- 3.4 million staff were employed in 2024, a reduction of 12.7% from 3.9 million in 2019
- 353,707 facilities operating in 2024; down 7.9% from 384,102 in 2019
- Falling demand across print segments has led to the closure of many printing facilities
The printing industry is under pressure. Reduced demand for physical print and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty have shrunk the number of establishments and employees across the sector; and the pace of change shows no sign of slowing.
This report cuts through the complexity. Drawing on comprehensive data analysis and expert insight, it quantifies production printer volumes by type and geography, maps the competitive landscape, and models how printing technologies and business models are likely to evolve through 2031.
Whether you’re a press manufacturer, supplier, printer, or investor, this is the intelligence you need to plan with confidence: granular segmentation, regional breakdowns, and clear strategic scenarios in one authoritative source.
Key questions answered within this report
- What are the main trends and impacts negatively impacting establishment and employee numbers?
- How is the printing industry leveraging AI and automation to address the skilled labour shortage?
- What shifts and pressures will the print industry face in the years ahead?
- Which regions are most affected by the changes within the print industry?
Meet the expert behind the report
Jon Harper Smith is a leading authority on the global printing industry with over 40 years’ experience spanning ink chemistry, business strategy, and market analysis. As a subject matter expert for Smithers, he contributes to research reports, consultancy projects, and industry events, with a particular focus on graphics, publication, packaging, and industrial & functional print markets. Before joining Smithers, Jon held senior leadership roles at Fujifilm, most recently as Head of Strategy, where he played a central role in developing its inkjet ink and systems business.
About Smithers Market Intelligence
Smithers high quality data and analysis is built on primary research and written by genuine industry experts with deep subject matter knowledge. Our market reports are now delivered in PowerPoint format – redesigned for easier navigation and faster access to insights, without losing any analytical depth. Every report also comes with our Latest Data Guarantee: if major industry developments occur within 12 months of publication, we'll update the data, forecasts, and analysis at no extra cost, so your investment stays relevant for longer.
Want to find out more about our printing research? Contact the team on the links below.
- Executive Summary
- Introduction and Methodology
- Global Overview
- North America
- US (split by state)
- Canada (split by state)
- Latin America
- Brazil
- Mexico
- Argentina
- Chile
- Colombia
- Peru
- Venezuela
- Western Europe
- Italy
- France
- Spain
- UK
- Germany
- Belgium
- Netherlands
- Sweden
- Portugal
- Greece
- Switzerland
- Norway
- Finland
- Denmark
- Austria
- Ireland
- Cyprus
- Malta
- Luxembourg
- Iceland
- Eastern Europe
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Poland
- Czech Republic
- Russia
- Hungary
- Romania
- Croatia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Bulgaria
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Estonia
- North Macedonia
- Asia
- India
- China
- Japan
- Indonesia
- Taiwan
- Philippines
- Hong Kong
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- South Korea
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- Other Regions
- Turkey
- Australia
- Israel
- New Zealand
- Saudi Arabia
- South Africa
- Share of print companies and employees by region, 2024 (%)
- Change in the number of print companies and employees by region, 2019-24 (%)
- Exchange rates (=$1)
- Number of companies operating in the printing and allied industries by region, 2019–24
- Number of employees in the printing and allied industries by region, 2019–24
- Number of employees per establishment in the printing and allied industries by region, 2019–24
- Number of companies operating in the printing and allied industries by country, 2018–22
- Number of employees in the printing and allied industries by country, 2018–22
- Forecast number of companies operating in the printing and allied industries by country, 2022–28f
- Forecast employment in the printing and allied industries by country, 2022–28f
- For each region:
- Number of establishments operating in the printing and allied industries, 2019–24
- Number of employees operating in the printing and allied industries, 2019–24
- Number of employees per establishment operating in the printing and allied industries, 2019–24
- For each country:
- Number of establishments operating in the printing and allied industries by region, 2018–24
- Number of establishments operating in the printing and allied industries by size and region, 2024
- Number of employees operating in the printing and allied industries by sector, 2018–21
- Printing and related support activities’ revenue, by sector, 2018–21 ($ million, current prices)
- Printing and related support activities’ manufacturing value added, by sector, 2018–21 ($ million, current prices)
- Value of manufacturing sales in the printing and allied industries by sector, 2018–21 ($ million, current prices)
- Print exports, 2018–24 (’000 tonnes; $ million)
- Print imports, 2018–24 (’000 tonnes; $ million)
- Trade in print products, 2018–24 ('000 tonnes; $ million)
- Share of print establishments by region, 2024 (%)
- Share of print employees by region, 2024 (%)
- Change in the number of print establishments by region, 2019–2024 (%)
- Change in the number of print employees by region, 2019–2024 (%)
- Transition table, printer demographics, 2024–2031
- Number of establishments in the printing and allied industries, by region, 2019–24
- Number of employees in the printing and allied industries, by region, 2019–24
- Number of employees per establishment in the printing and allied industries, by region, 2019–24
- For each region:
- Number of establishments in the printing and allied industries, 2019–24
- Number of employees in the printing and allied industries, 2019–24
- Number of employees per establishment in the printing and allied industries, 2019–24
- For each country:
- Number of employees and establishments in the printing and allied industries, 2019–24
