Asia-Pacific is no longer simply the “factory of the world.” The region now combines:
- Mature manufacturing supply chains
- Fast-growing domestic demand
- Strong acceptance of new technology
- Expanding equipment manufacturing capabilities
- A wide range of industrial applications
China is seeing rapid growth in domestically produced high-speed inkjet equipment. India’s digital textile-printing industry is expanding quickly, while packaging companies across Southeast Asia are moving toward digital production.
Together, these markets are turning Asia-Pacific into one of the world’s most active testing grounds for new inkjet applications.
For equipment manufacturers, a strong position in Asia may directly affect their global ranking over the next decade.
As the Smithers report points out, Asia-Pacific is both a consumer of inkjet technology and a producer of inkjet equipment. The rise of local manufacturers is creating increasing competitive pressure for Western equipment suppliers.
2. Growth Is Moving Toward Specialized Applications
The report also highlights another major change.
Traditional commercial document printing is becoming a mature and highly competitive market. The strongest growth opportunities are now coming from specialized applications.
Four sectors stand out.
Packaging and Labels
Brands are asking for more personalized packaging, more SKUs, smaller production batches, and shorter delivery times.
Inkjet printing fits these requirements because it does not need printing plates and can switch between jobs quickly.
This makes it especially useful for:
- Folding cartons
- Flexible packaging
- Product labels
- Short-run packaging
- Variable-data printing
- Personalized designs
Digital printing allows brands to produce more versions of the same package without committing to extremely large quantities.
As product lines become more diverse, inkjet technology is becoming an important tool for packaging differentiation.
Textile Printing
Digital textile printing is also developing quickly.
Improvements in DTF Printer technology and high-speed roll-to-roll systems are helping textile manufacturers move toward shorter production cycles, faster order response, and lower inventory.
Applications range from small-batch fast-fashion production to customized home textiles.
Instead of producing large inventories months in advance, companies can print smaller quantities based on actual demand.
This is changing the traditional production model of the textile industry.
Inkjet printing makes it easier to handle:
- Short production runs
- Customized designs
- Frequent artwork changes
- Rapid sample development
- On-demand manufacturing
- Smaller inventories
Printed Electronics
Inkjet technology is also expanding into printed electronics.
Applications include:
- OLED displays
- Flexible sensors
- Flexible circuit boards
- Conductive patterns
- Electronic components
- Smart wearable products
Compared with traditional photolithography, inkjet printing can offer higher material efficiency, lower production costs, and better compatibility with large flexible substrates.
Because the material is placed only where it is needed, waste can be reduced.
This makes inkjet printing an important potential production method for the commercialization of flexible and printed electronics.
Specialty Decoration
Industrial decoration is another growing market.
Inkjet systems are increasingly being used to print on:
- Building materials
- Wood panels
- Glass
- Ceramic tiles
- Furniture surfaces
- Automotive interiors
- Decorative boards
Applications range from marble-effect tiles and customized glass façades to wood-grain furniture panels and personalized vehicle interiors.
Inkjet technology gives industrial designers more flexibility than many traditional decoration methods.
Instead of being limited to a small number of repeated patterns, manufacturers can produce detailed designs, variable graphics, and shorter custom runs.
3. Sustainable Ink Is Becoming a Requirement
Environmental requirements are rising quickly across the global printing industry.
According to Smithers, sustainable ink is moving from an optional feature to a basic requirement for market participation.
Driven by factors such as European CE requirements and China’s carbon-reduction goals, demand for Water Based Ink and UV-LED-curable ink systems is growing rapidly.
Water Based Ink has a natural advantage in applications where food-packaging safety and lower emissions are important.
As a result, it is gradually taking market share from traditional solvent-based systems.
UV-LED technology is also becoming more common in industrial printing because it offers:
- Lower energy consumption
- Fast curing
- Reduced VOC emissions
- Compatibility with many materials
- Lower heat output than traditional UV lamps
- Immediate handling after printing
According to the figures cited in the report, global shipments of digital printing equipment using water-based or UV-LED curing technology increased by 39% in 2023.
Environmentally focused inkjet systems designed for food-contact flexible packaging accounted for 54% of this segment.
This trend is expected to accelerate further in 2026, pushing the complete inkjet supply chain toward greener and lower-carbon production.
However, sustainability is not only about switching ink types.
Printer manufacturers and users will also need to consider:
- Energy consumption
- Ink waste
- Recyclable materials
- Packaging waste
- Cleaning chemicals
- Equipment lifespan
- Production efficiency
- Supply-chain emissions
Companies that cannot meet new environmental expectations may find it increasingly difficult to enter regulated or high-value markets.
4. Inkjet Printing Is Becoming Part of Digital Manufacturing
The Smithers forecast is more than a collection of market numbers.
It also gives the industry a clear warning.
Inkjet printing is no longer just a supplement to traditional printing. It is becoming an important part of digital manufacturing.
It connects:
- Creative design
- Digital files
- Automated production
- Customized manufacturing
- Brand communication
- End-user demand
After 2026, competition may no longer be based only on printing speed and resolution.
Other factors will become increasingly important.
Specialization
Equipment suppliers will need to understand specific industries in greater depth.
A general-purpose printer may not be enough for applications such as food packaging, electronics, textile production, or industrial decoration.
Each market has different requirements for:
- Ink chemistry
- Materials
- Print quality
- Curing
- Durability
- Safety
- Production software
- Automation
Green Supply Chains
Environmental performance will affect equipment design, ink selection, materials, production processes, and customer decisions.
Companies will need to show that sustainability is built into the complete production system rather than added only as a marketing claim.
Asia-Pacific Strategy
Asia-Pacific is becoming the main engine of inkjet growth.
Global equipment manufacturers will need a deeper understanding of local markets, applications, pricing, distribution, and technical support.
At the same time, Asian manufacturers are becoming stronger competitors in both domestic and international markets.
Companies that treat Asia only as a low-cost manufacturing base may miss the region’s growing role in product development, equipment innovation, and market demand.
Conclusion
The global inkjet industry is entering a new stage.
Asia-Pacific is becoming the center of production, consumption, and equipment manufacturing. Packaging, textile printing, printed electronics, and specialty decoration are replacing traditional commercial printing as the main growth engines.
At the same time, sustainable inks and lower-emission curing systems are becoming necessary for long-term market access.
The next phase of competition will not be decided only by who has the fastest machine or the highest resolution.
Success will increasingly depend on:
- Deep knowledge of specialized markets
- Sustainable production capabilities
- Strong regional supply chains
- Reliable application development
- Strategic positioning in Asia-Pacific
For equipment manufacturers, ink suppliers, print-service providers, and investors, this shift creates both challenges and major opportunities.
The companies that understand these changes early will be in a much stronger position to compete in the global inkjet market through 2031.