Ink Market Report 2026

The ink market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $21.22 billion in 2025 to $22.18 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to commercial printing expansion, publishing industry growth, packaging industry demand, pigment technology development, traditional offset printing adoption.

The ink market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $26.18 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to sustainable printing demand, smart packaging adoption, digital printing penetration, security printing growth, electronics ink applications. Major trends in the forecast period include shift toward eco friendly ink formulations, rising demand for packaging and label printing, growth of digital and uv curable inks, expansion of functional and specialty inks, increasing use in security and smart printing.

The growing demand for food and beverages is expected to drive the expansion of the inks market in the coming years. Food and beverages refer to consumable products intended for nourishment, refreshment, or enjoyment. The rising demand for food and beverages is attributed to changing lifestyles and increasingly busy schedules, which are fueling the growth of convenient, ready-to-eat, and on-the-go consumption options tailored to time-pressed consumers. Inks play a key role in the food and beverage industry by supporting safe, regulatory-compliant, and visually attractive packaging and labeling that effectively convey brand identity and critical product information to consumers. For instance, in October 2024, according to a report released by the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS), a US-based government agency, U.S. expenditure on food by consumers, businesses, and government organizations reached $2.57 trillion in 2023, averaging $7,672 per capita, representing a 7.5% increase compared to the previous year. Therefore, the increasing demand for food and beverages is contributing to the growth of the inks market.

Major companies operating in the ink market are prioritizing the development of advanced products, such as printing inks, to improve print quality, durability, and environmental sustainability. Printing ink is a specially formulated liquid or paste used to transfer text and images onto substrates such as paper, plastic, or fabric. It consists of pigments or dyes combined with binders and solvents to deliver vivid color, strong adhesion, and long-lasting performance. For instance, in January 2025, Hubergroup, a Germany-based manufacturer of printing inks and raw materials, introduced its Dynamica Ink Series, an environmentally friendly, high-color-strength ink range designed for commercial printing and distinguished by being free from cobalt and mineral oils. The series offers fast setting, high color intensity, low dot gain, and excellent stackability, making it suitable for high-speed presses and a broad range of substrates. The inks are engineered for both straight and perfecting presses, support efficient post-print finishing, and comply with key industry standards, including ISO 2846-1 and ISO 12647-2. Dynamica is notable for its combination of advanced technology, sustainability, and high performance, underscoring hubergroup’s focus on innovation and environmental responsibility.

In July 2023, IN Groupe, a France-based security and identity solutions company, acquired Gleitsmann Security Inks GmbH for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, IN Groupe seeks to expand its secure printing portfolio and strengthen its technological capabilities in the production of high-security inks for identity and document solutions. Gleitsmann Security Inks GmbH, a Germany-based high-security ink manufacturer, specializes in delivering advanced security inks for banknotes, secure documents, and authentication applications.

Major companies operating in the ink market are HP Inc., DuPont, Kao Corporation, DIC Corporation, ALTANA AG, artience Co. Ltd., Flint Group, UFlex Limited, Sakata Inx India Limited, Siegwerk Group, Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals, Hubergroup, SICPA, Yip's Chemical Holdings Limited, Electronics For Imaging, Inc., T&K Toka, Nazdar Ink Technologies, Wikoff Color, Fujifilm Ink Solutions Group, Sanchez SA de CV.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the ink market in 2025. The regions covered in the ink market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the ink market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The ink market consists of sales of dye-based ink, pigment-based ink, ballpoint pen ink, and gel ink. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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