Print Industry Reinvents Itself: A Survival Strategy in the Digital Age Through Packaging

The traditional print industry, which has experienced a steady decline in segments such as newspapers, magazines, and brochures, is now finding renewed purpose in packaging. Experts say this shift, fueled by e-commerce and brand-driven demand, is transforming the sector.

According to Kamal Mohan Chopra, chairman of the World Print Communication Forum, commercial print output is shrinking at around 5% globally each year. At the same time, packaging printing is expanding by 9-11%, with India's growth reaching approximately 15% annually. The rise of online shopping and increasing emphasis on brand presentation have turned packaging into a major growth area, effectively rescuing many print operations.

The industry is undergoing a technological overhaul. Letterpress and offset printing have given way to digital and nanographic systems, which offer faster, more cost-effective production, especially for multicolored corrugated boxes. At a recent trade event in China, firms demonstrated multicolor corrugated box printing—a significant advancement from single-color processes.

Artificial intelligence is also making headway, enabling optimization of print production and automating design tasks, helping firms raise output and accuracy.

However, not all firms are benefiting from this positive trend. Smaller print houses face growing pressure. Equipment costs and raw material quality standards have risen, pushing many to upgrade or exit. Aneel Singh, owner of a local print firm, notes that advanced machines and premium materials are now essential, making it difficult for traditional operations to remain competitive.

As regulations tighten—especially in pharmaceuticals and food packaging—and e-commerce continues its expansion, the link between packaging printing and packaging growth is set to strengthen. The print sector is not disappearing; instead, it's evolving. Packaging is now its lifeline and future.

In conclusion, the print industry is finding new life in packaging through advanced technology and e-commerce demand. While some challenges remain for smaller print businesses, the overall trend is positive for the sector as a whole.