Water-Based Printing Inks Market Report 2025

The water-based printing inks market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $10.72 billion in 2024 to $11.39 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to emerging markets growth, change in customer preferences, and technological advances.

The water-based printing inks market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $13.9 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to sustainability, high demand from end-user industries, increase in demand from printing industry, and increase in demand from packaging industry. Major trends in the forecast period include rising investment in research and development to develop products with enhanced physical and chemical properties, increase in water-based printing ink consultancy services to help users select the right pigments as they can easily be duplicated so differentiating between different brands is an increasing difficult task, introduction of high resolution inks to water-based printing inks companies portfolio as they are more effective than traditional inks as they allow fine and solid printing at high speed, introducing thermal inkjet inks to cater to the growing demand to include better performance, lower costs and ink versatility, especially in photo printing applications, and an increase in strategic collaborations or mergers and acquisitions, in the printing inks market, many companies are strategically acquiring and merging with start-ups and mid-sized companies to broaden their products and services range or enter emerging regions.

The expanding apparel industry is anticipated to significantly drive the growth of the water-based printing inks market in the future. This sector encompasses the design, production, distribution, and sale of clothing and accessories. Factors such as increasing consumer demand for diverse and sustainable fashion options, advancements in e-commerce, and a heightened focus on personalization and ethical production practices are fueling the growth of the apparel industry. Water-based inks are favored in this sector because they provide vibrant, long-lasting prints on fabrics while being environmentally friendly and free from harmful chemicals, making them ideal for sustainable textile printing. For instance, in May 2023, Textile Industries Media Group LLC reported that U.S. textile and apparel exports totaled $34 billion in 2022, up from $28.4 billion in 2021. Thus, the growth of the apparel industry is propelling the demand for water-based printing inks.

The burgeoning e-commerce industry is also expected to enhance the growth of the water-based printing inks market in the future. E-commerce involves the buying and selling of goods and services via the Internet or other electronic networks. E-commerce companies rely significantly on packaging to protect products during shipping and delivery, leading to increased demand for printed packaging materials. Water-based printing inks are commonly used for printing labels, logos, and product information on these materials. The growth of the e-commerce sector generates substantial demand for printed packaging, benefiting the water-based printing ink market. For example, in August 2023, the United States Census Bureau reported that e-commerce estimates for the second quarter of 2023 increased by 7.5% (or 1.4%) compared to the second quarter of 2022, while overall retail sales rose by 0.6% (or 0.4%). Online stores accounted for 15.4% of all sales in the second quarter of 2023. Therefore, the expanding e-commerce industry is driving the growth of the water-based printing ink market.

Many companies in the printing ink market are transitioning from petroleum-based inks to environmentally friendly alternatives, known as green printing inks. Green printing inks, such as water-based and oil-based inks, are based on sustainable materials such as soy and other plant-derived sources, reducing pollution in landfills. Major players such as DIC Corporation, Flint Group, and Sakata Inx are incorporating green printing inks, free from heavy metals and toxic substances, to mitigate the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during the printing process.

Leading companies in the water-based printing ink market are innovating by developing new products such as direct-to-film (DTF). Direct-to-film (DTF) printing involves transferring ink directly onto a film, which can then be applied to various surfaces. In June 2023, DuPont launched Artistri P1600, a direct-to-film (DTF) pigment ink with unique features that enhance productivity and efficiency by minimizing ink usage and keeping machinery clean for longer. The adaptability of Artistri P1600 is demonstrated in applications such as printing on cotton, blends, and especially polyester, offering a premium ink option for diverse clothing materials.

In May 2024, AstroNova, Inc., a U.S.-based electronics manufacturer, acquired MTEX NS for $26.6 million (approximately €24.3 million). This acquisition is intended to enhance AstroNova's presence in the color digital package printing market by integrating advanced printing solutions and expanding its offerings in industrial-grade printing. MTEX NS, a company based in Portugal, specializes in manufacturing digital printing equipment and solutions, including water-based printing inks.

Major companies operating in the water-based printing inks market include DIC Corporation, Flint Group, Siegwerk Druckfarben Ag & Co. KGaA, Sakata Inx, Toyo Ink SC Holdings Co. Ltd., T & K Toka Co. Ltd., Huber Group, Tokyo Printing Ink Mfg. Co. Ltd., Fujifilm North America, Nazdar Ink Company, Daihan Ink, Bauhinia Ink, DAS Water Based Ink, Zhejiang Yongzai Chemical, Shanghai Si-Lian Industrial General Company, Dolphin Inks Pvt. Ltd., Matsui Chemical (International), Altana Corporation, Ferro, Sun Chemical Group, Colorgraf SpA, BRANCHER Tremblay, Encres Dubuit, INX International France S.A.S., Brigal SA., Chimigraf Iberica S.L., SICPA Holding SA, Wikoff Color Corporation, DEERS I Co. LTD., Dow, Evonik, Doneck Network, Ahbar Industries, Al Sama Ink Company, United Ink Production Co. Ltd., Rexx Screen and Digital Supplies, Magna Colours.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the water-based printing inks market in 2024. Western Europe was the second-largest region in the global water-based printing inks market analysis. The regions covered in the water-based printing inks market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the water-based printing inks market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Canada, Spain.

Water-based printing inks, also known as aqueous inks, come in both dye and pigment variations. These inks, while not waterproof and prone to fading in UV light, are widely used in various applications. The utilization of water-based printing inks has historically faced limitations related to substrate material compatibility, however, they have found success in printing on fabric, paper, and certain plastics.

The primary product types of water-based printing inks include acrylic water-based inks, maleic water-based inks, and shellac water-based inks. Acrylic water-based inks are formulated using water rather than plastic or PVC. These inks are further categorized into flexo inks, gravure inks, and screen-printing inks. Water-based printing inks find applications in diverse industries, including the packaging industry, the textile industry, art, and other specialized applications.

The water-based printing inks market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides water-based printing inks market statistics, including global market size, regional shares, competitors with a water-based printing inks market share, detailed water-based printing inks market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the water-based printing inks industry. This water-based printing inks market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future state of the industry.

The water-based printing inks market consists of the sales of different types of water-based printing inks such as high solid acrylic, discharge, low-solids, medium solids, wet on dry, and wet on wet systems. 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.

This product will be delivered within 3-5 business days.