Printers Market | Industry Analysis Report, 2033

Printers Market Overview

Global printers market size is estimated at USD 77216.5 million in 2024 and expected to rise to USD 90404.88 million by 2033, experiencing a CAGR of 1.8%.

The global printers market is experiencing a technological transformation marked by the shift toward multifunctional and wireless printers. In 2024, over 16.5 million inkjet printers and approximately 11.2 million laser printers were sold globally. Enterprises are prioritizing efficiency, resulting in the widespread adoption of all-in-one printers that combine printing, scanning, copying, and faxing functionalities. The household sector is contributing significantly, with over 28% of global printer shipments aimed at domestic users due to increased hybrid work models.

3D printing is emerging as a disruptive force, with approximately 2.1 million units shipped in 2023, used predominantly in automotive and healthcare industries. The demand for compact and mobile printers has surged by 19% in 2023, particularly within e-commerce and logistics sectors. Asia-Pacific accounted for the largest share of printer production, contributing more than 44% of the global output, followed by Europe at 24%.

Eco-friendly innovations like ink tank systems, which reduce cartridge waste, have seen a 35% uptick in adoption. Also, Wi-Fi-enabled printers and mobile printing solutions saw usage across 47% of small businesses globally in 2024. Overall, the printer market is evolving towards versatility, mobility, and eco-sustainability.

Key Findings

Top Driver reason: Rising demand for wireless and multifunction printers among small and medium enterprises.

Top Country/Region: Asia-Pacific leads global production and consumption with over 44% market share.

Top Segment: Inkjet printers dominate shipments, accounting for over 60% of total printer unit sales globally in 2023.

Printers Market Trends

The printers market is characterized by the strong demand for wireless and cloud-based solutions. In 2024, nearly 52% of printer units sold featured Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. This indicates a growing trend towards remote operation compatibility, especially across offices and educational institutions. The increased use of cloud services such as Google Drive and Dropbox has spurred integration with printers, facilitating remote print jobs.

Multifunction printers (MFPs) have become the norm. Over 75% of all printers sold in the enterprise segment in 2023 offered scanning, faxing, and copying functionalities alongside printing. Demand for A3 format printers increased by 14% among architectural and design firms in Europe due to high-resolution output requirements.

Sustainability is also influencing market trends. Cartridge-free ink tank printers recorded a 35% increase in global sales in 2023. This eco-friendly segment gained traction in Latin America and Southeast Asia, with Epson’s EcoTank and Canon’s MegaTank leading sales.

In the 3D printing domain, the market witnessed 2.1 million unit shipments in 2023, growing especially in healthcare for prosthetics and dental applications. Automotive prototyping accounted for 18% of all 3D printing usage globally.

Subscription-based printing services have seen increased traction. HP’s Instant Ink and Canon’s Pixma Print Plan collectively had over 6 million subscribers in 2023. Such services have increased the recurring revenue stream and customer retention for OEMs.

Printers Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Increasing preference for wireless and multifunction printers.

The market is witnessing increasing demand for wireless connectivity in printers due to the global hybrid work culture. More than 60% of small and medium enterprises now prefer multifunctional printers over single-function ones, driven by space-saving and cost-effectiveness. Printers offering mobile app compatibility have seen a 22% rise in unit shipments from 2022 to 2023. Multifunctional printers reduce operational overhead by 20% and increase employee efficiency by up to 28% in SMEs. The education and healthcare sectors are also deploying wireless units in decentralized and remote setups, further boosting demand.

RESTRAINT

Declining demand for traditional paper printing.

The increased digitization of workflows is limiting the growth of traditional printers. Over 48% of corporate communications have shifted to digital platforms, reducing the reliance on physical printouts. The adoption of e-invoicing and digital recordkeeping, especially in banking and government sectors, has replaced over 300 billion pages globally that would have otherwise been printed. As a result, mono laser printer demand decreased by 11% in 2023 compared to 2022. Environmental concerns also lead to conscious paper use, further suppressing the conventional printing segment.

OPPORTUNITY

Rising adoption of 3D printing across industries.

3D printers are transforming manufacturing, medical, and aerospace sectors. Over 2.1 million 3D printers were sold in 2023, with around 510,000 units used in dental and orthopedic implant production. The education sector is increasingly integrating 3D printing, with over 29,000 educational institutions incorporating them into STEM curricula. In the automotive sector, 3D printing is used in rapid prototyping, reducing component design timelines by 35%. Government investments in Industry 4.0 initiatives are further driving the uptake of 3D printing technology.

CHALLENGE

High operational and maintenance costs for laser printers.

Laser printers, particularly in enterprise settings, entail high initial investment and maintenance costs. The average cost per print for color laser printers is $0.10 compared to $0.03 for inkjets. Toner replacements for color laser printers can cost up to $300 per unit, and regular maintenance adds another $120 to $150 annually. For large enterprises with high print volumes, these costs are justifiable; however, for small offices or startups, the expenditure often outweighs the benefits. The issue is compounded by the lack of universal toner cartridges due to proprietary designs.

Printers Market Segmentation

The printers market is segmented based on type and application. By type, printers are categorized into inkjet printers and laser printers. Inkjet printers dominate unit sales due to their affordability and suitability for both home and small office usage. Laser printers, while costlier, are preferred for their speed and high-volume output in commercial settings. By application, the market is divided into commercial and household users. Commercial use includes enterprises, education, logistics, and healthcare, while household applications primarily cater to personal and home office needs.

By Type

Inkjet Printer: Inkjet printers accounted for over 60% of global printer shipments in 2023. They are preferred due to low initial cost and compact design, making them suitable for households and small businesses. Approximately 58 million ink cartridges were sold globally, supporting high demand. Innovations in refillable ink tanks have increased ink yield per refill to over 6,000 pages, significantly reducing operational costs. Inkjet printers are also popular for photo and color printing, which represented 45% of all inkjet usage.
Laser Printer: Laser printers are preferred in enterprise environments due to faster output and higher durability. In 2023, around 11.2 million laser printers were shipped globally, mainly to North America and Europe. Mono laser models made up 65% of these shipments, while color models increased in popularity within marketing and graphic departments. The average speed of laser printers is 30 pages per minute, significantly faster than inkjet alternatives. Long-term toner yield—averaging 2,500 pages per cartridge—supports high-volume printing.

By Application

Commercial: Commercial applications represented 68% of global printer deployments in 2023. Sectors like logistics, education, and healthcare required consistent, large-volume printing. Hospitals, for instance, used printers for over 5 billion medical reports annually. Educational institutions deployed over 3.7 million printers globally. In the logistics sector, over 8 billion labels were printed using thermal and laser technologies.
Household: Household printer sales saw a 19% increase in 2023, driven by remote work and online learning trends. Around 28% of all printers shipped globally were installed in homes. Entry-level inkjet models priced below $100 were particularly popular, with over 70% of household units falling in this category. Most home users prefer models with wireless connectivity and mobile printing capability, especially for education-related tasks.

Printers Market Regional Outlook

The printers market displays varied performance across different global regions due to industrial development, consumer demand, and technological adoption.

North America

North America remains a high-consumption market with over 14.5 million printers sold in 2023. The U.S. accounted for 88% of the regional demand. The region's strong enterprise sector drove the adoption of multifunctional printers, accounting for 65% of all units sold. Subscription-based ink services have gained traction, and over 1.2 million 3D printers were sold in the U.S. in 2023. Educational institutions and the healthcare sector are notable contributors.

Europe

Europe recorded 12.1 million unit shipments in 2023. Germany, the UK, and France accounted for over 70% of the region’s total demand. EU environmental policies have accelerated the adoption of sustainable models, with cartridge-free systems accounting for 41% of all sales. Enterprises in Europe spent approximately $2.3 billion on printing infrastructure in 2023, and 3D printing adoption grew significantly in industrial and design sectors.

Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific leads global production and consumption with 44% share. China, India, and Japan dominated the regional market. In 2023, over 20 million units were produced in China alone. India witnessed a 17% increase in printer sales, especially among small businesses. Epson, Canon, and HP maintain significant production bases in this region. The education sector in Southeast Asia deployed more than 1.5 million units in 2023, driven by digital learning trends.

Middle East & Africa

The Middle East & Africa region showed modest growth with around 3.5 million printers sold in 2023. South Africa, UAE, and Saudi Arabia were the key markets. Demand came from banking, education, and government sectors. Growth in internet penetration supported increased adoption of wireless printers. Local printing firms and small businesses are adopting multifunction devices due to their space-saving designs.

List of Top Printers Market Companies

Brother
Canon
Epson
HP
Kyocera
Panasonic
Samsung
Sony
Xerox

Top Two Companies with Highest Share

HP: HP held over 24% of global printer shipments in 2023, with strong sales in North America and Europe.

Canon: Canon captured approximately 18% market share, with strongholds in inkjet and all-in-one printer segments, particularly in Asia-Pacific and Europe.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

Investments in the printers market have expanded significantly in recent years, with global manufacturers allocating substantial capital toward product innovation, automation, and sustainability. In 2023, major OEMs invested approximately $3.1 billion collectively in R&D, targeting technologies such as AI-enabled print management, predictive maintenance systems, and cloud integration.

Canon invested $540 million into expanding its ink tank printer production lines in Southeast Asia to meet growing demand, especially in emerging economies. Similarly, Epson allocated over $470 million for expanding its PrecisionCore printhead production facilities in Japan and the Philippines, aiming to enhance printing speeds and reliability for business customers.

One of the most lucrative investment areas is 3D printing. In 2023, over $1.8 billion was invested globally into R&D and capacity expansion for 3D printing equipment and materials. Key investments targeted the healthcare and aerospace sectors, with companies such as HP and Stratasys launching specialized units for dental, orthopedic, and aircraft components. Public-private collaborations, especially in the U.S., Germany, and China, have supported the rollout of 3D printing hubs for prototyping and low-volume production.

Another promising investment opportunity lies in subscription-based printing services. HP’s Instant Ink service surpassed 6 million global subscribers in 2023, and Canon's Pixma Print Plan continues to expand in North America and Europe. This recurring revenue model attracted over $250 million in investment from venture funds and OEM expansions in 2023 alone.

Eco-friendly printing is another vital opportunity. Ink tank printers reduced plastic cartridge waste by 90%, and refill models have grown 35% year-over-year in emerging economies like India and Brazil. Epson and Brother are heavily investing in low-power-consumption printers with high-yield ink refills.

New Product Development

New product development in the printers market focuses on smart features, improved ink systems, 3D capabilities, and environmental sustainability. Manufacturers have prioritized innovation to meet evolving customer demands and industrial applications.

In 2023, Epson launched its EcoTank ET-2850, an advanced ink tank printer with a yield of up to 7,500 black and 6,000 color pages per refill, minimizing downtime and consumable waste. This model was equipped with Wi-Fi Direct, voice control via Alexa and Google Assistant, and an enhanced user interface. Canon’s G7000 series, introduced in the same year, featured refillable ink tanks and duplex printing aimed at small businesses, with a print speed of 13 pages per minute (ppm) for color and 24 ppm for black and white.

HP unveiled its Neverstop Laser 1200w, the first toner tank printer series with self-reloadable toner technology, targeting small offices and startups. The unit delivers over 5,000 pages per refill, reducing the cost-per-page significantly and improving ease of use. It achieved 1.2 million units in global shipments in 2023.

In the 3D printing segment, Stratasys introduced the J5 MediJet, optimized for medical applications, producing anatomical models and surgical guides. The printer supports biocompatible materials and features a multi-color output. Around 12,000 units were sold to hospitals and clinics in the U.S. and Europe within the first 9 months of release.

Brother introduced its compact mobile printer model PJ883, targeting logistics and field operations. The device weighs under 1.5 kg and can print A4-sized pages on the go using thermal printing. With print speeds of 13.5 ppm and Bluetooth/NFC support, it gained significant traction among courier companies and service providers.

Five Recent Developments

HP: expanded its Instant Ink subscription to 12 new countries in 2024, reaching over 6.8 million subscribers and automating over 1.2 billion page prints annually.
Epson: opened a new manufacturing facility in the Philippines in Q3 2023, increasing production capacity for EcoTank printers by 35% to meet Southeast Asian demand.
Canon: introduced the G3770 MegaTank printer in January 2024, with smart connectivity features and a page yield of 6,000 mono and 7,700 color pages per refill.
Stratasys and Siemens: signed a partnership in 2023 to integrate 3D printers into industrial production lines, reducing prototyping lead time by 40%.
Brother: launched an AI-driven print analytics platform in 2024, now deployed in over 25,000 enterprise printer fleets, improving maintenance prediction by 28%.

Report Coverage of Printers Market

This comprehensive report on the printers market offers in-depth analysis of the global landscape, covering trends, dynamics, segmentation, regional outlook, and competitive intelligence. It evaluates unit shipment data, production volumes, emerging technology adoption, and the penetration of multifunction, wireless, and 3D printing solutions across diverse user categories.

The report details type-based segmentation, including inkjet and laser printers, alongside their adoption in commercial and household sectors. The inkjet segment is widely preferred in home and small office settings due to its affordability, while laser printers dominate in high-volume environments like government and enterprise offices. Additionally, emerging trends like mobile and thermal printing are included to account for logistic, retail, and on-field applications.

The regional analysis spans North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa, offering detailed assessments of regional manufacturing capacities, demand volumes, technological integration, and local government support policies. For example, it notes that Asia-Pacific leads with 44% of total production, driven by strong industrial infrastructure in China, India, and Japan.

The report includes a breakdown of the top printer OEMs such as HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, and others, highlighting their strategic moves, investment patterns, and R&D focus. For instance, HP and Canon collectively accounted for over 42% of global printer unit shipments in 2023, demonstrating market consolidation among key players.