E-Commerce용 디지털 인쇄의 미래(-2028년)

Digital print for e-commerce is seeing impressive growth and part of this comes from the growing overall market, but one of the key drivers for digital print growth is in boosting the sustainability credentials of packaging where digital print helps to deliver the goods. Digital print markets will develop inside the broader print market, which is shifting towards an increasingly digitalised world. Print markets depend on end-user preferences that are subject to the wider economic situation as well as specific trends and drivers.

• In 2023, the value of digitally printed e-commerce packaging will be over $2.5 billion as a result of explosive growth across the world

• Volume of print is forecast to grow year-on-year at 8.0% to 2028

• Digital printed packaging will grow at a faster rate than the overall e-commerce packaging market.

A fast-growing area is the capability to print on the inside of a box to improve the unboxing experience. Brands and retailers are looking to develop the functions of packaging to increase consumer engagement, while providing useful cross- and up-selling opportunities.

Customer-facing digital print is enabling logistics operations to improve as parcel volumes grow. This is stimulating investment in high-quality pack printing of machine-readable codes to streamline delivery, and allow for faster fulfilment and premiumisation of e-commerce orders. The great bulk of this printed packaging is inkjet, with a range of equipment being used to print corrugated boxes and protective packs, plastic films, paper bags, rigid and protective mailers.

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• Smaller e-commerce brands are increasingly taking market share from brick and mortar stores; in response the retail giants are investing in their own online options

• Fast food delivery and technology developments, such as the Metaverse, will provide major opportunities, with Chinese retailers showing the power of shared retail

• As single pass inkjet printing systems become established, they are capable of printing large volumes in a short time, fitting the requirements of retail.

What will you discover?

This market is seeing impressive growth and part of this comes from the growing overall market, but one of the key drivers for digital print growth is in boosting the sustainability credentials of packaging where digital print helps to deliver the goods. Digital print markets will develop inside the broader print market, which is shifting towards an increasingly digitalised world. Print markets depend on end-user preferences that are subject to the wider economic situation as well as specific trends and drivers.

The Smithers methodology

This report is based on extensive primary and secondary research. Primary research consisted of targeted interviews with material suppliers, converters and experts drawn from key markets. This was supported by secondary research in the form of extensive literature analysis of published data, official government statistics, domestic and international trade organisation data, company websites, industry reports, trade press articles, presentations, and attendance at trade events.

Who should buy this report?

• Printers
• Raw material and consumables suppliers
• Printing machinery and equipment suppliers
• Packaging converters
• E-commerce brand owners and retailers
• Industry consultants and analysts

About the author

Sean Smyth has spent more than 25 years in senior technology and management positions for print businesses across the supply chain. Sean has extensive experience in digital printing. In his time with Smithers, Sean has authored many off-the-shelf market studies and has provided strategic consultancy services to a range of clients across the value chain.

Table of Contents

Executive summary

Introduction and methodology

• Introduction
• Methodology
• Scope & definitions
  • Electrophotography
  • Inkjet
• Definitions e-commerce packaging
• Exchange rates

Key drivers and trends

• Introduction
• The developing functions of e-commerce packaging
• Drivers for e-commerce
• Drivers and trends leading to inkjet printing growth
  • Changing retail environment
  • Legislation
  • Economic advantages
  • Sustainability
  • Flexibility
  • Digital capability
  • New routes to market
  • New manufacturing methods
  • Retail supply chain changes
• Actions of key retailers
• Barriers to adoption of digital

Technological landscape

• Electrophotography
• Inkjet
  • Printheads
  • Inkjet inks
  • Turnkey single pass inkjet technology
    • Corrugated presses
  • Bespoke inkjet integrations into converting equipment

Changing supply chains

• The e-commerce experience
• Retail changes
• B2b and B2C
• Changing location of printing to get closer to the customer

Digital print for e-commerce packaging by packaging type

• Flexible packaging
  • Plastic film and wrap
  • Paper bags and wrap
• Corrugated boxes and sleeves
• Protective mailers
• Protective packaging

Regional markets for digital print for e-commerce packaging

• Western Europe
• North America
• Asia
• Latin America
• Eastern Europe
• Middle East
• Africa
• Australasia

Opportunities and future outlook

• Regulatory development
  • Local, national and regional
• Sustainability / Circular economy
• Developments in retail
• Automation technologies
  • Right size pack making - eliminating waste, eliminating the void
• Complementary technology developments
  • Smart packaging
• Developing supply chains
  • B2C and B2B developments

Tables and figures

• Global digitally printed e-commerce packaging markets 2018 ($million constant 2021 values, A4 million prints or equivalent)
• Exchange rates used in this study (=$1US, 2020 value)
• Annual "Singles Day" e-commerce sales ($ billion)
• Drivers for the adoption of inkjet print e-Commerce packaging in 2022
• Barriers to the adoption of inkjet printing in 2022
• Timeline in technology developments for digital e-commerce packaging to 2028
• Drivers of e-commerce supply chain changes to 2028
• Regional digital flexible e-commerce packaging market 2018-2028 ($ million constant 2021 values and million A4 prints)
• Categories of digital flexible e-commerce packaging 2018-2028 ($ million constant 2021 values and million A4 prints)
• Regional digital plastic flexible e-commerce packaging market 2018- 2028 ($ million constant 2021 values and million A4 prints)
• Regional digital paper flexible e-commerce packaging market 2018- 2028 ($ million constant 2021 values and million A4 prints)
• Regional digital corrugated e-commerce packaging market 2018- 2028 ($ million constant
• 2021 values and million A4 prints)
• Regional digital protective mailer e-commerce packaging market 2018- 2028 ($ million constant 2021 values and million A4 prints)
• Regional digital protective e-commerce packaging market 2018-2028 ($ million constant 2021 values and million A4 prints)
• West European e-commerce market 2018-2028 ($ million constant 2021 values and million A4 prints)
• West European digital e-commerce market 2018-2028 ($ million constant 2021 values and million A4 prints)
• North American e-commerce market 2018-2028 ($ million constant 2021 values and million A4 prints)
• North American digital e-commerce market 2018-2028 ($ million constant 2021 values and million A4 prints)
• Asian e-commerce market 2018-2028 ($ million constant 2021 values and million A4 prints)
• Asian digital e-commerce market 2018-2028 ($ million constant 2021 values and million A4 prints)
• Latin American e-commerce market 2018-2028 ($ million constant 2021 values and million A4 prints)
• Latin American digital e-commerce market 2018-2028 ($ million constant 2021 values and million A4 prints)
• East European e-commerce market 2018-2028 ($ million constant 2021 values and million A4 prints)
• Esst European digital e-commerce market 2018-2028 ($ million constant 2021 values and million A4 prints)
• Middle Eastern e-commerce market 2018-2028 ($ million constant 2021 values and million A4 prints)
• Middle Eastern digital e-commerce market 2018-2028 ($ million constant 2021 values and million A4 prints)
• African e-commerce market 2018- 2028 ($ million constant 2021 values and million A4 prints)
• African digital e-commerce market 2018-2028 ($ million constant 2021 values and million A4 prints)
• Australasian e-commerce market 2018-2028 ($ million constant 2021 values and million A4 prints)
• Australasian digital e-commerce market 2018-2028 ($ million constant 2021 values and million A4 prints)
• Future developments impacting digital e-commerce packaging