Printing Plates Market Report 2026

The printing plates market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $15.23 billion in 2025 to $15.74 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of flexographic and offset printing applications, increasing demand for high-quality print output, availability of photopolymer plate technologies, growth of packaging printing, rising adoption of gravure printing processes.

The printing plates market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $18.18 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing shift toward digital plate imaging, rising investments in sustainable plate materials, expansion of packaging and label printing, growing demand for faster plate turnaround times, increasing adoption of automation in plate production. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of digital and ctp printing plates, rising demand for high-precision flexographic plates, growing use of eco-friendly plate materials, expansion of digital flexo and offset plate technologies, enhanced focus on plate durability and reusability.

The rise in promotional and advertising activities is expected to drive the growth of the printing plates market. Promotional and advertising activities encompass strategies and efforts to increase awareness, generate interest, and boost sales of products or services across multiple communication channels. This growth is fueled by increasing competition, the need for brand differentiation, advancements in digital marketing technologies, and the focus on targeting specific audiences. Printing plates play a key role in these activities by enabling high-quality, consistent production of print materials such as brochures, flyers, and posters. For instance, in April 2024, according to the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), a US-based national advertising trade association, digital advertising revenues in the United States rose to $225 billion in 2023, reflecting a 7.3% year-over-year increase from 2022 to 2023. This trend indicates that rising promotional and advertising efforts are propelling demand for printing plates.

Leading companies in the printing plates market are focusing on developing advanced, sustainable flexo plate materials to improve environmental performance and meet the rising demand for eco-friendly solutions. Sustainable and eco-friendly printing plates are designed to minimize environmental impact, reduce waste, and use fewer harmful chemicals. For instance, in May 2024, XSYS, a Germany-based provider of flexographic printing plates, introduced the Nyloflex Eco Flexo Plate Series. These plates use 19-29% renewable raw materials in their polymer layer and offer a 20% reduction in processing time, which enhances productivity while reducing energy and solvent consumption.

In August 2023, Reproflex3 Ltd., a UK-based flexographic solutions provider, acquired ANF Inc. for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition is expected to strengthen Reproflex3's presence in the European corrugated packaging market by enhancing its production capabilities and expanding its reach in the pharmaceutical sector. ANF Inc., based in the US, provides flexographic printing plates for the packaging industry.

Major companies operating in the printing plates market are Fujifilm Holdings Corporation, Asahi Kasei Corporation, Toray Industries Inc., DuPont de Nemours Inc., Element Solutions Inc., Agfa-Gevaert NV, Flint Group SA, Eastman Kodak Company, MacDermid Graphics Solutions LLC, Miraclon HoldCo Corporation, Inkcups Now Corporation, Anderson & Vreeland Inc., Lucky Huaguang Graphics Co. Ltd., Grafiflex SRL, Tampoprint AG, PlateCrafters, Tesa Printing Plates GmbH, XSYS Printing Solutions, Flint Group Flexographic Plates, Toyo Ink SC Holdings Co. Ltd.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the printing plates market in 2025. The regions covered in the printing plates market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the printing plates market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The printing plates market consists of sales of letterpress printing plates, CTP (computer-to-plate) plates, anilox plates, photopolymer plates, aluminum printing plates, and steel printing plates. 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.

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