Digital Packaging Opportunities to Thrive

Digital printing in labels and packaging has evolved from skepticism to mainstream acceptance, now embraced for its short-run efficiency, personalization, and creative flexibility. Though it still represents a small portion of total output, its advantages are clear, prompting brand owners to actively seek digital capabilities from converters. These features, once underutilized, are now driving innovation in product launches, versioning, and targeted packaging.

NAPCO Research’s latest study explores how digital printing has gained ground across all major packaging segments—labels, folding cartons, flexible packaging, and corrugated. While labels and cartons led the adoption, flexible packaging and corrugated are now leveraging digital’s benefits, including affordability for small brands and high-quality customization. The study updates 2018’s findings, offering a comprehensive view of digital’s growing impact on converters and brands alike.