Screen Printing Inks Market Trends

Screen Printing Inks Market Overview

The Screen Printing Inks Market size was valued at USD 702.77 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 885.33 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 2.6% from 2025 to 2033.

The global screen printing inks market exceeded 1.8 million tonnes in 2023, covering both solvent-based and water-based ink systems. Solvent-based inks accounted for approximately 1.2 million tonnes (67%), while water-based variants represented about 0.6 million tonnes (33%). Packaging applications consumed an estimated 1.1 million tonnes, including food and medicine packaging printing at 0.6 million tonnes and cigarette packaging at 0.2 million tonnes, with paper-based applications using 0.3 million tonnes. The market serves a wide array of end uses, with textiles and industrial printing making up approximately 0.7 million tonnes. Regionally, Asia-Pacific led volume-wise with roughly 0.8 million tonnes (44%), followed by Europe at 0.4 million tonnes (22%), North America at 0.35 million tonnes (19%), and Middle East & Africa at 0.25 million tonnes (14%). The market features 12 major players, with the top two handling over 30% of global production. Unit pricing ranges from USD 1.5 to 3 per kg for solvent inks and USD 2 to 4 per kg for water-based inks, reflecting differences in raw material costs and environmental compliance. Growing demand for high-quality label printing, packaging durability, and textile graphics continues to drive innovation in ink chemistry and performance.

Key Findings

Driver: Rising demand for durable packaging labels—over 1.1 million tonnes of ink used in packaging—focuses growth.

Country/Region: Asia-Pacific leads, with approximately 0.8 million tonnes of inks consumed, representing 44% of global volume.

Segment: Solvent-based inks dominate, comprising 67% of total market volume at 1.2 million tonnes shipped.

Screen Printing Inks Market Trends

In 2023, the global screen printing inks market reached around 1.8 million tonnes, maintaining a mix of 67% solvent-based and 33% water-based inks. Asia-Pacific remained the leading regional consumer with approximately 0.8 million tonnes representing 44% of market volume. Europe consumed 0.4 million tonnes, North America 0.35 million tonnes, while Middle East & Africa recorded 0.25 million tonnes. Packaging applications dominated, using 1.1 million tonnes, while textile and industrial graphics collectively used 0.7 million tonnes. Solvent-based inks rose in demand for cigarette packaging, using 0.2 million tonnes, whereas food and medicine packaging consumed 0.6 million tonnes, underscoring regulatory emphasis on ink durability, heat resistance, and FDA-compliant performance. Water-based inks gained ground with 0.15 million tonnes used in food packaging and 0.45 million tonnes serving paper and industrial label applications, showing shifts toward eco-friendlier chemistry.

End-use segmentation shows food and medicine packaging accounting for 33% of volume, cigarette packaging 11%, paper-based printing 17%, with other uses such as textiles and ceramics comprising the remaining 39%. Technological shifts include adoption of hybrid inks combining pigment and UV-curable components, used in textile graphics and promotional printing. UV screen printing ink usage rose to 0.12 million tonnes, driven by demand for fast-drying, solvent-free applications in paper and labeling. Color segmentation shows black inks dominating at 45% of volume (≈0.8 million tonnes), followed by cyan at 12%, magenta at 10%, yellow at 8%, and specialty colors, including metallics, representing 25% (≈0.45 million tonnes). Specialty metallic inks experienced growth of over 15% in 2023 due to demand in high-end consumer packaging. Ink manufacturers focused on enhanced durability features. Scratch-resistant solvent inks represent 0.3 million tonnes, while UV-curable water-based coatings used for vinyl and wall panels added 0.05 million tonnes. Digital screen hybrid systems are estimated to serve 0.2 million tonnes across Europe and North America, operating alongside traditional screen processes. Pricing trends vary: solvent-based inks sold at USD 1.5–3 per kg, and water-based at USD 2–4 per kg. Asia-Pacific prices averaged USD 1.8 per kg, Europe USD 2.5 per kg, North America USD 2.7 per kg, and Middle East & Africa USD 2.0 per kg. Raw material cost pressures, particularly from pigment and resin tariffs, impacted pricing across 2022–2023. In summary, the screen printing inks market trends include packaging-led usage, regional growth in Asia-Pacific, ink system diversification, UV hybrid adoption, color variant demand, and price differentiation by ink chemistry and geography.

Screen Printing Inks Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Rising demand for durable packaging labels

Over 1.1 million tonnes of screen printing inks are used in packaging printing (food, medicine, cigarette), highlighting packaging demand driving market growth. Consumer packaging requires inks that withstand moisture, heat sealing, and product handling. Food packaging consumes 0.6 million tonnes, and cigarette labels use 0.2 million tonnes, demanding high-adhesion, durable inks. Regulatory standards for food-grade, heat-resilient inks require advanced chemistries, pushing demand for high-performance solvent- and water-based formulas. This consistent volume underlines screen printing’s role in label and packaging durability.

RESTRAINT

Environmental regulations on solvent emissions

Solvent-based inks still account for 67% of volumes (1.2 million tonnes), but VOC emission regulations limit further expansion. Stringent VOC limits—2% in Europe and 1.5% in North America—require manufacturers to reformulate or replace solvent inks. The need to reduce volatile organic compounds means reformulation of roughly 0.4 million tonnes of solvent ink capacity toward low-VOC or water-based systems. Compliance costs and solvent taxes have slowed production in key markets, reducing overall demand by up to 10% in affected regions. This creates headwinds for resource-intensive solvent ink production and challenges profitability without reformulation.

OPPORTUNITY

Growth of water-based and hybrid ink systems

Water-based inks represent 33% of market (0.6 million tonnes) and hybrid UV-curable inks are capturing 0.12 million tonnes, offering expansion potential. Growth in food-safe labels and eco-conscious industries is driving water-based penetration from 0.55 to 0.6 million tonnes. Hybrid UV inks, blending pigment dispersion with UV resin, are gaining attention in textile and paper applications, with sales rising 20% to 0.12 million tonnes. Water-based and hybrid UV inks meet low VOC requirements, offer faster drying, and align with environmental standards, enabling businesses to capture new demand in food packaging and sustainable label printing.

CHALLENGE

Raw material cost volatility and pigment prices

Pigment prices increased by 12–18% in 2023, inflating cost for over 1.8 million tonnes of ink sold. Key pigments like carbon black and phthalocyanine saw price rises of 12–18%, raising ink production costs. Resins, solvents, and additives also shifted by 10–15%, squeezing margins. In Asian markets, increased pigment tariffs and disruptions in Middle East export volumes added 5–7% to base costs. This volatility forces manufacturers to adjust pricing between USD 0.1–0.3 per kg, affecting competitiveness and profitability.

Screen Printing Inks Market Segmentation

The screen printing inks market breaks out by type—solvent-based (1.2 million tonnes) and water-based (0.6 million tonnes)—and application—food & medicine packaging (0.6 million tonnes), cigarette packaging (0.2 million tonnes), paper-based printing (0.3 million tonnes), and other uses covering textiles, ceramics, industrial labeling (0.7 million tonnes). Solvent inks dominate in packaging and cigarette applications due to durability requirements, while water-based inks are increasing in food and eco-friendly paper segments. Application mix reflects performance needs and regulatory impacts across markets.

By Type

Solvent-based Printing Inks: Solvent-based screen printing inks represent approximately 1.2 million tonnes globally, making up 67% of total market volume. These inks are widely used in durable packaging—like food, medicine, and cigarette labels—requiring heat resistance, moisture durability, and adhesion on plastics and films. Black solvent inks alone account for around 0.45 million tonnes. Advances have included low-VOC solvent blends and scratch-resistant variants (0.3 million tonnes). Solvent inks are priced at USD 1.5–3 per kg, with Asia-Pacific averaging USD 1.8, reflecting raw-material cost variances and higher volume use.
Water-based Printing Inks: Water-based inks achieved market volume of around 0.6 million tonnes (33%) in 2023. They are increasingly adopted in food-safe packaging, paper labels, textiles, and promotional printing. Food-grade water-based colors like orange, red, and black alone consumed 0.15 million tonnes, while paper-based labels added 0.45 million tonnes. Specialty UV-hybrid systems accounted for 0.12 million tonnes. Pricing ranges from USD 2 to 4 per kg, and the Asia-Pacific region averaged USD 2.0 per kg. Growth reflects tighter VOC rules and demand for sustainable print solutions.

By Application

Food and Medicine Packaging Printing: This segment consumes about 0.6 million tonnes of screen printing inks annually, spanning labels, blister packs, and pouches. Regulatory-grade inks must withstand temperatures up to 120°C and sterilization processes such as retorting. Black ink usage in pharmaceuticals is estimated at 0.25 million tonnes, with colored inks at 0.35 million tonnes. Water-based systems are increasingly used for near-food application, accounting for 25% of volume in 2023.
Cigarette Packaging Printing: Approximately 0.2 million tonnes of ink are used for cigarette packaging, which demands premium graphics and metallic effects. Metallic inks make up 15% of this volume (≈30,000 tonnes), while black and color inks dominate the rest. 2023 saw growth in water-based replacements for traditional solvent-based inks to reduce VOC emissions in production facilities.
Paper-Based Printing: Paper-based screen printing consumes around 0.3 million tonnes, used in labels, gift wraps, posters, and cards. UV-hybrid water-based printing—for fast-drying and gloss effects—accounts for 0.12 million tonnes; the rest is traditional water-based and solvent ink. Black ink leads with 0.09 million tonnes; colored inks make up 0.21 million tonnes.
Other: Other applications—like textiles, ceramics, decals, and industrial marking—use approximately 0.7 million tonnes, with solvent oils taking 0.4 million tonnes and water-based variants 0.3 million. Textile graphics, in particular, account for 0.25 million tonnes, with multi-ink processes for fashion and signage.

Screen Printing Inks Market Regional Outlook

Screen printing ink use totaled roughly 1.8 million tonnes globally in 2023, with marked regional differences in volume and ink chemistry.

North America

consumed about 0.35 million tonnes, with solvent-based inks dominating at 0.26 million tonnes and water-based at 0.09 million tonnes. Packaging printing used 0.22 million tonnes of ink—0.14 million in food/medicine and 0.05 million in cigarette sectors. Paper and other applications accounted for 0.13 million tonnes. Ink prices in North America averaged USD 2.7 per kg, highest globally due to regional standards. Environmental regulations have driven water-based usage to 25% share, up from 20% in 2022.

Europe

saw ink volumes at around 0.4 million tonnes, with solvent-based inks consuming 0.27 million tonnes and water-based inks 0.13 million tonnes. Packaging applications used 0.25 million tonnes; cigarette labels about 0.05 million. Paper-based usage was 0.06 million tonnes, with the remaining 0.04 million tonnes for industrial and textile prints. VOC limits of 2% forced 0.1 million tonnes of ink into water-based or low-VOC formats in 2023.

Asia-Pacific

led with approximately 0.8 million tonnes, including 0.55 million tonnes of solvent and 0.25 million tonnes of water-based inks. Major packaging printing use totaled 0.48 million tonnes, including 0.28 million in food/medicine and 0.1 million in cigarettes. Paper, textile, and industrial uses—0.32 million tonnes—reflected regional manufacturing trends. Average ink price regionally was USD 1.8 per kg, the lowest among regions.

Middle East & Africa

registered consumption around 0.25 million tonnes, with solvent inks at 0.18 million tonnes and water-based at 0.07 million tonnes. Packaging demand was limited—0.15 million tonnes; paper and industrial 0.1 million tonnes. Prices averaged USD 2.0 per kg, with increasing water-based uptake driven by environmental incentives.

List Of Screen Printing Inks Companies

DIC
Flint Group
Toyo Ink
Sakata Inx
Siegwerk
Huber Group
T&K Toka
Sicpa
Fujifilm
Actega (Altana)
Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals
Yip's Chemical

DIC (including Sun Chemical): IC produced approximately 0.29 million tonnes of screen printing inks in 2023 (16% of global volume), with 0.19 million tonnes solvent-based and 0.10 million tonnes water-based. Their product lines cover packaging, textile, and industrial inks, including 0.08 million tonnes in UV-hybrid systems.

Flint Group: Flint Group also produced around 0.25 million tonnes, representing 14% of global market volume. It split between 0.17 million tonnes solvent-based and 0.08 million tonnes water-based inks. Their portfolio spans food packaging, specialty color inks, and low-VOC solutions.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

The global screen printing inks market, totalled approximately 1.8 million tonnes in 2023, presents multiple investment vectors. The dominance of solvent-based inks (67%) indicates mature demand but also signals a need for low-VOC reformulation. The rising share of water-based inks (33%) and hybrid UV systems (0.12 million tonnes) points to technological innovation aligned with sustainability. Investing in water-based ink capacity—currently at 0.6 million tonnes—provides growth potential as regulations tighten. Expanding capacity by 0.1–0.2 million tonnes, especially in Asia-Pacific, would align with both demand shifts and existing supply gaps. Similarly, bolstering hybrid UV systems usage from 0.12 million tonnes through co-product strategies can attract high-margin segments in textile and specialty print. The packaging segment utilizes 1.1 million tonnes of inks. Investment in specialized ink lines for heat resistance, food-safe compliance, and metallic appearance holds commercial merit. Capital directed toward packaging ink production plants—capable of 50,000 tonnes annually per facility—can rapidly scale to meet industrial demand. Asia-Pacific consumes 0.8 million tonnes and remains under-penetrated in water-based systems (0.25 million tonnes). Regional investments in localized water-based production and R&D can reduce import costs and increase market share. Introducing sustainable ink manufacturing hubs in growth corridors like India, Vietnam, and Malaysia aligns with packaging industry expansion. Pigment volatility raises costs by up to 18%. Investment in R&D for alternative pigments, bio-resins, and recyclable ink chemistries can buffer raw-material price swings contributing to 20% of cost increase. Developing stable, wider color-range alternatives could also reduce dependency on pricier colors like metallics and specialized pigments. VOC regulations cap solvent ink use at 2% in Europe and 1.5% in North America. Companies investing in low-VOC solvent blends and conversion of 200,000 tonnes of current solvent ink capacity to water-based or low-VOC options secure compliance and future-proof capacity. Such investment can also open access to heavily regulated markets like the EU. Given seasonal demand variations—packaging booms vs. textile slumps—investments in flexible printing ink systems that can switch between solvent, water-based, and UV inks offer resilience. Multi-character ink plants capable of producing 0.05 million tonnes per year of hybrid product lines can optimize asset utilization. With top-tier companies representing 30% of market volume (0.54 million tonnes), smaller players can expand through joint ventures or acquisitions. Acquiring a regional water-based ink facility of 30,000 tonnes annual capacity secures market entry and supply control. Overall, investments targeting water-based capacity expansion, packaging specialty inks, hybrid UV development, and raw-material diversification align with market direction and regulatory trends. Strategic investments in these areas can leverage the 1.8 million-tonne market volume and its growth potential.

New Product Development

New product development in the screen printing inks market has accelerated significantly over 2023–2024, focusing on environmental compliance, functional performance, and expansion into specialty applications. Among the most transformative changes has been the reformulation of conventional solvent-based inks into low-VOC alternatives. This development has impacted approximately 0.4 million tonnes of production capacity. These new formulations maintain the durability and print quality of traditional solvent-based systems but with a more environmentally friendly profile, reducing volatile organic compound emissions by over 50%. This reformulation addresses growing regulatory pressure in regions such as Europe and North America, where permissible VOC content is capped at 2% and 1.5%, respectively. Water-based metallic ink formulations have emerged as a major innovation, allowing metallic silver and gold effects previously restricted to solvent-based systems. The introduction of these inks has resulted in the production of 30,000 tonnes globally, driven by demand from high-end packaging and luxury goods applications. These inks offer food-contact safety certification and meet low-VOC regulatory thresholds, making them ideal for use in pharmaceutical and cosmetics packaging. Hybrid UV screen printing inks have grown rapidly as well, blending water-based pigment carriers with UV-curable resins. This hybrid chemistry enables high-speed drying—under 15 seconds per pass—without requiring elevated oven temperatures. With over 120,000 tonnes of UV-hybrid inks produced during the year, this technology is particularly valuable for textile graphics, commercial printing, and specialized labeling. It also reduces energy consumption during production, aligning with sustainability targets. Another key development involves the introduction of photocatalytic antimicrobial inks, which incorporate silver and titanium dioxide nanoparticles. These materials reduce microbial presence by up to 99% on printed surfaces and are increasingly used in healthcare packaging, public signage, and food handling environments. With 50,000 tonnes manufactured in 2023, these inks now play a vital role in safety-critical industries.

Five Recent Developments

4 million tonnes of solvent-based inks were reformulated into low-VOC variants to meet EU and North American environmental regulations.
Water-based metallic inks reached 30,000 tonnes, enabling eco-friendly luxury packaging.
Hybrid UV screen printing inks saw volume reach 120,000 tonnes, driven by demand in textile and label sectors.
Silver-antimicrobial pigment inks added 50,000 tonnes, achieving 99% microbe reduction in packaged goods applications.
Compostable biodegradable inks (from biodegradable resin formulations) crossed 10,000 tonnes, tailored to disposable packaging use.

Report Coverage of Screen Printing Inks Market

This report offers comprehensive coverage of the global Screen Printing Inks Market, analyzing product volume, ink chemistry, application breakdown, regional performance, competitive landscape, innovation, and investment trends across interactive segments. Market Volumes and Types quantify total market size at 1.8 million tonnes, with solvent-based inks comprising 1.2 million tonnes (67%) and water-based inks holding 0.6 million tonnes (33%). Sub-category volumes are further detailed to highlight color differentiation, low-VOC variants, and UV-hybrid usage. Application Segmentation details usage volumes by type: food and medicine packaging (0.6 million tonnes), cigarette packaging (0.2 million tonnes), paper-based printing (0.3 million tonnes), and others including textiles and ceramics (0.7 million tonnes). This provides insight into sector-specific requirements like temperature resistance, food safety, and visual quality demands. Regional Breakdowns cover consumption in Asia-Pacific (0.8 million tonnes), Europe (0.4 million tonnes), North America (0.35 million tonnes), and Middle East & Africa (0.25 million tonnes). Each region’s ink price per kilogram, regulatory profile, and growth potential are analyzed. Company Profiling focuses on the two largest suppliers—DIC (0.29 million tonnes) and Flint Group (0.25 million tonnes). Their product divisions, solvent vs. water-based capacity, and innovation pipelines are profiled.

Investment Analysis identifies opportunities in water-based capacity expansion, packaging-focused ink production, pigment cost mitigation, and low-VOC R&D. Assessment includes supply chain dynamics and potential for joint ventures or acquisitions. New Product Development covers low-VOC solvent inks, water-based metallic and antimicrobial inks, heat-resistant and UV-hybrid formulations, and biodegradable ink launches, totaling 0.9 million tonnes introduced or reformulated within two years. Recent Developments highlight five key milestones: low-VOC ink reformulation (0.4 million tonnes), water-based metallic ink entry (30,000 tonnes), hybrid UV ink growth (120,000 tonnes), antimicrobial silver pigment usage (50,000 tonnes), and biodegradable resin inks (10,000 tonnes). Pricing and Raw-Material Trends include solvent ink prices at USD 1.5–3/kg, water-based at USD 2–4/kg, pigment and resin cost volatility up 12–18%, and region-specific price benchmarks. Regulatory Drivers and Challenges examine VOC restrictions, food-contact ink compliance, and raw material risks impacting over 0.4 million tonnes. Scope extends to performance tracking through 2025, capturing technological shifts—such as water-based metallics and UV-hybrid inks—and guiding material science strategy for manufacturers, investors, and brand owners seeking durable, compliant, and innovative screen-printing solutions. This data-rich coverage empowers stakeholders with actionable insights into volume trends, application demand, ink chemistry evolution, regulatory environment, and future market positioning, tailored to support strategic planning, product development, and scalable investment.