10 Critical Packaging and Printing Statistics You Need to Know (2025)

Understanding where the packaging industry stands — and where it’s heading — helps brands, suppliers, and designers make smarter decisions about materials, technology, and positioning. Here are 10 statistics that define the current state of custom packaging and printing, with context for what each number actually means for your business.

1. The Custom Packaging Market Will Reach $63.07 Billion by 2030

The global custom packaging market was valued at $43.88 billion in 2023. Growing at a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.32%, it will be worth $63.07 billion by 2030. Meanwhile, the global packaging design services market had an estimated value of $24.63 billion in 2023, forecast to reach $32.42 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 4%.

Regional breakdown of packaging design services:

• North America holds 35%+ of global market share — driven by a large consumer goods sector, established packaging infrastructure, and strong branding investment.
• Europe ranks second at 25%+ — growth driven by eCommerce and innovation accelerated by strict sustainability regulations.
• Asia-Pacific currently holds 20%+ — but analysts forecast APAC’s contribution rising to 41% as eCommerce grows in China, India, and Japan.

2. Food and Beverage Dominate End-User Demand

The global food and beverage packaging market was $385.1 billion in 2023. Bakery goods, confectionery, noodles, and pasta held the largest share. Demand for packaged food — pre-cut vegetables, microwaveable snacks, ready-to-eat meals — is projected to remain high, driven by on-the-go consumption habits and consumer demand for extended shelf life.

3. Paperboard Accounts for 31.8% of Global Packaging Material Value

According to Smithers’ “The Future of Global Packaging to 2028,” flexible plastics and paperboard are the most preferred packaging materials globally. Paperboard — covering folding cartons, corrugated board, and liquid paperboard — takes the larger share at 31.8% of total global packaging material value.

eCommerce growth and new sustainable paper alternatives to plastic are the primary drivers. Paper remains the top material for soft cheeses, flour, sugar, fast food wrapping, medical packaging, and metalized cigarette bundling.

4. Sustainable Packaging Market Projected to Hit $490.5 Billion by 2034

The sustainable packaging segment grew 4.9% between 2019 and 2023, driven by growing consumer preference for biodegradable and compostable solutions. It is projected to reach $490.5 billion by 2034. Bags and sacks dominate with a 25.4% share. North America is expected to hold a 25% global share, followed by East Asia (18.5%) and Western Europe (16.4%).

Consumer views on sustainability in the US vary significantly by demographics:

• 43% of McKinsey survey respondents gave environmental considerations high importance
• Sustainability is “very or extremely” important to 39% of millennials and 37% of Gen Z vs. 18% of baby boomers
• Urban residents (40%) consider environmental packaging impact more than rural residents (21%)
• About 50% of consumers express willingness to pay more for eco-friendly packaging — but typically only 1–3% more
• Two-thirds of McKinsey participants admitted they have little or no confidence in determining which packaging is recyclable

A TIPA Compostable Packaging survey of 1,500 US respondents found 84% find plastic waste from packaging disturbing. Across Washington, New York, and California, 64–54% of respondents said they’d be willing to use compostable packaging as an alternative.

5. Luxury Packaging Market Approaching $17.77 Billion in 2024

Luxury packaging growth is being driven by consumer electronics, perfumes, cosmetics, and jewelry. Two-piece boxes are the most widely used luxury format, accounting for over 31.4% of market share. Boxes with magnetic closures are expected to capture 45% of the global market in 2024.

Asia-Pacific is the epicenter of luxury packaging growth, fueled by fashion and cosmetic product launches. More high-end brands are adopting sustainable materials — Apple announced it would fully replace plastic packaging with fiber-based alternatives by 2025.

6. Pressure-Sensitive Labels Lead the Label Printing Market

According to Smithers’ “The Future of Labels and Release Liners to 2028,” pressure-sensitive (self-adhesive) labels held nearly 45% of the total label market by volume. Almost 40% of label suppliers used flexographic printing — known for exceptional quality at high speeds and compatibility with a wide range of substrates including metal, glass, and non-porous surfaces.

Digital label printing is expected to achieve a CAGR of 6.39% between 2023 and 2028, adding $2.32 billion in incremental value. The top end-user segment is alcoholic drink manufacturers (nearly 30% of the market).

7. Demand for Label Transparency Is Rising

The call for transparent product information has grown among grocery shoppers from 69% in 2018 to 76% in 2023. Consumers want “clean labels” that clearly state product identity, net weight, nutritional facts, ingredients, allergen data, and manufacturer details. In fashion, two-thirds of shoppers want more accountability about sourcing and labor practices.

Brands are responding with QR codes and digital tags on labels. But they must avoid “greenwashing” — a Sustainable Brands/Ipsos survey found 67% of consumers are suspicious of environmental messaging used to drive purchases, and a NielsenIQ report found 77% would stop buying from greenwashed brands.

8. Smart Packaging Market Projected to Reach $38.3 Billion by 2033

Smart packaging — including QR codes, RFID, and NFC chip-enabled labels that track conditions and verify authenticity — currently represents a $24.6 billion market. At a projected CAGR of 4.5%, it is estimated to reach $38.3 billion by 2033.

Growth drivers include the expanding eCommerce market, the rising elderly population (driving demand for accessible and smart pharmaceutical packaging), and increasing demand for superior logistics visibility in emerging economies.

9. Packaging Automation Has Accelerated Across North America

Automation levels have increased in 91% of North American packaging companies in recent years, driven by the need to reduce errors, increase throughput, lower labor costs, and improve product quality. Autonomous mobile robots handle material transport in warehouses. Larger stationary robots manage labeling, sealing, and palletizing. Collaborative robots (cobots) work alongside human staff on repetitive or strenuous tasks.

Facts & Factors valued the global packaging automation market at $68.95 billion in 2023, forecasting growth to $124.53 billion by 2032 at a CAGR of 7.67%. Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing hub — 63% of worldwide industrial robot sales come from the region, per the International Federation of Robotics.

10. AI in Packaging Projected to Grow from $2.67 Billion to $7.33 Billion by 2033

AI in global packaging is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.26% from $2.67 billion in 2023 to $7.33 billion by 2033. Machine learning accounts for 47% of the current market share through its role in operational efficiency — predictive maintenance, inventory optimization, quality control, and route optimization for faster, lower-cost delivery.

On the brand and marketing side, packaging design and customization accounts for a 33% market share. AI-powered tools can analyze shopper behavior in real time and help brands adjust packaging design, color, size, and messaging to match buyer preferences. eCommerce experts suggest that applying these insights can boost sales by over 70%.

What This Data Means for Your Packaging Strategy

The packaging industry isn’t slowing down — it’s evolving rapidly across materials, technology, and consumer expectation. The clearest themes from the data:

• Sustainability is a growth lever, not just a cost — products with sustainability claims consistently outperform those without
• Transparency is expected — consumers want to know what’s in the package, how it was made, and how to dispose of it
• Smart labels and AI are becoming standard — brands that adopt them earlier build data and experience advantages that compound over time
• Asia-Pacific is the next major growth market — luxury and eCommerce packaging demand is accelerating faster there than anywhere else

EdgeCraft Packaging works with businesses of all sizes — from startups to Fortune 500 companies — to build custom packaging solutions that meet today’s standards for quality, sustainability, and brand performance.