PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1927350
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1927350
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.
Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.
Tariffs have affected the water based printing inks market by increasing costs of imported pigments, binders, and specialty additives used in ink formulations. These impacts are most notable in packaging and textile printing segments across asia pacific and europe. Higher tariffs have led to pricing pressures and sourcing challenges for ink manufacturers. However, tariffs have also encouraged domestic ink production, local raw material sourcing, and innovation in alternative formulations. These developments are supporting regional supply chain resilience and long term market growth.
The water-based printing inks market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides water-based printing inks market statistics, including water-based printing inks industry 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 scenario of the industry.
The water-based printing inks market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $12.03 billion in 2025 to $12.52 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.0%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of printing industry, expansion of packaging sector, increasing textile production, availability of water based formulations, rising environmental awareness.
The water-based printing inks market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $15.15 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to stricter environmental regulations, growth in sustainable packaging, increasing digital printing adoption, advancements in ink chemistry, rising demand for non toxic inks. Major trends in the forecast period include growing adoption of eco friendly printing inks, increasing use in packaging applications, rising demand from textile printing, expansion of digital printing technologies, rising focus on low voc ink formulations.
The expanding e-commerce industry is expected to drive the growth of the water-based printing inks market going forward. E-commerce refers to the buying and selling of goods and services over the internet or other electronic platforms. As e-commerce companies depend heavily on packaging to safeguard products during shipping and delivery, water-based printing inks play a crucial role in printing labels, logos, and product information on packaging materials. The increasing volume of online sales generates substantial demand for printed packaging, thereby supporting the growth of the water-based printing inks market. For example, in August 2023, the United States Census Bureau, a U.S.-based government agency, reported that e-commerce sales in the second quarter of 2023 grew by 7.5% (+-1.4%) compared to the same quarter in 2022, while overall retail sales increased by 0.6% (+-0.4%). Additionally, online sales accounted for 15.4% of all retail sales during that quarter. Therefore, the rapid expansion of the e-commerce sector is fueling growth in the water-based printing inks market.
Major companies in the water-based printing inks market are introducing innovative products such as direct-to-film (DTF) inks to expand their customer base, increase sales, and boost revenue. Direct-to-film printing is a technology that involves applying ink directly onto a film, which can then be transferred to various surfaces. For example, in June 2023, DuPont, a U.S.-based chemical company, launched Artistri P1600, a line of DTF pigment inks. This product offers the advantage of requiring less ink during profiling, which improves productivity and prolongs machine cleanliness. Artistri P1600 inks are versatile and suitable for applications such as printing on cotton, blends, and polyester, providing printers with a premium solution for producing vibrant, consistent prints on a range of textiles. These inks are an ideal choice for DTF printers aiming to deliver professional-quality results across multiple fabric types.
In May 2024, AstroNova, Inc., a U.S.-based electronics manufacturer, acquired MTEX NS for $26.6 million (EUR 24.3 million). This acquisition strengthens AstroNova's position in the color digital package printing market by integrating advanced printing technologies and expanding its portfolio of industrial-grade printing solutions. MTEX NS, a Portugal-based company, produces digital printing equipment and solutions, including water-based printing inks.
Major companies operating in the water-based printing inks market are 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., 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, 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., Ahbar Industries, Al Sama Ink Company, United Ink Production Co. Ltd., Magna Colours
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the water-based printing inks market in 2025. 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, South East Asia, 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, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain
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.
Water-Based Printing Inks Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses water-based printing inks market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for water-based printing inks ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The water-based printing inks market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
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