Gravure Printing Ink Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Conventional Gravure Ink, Plastic Gravure Ink, Alcohol Soluble Gravure Ink) By Application (Packaging, Publication, Product, Promotion, Others) and Regional Insights and Forecast to 2034

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GRAVURE PRINTING INK MARKET OVERVIEW

The global Gravure Printing Ink Market size was USD 7.08 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 10.20 billion by 2034, exhibiting a CAGR of 9.4% during the forecast period.

Gravure printing ink market supports this high quality/ high-volume flexible packaging and labels, gift wrapping, decorative laminates and some publication applications. Gravure inks, generally solvent-based, water-based or alcohol-soluble, are designed to transfer quickly at high press speeds, to lay down well, to have sharp half-tones and to have high adhesion on films like BOPP, PET, PVC and nylon and on coated papers and foils. Packaged foods/beverages, personal care/household products have high demand where durability/scuff resistance/chemical resistance is of concern. Growth in organized retail and FMCG consumption in the emerging economies has still kept the use of gravure high, and in the mature markets, converters are focused on achieving productivity and the consistent color maintenance in a multi-site operation. Meanwhile, the market is also grappling with environmental and compliance demands such as decreased VOCs, fewer residual solvents and enhanced ability to recycle or compost. This is fueling R&D in NC-free resin systems, bio-based materials, as well as hybrid technologies to allow compliance-friendly high gloss and density. Suppliers distinguish themselves based on features including low odor-formulations of food packaging materials, better heat-seal compatibilities, strength of lamination bonds, faster solvent release to reduce retained-solvent risk, and inks modified towards high-barrier applications. Enhancing the value-add of digital prepress, stricter QC and automation of the press add further strength to the value case of gravure in large-scale runs where repeatability and impactful imagery is paramount.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Gravure Printing Ink Market Had a Negative Effect Due to Supply Chain Disruption During COVID-19 Pandemic

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with the market experiencing lower-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. The sudden market growth reflected by the rise in CAGR is attributable to the market’s growth and demand returning to pre-pandemic levels.

Gravure printing ink market share received a mixed but net-negative shock because of COVID-19. Although volumes in essential packaging (food, hygiene, pharma) remained stable or even increased in the short-term, most solvents and nitrocellulose (NC), pigments (e.g., TiO 2), and resins supply chains were impacted by extensive lockdowns, causing production bottlenecks and disruptions, increased lead times, and higher cost input. Limited workforces decreased the use of plants and maintenance schedules, over congestion in logistics led to high freight prices and out of control inventories. In the demand side, there was erosion of publication gravure (magazines, catalogs, inserts) as advertisers scaled back spending quotas and readers turned to read online, reducing run lengths that had rendered gravure run lengths attractive. Capex and reformulation projects were also delayed, capexs were slowed down; the qualification of new low-VOC, or food-compliant systems. Packaging demand partially offset that impact, but substrate (films, foils) availability volatility and sudden SKU introductions/discontinuations by brand owners made ink forecasting more difficult and further increased wastes. Removal post-pandemic, the market continues to grapple with cost inflation and episodic raw-material shortages that have induced converters to demand inks with quicker drying, wider substrate scope, and predictable supply platforms to enhance agility.

LATEST TRENDS

From Solvent Dominance to Sustainable Performance: The Rise of Low-VOC, Water-Based, and NC-Free Gravure Systems Drives Market Growth

A predictable growing trend is the shift toward lower-emission chemistries: water-based, low-VOC, and nitrocellulose-free (NC-free) gravure inks due to more stringent regulations and the sustainability goals of brands. Suppliers are equally quick to broaden, solvent-based systems only continue to dominate high-speed packaging, in that portfolios reduce VOCs and residual-solvent risk without compromising gloss, density, or bond strength. Formulators are adding hybrid resin structures, and alternate binders to substitute NC, enhancing compliance with changing packaging regulations and migration levels without sacrificing press latitude. Interestingly, there is talk in the industry regarding the growth of investment in low-VOC and water-based gravure, as it is under pressure to minimize carbon footprints and increase recyclability routes. The effect on converters is lower abatement loads, more comfortable pressrooms, and better acceptance of food packaging applications. The growth in filmic substrates should be incremental and based on drying and wetting improving the performance gap as it currently stands, the initial opportunities will be in specific structures and geographies where regulation and energy is most incentivizing.

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GRAVURE PRINTING INK MARKET SEGMENTATION

By Type

Based on type, the global market can be categorized into Conventional Gravure Ink, Plastic Gravure Ink, Alcohol Soluble Gravure Ink

• Conventional Gravure Ink: High speed film printers using solvent based systems (typically NC resin). Superb gloss, density and laydown and quick drying. The color of coloring and abrasion resistance is suitable in long-running uses.

• Plastic Gravure Ink: Optimized on BOPP, PET, PVC, PE, nylon films. Focuses on adhesive, bend and lamina bond strength. Was designed with the least amount of retained solvents and favor pouch, sachet and wrap applications.

• Alcohol-Soluble Gravure Ink: To dry more quickly and to have less odor uses blends of alcohol-rich solvents for drying. Prints well and transfers with lower VOC levels intensity relative to aromatics. Useful in food packing where migration and odor are important.

By Application

Based on Application, the global market can be categorized into Packaging, Publication, Product, Promotion, Others

• Packaging: On food, drink, personal / household care. Focuses on compatibility with heat seal, lamination performance, scuff/chemical resistance, and the compliance (e.g. low odor/migration).

• Publication: Individual magazines, catalogs, inserts that need fine screens and thick images. Digital migration and reduced runs mean secular decline in the market. Focus on the cost-per-impression and standardized color.

• Product: Laminating of furniture/walls, papers/gifts, wrapping of products. Has to be of high opacity, scratch resistant, and pattern faithful on large scale.

• Promotion: Large format POP materials, high end inserts, and exhibit graphics in a bulk print format. Emphasis on brilliant color, quick turnaround plus rub resistance in handling.

• Others: Niche films/foils Specialty industrials (e.g., tobacco, security tints). Frequently made-to-order inks with close tolerance or operating adjuncts (e.g., temperature resistant).

MARKET DYNAMICS

Market dynamics include driving and restraining factors, opportunities and challenges stating the market conditions.

Driving Factors

Expansion of FMCG flexible packaging Boost the Market

Increasing urbanization, smaller household units and convenience-driven buying are edging brands towards pouches, sachets and multilayer laminates where gravure excels with opaque solids, sharp and clear halftones and metallics at incredibly fast speeds and leads the gravure printing ink market growth. Long runs and the ability to be repeatable again and again are cooked into the requirements of retailers, who require consistent branding across nationwide rollouts; gravure cylinders provide highly repeatable dots, even after millions of impressions. On-pack functionality (e.g. retort, hot-fill, scuff resistance) need excellent lamination bond strength and/or heat/chemical resistance capabilities which mature gravure systems offer. In the cost-driven segments such as snacks and noodles, the high OEE, rapid drying, and proven trapping of gravure combine to waste and downtime less and enhance the cost of applied cost per square meter. New markets (China, India, ASEAN) enable additional volume through organized retailing and export packaging, and premiumization of pet food and personal care maintains the requirements of richer graphics and greater opacity, which further supports the gravure value proposition.

Quality, throughput, and color management in long runs Expand the Market

Brand owners are becoming more demanding in their ΔE tolerances narrow, smooth vignettes and image filled packs that have to match site-to-site and across time. The longevity of the cylinder and consistency of ink transfer generated by Gravure favour the same outcomes across longer campaigns, reducing the need to reproof and reducing the risk of complaints. Low-foaming formulations that can quickly release solvent and provide viscosity control allow increasing press rates and decreasing stoppages, increasing equipment effectiveness. Predictable laydown and fast turn to target density reduces start-up waste to converters. Gravure inks in multi-layer structures are formulated with consideration to heat sealing and lamination processes that protect the graphics during the converting and distribution process. Many effects that can be catalytically easier to accomplish on a large scale by gravure as opposed to many otherwise substitutable alternatives are gloss, metallic brilliance and tactile/overprint effects, especially on premium segments where long-run affordability and repeatability perfection often outweigh the job-change flexibility of other print processes.

Restraining Factor

VOC abatement, NC dependency, and compliance costs squeeze solvent-gravure economics Potentially Impede Market Growth

Stricter air-emission regulation and food-contact monitoring makes it more expensive to process solvent-intensive gravure lines. The challenges to the plants include investment in thermal oxidizers/solvent recovery, increased energy cost to dry and constant monitoring of the residual solvents. Price fluctuations in nitrocellulose (NC) and pigment supply can cause sudden price runs and changes in formulation, and documentation requirements (DoCs, NIAS assessments) can increase qualification times across the industry. On smaller jobs, these headwinds shift business away to those processes using less emissions or slower changeovers, losing business in publication and promotional print. In packaging, brand sustainability scorecards are triggering converters to demonstrate a reduction in VOC/odors and recyclability compatibility growing the requirement of conventional systems.

Low-VOC, water-based, and NC-free chemistries align with PPWR-style circularity and food-safety goals Create Opportunity for The Product in The Market

Opportunity

Suppliers that commercialize NC-free, polyurethane/acrylic-based gravure inks, and more modern water-based lines, will gain market share as packaging regulations become stricter in Europe and brand goals more ambitious worldwide. New platforms reduce VOCs, residual-solvent risk, boost recyclability fit, and provide high speed, gloss, and bond strength, enabling entry in regulated food packaging.

Recent releases denote direction: NC-free gravure for circular packaging in Europe and water-based systems proven to be appropriate for direct food contact. Converters get lighter loads of abatement, safer pressrooms and better ESG stories in tenders. The increased use will be more quickly embraced in areas of high energy prices and restrictive emissions regimes.

Closing the performance–cost gap on films without sacrificing speed Could Be a Potential Challenge for Consumers

Challenge

Retention of solvent-like density, wetting, and lamination performance on BOPP/PET with low-VOC or water-based gravure at comparable or even lower total cost is challenging. Single roll and maze dryers have been used to provide sufficient dryer capacity existing alongside with appropriate ink rheology and substrate treatments to achieve targets of gloss and low retained solvents so that press speeds can remain high.

The ability to attain wide substrate latitude, simple color matching, and minimal clean up/change over time-at normal pricing- will prove to be a significant market differentiator. The technical and operational challenge is how to optimize resin architecture, humectancy/drying windows, and adhesion promoters in conjunction with process settings, to achieve parity on commercial lines.

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GRAVURE PRINTING INK MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

• North America

It is believed that North America will continue to dominate in the United States gravure printing ink market simply because it has a firm base of consumer-packaged goods (CPG), premium food, beverages, pet care and household products. The converters of the region underlay focus on inks that guarantee a low level of odor, minimal migration, and high-quality lamination bond strength to fulfil strict FDA and retailer specifications. The printing business of publication gravure has experienced a long-term downtrend, but the packaging applications still constitute large volumes, with snacks, frozen food and animal food being major consumers. The converters merger into converting companies and brand owners to large ink suppliers prefer multi-plant manufacturing, proven sourcing and strong technical support. Furthermore, sustainability trends are transforming demand making suppliers move to low-VOC, water-based and NC-free inks that have less environmental footprints but in a high-performance level. Having a very competitive retail environment and strict compliance models, North America is turning out to be a front-runner in the innovations of safe and sustainable gravure ink technologies.

• Europe

Strict environmental regulations and pending in packaging-waste laws can hasten the push towards NC-free and low-VOC gravure, especially where the application has food contact. Ink drying efficiency, which reduces abatement requirements and/or increases ROI, is magnified by high energy costs. The converters require full compliance records and recyclable/mono-material structure compatible inks. When brands standardize to one set of sustainable specifications across their multi-country operations, suppliers with PPWR-positioned portfolio by aligned with strong regulatory support and local access to stock/service can win that share.

• Asia

Asia is the volume driver, headed up by China, India and Southeast Asia. The price sensitive category such as noodles, biscuits, and confectionery has long repeat replacement orders which can be accommodated by the speed and repeatability of gravure. Adoption is strengthened by local cylinder-making ecosystems, competitive converting costs. In the coming months, demands on low-odor and less toxic chemistries are increasing as regional suppliers prepare to ramp up the export-ready packaging scale, a dual market will emerge with cost-optimized conventional systems versus upgraded NC-free/low-VOC lines to cater to the multinational brand demands.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Key Industry Players Shaping the Market Through Innovation and Market Expansion

Major players horizontalizes heavyweight global standards and nimble regionals: brand leaders DIC Corporation (Sun Chemical), Flint Group, Siegwerk, and Sakata INX / INX International compete alongside the fast-moving Toyo Ink (Artience Group) and hubergroup that pickertail global liquid-ink volumes in filmic packaging and selective publication applications. Major plans involve NC-free, polyurethane/acrylic-based gravure which is aimed at achieving circularity ambitions; water-based lines to address food contact and cleaner VOCs; and low-migration systems to address sensitive applications. This movement is reflected in recent activities: NC-free gravure projects, capacity build-ups; direct-food-contact (water-based) introductions; low-migration/UV-LED portfolio additions; and acquisitions to enhance coating capacity. In addition to formulations, these players have differentiated through multi plant footprints, resilient resin/pigment sourcing, color management, and robust on press technical support to improve OEE and reduce waste. Their size and regulatory knowledge assist converters to navigate documentation and qualification into highly regulated markets and local resources support low-cost rollouts of high-volume FMCG packaging in Asia.

List Of Top Gravure Printing Ink Companies

• Bureau Veritas (France)
• SGS (Switzerland)
• Intertek (U.K.)
• Shell (U.K.)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT

August 2025: Flint Group Showcased NC-free, PU-based gravure inks for circular flexible packaging in Europe (Verti Xcode).

REPORT COVERAGE

Gravure inks will continue to anchor high-volume flexible packaging applications due to its ability to provide superior image reproduction, high volume lay down and solid repeatability over long counts. FMCG packaging growth in Asia and a strong and stable demand in North America and Europe in the premium snacks, pet food, beverages and household products markets are the anchors. Nevertheless, there are headwinds: VOC-abatement and energy expenses, NC and pigment volatility, food-contact-documentation challenges, and publication gravure-decline structures. Competitive reaction is already intense: equipment suppliers are upsizing NC-free and low-VOC/water-based platforms that match press speeds, gloss, and high-perision lamination with bridging circular-economy and packaging-waste regulations; equipment suppliers are also expanding coating/overprint ecosystems with innovation and M&A. Converters also will seek partners that offer compliant chemistries, secure regional supply, color management, and exceptional tech support, to maximize OEE and ensure minimal retained-solvent risk. With time, the performance-cost gap with conventional solvent systems will continue to close as hybrid resin architecture, drying/retention profiles, and substrate-specific wetting advances reach maturity--extending the viable scope of regulated food packaging and recyclable/mono-material structures. All told, then, net-net gravure inks will remain robust where consistency, throughput, and optical performance are paramount, and sustainability-flexible chemistries will set the industry up to deliver long-term, albeit serious, enduring growth in the next cycle.