We live in a global digital world and traditional printing as consumers know it, has gone by the wayside.

So, it is not surprising the digital print packaging market is on the rise. Some experts say the industry is still in its infancy. In fact, only five percent of the world’s total printing is digitally produced, according to Packaging News.

That said, the digital printing market — defined as printing onto labels, flexible packaging, corrugated materials, folding cartons, plastic and metal — is already huge by some standards. The industry is expected to reach $28.85 billion by 2023 and $42.11 billion by 2026, according to Marketsandmarkets.com reports.

Labels account for the largest share because of their diversity in applications from barcodes to graphics and as a result they add substantial value to any product.

As economies continue to emerge in China and India, Asia-Pacific is expected to drive the digital printing packaging industry with China projected to account for the largest market share and dominate the Asia-Pacific in 2021.

But what is digital printing packaging?

In simplistic terms, it is packaging created using digital technologies such as digital platforms, design and 3D software, digital print and digitally-controlled production processes. Many digital packages feature scannable barcodes, imprinted graphics and other Near Field Communication (NFC) technologies — protocols that enable two electronic devices, one of which is usually a portable device such as a smartphone, to establish communication by bringing them within 1.6 inches of each other. For enterprise companies and many businesses that produce and sell consumer goods, the packaging design is part of an integrated marketing and branding campaign.

Computer-to-Plate (CTP) technologies play an active role in this rapid market growth.

CTP devices — born from computer-to-film systems in the 1990s — provide an imaging technology allowing users to print an image directly from a desktop publishing program to a metal plate. These systems are designed to be more sustainable and efficient.

Since CTP devices were introduced well over a decade ago, the industry has matured, and CTP solutions are now known as a proven technology. Even with the continued improvements in digital presses, CTP platesetters remain a critical part of manufacturing processes. Big brands including Agfa, Fujifilm, Kodak and Screen are continuing to raise the bar in terms of ease-of-use, efficiency, quality output, speed, labor resources required, reduced waste and affordability. They are also making significant contributions introducing new products to the market, allowing CTP customers to choose the options which impact their business and profitability the most.

PackagePrinting.com explains how trade shops benefit from CTP solutions because they can eliminate film and all associated chemicals. Printers benefit in many ways from CTP devices, including improved, faster reproduction quality and reliability. Consumers such as Packaged Goods (CPG) companies are increasingly specifying CTP devices and including them in their requirements to capture business.